Animal companions bring a bounty of benefits to our lives. Whether by reducing loneliness and improving mental health or increasing your activity level, our pets help us live longer, happier lives. There are, unfortunately, common issues associated with pet ownership as well. There are three notable instances where having a cat or dog poses practical or financial challenges that could increase stress and worry: traveling, accessing veterinary care and dealing with damages or injuries caused by your pet. We’ve compiled some best practices to help you and your furry friend through each situation.

Traveling With Your Pet

Traveling with your pet is usually fun and rewarding once you arrive at your destination; however, getting there can be trying. That’s because you must plan ahead to make sure your animal is safe and comfortable in transit and compliant with local regulations at journey’s end.

Complete the following tasks as part of your travel preparations:

  • Check local regulations – Before embarking on your trip, research pet regulations at your destination. Ensure there’s no quarantine requirement, and secure required medical documents (for example, a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection or Official Health Certificate) before your departure. If you need a form, request it from your veterinarian. The S. Department of State offers pet parents information for those traveling internationally, including U.S. airline policies, how to find accurate entry requirements and more.
  • Select the proper mode of transportation – Consider your pet’s breed, size and temperament before deciding how to travel. A small, calm dog may tolerate air travel. However, a large breed — or one that becomes anxious in confined spaces — might do better traveling by car or train. Make sure to discuss your travel plans with your vet, as they can provide calming or anti-nausea medications for pets that are nervous travelers. These medications can make the trip more enjoyable for you, your pet and your fellow travelers.
  • Pack the right gear – A pet-friendly travel kit should include the same essentials as home — food, water, bowls, a leash and waste bags or litter and pan — as well as comfort items such as a calming bed, crate, blanket and toys. If this will be an active trip, full of fun activities like hiking, swimming and sightseeing, consider bringing a pet-focused First Aid kit. Far away from the convenience of home and your local vet, this kit can provide important peace of mind during your trip.
  • Book appropriate accommodation – Select lodging with an open pet policy, sufficient indoor space and ample grounds for getting out their energy after their long journey.
  • Confirm identification tags – Verify that your animal’s tags and data chips have current information. If not, update them before leaving.

Avoiding Catastrophic Medical Care Costs

Paying for medical care is one of the main challenges of pet ownership, as the costs of even a routine veterinary visit can be substantial. According to a Forbes analysis of vet visit costs, annual vet costs for dogs increased 60% from 2020 to 2022, and 70% for households with cats during the same time period. If your dog or cat develops a life-threatening illness or injury, one that necessitates an emergency or after-hours visit to a veterinarian, your pet’s treatment bills can reach tens of thousands of dollars. For example, the surgery alone for a swallowed foreign object — a common complaint among cat and dog owners — can cost $3,400 for cats and $3,500 for dogs.

Fortunately, pet insurance can help you safeguard your family’s finances against unexpected vet bills. For pet owners across the United States, the necessity of carrying pet insurance appears to have made its mark. In its 2023 industry report, the North American Pet Health Insurance Association (NAPHIA) announced that the North American pet health insurance sector grew by 23.5% compared to 2022. This leap in insured pets led to new industry milestones. Insurance premiums reached a record $3.51 billion for 2022, and more than 5.36 million total pets became insured across the country — a 21.7% increase compared to the 4.4 million pets insured in 2021, according to NAPHIA.

Pet insurance can play a valuable role in protecting your finances and the long-term health and happiness of family pets. With coverages available for accidents, illnesses and even chronic health conditions, policyholders can access appropriate care without fear of surrendering a pet due to their inability to pay for treatment. Some of the essential benefits of pet insurance includes:

  • Providing a financial backstop if your pet needs costly medical care after an illness or injury.
  • The flexibility to choose your preferred veterinary provider.
  • Offering peace of mind to help reduce stress while your animal is sick.
  • Giving more options to select the best care for your pet.
  • Providing coverage for multiple animals; check your policy to make sure.

Protecting Yourself Against Pet-Related Lawsuits

In 2022, there were 17,597 dog-bite claims in the United States, with an average cost per claim of $64,555. This is an increase in cost per claim of more than 131% due to rising medical costs and swelling settlements, judgments and jury awards given to plaintiffs, according to the Insurance Journal. To avoid paying for large out-of-pocket claims, consider these three strategies to mitigate your pet liability risk:

  1. Tap your first line of defense — your homeowners or renters insurance. If your pet bites someone or damages third-party property, this policy will likely pay up to $100,000 to resolve the matter.
  2. Consider purchasing an umbrella liability policy if your homeowners or renters insurance provides no or limited pet liability coverage. It often provides up to $1 million in additional protection to supplement your homeowners, renters or automobile liability policy.
  3. If you have a breed known for biting — or if your animal has injured people in the past — consider investing in standalone pet liability insurance. Dedicated coverage will provide you with the ultimate peace of mind.

For many pet owners, our pets are beloved members of the family. And just like any other family member, it’s important to keep them happy and healthy. Running into health issues, travel woes and even injuries or damage caused by your pet is an unfortunate fact of life. Luckily, carrying pet insurance and following these tips can help you resolve any issues as they arise. Contact your Gallagher insurance advisor to ensure you have sufficient pet insurance for medical or liability risks before they happen.