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Big animals, high costs: is animal insurance worth it? but only sometimes

Big animals, high costs: is animal insurance worth it? but only sometimes

Anyone who has ever been to the vet as a pet owner with their fur or feather friend knows from their own painful experience how expensive a treatment can be. Even seemingly routine treatments can cost money. The solution can be animal insurance, although even veterinarians are of the opinion that this will only be worthwhile for large animals and the correspondingly high costs.

Early dog and cat insurance is important

Veterinarians know from their daily practical experience that the costs for a pet owner are higher the older the animals get. The reason: With age, chronic diseases often set in, which can be treated with great expenditure of time and money. In the meantime, many dog and cat owners have decided to have their animals insured, and there is a comparatively large selection of such providers. Most policyholders say they are satisfied with the insurance to their veterinarian. Tip: The earlier this is concluded, the cheaper it is. This applies, on the one hand, to the premiums and, on the other hand, to the obstacle to insuring chronically ill animals. The relevant data must be provided when carrying out the health inquiry before concluding the insurance contract. Older animals usually already have one or the other ailment, which must be listed here and which leads to the exclusion of insurance eligibility.

Big dogs cost a lot

It is well known that larger animals cost more than smaller ones. In principle, this applies to all animal species, but it can also be used within a species. A large dog costs more at the vet than a small one or a cat. It is not the examination itself that is more expensive, it is the medication that makes the difference. These are measured according to the body size or the weight of the animal. In terms of medication, a dog weighing 50 kg costs more than a dog weighing just ten kilograms. This also makes a difference with medication that you use regularly, such as worming agents. It is particularly noticeable, for example, in the case of protracted therapy for inflammation or cancer; chronic diseases such as osteoarthritis can also cost money. At the same time, large dogs are more prone to many ailments, examples being osteoarthritis and hip dysplasia. They put heavier loads on their bones and joints, which means that symptoms of wear and tear and inflammation appear earlier.

Would you rather take out insurance?

Veterinarians are often confronted with the fact that the pet owners are not solvent. You put bills on hold or ask for a possible installment if the examination turns out to be more expensive than expected. In order to be protected against payment default, veterinarians advise you to take out animal insurance. Have better than need! That is probably the motto. However, such an insurance also costs a lot of money, with the amount of the premiums depending on the desired services. A pure operating theater insurance costs less than a complete health insurance for the animal, even if regular examinations, vaccinations and deworming should be included. Nice for the animal, annoying for the owner: If the insurance is not needed, the money is gone. It will not be paid out again if the insurance company did not have to be used.

Conclusion: take out animal insurance based on animal size and financial status

Anyone who can afford to financially cope with a major, unplanned treatment of dog or cat, certainly does not need animal insurance. It is paid into this as long as the animal lives. If he stays healthy until his death, the insurance benefits will never be used and the premiums have been paid unnecessarily. However, if you want to be fully covered and want to ensure that the animal receives the best and most comprehensive treatment in an emergency, you should take out animal insurance. This is particularly recommended for animals that are very large, because they not only cost significantly more in terms of maintenance, but also in terms of veterinary services than small representatives of their species.

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Vegetarian Diet for Pets?

Vegetarian Diet for Pets?

More and more people are becoming vegetarians and now want their pets to stop eating meat. But is it healthy to be a carnivore dog? or to feed the cat vegetarian? Different arguments speak for both sides.

Ethical reasons speak against meat

In Switzerland, the proportion of vegetarians is around 5.8 percent, which makes up around 500,000 people, and the trend is rising. It is above all the ethical reasons that move people to forego meat and not to feed themselves at the expense of other living beings. Even a vegan diet is becoming more and more important and is even being carried over to pets. Experts are of the opinion that meat is generally the wrong diet, after all around 50 percent of the global grain harvest and up to 98 percent of the soy harvest are only used to feed the livestock. Pets are then fed these farm animals and children starve to death for it. Why should pets be given a higher priority than children, who starve to death on a daily basis in developing countries?

Meat-free diet for dogs and cats?

