Should I Get Pet Insurance for My Puppy? A Vet Weighs In

The joy of experiencing the world through your puppy’s eyes is unmatched — everything is new and fun. Using pet insurance to help pay for your puppy’s medical bills, is one way to make sure tails stay wagging.

We’ve rounded up some reasons why pet insurance may be worth it for puppies, so health care decisions can be based on their well-being and not financial constraints.

Is Pet Insurance Worth It for a Puppy?

Puppy parents could spend anywhere from $700 – $1,500 on their pup's health care in the first year alone.¹ There’s the cost of vaccinations, spaying or neutering, and other preventive care — but that’s not all.

At some point, your new puppy might eat something they shouldn’t or experience health issues like kennel cough or parasites. An emergency trip to the vet may cost up to $3,000 or more.¹ But pet insurance could help you cover these vet bills.

As TikTok star and veterinarian Dr. Hunter Finn, says, “Young pets benefit from pet insurance as well! No one ever seems to think that their young pet will get sick or injured, but I can’t tell you how many parvo puppies we see who need thousands of dollars worth of treatment be thankful or wishing that they got pet insurance.”

Enrolling your pet in a policy earlier could help you feel more financially prepared for any unforeseen vet visits. And as your puppy gets older, pet insurance is there to continue helping you support your dog’s health needs.

Let’s take a look at six other reasons to get pet insurance for your puppy.

1. Your pet insurance premiums could be lower

Younger pets can be less expensive to insure than older ones. Naturally, older dogs may need more health care than pups, so premiums tend to increase as your pet ages. Puppy parents could get lower rates, since puppies tend to be healthier. A MetLife Pet Insurance policy can cost as low as $16 per month for dogs.²

2. Frequent puppy accidents or injuries can be covered

From electrical cords and toys to toxic human foods and house plants, puppies often want to chew on and eat everything within reach. They also tend to explore with curiosity and can easily get themselves in a situation resulting in torn ligaments, wounds, or fractures. Their latest adventure could land them in the animal hospital.

Intestinal blockage surgeries and poisoning treatments can be expensive — up to $7,000 and $5,000, respectively — and are unfortunately common puppy procedures.³ Broken bones, electrical cord shock, and wounds are also common and can run from $2,500 – $3,000 or more to treat.³

Accident-related vet expenses — like X-rays, surgeries, emergency care, and more — can be covered under a MetLife Pet policy. With the possibility of unexpected accidents and injuries in their puppy years, getting pet insurance early can help you make a big difference in your finances.

3. You could be reimbursed for puppy illnesses

All dogs can get sick, but a puppy’s immune system is still developing, and that can make it easier for them to fall ill. Distemper, parvovirus, kennel cough, heartworm, and leptospirosis are just some of the dog diseases your puppy can be exposed to. Diagnosis, treatment, and recovery can lead to costly vet bills, sometimes $10,000 or more.⁴

Even a rogue stomach upset, bout of diarrhea, ear infection, or runny eyes — while not usually as costly as major illnesses — can happen frequently in puppies.

With MetLife Pet Insurance, you could be reimbursed for illness-related expenses, like blood work, ultrasounds, hospitalizations, medication, and more.⁵ Puppies should be focusing on play and fun. The more financially accessible treatment becomes, the faster they can get back to feeling better.

4. You can save on extra first-year routine vet costs

Puppies usually need extra routine vet care in their first year to help build their immune system, ensure they’re developing correctly, and undergo procedures that can help keep them healthy.

These wellness services — like core vaccinations, spaying and neutering, heartworm prevention, and more — can add to already-high pet care expenses. The cost of spaying or neutering without insurance is around $250 – $525, and first-year vaccinations could range from $165 – $515.¹

Adding MetLife Pet’s optional Preventive Care plan to your pet insurance policy can reimburse you (up to your annual limit) for routine care puppies need.^5,6 Even though they’re not unexpected vet bills, you can still save money and help keep your pup healthy!

5. Future conditions may already be covered

Pet insurance typically doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions, so it can be beneficial to consider coverage before your puppy shows any symptoms or is diagnosed with an illness, injury, or health issue.

While any pup can develop a wide array of health conditions, some breeds may be more prone to experiencing certain conditions — such as epilepsy for beagles or hip dysplasia for Labrador retrievers. Enrolling them in MetLife pet insurance as a puppy can help ensure they’re covered if they develop hereditary conditions later on.

6. You could save on dog health care in the long run

The earlier you get your puppy pet insurance coverage — and keep them enrolled — the more you could save on vet bills over their lifetime.

Consider dog diabetes. The average vet visit cost for dog diabetes is around $250, but it can vary based on your dog’s treatment plan and what the visit is for.⁴ If your dog isn’t covered by pet insurance before they start showing symptoms of this disease, you could be paying pricey vet bills for a lifelong illness.

Even one-off vet visits for things like yeast infections, a torn nail, limping, or a fractured tooth can add up over the course of your dog’s life. Starting coverage when they’re a puppy can mean your finances don’t have to absorb all of the costs over the years.

Tips to Help You Get the Right Puppy Insurance Plan

Getting the right coverage is key to making sure your pet insurance works for you and your dog. These tips can help you find the best plan for your unique situation.

• Look at the customization options: Compare the reimbursement rate, deductible, and annual limit options across different providers and plans. These can all affect your premium, so it’s a good idea to find the right balance.
• Check for optional wellness plans: Consider the exact benefits of each wellness plan to see if it’s something you want to add to your standard coverage.
• Compare waiting periods: Some providers offer shorter waiting periods than others so you can start using your benefits sooner.
• Know what’s covered: Compare coverage and exclusions between providers and look at sample policies to make sure you know what you can be reimbursed for.

MetLife Pet offers puppy insurance with reimbursements of up to 90% on covered vet bills, an optional Preventive Care plan to help with routine costs, and a 0-day waiting period on accidents and Preventive Care.^5,7

Consider MetLife Pet Insurance for Puppies

Puppies can easily rack up expensive vet bills just living their normal puppy lives. Ultimately, the sense of security and coverage support provided by pet insurance might make it a worthwhile choice for you and your pup.

You can enroll your puppy in a MetLife Pet Insurance policy once they’re 8 weeks old and keep them covered through all of life’s twists, turns, and triumphs. Ready to begin? Fetch your free quote today!