Each year, 3 to 4 million pets were euthanized because their owners were unable to afford their treatment or had pet care insurance. Most pets are part of the family and many owners are heartbroken when they have to put down their beloved friend because the vet treatment was too costly. This is why a growing number of people are beginning to take out pet care insurance to protect their pet if the worse happens to their pet's health.

Give Them The Very Best

Pet care insurance is common in the United Kingdom, with research indicating that the market will grow to ₤1.17 billion by 2011. This means the competition is fierce and there are many companies on the market offering excellent policies at low prices. And as expensive treatment usually reserved for humans ? such as chemotherapy, joint replacements and scans ? is being used more and more for cats and dogs pet care insurance is becoming a must have. For example, open-heart surgery for your pet can cost over ₤10,000. Pet insurance makes it possible for your cat or dog to have the very best medical treatment for as long as is required.

Don't Get Caught Unaware

Pet care insurance has recently paid off for a friend of mine. Her dog was struck by a car and the resulting medical treatment included x-rays, ultrasounds, several operations, physiotherapy and medication for an infection. Luckily for her, her pet insurance enabled her to pay for the treatment. Otherwise, she was unprepared and would have had to have faced the terrible decision of euthanizing her beloved dog.

Pet care insurance doesn't have to just cover accidents. Increasingly, pets are becoming afflicted with chronic diseases usually found in humans, such as diabetes and arthritis. These conditions can be costly over the long term with regular visits to the vet and expensive medication. Considering these costs, pet care insurance will pay for itself over time.

Start Early - Start Now

The best time to begin paying for pet care insurance is when your pet is still a puppy or kitten. Most companies will accept puppies and kitten from 8 weeks of age. By starting this early you are insuring your pet before pre-existing conditions can develop. If you wait till later to purchase pet insurance and your pet does develop some sort of condition, that particular condition is unlikely to be covered by an insurance policy because most don't cover pre-existing conditions. Furthermore, at such a young age, it is not uncommon for kittens or puppies to catch a virus or another illness before they are older and stronger. Also, with them being so active but somewhat fragile, emergency treatment for accidents is also not uncommon.

But what if your pet is older? Some pet care insurance companies still offer insurance for older pets. You will probably pay a little more but as (barring any accidents) most medical costs for pets are in their last years of age, you should start as soon as possible.

There has never been a better time to consider buying pet care insurance for you furry friend. Considering the cost can start at only a few pounds a week and will can save your thousands of pounds when needed, there is no excuse not protect your cat or dog.