With its grassy hills, rolling plains, forests, valleys, and rock outcrops, Kansas has plenty of natural wonder to behold, but with such a lush climate can come harsh weather. Whether you live in Topeka or Colby, Kansas pet parents may be wondering how to better protect their furry family members.
MetLife Pet offers award-winning1 dog and cat insurance that we strive to keep at affordable rates to help cover pet care expenses. Read on to learn more about pet insurance in Kansas and how it can help you care for your pet.
Looking for Pet Insurance in Kansas?
Why Pet Insurance May Be a Good Idea if You Live in Kansas
No matter what kind of lifestyle you lead with your pet, or where you live in Kansas, there are potential risks and health conditions that could result in a trip to the veterinarian.
According to our MetLife Pet Parent Study, 54% of pet owners are worried about affording future pet care costs — that includes unexpected vet visits. However, 46% of pet parents aren’t taking advantage of resources, like pet insurance, that could help alleviate the financial needs that come with owning a pet.
Whether you’re hiking in the eastern forests or checking out the OZ museum with your pet, you may be wondering if pet insurance is worth it. Both routine care and unexpected vet visits may be covered by MetLife Pet policies, helping to make pet care more affordable when you need it.
Why Choose a MetLife Pet Insurance Policy?
Looking for the best pet insurance in Kansas can be overwhelming with all of the available plan options, coverage, and costs. MetLife Pet, winner of the “Pet Insurance of the Year” award at the 2024 Pet Innovation Awards, offers customizable policies that aim to provide maximum coverage while keeping costs low.
Here are some reasons you may find MetLife Pet to be a great choice for you:
- You can visit any licensed veterinarian for pet care, there are no networks to deal with.
- We have a family plan that allows you to put up to three pets on one policy with a shared deductible.2
- There aren’t any breed or age restrictions.
- Claims are typically processed within 10 days, so you get reimbursed fast.3
- We have some of the shortest waiting periods for accident and illness coverage.4,5
How MetLife Pet Insurance Works in Kansas
Go to the vet
Visit any licensed veterinarian in Kansas or across the country.
Submit your claim
Once you pay your vet bill, submit a claim along with any required documents to MetLife Pet.
Get money back quickly
Your claim is processed quickly, typically within 10 days, so you can be reimbursed for up to 100% of covered expenses.3,6
MetLife Pet Insurance is Available in Kansas. See What’s Covered
MetLife Pet offers customizable dog insurance and cat insurance policies for pet parents in Kansas. Take a look at some of the things we can typically cover with one of our plans:
- Accidents and illnesses
- Emergency care and hospitalizations
- Diagnostic testing (including ultrasounds and X-rays)
- Prescription medications
- Surgeries
- Examination fees
With customization, you can add more pets to one policy or adjust your reimbursement rates, deductibles, and coverage limit.7,8 You can also add optional plans that provide preventative care coverage for parasite protection and treatment, as well as coverage for routine vet visits and vaccinations.9 Check out our coverage and exclusions page for more details.
How Much Does Pet Insurance Cost in Kansas?
The cost of pet insurance shouldn’t be something that stands in the way of helping you get your pet the care they need. MetLife Pet policies can start as low as $9 per month for a single cat and $15 per month for a single dog.10 Your exact monthly premium will depend on how you customize your plan as well as a few other factors.
Your pet’s age, breed, sex,11 species, and any pre-existing conditions can impact your monthly premium. Where you live can also impact the cost of your plan. You may pay more for pet insurance if you live near more populated areas like Kansas City or Wichita than if you live in less populated, rural areas like Stockton or Altamont.
Pet Insurance Claims We Paid in Kansas
MetLife Pet Insurance policies can cover a wide range of pet care, from diagnostics and treatment to surgeries and routine exams. Wondering if pet insurance may be able to help you? Take a look at some of the claims we’ve paid out to pet parents in Kansas:12
- Over $675 paid — This helped cover surgery for a mammary dermal cyst on a 6-year-old mixed breed dog in Manhattan, KS.
- Over $600 paid — This provided financial relief for an abdominal dermal cyst exam for a 6-year-old mixed breed pup in Manhattan, KS.
- Almost $420 paid — This went toward an exam for a 6-year-old mixed breed dog with a mass on their tongue in Manhattan, KS.
- Almost $75 paid — This helped provide coverage for an osteoarthritis exam for an 11-year-old mixed breed dog in Kechi, KS.
