Insurance company surveys pet parents on veterinary wellness trends

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Embrace Pet Insurance provides coverage to dogs and cats in the United States, offering one simple, comprehensive accident and illness insurance plan. Embrace recently aimed to analyze the veterinary care and pet wellness trends from a pet owner perspective and surveyed more than 12,000 of its insured members.

Some key findings include the following¹:

• 67.4% of respondents said they have faced a veterinary bill that they would not have been able to afford without pet insurance.
• 90.8% said they believe having pet insurance has allowed pet owners to give their pet better veterinary care and overall wellness.
• 65.6% have opted for more extensive treatment for their pet’s condition because they have insurance to help cover the cost.

Veterinary professionals can share these results in discussions with clients regarding pet insurance, aiding them in making informed decisions. Additionally, this may help alleviate the financial burden that many clients encounter when faced with the high costs of necessary treatments.

"These numbers really tell the story — pet insurance is a crucial lifeline for your family's financial and pet health needs," said Brian Macias, CEO of Embrace Pet Insurance, in a company release.¹ "With vet costs on the rise, the importance of having coverage is clearer than ever. We're here to make sure pet parents can choose the best care options for their pets without financial stress."

Aside from insurance-focused and veterinary-related questions, Embrace also wanted to gauge the trends of pet owners in terms of lifestyle and wellness routines they may have. The following results were revealed from the survey¹:

• 45.6% of respondents said they use pet technology (examples provided by Embrace included smart feeders, pet cameras, and activity trackers).
• 45.7% said they prepare food at home for their pet or purchase human-grade meals and treats.
• 55.4% said they have a workout routine with their pet.
• 66.5% said they prioritize their pet’s nutrition over their own.
• 85.3% identify as a “dog mom,” “cat dad,” or other term.
• 65.3% saw no noticeable reaction to music from their pet and 74.5% said their pet does not watch television.

"Embrace's impact was crystal clear when my cat was diagnosed with liver disease this summer," shared Allie, an Embrace member. "The diagnosis was quick and unexpected, and I had to make a life-or-death decision on the spot. I called Embrace from the animal hospital, and they approved the claim as emergent care right then and there. Thanks to their prompt support and guidance over the phone during the emergency approval process, I could afford the necessary treatment, allowing my cat to fully recover.”¹

Reference

Cost vs. care: Embrace Pet Insurance survey highlights essential role in modern pet care. News release. Embrace Pet Insurance. May 29, 2024. Accessed May 30, 2024. https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cost-vs-care-embrace-pet-insurance-survey-highlights-essential-role-in-modern-pet-care-302158178.html