to think pet insurance for a cat is unnecessary?

[livinginhope]

I'm thinking if getting a cat. We always had one when I was growing up and it seemed a straightforward and not too expensive pet to have (and we loved them too). But now it seems you have to buy pet insurance at £100 plus per year, as well as paying for their annual jabs and for neutering.

Is this insurance really necessary? Do cats regularly get diseases requiring £££££ of vet fees, and if they do, don't people have them (ahem) "pit down" anymore. Surely that's what happens with rabbits and guinea pigs and so on?

AIBU or is it OK to have a cat and nopet insurance?

I think the op scarpered hours ago....

Axa is cheaper then petplan and is equally good cover. All my animals are insured at 8 weeks.
I will say be careful insuring older animals, and if you can, NEVER take a break in payments as you run the risk of coming across what the insurance company will call pre-existing condtions. So where possible, insure them young and keep it up!

I just don't think keeping any pet is a cheap exercise now.
Vaccinations must be done (well I think so!) and although its a once a year cost its still expensive. I do have insurance for my cat and its a real comfort to have that should expensive veterinary treatment be required. You don't have to have insurance but I think its a good idea to consider it.

YABU unless you have enough money to cover any and ALL vet treatments without it. My dog (9yo) has been insured since he was a puppy. This is the first year we have claimed on it as he developed tumours that needed removing. The operation and diagnosis tests would have been just short of £1000 and unfortunately one of the tumours is likely to grow again and when it does he will need medication (kind of like chemotherapy I guess). Without insurance this would come to about £3000. I've never been so glad of the insurance in my life! His quality of life is fine and the only reason I would consider putting him down is if it became clear that he was suffering and nothing could be done. I can't fathom putting down an animal that can be successfully treated for financial reasons. It feels like murder to me. If you can't afford the vets bills/insurance you really shouldn't get an animal in the first place.

One thing to bear in mind is that you shouldn't really chop and change pet insurance companies like you can with house/ car insurance etc. Once your cat gets ill with something and it reoccurs in the future it's likely to be considered a pre existing condition by the new company, and will whack up your monthly premiums.. Shop around to start with and read the small print carefully to find out what's best for both you and your kitties.