- Over $40 paid — This assisted in paying for osteoarthritis treatment for an 11-year-old mixed breed pup in Kechi, KS.
Notable claim in the Sunflower State
Peeka, a 6-year-old mixed breed pup in Manhattan, loves to spend time in Cedar Creek State Park with her owners. After coming back from a day trip, her owners noticed she had a bump on her belly and took her to the vet. After examining the bump, the vet stated it was a dermal cyst that could be left alone or removed if they choose.
The examination cost Peeka’s owners almost $670, but with their dog insurance policy, they were able to get just over $600 reimbursed. Peeka’s pet parents decided to leave the cyst alone as it was not harming her, and now they’re back to exploring Tuttle Creek Lake together.12
Pet Injuries and Illnesses Typically Found in Kansas
As previously mentioned, Kansas is full of agriculture with a climate that can get extremely cold in the winter and incredibly hot during the summer months. The weather can be a bit unpredictable, as the state has a history of droughts, flash floods, and tornadoes. There’s also the chance of running into local wildlife that could see your pet as a threat. All of these things have the potential to pose a risk to your pet’s well-being.
Here are a few common injuries and illnesses you may want to know about to help protect your Kansas pet:
- Parasites and tick-borne diseases: Intestinal parasites can cause disease and can be found across the state, though may be less likely in the drier western region.13 Fleas and ticks tend to live in grassy or wooded areas and can attach themselves to your pet, potentially causing infection or disease. Yearly parasite prevention can help prevent your pup from getting infected.
- Wildlife encounters: Depending on where you live in the state, your pet may come across wildlife such as bison, venomous snakes, spiders, raccoons, and cougars that could pose a threat to them. Keep a lookout for wild animals and keep your distance to protect your pet from any potential attacks, bites, and possibly rabies.
- Leptospirosis: The leptospirosis bacterial infection can cause kidney and liver failure, and is potentially fatal.14 It also has the ability to transfer from your pet to other humans, putting yourself and your family at risk. Fortunately, you can help protect your pet with vaccinations.
- Heat-related illnesses: Hot weather has the ability to cause harm to your pets, especially if they’re left outdoors for any length of time without proper shelter or water. Heat exhaustion and heatstroke can cause fainting, brain damage, or even death in pets.
- Weather threats: With the potential for flash flooding and tornadoes in Kansas, pets have the potential to get injured or lost due to weather damage if they’re outdoors or if they’re home alone when storms strike.
Plants in Kansas That Can Be Poisonous to Pets
Whether you’re hiking the Pracht Wetlands Park with your pup or hanging in your yard near Garden City with your cat, your pet may come across plants that can be poisonous to them. Being aware of these plants can help you protect your Kansas pet.
Here is a list a veterinary hospital in Wichita put together of common local plants that could be poisonous to your furry family member:15
- Bishop’s weed
- Burdock
- Camel bush
- Glottidium
- Heliotrope
- Lantana
- Moonseed
- Spurges
Take a look at the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals' (ASPCA) Animal Poison Control site for a more thorough list of toxic plants, no matter where you live.16
Popular Dog Breeds in the Sunflower State
Pet parents across the state seem to prefer adopting a dog that has plenty of energy to go on hikes and adventures with, as the most popular breed in the state is the Labrador retriever.17 Looking to adopt a different kind of pup? Take a look at the rest of the top three beloved breeds in Kansas and some potential health conditions to be aware of:
- Labrador retriever: Eager, outgoing, and full of energy, these pups may be prone to obesity, heart disease, tumors, and hip dysplasia.
- German shepherd: Service-oriented, affectionate, and loyal, this breed may be prone to conjunctivitis, colitis, ear infections, and growths under the skin.
- Bulldog: Social, loving, and strong-willed, this breed may be prone to overheating, cherry eye, obesity, and hip dysplasia.
Adoptable Cats and Dogs in Kansas
After learning more about how to protect your Kansas pet, are you ready to add a beloved companion to your family? Petfinder has cats and dogs available for adoption to fit your lifestyle in the Sunflower State. After all, there’s no place like home.
Consider Insuring Your Kansas Pets
Routine and unexpected vet visits can cause financial stress. MetLife Pet may be able to help you protect your wallet and keep the cost of pet care lower, so you can focus on keeping your pet happy and healthy. Start by getting a free quote.
Pet Insurance Can Help Cover Pet Injury & Illness Costs