If you have decided for yourself to live as a vegetarian or vegan, you may not want to have any meat in your house at all and as a result you can feed your pets completely meatless. In the case of some animals, it can even be useful if there is an allergy to certain types of meat. If this allergy cannot be put to an end by using other types of meat or insect food, switching to a vegetarian diet can make sense. After all, most meat-eaters, like dogs and cats, are basically omnivores. Wild animals would also eat blackberries and herbs if they were in the prey's stomach! But this is exactly where the rabbit is in the pepper for opponents of vegetarian pet nutrition. The wild animals would only eat plant components in addition and not as a substitute. It has been shown that it would take a dog's digestive tract around 60 years to completely switch from a carnal to a plant-based diet. But no dog gets that old, so the experts are of the opinion that switching to a mere diet with plants is not a good idea. Proponents of vegetarian feeding, on the other hand, see a healthy diet as one that provides the animal with all the nutrients it needs. Allegedly this can also be done by vegetarian food.

Better usable proteins in animal food

There are some nutrients that must be in every food if your dog and cat are to stay healthy. Laypeople should not experiment with whether and when they give certain nutrients, as this can lead to deficiency symptoms in animals. Experts in animal nutrition, on the other hand, see this as critical, because animal proteins are much easier to use for dogs and cats than vegetable proteins. These experts see the ethical rather than the health reasons to feed an animal a vegetarian one. Cats, on the other hand, are pure carnivores and should by no means only be fed purely plant-based. That would lead to deficiency symptoms within a short time. Unlike dogs, they have not adapted to human nutrition and can at least partially digest starch. In addition, a deficiency is not immediately apparent; it is often only noticeable because diseases occur that can even cause irreparable damage.

Whether a diet is species-appropriate or not can only be judged on the basis of the nutrients it contains, which must be in a suitable ratio to one another. A good complete feed is sufficient in most cases. It can also be useful to consult the vet regularly to find out via a blood analysis whether there is a deficiency or whether the diet is balanced enough. If necessary, adjustments must be made.

Conclusion: It is better not to feed pets a vegetarian diet

At this point, it should be noted that dogs and cats should not be fed a vegetarian diet alone, but that the food should always have a balanced ratio of meat and plant proportions. The digestive tract of the animals is not adjusted to a purely plant-based diet. Anyone who still has a guilty conscience towards the farm animals should fall back on meat and feed in organic quality, here at least species-appropriate husbandry and animal-friendly slaughter are ensured.

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Pet boom in Switzerland?

Pet boom in Switzerland?

Never before have so many pets been sold as now during the pandemic. Breeders even say that there are around 100 interested parties for every five puppies. The demand for pets is also increasing enormously in animal shelters and in pet shops.

Corona puts people on dogs (and cats)

Dogs and cats in particular are in greater demand than ever before, which is mainly thanks to the lockdown caused by the corona pandemic. Pets are now seen as social partners, bringing employment and distraction. In addition, for example, the master can go outside with his dog, even if a curfew has been imposed. On various Internet platforms, inquiries about animals that are wanted to buy are increasing and the people who sit at home in the home office sometimes want nothing more than a cuddly fur partner who accompanies them through the lonely time.

Around 8,500 dogs have been reported since the beginning of the pandemic, compared to only around 5,300 in recent years. Breeders are increasingly being written to or called, a litter of puppies has already been sold before it is even born. It is also interesting that people are now increasingly interested in breeding and keeping themselves. Purebred dogs and cats are in demand to become breeders themselves. However, some breeders are already complaining: In some cases, the request will ask whether the dog can be returned later. Dogs are seen as a fashion accessory, are suddenly modern and just have to be there. However, the fact that the animals can live to be 15 years or older is often not considered.

Frequent spontaneous purchases thanks to the Internet

The animal rights activists are now very worried because the dubious puppy trade by breeders in particular has skyrocketed. Many people who have had no luck with a breeder or in an animal shelter turn to a multiplier from the Internet who supposedly sells healthy animals, sometimes at ridiculous prices. There is no trace of the four-figure sums that the serious breeder demands for his puppies, which are raised with expertise and love for animals. The internet is anonymous, there is no question why there is a desire for an animal and where the dog or cat is going. Everyone who buys here supports the dubious trade that lives from factory farming under the worst conditions. The good breeder is concerned about the welfare of his animals and therefore asks so many questions. These are perceived by many inquirers as presumptuous, but the breeder just wants his little darlings to be fine later.
Spontaneous purchases have increased and animal shelters will soon be overcrowded again, fear the animal rights activists. Because when the days of home office and remote work are over, the dogs and cats will be given up again because there is no more time for them. Some will show behavior problems because they did not have to learn to be alone. That alone will be a reason for many new pet owners to part with their furry friends.

