In recent years, according to the Idaho Free Press, Idaho has become one of the fastest-growing states in the U.S.2 This growth means new pet parents are discovering the affordability and natural beauty of the Gem State.
Whether you’re a newcomer to Boise or a lifelong resident of Coeur d'Alene, you likely want what’s best for your pets. It also means that it’s important to know about the potential health risks for pets in a new environment.
In addition to keeping your pets safe, you might want to consider investing in pet insurance from award-winning1 MetLife Pet Insurance. Idaho pet parents may appreciate an insurance policy that can help make their pets’ healthcare more affordable.
Looking for Pet Insurance in Idaho?
Why Pet Insurance May Be a Good Idea if You Live in Idaho
Idaho can offer pets lots of wide open spaces to run around and play. However, more space can also create more risk. Your furry friends may be at greater risk from wild animals like bears and coyotes or from eating poisonous plants while taking long walks.
Even if they’re strictly indoor pets, dogs and cats may also be predisposed to a variety of health conditions, depending on their genetic makeup. Because of this, your pet may need both preventive and emergency medical care over their lifetime.
Either way, you may face something minor, but you could also be hit with a major bill for an injury or illness. This is where pet insurance can help.
Pet insurance allows owners to take pets to be treated by any licensed veterinarian when they get sick or injured. All they have to do is pay the bill, then submit a claim for reimbursement. This helps ensure owners are covered when their furry loved one needs care without having to worry as much about the long-term cost.3
Why Choose a MetLife Pet Insurance Policy?
With so many options, it can be difficult to find the best pet insurance. Idaho may offer challenges to pets and their owners, but those challenges don't have to empty your bank account. If you‘ve ever considered enrolling your pet in a MetLife Pet Insurance policy, you may be able to get affordable coverage from the Pet Independent Innovation Award-winning "Pet Insurance of the Year" for 2024.1
Here are just some of the potential benefits of being part of the MetLife Pet family as an Idaho pet parent:3
- We work with all licensed veterinary providers in the U.S.
- We cover all breeds of dogs and cats.
- We welcome older pets; there are no age limits for coverage.
- We allow up to three cats or dogs (or a mix) on the same policy to share a deductible.
- We offer a short waiting period for accidents and illness coverage. 4,5
- We process and reimburse most claims in less than 10 days.6
How MetLife Pet Insurance Works in Idaho
Visit any licensed vet of your choice
No need to worry about “in-network” or “out-of-network” providers as we work with any licensed veterinarian in the state of Idaho and the rest of the U.S.
Pay your vet bill and submit your claim
Pay your bill at the vet, then send MetLife Pet your claim, invoice, and any relevant vet records.
Get reimbursed for approved claims
MetLife Pet can process your claim in about 10 days so you get reimbursed on covered expenses fast.3,6
MetLife Pet Insurance Is Available in Idaho. See What’s Covered
Emergency vet bills vary for cats and dogs, but can easily climb into the thousands, meaning pet insurance can be worth it for many pet owners.
Whether you’re looking for cat insurance or dog insurance, MetLife Pet has you covered. We offer policies that flex to fit your lifestyle. Your exact coverage depends on your policy, but here are a few things we routinely cover in the Gem State:
- Emergency care
- X-rays
- Ultrasounds
- Diagnostic tests
- Prescription medications
- Hospitalizations
- Accidents and illnesses
- Surgeries
- Examinations
We also offer a Preventive Care Plan to help cover parasite treatments and prevention and a Wellness Plan to help cover regular checkups.7 See the list of MetLife Pet Insurance coverage and exclusions for full details.
How Much Is Pet Insurance in Idaho?
A MetLife Pet Insurance plan can cost as little as $9 per month for cats and $15 per month for dogs,8 but your monthly premium depends on a few factors, including where you live.
Generally speaking, you may pay more for pet insurance if you live in or near a larger city, like Boise, compared to a smaller community, like Rexburg.
But your zip code isn’t the only thing that determines your pet insurance premium. Other factors that may influence the price include your pet’s species, breed, sex,9 and age. The pet insurance coverage type you choose also impacts the cost. For more information, check out “How Much Does Pet Insurance Cost.”
Pet Insurance Claims We Paid in Idaho
MetLife Pet Insurance covers a wide range of diagnosis and treatment options. Here are a few real examples from Idaho of the types of claims MetLife can tackle.10
- More than $2,000 paid — A foreign body exam was covered for a 1-year-old Great Dane in Nampa, ID.
- Almost $1,900 — A hospitalization and treatment of pneumonia were covered for a shih tzu from Murphy, ID.
- Over $1,000 paid — This helped pay for surgery and hospital care after a mixed breed puppy accidentally swallowed a sock in Moscow, ID.
