Oregon’s landscape varies from coastal rainforest to inland desert, each area presenting its own beauty and challenges. It’s full of great culture like Portland’s street food scene and places to visit like the fascinating Sea Lion Caves.
Whether you live in Portland, Bend, or Baker City, OR, pet parents in The Beaver State come across different risks depending on the environment. Strolling through Minto-Brown Island park with your pup or hiking the Oregon Trail with your adventurous cats can add fun to your life, but it could also come with unexpected injuries and expenses.
MetLife Pet offers award-winning1 pet insurance at affordable rates to help cover some of your pet care expenses.2 Read on to learn more about how pet insurance can help you care for your dog or cat.
Looking for Pet Insurance in Oregon?
Why Pet Insurance May Be a Good Idea if You Live in Oregon
Dogs and cats have different health needs, and some are predisposed to certain illnesses or injuries. But Oregonians seem to agree that felines and canines are great furry friends for humans, considering 49% of them own a dog and 40% of them own a cat.3
No matter what kind of pet you have, they’re there for you through thick and thin, and they deserve the best care when they need it the most. However, some needed health care may cost a lot.
Fortunately, MetLife Pet Insurance policies can help cover some of your vet bills2 so you can focus on your adventures. With some emergency vet bills costing thousands of dollars, pet parents may find that pet insurance is worth investing in. For a low monthly premium, you can get up to 100% reimbursed for covered expenses when your dog or cat needs medical care.2
Why Choose a MetLife Pet Insurance Policy?
As a pet parent, you have a lot of options when it comes to pet insurance providers. Your dog or cat deserves the best pet insurance. Oregon pet parents and other furry friend guardians around the country may want to know that MetLife Pet was given the “Pet Insurance of the Year” award in 2024 by the Pet Innovation Awards. We strive to keep rates affordable while reducing the limitations and exclusions to our coverage.
Curious as to what other perks come with joining MetLife Pet? Here’s what we can offer:
- Covered veterinary expenses get up to 100% reimbursement from any licensed vet or clinic in the U.S.
- Dogs and cats of all ages and breeds qualify for coverage.
- Family plans can cover up to three cats or dogs on one policy with a shared deductible.4
- A short claims process means you could be reimbursed within 10 days.5
- Holistic care and alternative therapies may be eligible for coverage.
- Some pre-existing conditions may be covered.6
How MetLife Pet Insurance Works in Oregon
Head to your vet
Go to any licensed veterinarian, clinic, or animal hospital in Oregon (or anywhere in the U.S.) to receive the care your pet needs.
Submit your claim
After paying your vet bill, submit your claim and any required documents to MetLife Pet.
Get reimbursed quickly
MetLife Pet will review and process your claim quickly typically within 10 days, and reimburse you for covered expenses.2,5
MetLife Pet Insurance is Available in Oregon. See What’s Covered
MetLife Pet has both dog insurance and cat insurance policies that you can customize to fit your needs. Take a look at what can typically be covered under one of our policies:
- Accidents and illnesses
- Emergency care
- Surgeries
- Medications
- Diagnostic tests and exam fees
You can also opt for add-on coverage like a Preventative Care Plan that helps cover parasite prevention and treatments, and a Wellness Plan to assist covering the costs of regular vet visits.7 Check out our list of coverage and exclusions for more details.
How Much Is Pet Insurance in Oregon?
Pet insurance can start as low as $9 per month for one cat and $15 per month for one dog.8 But the cost of pet insurance will vary depending on a few factors.
Adding more pets to your plan and adjusting your coverage limit, deductible, and reimbursement rate all affect the monthly premium you pay.9,10
Your premium can also vary based on where you live, the age, species, breed, and sex11 of your pet, as well as any pre-existing conditions they may have. You may find that pet insurance costs more living in larger cities like Portland or Salem than in smaller towns like Cave Junction or Long Creek.
Pet Insurance Claims We Paid in Oregon
Our pet policies cover a wide range of treatments, diagnostics, and care options. Take a look at some of the claims we’ve paid out in Oregon to get a better idea of how a MetLife pet insurance policy could help you.12
- About $2,000 paid — This assisted payment for a plasma cell tumor surgery for a 3-year-old Greyhound in Portland, OR.
- Over $525 paid — This helped cover a routine spay surgery for a 2-year-old pit bull terrier in Tillamook, OR.