Important questions before buying a dog

If you are thinking of buying a dog, you should ask yourself the following questions:

    • Can I even keep the dog in my house?
    • Will I still have enough time for the dog after Corona?
    • Can I keep a dog from a health point of view?
    • Do I want to take care of the dog for the next 10 to 15 years?
    • Do my leisure activities suit the animal?
    • Can I look after the dog on vacation or put it somewhere?
    • Do I have enough experience or can I get the help I need?
    • Are my financial resources sufficient to cover the animal's illness?

Conclusion: Please do not rush to buy pets out of loneliness

The Corona crisis demands a lot from many people and, above all, severely restricts socially. A pet can be the solution, but only if the new owner is ready to look after the animal even after the crisis and can provide optimal care. Otherwise a dog or a cat should be avoided. An animal is not a consolation!

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(N) Liability insurance? So pet owners are liable in the event of damage

(N) Liability insurance? So pet owners are liable in the event of damage

Animal owners have to exercise a special duty of care and are liable in the event of damage. But not always, because proof of exoneration applies. Courts also decide in individual cases whether the animal owner is liable or not. 

Who is considered a pet owner?

An animal keeper is not always automatically only the owner of the animal, but also the person who actually has control over the animal and who is therefore able to prevent the animal from possibly damaging behavior. This means that by law the owner of the animal is considered to be the person who can determine where and how the animal is kept, how it is treated and who has an economic or personal benefit from the animal. Married couples can be joint pet owners, even in a shared flat several people can be considered as pet owners. A community of owners is jointly and severally liable, so that an injured person can claim compensation for the damage from each individual owner.

Accidents happen quickly

No question about it, an accident can happen quickly. The horse that breaks out of the paddock and runs onto the street may injure a driver so badly that he will henceforth be considered an invalid. The dog that is not kept on a leash bites another animal and seriously injures it. The cat scratches the neighbor's car door? these and many other examples from everyday animal husbandry can be listed here. However, liability must be considered in detail.

If the horse owner can prove from the first example that the horse was safely kept in the paddock, but would have broken out in any case through panic because cows came running to the pasture, he is not liable. The dog owner, however, who has not kept his animal on a leash as prescribed, must very well be liable for the damage that the dog has caused. Even if another animal might have struggled and seriously injured the attacker? the owner of the attacking dog must nevertheless be liable and bear the costs of treating his dog himself. This accident could have been prevented with sufficient education and the mandatory use of a leash.
But the example of the cat shows that the pet owner cannot be held liable. The courts argue here that a cat is difficult to train, and consequently it cannot be prevented from sharpening its claws on the neighbour's car while it is running free. Anyone who does not have liability insurance that integrates such damage should pay for the damage in the interests of good neighborliness.

Pet owners and liability insurance

Even if dog owners now have to take out liability insurance, this does not apply to owners of other animal species. However, it is recommended to take out appropriate insurance or to inquire about private liability insurance whether and to what extent damage caused by pets can be covered. It is important that certain risks are not simply ruled out because they are often risks that are often present. It is not uncommon for horse owners' liability to cover the riding of strange horses. If the insurance company makes a commitment to cover a risk, this commitment should be in writing.

In addition, it is important to have sufficient coverage, both in terms of amount and geographical validity. If you take your dog with you on vacation, you should also be adequately insured there!
tip: If you don't own an animal yourself, but go for a walk with your neighbor's dog, you should definitely check with your insurance company to see if this is insured. Because here the regularity of the activity can lead to the person in question being considered an animal owner.

Conclusion: it is essential that pets have liability insurance!

Pets can cause great damage and should therefore be adequately insured. However, it is important not only to ensure that insurance is available, but also to take out sufficient coverage and not have any important exclusions. This can be expensive in an emergency, because the pet owner is liable with his entire income and assets and, if necessary, for life!

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Financial help in an emergency: when will the money come?

Financial help in an emergency: when will the money come?

The full-bodied promises of animal insurance are familiar to all pet owners who have signed appropriate insurance for their four-legged friend. But when does the promised money really come in an emergency? How long does a pet owner have to wait for the reimbursement of his expenses, which often amount to three to four figures?

