As the parent of a reactive Dalmatian named Loki, I wanted to share the importance of having comprehensive pet insurance that covers not only medical expenses but also behaviour-related issues. Loki’s reactivity towards other dogs was a challenge we faced since he turned one, and it required professional help to address.
Thankfully, our pet insurance plan covered behavioural treatments and consultations with qualified veterinary clinical behaviourists (CABs), which not only helped improve Loki’s behaviour but also saved us thousands of pounds in training and behaviour expenses.
Not all pet insurance plans are created equal, and it’s crucial to understand the coverage options when selecting a policy for your dogs! While many pet insurance plans focus primarily on covering medical treatments for accidents and illnesses, not all of them cover behaviour-related issues. However, for pet owners like me who have a pet with behaviour problems, having a policy that includes coverage for behavioural treatments can make a significant difference in the overall well-being of the pet and the family.
Loki’s reactivity issues were not something that could be easily addressed with basic training, reactivity is a complex behaviour rooted in emotional triggers, It required specialized care from a qualified behaviourist or behaviour consultant who could diagnose the underlying causes and design a comprehensive behaviour modification program tailored to Loki’s needs. Without insurance coverage for behaviour treatments, the cost of working with a CAB could have been overwhelming, and we may have struggled with this essential aspect of Loki’s care.
Thankfully, our pet insurance plan covers consultations and treatments with a qualified behaviourist, which allows us to work closely with a behaviourist over the course of a year. The behaviour modification program involved desensitization and counter-conditioning techniques, as well as management strategies to help Loki cope with his triggers. The progress we made with Loki was remarkable, and we saw a significant improvement in his behaviour towards other dogs. The guidance and expertise of the CAB were invaluable in helping us understand Loki’s behaviour and providing us with effective tools to manage and modify it.
Finding a qualified veterinary clinical behaviourist is not always easy. These professionals are highly specialized and often work in conjunction with veterinary clinics or referral centres. However, many pet insurance plans offer coverage for behaviour treatments and consultations with a CAB, and some even require a referral from a veterinarian to access this coverage. In our case, our regular veterinarian was able to provide us with a referral to a CAB, which made the process smoother and more efficient. Knowing that our pet insurance covered behavioural treatments gave us peace of mind and confidence in seeking out the best possible care for Loki’s behaviour issues.
Loki’s behaviour issues were complex and required not only behaviour treatments but also medication to manage his condition. Our pet insurance plan covers the cost of behaviour medication prescribed by a qualified veterinary clinical behaviourist, which was a crucial component of Loki’s treatment plan. The coverage for behaviour medication ensured that we could afford the necessary medications to help Loki manage his behaviour issues effectively, without incurring significant out-of-pocket expenses.
In addition to behaviour medication, our pet insurance plan also covered another testing that was linked with Loki’s behaviour issues. This included pain trials and another diagnostic testing that helped us better understand the underlying causes of his reactivity and tailor his treatment plan accordingly. Without insurance coverage for these testing expenses, the cost of diagnosing and managing Loki’s behaviour issues could have been prohibitive, and we may have had to forgo important diagnostic procedures that were essential to his care.
The coverage for behaviour medication and related testing provided us with peace of mind and financial security, knowing that we could provide Loki with the comprehensive care he needed to manage his behaviour issues effectively. It allowed us to work closely with the veterinary clinical behaviourist, follow his treatment plan, and monitor Loki’s progress over time. With the help of the behaviour medication and related testing, we saw a significant improvement in Loki’s behaviour towards other dogs and strangers, and he became a happier and more well-adjusted pet.
In conclusion, pet insurance that covers behaviour treatments can save pet owners thousands in training and behaviour expenses, especially for pets with complex behaviour issues that require specialized care. Finding a qualified behaviourist may not be easy to do yourself, but with a referral from your veterinarian and insurance coverage for behaviour treatments, you can access the best possible care for your pet. As a pet owner who has experienced the benefits of pet insurance that covers behaviour issues firsthand, I highly recommend considering a comprehensive policy that includes coverage for behaviour treatments to ensure the well-being of your furry friend and your peace of mind.
