Lemonade's Preventative Care for Puppies and Kittens, Explained

So you’ve decided to adopt a puppy or a kitten—that’s amazing! And what’s even more amazing is that you realize how important it is to keep your new furry friend healthy with pet insurance.

You might think that a very young animal isn’t likely to have many medical conditions, and therefore investing in pet health insurance would be a waste of time and money.

But this is precisely the reason you should get your cat or dog enrolled as early as possible. If you wait for them to develop a troublesome illness or ailment, it would be considered a pre-existing condition. You’d still be eligible for pet insurance, but your policy wouldn’t cover any costs of treatments related to that specific condition.

Also, puppies and kittens aren’t exactly cheap! There are vaccinations to consider, plus spay or neuter procedures, as well as things like microchipping (which can help you track down your pal if they ever get lost or run away).

Great news: Lemonade offers preventative care packages that can help with these important early pet parent expenses. The specific options available to you will depend on your location, as we’re rolling out enhanced packages state by state.

“Offering a preventative care package for puppies and kittens transforms the way pet parents think about going to the vet. Instead of rushing over when something bad happens, or as the dog or cat grows old, people should bring pets in when they’re young, to keep them healthy as they mature.”

Dr. Stephanie Liff, Lemonade’s vet health expert

What Preventative Care options are available?

Depending on your location, you may see different preventative care packages during sign-up:

Routine Vet Care (Available nationwide)

• 1 Wellness Exam per year
• 3 Vaccines per year
• Wellness testing including fecal/parasite tests, bloodwork, and heartworm testing

Routine Vet Care Plus (Select states only)

• Unlimited wellness exams
• Unlimited vaccines
• Enhanced wellness testing
• Life Essentials coverage including spay/neuter, microchipping, gastropexy, preventative medications, and more

Puppy/Kitten Preventative Care package, which was designed specifically for pets under 2 years old and includes:

• 2 Wellness Exams
• Up to 6 Vaccines
• Wellness testing (fecal tests, bloodwork, heartworm testing)
• Spay/Neuter Procedure
• Microchipping
• Flea/Tick or Heartworm Medication

Keep in mind, you can only select the Puppy/Kitten package if your pet is under two years old.

Why these procedures matter for young pets

Spaying & neutering

These surgical procedures are common and safe. They help prevent animal overpopulation, and they also help your cat or dog avoid a variety of medical conditions later in life. But spaying or neutering, despite being common, isn’t cheap! Free clinic services are often offered in major metropolitan areas, but competition can be fierce, and waitlists long. Here’s more about what it usually costs to spay or neuter your dog, for instance.

Depending on your available preventative care options, we can help cover the costs of these vital procedures—either through our Puppy/Kitten package (where available) or through Life Essentials coverage in enhanced packages.

Microchipping

This is basically a small implanted device that identifies your furry friend. And it’s a good idea—even if your cat doesn’t generally roam outdoors, or if your dog is typically well-behaved. A curious kitty could also sneak out an open window or door, and your off-leash pup might love running in the woods so much that he gets totally lost.

Microchipping your puppy or kitten will help ensure that your pet returns to you if someone else finds them and takes them to the vet. It costs between $45 and $150 for the chip and its implantation, and to get your dog registered on a pet recovery database. Your preventative care package may help cover these costs, depending on which options are available in your area.

Vaccines

Part of being a pup or a kitten is getting a few jabs to make sure you grow up healthy and happy. Vaccine coverage varies by package:

• Basic preventative care covers 3 vaccines per year
• Enhanced packages may offer unlimited vaccinations
• The Puppy/Kitten package (where available) covers up to 6 vaccines

Want some helpful info about what vaccinations your pet will need, and how much you can expect them to cost? We’ve got everything to know about both puppy vaccinations and kitten vaccinations.

How do I know what’s available to me?

The preventative care options you see during sign-up will depend on your location. We’re continuously expanding our enhanced preventative care packages, so the specific options and coverage details may vary by state.

When you get your quote, you’ll see exactly which preventative care packages are available in your area, along with their specific coverage details and limits.

How do I sign up?

Glad you asked! We’ve made the sign-up process so simple that your cat or dog could probably manage it themselves… but it’s a good idea if you do it for them. Here’s our Ultimate Guide to all things pet insurance. Or feel free to just dive right in by clicking the pink button below.

Exact preventative coverage and package availability vary by state. Be sure to review the specific options available in your area before purchase, and to read your policy details for coverage limits and restrictions.

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A few quick words, because we <3 our lawyers: This post is general in nature, and any statement in it doesn’t alter the terms, conditions, exclusions, or limitations of policies issued by Lemonade, which differ according to your state of residence. You’re encouraged to discuss your specific circumstances with your own professional advisors. The purpose of this post is merely to provide you with info and insights you can use to make such discussions more productive! Naturally, all comments by, or references to, third parties represent their own views, and Lemonade assumes no responsibility for them. Coverage and discounts may not be available in all states.