Some insurance companies as a bad example

Just recently, reports about Epona animal insurance went through the media, in which it was reported that in one case it was said not to have been particularly revealing with either the reimbursement of costs or information. In this case, a customer from the canton of Zurich waited several months for the reimbursement of around 1,500 francs, the insurance company was not available to the customer. Other victims described a similar case, but the insurance company has now sent some apologies and taken over the benefits. However, the question remains: How long does an insured person who regularly fulfills his obligation to pay contributions have to wait for benefits to be reimbursed?

With all animal insurance, the aim is that the insurance takes over when the animal needs a major intervention, which in turn will cause high costs. The animal keeper insures himself against such a case with the insurance and pays his premiums regularly.
The excuse of the mentioned insurer was an outdated IT system that was probably not able to process the large number of cases promptly. It was then probably a matter of gaining more personal support for processing the cases and also introducing a new claims system that would work more reliably and serve the insured more quickly.

How much longer will it take?

Many pet owners are rightly angry: They pay their often not exactly cheap contributions, which can be between 300 and 500 francs a year for just one dog. If they then approach the animal insurance company with the request to provide a service, they are ignored or put off. The animal owners must first bear the costs, often in the four-digit range, since the vet or veterinary clinic usually insists on immediate payment on site. The invoices must then be submitted to the insurance company, and the insurance company then transfers the set cost rate to the animal owner and thus to the insured person. Normally this should work immediately, especially since it is advertised that the processing of so-called hardship cases should only take two to three weeks.

It is important that the pet owners interested in animal insurance take a close look before taking out insurance. You should be particularly interested in the exclusions: In which cases does the insurance not cover any benefits and the pet owner is left with the costs? The processing times are also given at least roughly. If not, you should definitely ask here! Otherwise, the insurance companies claim that there were no agreements in this regard and take their time with processing. The insured person then has no leverage in hand.

But what must also be clear: every pet owner must first raise the necessary money and bear the costs themselves first anyway. Few insurance companies offer direct payment to the service provider, especially since more and more veterinarians do not want to rely on it. You are asking for money in exchange for treatment: if you have no money with you, you cannot claim treatment. This certainly does not refer to pure emergency care, but it is also a sign of respect for the veterinarian to pay the costs for the treatment of the beloved four-legged friend even in an emergency.

Conclusion: some insurance companies as black sheep in the provision of services

Quite a few insurers show themselves to be black sheep and avoid providing services for as long as possible. Even with large insurers, from which customers would not have expected, there have recently been problems. However, these short-term difficulties are certainly no reason to question the entire insurance policy. Customers should only find out about their rights to claim benefits in good time and, in an emergency, follow up on the relevant legally founded questions.

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Pets as saviors in need: More pets thanks to Corona

Pets as saviors in need: More pets thanks to Corona

People feel lonely and there is no end in sight to the current situation. No wonder that pets are currently considered to be saviors in need and that the number of pet owners has increased since the beginning of the Corona crisis. Incidentally, this does not only apply in Switzerland, but worldwide!

Dog and cat as a social substitute

Humans are social beings and suffer psychologically and thus ultimately also physically from the Corona measures, which are about reducing contacts as much as possible. Anyone who works in the home office, can no longer meet friends and is not allowed to do anything in the evening, wants social contact. He's also allowed to have four legs and lots of fur. There is nothing wrong with that, as long as the people concerned and new pet owners can ensure that their four-legged social substitute is well looked after even after the Corona crisis. The fact is that in the last few weeks and months, so many pets have not been bought in a long time and that significantly more treatments are being carried out for pets. Veterinary practices in the United States reported that they would increasingly conduct health and wellness treatments for dogs and cats.

Costs often underestimated

The veterinary costs in particular often turn out to be a problem, because they are often underestimated at first. A cat can cost up to 25,000 Swiss francs in the course of its life, and that alone through food and maintenance. Major veterinary treatments are not even included, only the usual vaccinations and preventive health measures were considered. In the case of dogs, the costs are correspondingly higher. So it is not the purchase price that makes a pet expensive, but keeping it and health care can cost a lot of money. If there is an accident, good advice is literally expensive.