- Over $600 paid — This helped cover the costs to diagnose immune mediated thrombocytopenia (IMTP) in a 2-year-old goldendoodle in Boise, ID.
- Over $200 paid — The payment covered costs for a routine exam and weight loss recommendations for a 7-year-old mixed breed cat in Couer d'Alene, ID.
Notable claim in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho
When the owners of Shadow, a 6-year-old mixed breed dog, found a strange growth on her lower jaw, they took her to the vet to have it looked at. The vet was able to diagnose it as a mesenchymal tumor and remove it surgically. While the bill came out to $4,300, Shadow’s parents were reimbursed for $3,500 of that from their pet insurance policy, so they only paid about $900 out of pocket. Now Shadow is able to happily play with his chew toys, safe and healthy.10
Pet Injuries and Illnesses Typically Found in Idaho
Even the largest cities and communities in Idaho border on wild spaces that may hold hazards of all sizes for your pets. In addition to common infections like rabies and heartworm, there have been recent viral outbreaks affecting dogs across the state.
Here are a few potential risks and illnesses that Idaho pet parents should try to avoid:
- Ticks: The open grasslands and forests of Idaho can be great places to let your pets run free. But vets are warning residents that Idaho pets may be at risk of contracting tick-borne diseases like ehrlichiosis and Rocky Mountain spotted fever from the brown dog ticks and the Rocky Mountain wood ticks that thrive there.11
- Parvo: Recent outbreaks of canine parvovirus (CPV) have affected the Treasure Valley area, one of the most densely populated areas of Idaho.12 CPV can be dangerous and affects puppies' gastrointestinal systems, causing diarrhea and vomiting. While there is a vaccine for CPV, an infected puppy will often need to be hospitalized and put on an IV to prevent dehydration.
- Heartworm: A relatively new arrival in Idaho, the growth in the mosquito population in the state has led to an uptick in cases of this treatable, but painful disease that can affect both cats and dogs.13
- Cheat grass: Is a potentially dangerous weed that vets warn is spreading quickly across Idaho.14 The seed pods have tiny barbs that can stick to a pet and then migrate into the tissue causing infections. While they generally appear in the toes, ears, and nose, cheat grass can also affect the lungs (if inhaled) or the abdomen.
- Bobcats, coyotes, and other predators: Bobcat and coyote sightings occur frequently, even in urban areas. Authorities are warning residents that in neighborhoods near open, wild spaces might have an increased risk of wild animals attacking pets.15 This can lead to serious injury or exposure to rabies along with other dangerous diseases.
Idaho Plants That Can Be Poisonous to Pets
Covering over 83,000 square miles,16 Idaho contains forests, deserts, grasslands, and wetlands, each with its own unique plant life. Depending on where you live, you should be on the lookout for plants that may be toxic or dangerous to your pets.
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) provides a comprehensive list of plants toxic to dogs and cats.17 If your pet does come into contact with any of these plants, consider taking them to the vet.
When you compare them to some common Idaho plants, you’ll find the following plants that can be toxic to cats and dogs:18
- Baneberry
- Dogbane
- Klamath weed (St. John's wort)
- Monkshood
- Poison ivy
- Poison hemlock
- Tansy ragwort
Also, recent studies have shown that ornamental shrubs like Japanese yew, while popular for decorating, can be toxic to dogs if eaten.19
Most Popular Dog Breeds in Idaho
From cities to farms and ranches, Idaho pet parents love lots of different breeds. These are the three top dog breeds that get adopted in the state of Idaho.22 We also included a few health concerns for each breed.
- Labrador retriever: This family-friendly breed is generally healthy, but may be prone to obesity, progressive retinal atrophy, tumors, and heart disease.
- Golden retriever: Eager to please and playful, goldens may be predisposed to obesity, hypothyroidism, and colitis.
- German shepherd: This loyal and confident breed may be prone to conjunctivitis, gastroenteritis, and skin conditions.
Adoptable Dogs and Cats in Idaho
Just because there are potential risks for your Idaho pets, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t add a new fur baby to your family. If you’re looking to adopt a pet, you can visit PetFinder to find adoptable dogs and adoptable cats in Idaho.
If You Live in Idaho, Consider Insuring Your Pet
Whether you have a herding collie in Bonneville county or a housecat in Meridian, your Idaho pet may need veterinary care throughout their lifetime. You can help avoid the uncertainty that may come with unexpected veterinary expenses with the help of a MetLife Pet Insurance plan. Get a free quote now so you can focus on the good stuff — like long walks and belly rubs.
Pet Insurance Can Help Cover Pet Injury & Illness Costs