- Over $455 paid — This money was reimbursed for a trauma-related diagnostics exam for a 2-year-old English bulldog in Oregon City, OR.
- About $325 paid — This helped pay for a bite wound exam for a 1-year-old domestic short hair cat in West Linn, OR.
- About $85 paid — This assisted in covering a therapeutic treatment for environmental allergies for a miniature Australian shepherd puppy in Beaverton, OR.
Notable claim in Oregon
When standard poodle puppy Sugar woke up one morning, her owner noticed that her eye didn’t look well and made an appointment to see the veterinarian. After examining her eye, the vet said Sugar had a corneal ulcer. The unexpected exam cost her owner around $206. Fortunately, they were able to get almost $186 reimbursed through their dog insurance policy, and Sugar is back to her playful puppy antics.12
Pet Injuries and Illnesses Typically Found in Oregon
With wetlands, dense forests, mountains, and desert areas all across Oregon, there are several risks for common injuries and illnesses for pets. It’s important to research which ones affect your area so you can be prepared. Here are a few issues you may come across in the area:13
- Parasites: Tapeworms, hookworms, roundworms, and whipworms can be found across the state, though less likely in the eastern desert areas. Yearly parasite prevention can help prevent infection.
- Interactions with wildlife: If you live in rural areas across the state, your dog or cat may come across wildlife like racoons, porcupines, bobcats, cougars, or coyotes. Conflicts with them may cause severe and possibly fatal wounds. Keep a close eye on your pet when they’re outside to help prevent these encounters.
- Salmon poisoning: Whether you’re bringing home a catch from your fishing trip or your dog happens to come across a fish near a river, they can get salmon poisoning by eating the uncooked fish. This disease is caused by an organism living in the salmon tissues and can cause fever, lethargy, vomiting, and loss of appetite when ingested by dogs. Trout and steelhead may also carry this organism.
- West Nile virus: Copious amounts of rainfall in the western portions of Oregon may result in standing water — which can be a breeding ground for mosquitoes that carry the West Nile virus. Pets that spend time outdoors may be susceptible to mosquito bites and could contract this flu-like disease.
Plants Found in Oregon That Can Be Poisonous to Pets
It’s important for dog and cat owners to be aware of potentially dangerous plants found across Oregon, so any unwanted encounters can be minimized. Depending on the plant, a brush against it or ingesting it could cause adverse reactions. Here are some common plants native in the area to watch out for that may be poisonous to pets:14
- Azaleas and other rhododendrons
- Ivy (all varieties)
- Larkspur
- Lilies
- Junipers (needles and berries)
- Oleander
- Oregon grape
- Skunk cabbage
- Tansy ragwort
Outside of Oregon-specific plants, we’ve got a list of common toxic plants that can cause adverse reactions in dogs and cats. You may need to contact your vet, an emergency clinic, or the animal poison control hotline as soon as you notice any symptoms from ingesting poison.
Most Popular Dog Breeds in Oregon
Do eastern Oregonians in cities prefer smaller dogs? Do rural Oregonians gravitate toward hardier dog breeds? Here are the top three dog breeds across the state and some of the health issues you may need to be aware of:15
- Labrador retriever: Everybody’s pal and full of energy, the loyal lab can be prone to hip dysplasia, obesity, cancer, and heart disease.
- German shepherd: Considered to be an elite working dog, the loyal German shepherd can be predisposed to dermatitis, conjunctivitis, allergies, and otitis.
- Golden retriever: Smart and full-of-fun golden pups may be prone to hypothyroidism, hot spots, lipoma, and hip dysplasia.
Adoptable Dogs and Cats in Oregon
After learning more about what pet insurance is and how it can help pet parents, you may consider adopting a new pet. Petfinder has plenty of adoptable cats and dogs all over Oregon looking for a home.
If You Live in Oregon, Consider Insuring Your Pet
Whether you live in a quiet desert town like Fields or along the Willamette River in Eugene, your dog or cat deserves the best care. But both routine checkups and unexpected vet visits can put a strain on your wallet. A MetLife Pet Insurance policy can help you protect your budget — which can mean more money for adventures with your furry best friend. Start with a free quote today.
We Can Help Cover Vet Bills
While You Focus on Your Pet’s Care