Better safe than sorry

This well-known adage is also true when it comes to keeping pets and can be seen here on the precautionary measures in relation to costs. The pet insurance protects the pet owner from incalculable financial risks should the beloved pet suffer health damage. The assumption of costs for various cases of damage and treatments is contractually guaranteed. This includes, among other things, radiological examinations, vaccinations, treatment costs, stays in the animal hospital or surgical interventions. Homeopathic therapies can also be insured. The benefits of animal insurance are very different, so a comprehensive comparison before signing the insurance contract is highly recommended. The exclusions are also important here!

Conclusion: Pets should be well cared for for life

It is not a problem to get a dog, cat or guinea pig and, especially in the current Corona crisis, it is understandable. The animals replace the lack of social contact and are soul comforters for their owners. But it must not only be a question of paying for the pets in the purchase, but also other aspects must be considered. This includes on the one hand that the animal must be well looked after after returning from the home office and resuming normal everyday life and must not be left alone. On the other hand, the financial security for health care and treatment in the event of illness must be considered. Animal insurance is ideal for this.

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Orthopedic aids: do pet insurance companies carry wheelchairs for dogs?

Orthopedic aids: do pet insurance companies carry wheelchairs for dogs?

If a dog is diagnosed with joint damage or even a body part has to be removed, the question arises whether such damage is covered by the animal insurance. The only way to do this is to ask the insurer in question.

Orthoses help with joint problems

Many dogs have problems with their joints due to osteoarthritis, and sometimes they can no longer walk. Custom-made orthoses that support the weakened joints or parts of the body help here. Physiotherapy can also help give the animal more freedom of movement. At a point where people have long been using rollators, crutches or wheelchairs, animals have to get along with what is offered to them. And that's not much, especially since orthotics and prostheses for animals are extremely expensive.

They have to be made to measure, which is accompanied by the difficulty of making a plaster cast of the affected body part. The materials that are used are the same as those used in human orthopedics. Carbon is a popular choice, but it is more expensive than plastic. But carbon is more resilient and flexible. However, the future is seen more in 3D printing.

The production of an individually fitting wheelchair or an orthosis is a real sisyphean work. After the model has been made from plastic or carbon, work is continued by hand. Everything has to be laminated and sanded, followed by upholstery, sewing, riveting and drilling? depending on the need for further adjustments. Up to 20 working hours are incurred per orthosis. This costs a lot of money, which is why it is understandable that the pet owner asks himself: does the pet insurance pay for that?

Little used tools for animals

Many pet owners do not even know that orthoses can be made at all. Success stories only occasionally make their way through the media and are then given a lot of attention, but are quickly forgotten. In addition, it costs several hundred Swiss francs to have such special products made for your dog.

Those who do not have animal health insurance often have to make the decision to euthanize the animal. After all, it is not only the orthosis that costs money, but also the entire treatment up to then, combined with constant physiotherapy. Some critics see no point in the aids and are of the opinion that they are not doing the animals any favors. After all, they could no longer run properly, although that would suit their nature. In this respect, it is only advisable to every pet owner to assess the behavior of his animal individually and then to make the decision about orthosis or not or about life and death.

Does the animal insurance cover the costs?

The assumption of costs is possible in principle, but it depends on the animal insurance and the insured cases. Most of the time, cost limits are set here, whereby these are limited partly per illness and partly to the year. For example, formulations can refer to a maximum cost assumption of 80 percent of the surgery costs per year.

The remaining costs must be borne by the owner. In addition, it is possible that a deductible has already been agreed for each insured event. Furthermore, a maximum amount of damage may have been agreed. If this is exceeded, the animal insurance no longer pays for orthoses and Co.

Incidentally, wheelchairs are usually cheaper than orthoses and prostheses and can be used when there is no longer any possibility of adjusting a walking aid exactly.

Conclusion: animal insurance bears the cost of wheelchairs and orthotics

In principle, the costs for orthotics and wheelchairs are also covered by the animal health insurance, but this does not always apply. It may also be that such aids have been excluded, which is noted in the insurance policy. It is also important to consider the maximum limit for reimbursement of costs per year or per insured event. Everything that goes beyond this must be paid for by the pet owner himself.

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Animal Insurance: Necessary or Superfluous?

Animal Insurance: Necessary or Superfluous?

As long as the beloved four-legged friend is doing well, hardly anyone thinks about the costs that can arise in the event of illness. But when this happens, many pet owners are surprised: four-digit amounts are waiting to be paid! Animal insurance could prevent nasty surprises.

