to not insure my dog?

[fluffymouse]

She is a mixed breed, her dad is a breed known for being very healthy, and mum a Heinz. Neither have any health problems. She is a small dog too (live longer, healthier from what I hear). She is also a docile little thing, so I have no worries about needing third party insurance as she would never be aggressive. She is also spayed (reduces risk of certain cancers).

I have savings and could afford to pay out for a large vet bill should something unforseen happen.

Insuring her with petplan (the insurers most people recommend) would cost an eye watering 34/month. There would still be a large excess (110).

Wibu not to insure on this basis?

but you guarantee that fluffy
When she's old, in pain and fed up she's unpredictable, regardless of her history.

I believe dog would give warnings long before ever being aggressive due to pain, and if she was in pain for whatever reason we would do whatever possible to resolve it. (Either by treating condition or alleviating symptoms).

We will get dogs trust 3rd party anyway, as its good to support the charity.

Sadly one of the first symptoms of pain can be aggressive behaviour...

Not that I know anyone that's ever had to claim on third party insurance for that.

For people saying that their vet has reasonable charges...so does mine, but referral to a vet hospital costs the same whatever your own vet charges for treatment inhouse.

I'm not misinformed, you are. I never said all dogs can be dangerous but you don't always know the ones that may snap. If you do know, then you must be the only person on the planet.

I've never believed that insurance for small animals - cats and dogs was necessary. Have kept cats and dogs all my adult life and never had a vets bill over about £500. Til recently. Dog had a limp, x rays showed a damaged spine. Young dog. Sent off for MRI - £2000. Operation £6,000 including recuperation and physiotherapy. I would ALWAYS get an animal insured from now on. Lesson very much learnt.

Dogs and cats show aggression as one of the first signs of pain. It is a survival mechanism, self protection. They can look and act fine. A dog may whimper with a superficial injury when it happens, but with internal and longer lasting pain they will stay quiet and save energy for fighting off an agressor. If you don't know there is pain and you hurt it, or anyone else, it may well bite. It is wrong to think otherwise.

And I say that as the owner of a very patient and kind hearted dog.

When a pack animal shows pain, it normally then rejected by its pack/family. Apparently it's because if they allow the injured animal to continue they slow the pack down and make them more vulnerable to predators. It's a primal thing or some such stuff.

Ok Fluffy, not sure where you are getting your information from but I believe I'm pretty well qualified to correct a few of your assumptions.

Firstly, ANY dog can be aggressive. Every living creature has a limit as to how much of what it doesn't like that it will tolerate. Especially when in pain and a first look of the source of pain before pain relief is administered.

I myself have been on the receiving end of pain related aggression from animals some I know on a personal level that have played with my child on floor with them the previous week. I haven't blamed any of them as it was in a vet exam situation, it's highly stressful and being poked and prodded in a painful area will cause them to startle.

You mentioned that she was fine post spay, she had painkillers and they are generally very tender after spay, not excruciating pain.

Also on your second post you did mention that your dog has got out a couple of times and even though you live in a quiet area the only real risk would be for an RTA to happen albeit unlikely.

It's not just RTA that you need 3rd party cover for but thankfully you are looking into it. And neither is it about the dent YOUR dog makes if the car hits the dog.
Some of accidents have been caused because road users have swerved to not hit a dog and have hit a tree/lamp post/another car/pedestrian etc. The dog can come away unscathed but has left a path of destruction in its wake. You would need insurance for that.

However, 1 million isn't a lot when it comes to litigation. Have a look online at some cases.

I suppose I'm a bit confused as to why it's such an issue not getting an insurance policy if money isn't an issue? Also there are so many knowledgable people on this thread, plus the majority of posters are giving their reasons as to why it's beneficial. I fear you will make your decision rather ill informed of all the facts and the different issues that can arise from not having insurance.

As you can tell in a huge advocate for pet insurance, but only because I'm so informed of all the alternatives, regardless of personal wealth. I'm only badgering because I'd hate for you or pet to get caught out because you have been given the full picture.

Floundering pts because of serious injury though RTC is fine. I chose not to pts my dog (no serious injuries) he required a couple of nights at the emergency vets (several £100 per night), a couple of drips, tests, bandages and a few different types of medication.

If he hadn't been insured I'd have struggled to find some of that money straight away (I was 18 at the time and he was my first dog). Parents would have loaned me the money but if they hadn't and I hadn't been insured then pts would have been a very real option :-(

Fairy if you know anything about canine body language and as a dog owner you should have done your research prior to purchase you'd be able to see 99% of the warning signs that could lead to a bite this being able to alter the situation to prevent a bite

^some if the above would be basic common sense - not letting kids or adults mess with the dog, don't corner them etc. you should know that much at least even if you don't understand your pets only way to communicate with you

My mum has a docile little Yorkshire terrier but due to problems with his legs he has had over £6000 worth of operations. The problems with his legs didn't become apparent until he was about three meaning that problems like that could happen to your dog at anytime. She pays around £30pcm.

wayward wtf you know nothing about me nor the research I did. I know plenty about my dog thanks!

My old Lab was insured with PetPlan. By age two she had racked up thousands in vet fees, around £12,000 to diagnose her condition. No quibbles with them paying out, ever.

Because it was a for life policy, they paid out for meds throughout her life. By the time she was ten years old, and had arthritis, her meds cost over £300 a month. When she died age thirteen it was still more. The first vet I saw with her said she was unlikely to make it past three years old. PetPlan allowed me to keep her well, comfortable and happy. Having insurance allowed me to get the very best specialist care for her, something I probably wouldn't have been able to afford on my wage. Some of the referral places wanted me to pay at the end of treatment, all but one were happy to be paid direct by PetPlan as they knew there wouldn't be any quibbling.

My monthly fee was £65 per month at the end. Well worth it. When I phoned to cancel her policy at the end, they were so kind. I would use them again without hesitation.