Expensive four-legged family members

A dog that becomes around 13 years old costs up to 25,000 Swiss francs in the course of its life. A cat costs at least half, and it gets even older. The costs do not include the purchase price for the animal, only the costs for feed, care and regular veterinary visits are included. But the four-legged friend may not be healthy for life and the veterinarian's treatment costs are high.

Three to four-digit amounts can quickly be found on the invoice, which usually has to be paid on site. Maybe there will be an emergency and the veterinary clinic has to be visited? Then there are emergency fees and maybe even double fee rates. An accident or illness of the four-legged family member can quickly result in high costs. Who then wants to decide that the animal should be euthanized even though it could be helped with the right medical treatment?

Animal insurance is sometimes recommended

Since unexpectedly high costs can be a financial challenge for many pet owners, pet insurance can be useful. Here the pet owner pays a fixed amount monthly or annually. In the event of an insured event, the insurance company will cover the costs of treating the dog or cat. However, only up to an agreed maximum amount and sometimes only for limited cases per year.

In addition, the pet owner often has to pay in advance and can only settle with the pet insurance later. However, given that cancer treatment for dogs or cats can cost four-digit amounts, many pet owners still opt for insurance. Around three percent of dogs and cats in Switzerland are currently insured, but insurers are reporting an upward trend.

Everyone has to decide for themselves whether or not animal insurance is recommended in individual cases. It is important to take into account the fact that not every case can be insured or that some risks are excluded. Experts usually recommend insuring animals that are materially or immaterially very valuable, although with some insurance companies the animals can only be insured up to the age of six. Animals once insured remain in the insurance until they die. It is then no longer possible for owners of older dogs and cats to insure the animals. You should definitely put money in the savings bag on a regular basis in order to be prepared for the worst case scenario.

Please consider the insurance

Not only the question of whether the animal is insurable is relevant, but also the question of how high the co-payment is in the respective insured event. The insurers offer different products and solutions here, so that there is the right product for every budget. As a rule of thumb, however, a very low contribution usually leads to limited benefits or a very high deductible. In addition, most insurers do not insure any alternative treatment options; there may also be restrictions in terms of surgical interventions or drugs to be administered. This should be checked carefully before signing the insurance policy!

Conclusion: animal insurance is recommended in individual cases

More and more animal insurers are entering the market and trying to sell dog and cat health insurance to pet owners. But the product, which sounds so promising at the beginning, is not always really suitable. Some risks can be completely excluded in individual cases, while others should be included in the insurance.

In this regard, the provider should be checked with his product. However, experts generally advise not to blindly insure every pet, but also to let the material or immaterial value decide.

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Please pay the veterinarian bills directly: Also with an animal insurance

Please pay the veterinarian bills directly: Also with an animal insurance

In most cases, pet owners have to pay the cost of treating their four-legged friend directly at the vet or in the veterinary clinic. The vets play it safe and rarely offer other payment methods.

The most popular method of payment at the vet: payment by invoice

If the pet is doing badly, pet owners only want one thing: The darling should get better as soon as possible, no matter what the cost! The latter is easy to say, because an operation can quickly cost several hundred or thousand francs.

Most pet owners choose the invoice payment method, if they have the choice at all. The advantage of this is that they can focus on their pet's recovery first and take care of the payment later. Unfortunately, this is rarely possible in reality; payment by invoice is almost an exception. The veterinarian usually expects the treatment costs to be borne immediately.

In some cases, new customers cannot even pay by invoice, which is especially the case with veterinary clinics. When asked, they indicate that it would be too risky to offer payment by invoice. After all, one does not know what the payment behavior of the animal owners is like. Regular customers can sooner pay by invoice, new customers then with cash or card.

It is different when it comes to a large invoice, for example for an operation. Here there are mostly cost estimates and down payments are required. The final invoice can then be paid in part by invoice or even in installments, as agreed. Usually both resident veterinarians and veterinary clinics try to find an amicable solution for everyone involved.

In the Small Animal Clinic at the University of Bern, it is customary to request a down payment equal to half the cost estimate, at least 500 francs must be paid. Then the remaining costs can also be paid by invoice.

Common animal treatment costs

Most often there are costs for the initial consultation, which results in further treatment. The first visit to the vet usually costs 50 to 60 francs. The x-ray costs around 130 francs, an ultrasound costs up to 230 francs. If it comes to treatment, anesthesia, infusions, medication, hospitalization and other services are offset, whereby average prices of between 60 and 100 francs can almost always be expected.

For every single item! Emergency treatments are more expensive, with an operation due to a dog's stomach twisting up to CHF 2,000, and a cruciate ligament rupture can cost up to CHF 3,000. The fracture is cheaper, but its treatment still costs around 1500 francs.

In an emergency, however, no veterinarian will refuse treatment because the pet owner has no money in his pocket and has raced straight to the clinic. However, an amicable solution must then be found, because the emergency treatment is of course not free of charge. Normally, despite the time pressure, the usual down payment costs are required, especially since this can be done in the waiting time.

Tip: If you save enough money and put it in a separate account while your animal is healthy, you will not be left penniless and can pay your darling the urgently needed treatment. Animal insurance also makes sense and covers the most important costs.

Conclusion Veterinary bills must be paid directly

As a rule, the following applies: A veterinary bill must always be paid immediately, even if there are individual solutions for the animal owner in an emergency. The most frequently requested payment method by invoice is only offered by a few veterinarians and mostly only for regular customers. The risk of being left with the costs is too great because the patient owners' payment behavior leaves something to be desired.

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The real deal: compulsory insurance for dog owners

The real deal: compulsory insurance for dog owners

There is no doubt that a dog enriches the lives of its owners. However, if the dog causes damage, it reduces the joy of living together: Damage can be extremely expensive! Liability insurance is therefore mandatory.

Dog owners have a responsibility

A dog owner is not only responsible for his beloved four-legged friend, but also for the people who come into contact with the animal. When walking through the park, there can be a lot of people! It is not for nothing that dog liability insurance is compulsory in many cantons of Switzerland.

Because: If the animal causes damage, the animal owner is fully liable for it. If necessary with the entire property and until the damage has been paid! In view of the amount of costs that arise in the event of personal injury including financial loss, the benefits are rarely financed from the private assets of the pet owner.

But property damage can also be very expensive. It is good if there is insurance that pays for the damage incurred and relieves the wallet of the pet owner.

Some cantons do not yet make dog owners compulsory, but in most cantons a dog owner must be able to prove that they have insurance. The breed of the dog is irrelevant.

A small dog can cause just as much damage as a big one! After all, it's not always about bite injuries, which can vary in severity depending on the size of the bit. But even a small dog can run out onto the street and cause an accident there. The damage to vehicles and people is immense regardless of the size of the dog.

Tip: Anyone who does not own their dog for private pleasure, but uses the animal for commercial purposes, must be able to show company liability insurance.

Choose the right liability insurance

Personal liability insurance includes dog liability insurance, so this does not have to be taken out as a separate insurance. However, it is important to check whether the agreed coverage is sufficient.

The amounts of coverage differ depending on the insurance, they can be adjusted individually. Where liability insurance is compulsory, the canton requires a minimum amount of coverage. This amounts to one million francs in the canton of Aargau, for example, and even five million francs in Appenzell-Ausserrhoden.

In the canton of Friborg, on the other hand, there is no mandatory amount of coverage, but you must have a corresponding insurance. In the Canton of Neuchâtel, however, as in Nidwalden, there is no compulsory insurance.

In addition to sufficient coverage, which must be taken into account before taking out insurance, it is important to know which damage is actually covered by dog liability insurance. If the dog runs out onto the street and causes damage there, this is usually insured. But if the dog scratches the doors in a rented apartment, the insurance does not have to pay.

If the damage occurred suddenly and unexpectedly, it will be paid, but if the dog scratched for several years and the damage was caused with open eyes, the insurance company can refuse to provide a service. Grossly negligent behavior on the part of the pet owner is also not guaranteed!

Furthermore, it should be noted that the insurance company will only ever pay the agreed amount minus the deductible. This must be applied in each case of damage or up to an annual limit.

Conclusion: Personal liability insurance is indispensable

If, as a dog owner, you do not want to face unpleasant costs that you have to bear yourself and that can also be extremely high, you should strive for good liability insurance. This means that this should have reasonable coverage of at least three million francs.

The reason: Personal injury can quickly become very expensive and is usually associated with financial losses. These, in turn, can only be covered with a suitable insurance policy in most cases, because very few dog owners will have the equity necessary to settle the damage. In addition, insurance is compulsory in most cantons in Switzerland.

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