Pet Routine Care: How to Plan & Save

Ensuring your pet receives proper routine care is part & parcel of responsible pet ownership & essential for its health. This guide will help you understand the preventative treatments your pet may need & how you can save when budgeting for these treatments with MediPet.

By staying on top of your pet’s routine care, you can ensure your furry friend’s longevity, while reducing the risk of serious health conditions. Planning the timing & frequency of your pet routine care & treatments is crucial for their health. Staying up to date with your pets’ vaccinations, deworming, tick/flea treatments, & other measures helps prevent illnesses, catch issues early, & keep your pets comfortable.

Did you know that pet insurance does not cover a condition that is preventable by vaccination & your vaccinations are not up to date?

This guide will break down your pet routine care into recurring times — monthly, quarterly, & annually – where we aim to help you create a manageable schedule for your pet.

Whether you are already a proud pet owner or are new to the world of pet care & looking to adopt a dog or cat, this guide will equip you with the knowledge you need to ensure peace of mind throughout the year.

Table of Contents: 

• What is routine care for dogs & cats?
• Does dental fall under routine care?
• Monthly Routine Care Treatments for Pets
• Annual Routine Care Treatments
• Final Thoughts

Routine care for dogs & cats encompasses the regular health maintenance tasks that are vital for their well-being. It is important to begin your pet’s routine care by partnering with your vet as soon as possible & having regular check-ups. A relationship with your vet provides you with an opportunity to discuss any concerns & receive tailored advice to support your pet’s lifestyle & pet routine care needs.

Routine care includes:

• Vaccinations
• Deworming
• Sterilisation
• Microchipping
• Tick & flea control
• Grooming
• Nail-clipping
• Puppy socialisation classes
• Training

These preventive measures are a responsible approach designed to prevent potential health issues & maintain your pet’s overall health.

Depending on your pet insurance plan, there may be cover allocations made for certain routine care treatments for your pet. However, it’s worthwhile reviewing your pet insurance policy to understand exactly what is covered & what is not.

When considering your pet’s cover, it is important to ask your insurer four key questions:

• What routine care treatments are covered?
• How much is covered?
• Are there any restrictions or sub-limits on routine care claims?
• Is routine care included in my policy or as an optional add-on?

At MediPet, we offer 3 everyday routine care add-ons. Enjoy the built-in savings benefit ranging from R320 to R960 yearly, applied to vaccinations & other routine care treatments.

These routine care options can be added onto any of our 5 plans: Accident, Lite, LitePlus, Essential, & Utimate360. We recommend comparing our plans & exploring our routine care add-ons to help you plan & save for your beloved pet’s routine care treatments.

Dental care is often a key concern for pet owners, but it is important to understand that dental care may not always be included or sufficiently covered in your pet insurance plan. Many insurance policies offer limited cover for dental treatment & may only cover certain types of dental care, such as dental trauma or a check-up.

You should ask your pet insurer several important questions about dental care:

• Is a scale & polish covered?
• Does my selected plan only cover dental trauma?
• Are there any sub-limits for dental treatments?
• If yes, what am I capped to when I claim?
• Is my dental cover bundled with other benefits?
• How much dental care is covered per year?

For example, dental treatments can cost around R4 000 on average. Your policy may state that you are capped at R1 500 per routine care claim (including dental, among other offers), or worse — your fur-bestie is only covered for a check-up. If your benefits are bundled with other benefits, one of your four claims for the year may already be used up in accordance with your pet insurance plan. (Even if you have R55 000 annual cover.)

For this reason, MediPet does not cover dental under routine care as it is a hospital procedure. Our most comprehensive plan, Ultimate360, offers an exclusive dental uncapped benefit without any line-item sub-limits, per claim or per year. What a way to meet your dog’s dental needs! We recommend seeing your vet for yearly dental care to keep your pet’s teeth healthy.

Asking your pet insurer key questions upfront will help you avoid any unpleasant surprises. Otherwise, you may end up paying out-of-pocket vet bills for these expenses.

Monthly & quarterly routine care for pets forms the backbone of day-to-day wellness & prevention strategies, ensuring your furry companions stay healthy & content.

This regular cadence of care is designed to tackle the onset of common, preventative issues.

Working alongside your vet & integrating these practices into your monthly & quarterly schedule, you establish a consistent routine that supports the long-term well-being of your pet, allowing for timely interventions & adjustments as needed.

Flea & tick prevention treatments are crucial measures to protect your pet from fleas & ticks. These pests can cause significant health issues ranging from allergic reactions to serious diseases. Consistency is key – depending on your vet’s guidance, you may need to treat your pet every 28 or 32 days, 8 weeks or even 3 months, to minimise the risk of infestation & the associated higher costs of dealing with outbreaks, or related health complications. Read more on how to prevent ticks on your dog. 

Taking note of pet routine care in advance allow you to plan for these treatments early on, ensuring you are up to date with your pet’s routine care needs. In South Africa, the cost for these treatments can vary; typically ranging from R150 to R1 000 – depending on the service, quality of product, & the size of your pet.  

MediPet offers an economical way to ensure your pet remains protected. The additional premium (depending on your chosen plan) allows for a savings perk built into each routine care add-on, up to R960 a year if on Routine Supreme.

Deworming treatments for intestinal parasites are required every 2 — 4 months, dependent on your pet’s environment & your vet’s recommendation. These parasites, if left untreated, can lead to serious medical issues ranging from malnutrition to acute gastrointestinal problems.

Deworming treatments should be incorporated into your pet’s health regime as early as possible to reduce the chance of parasites compromising your pet’s health. In South Africa, the cost of deworming treatments can vary, typically ranging between R30 & R300, depending on the type of treatment & the size of your pet. Always refer to your vet when you are unsure of treatment.

MediPet’s routine care add-on includes including deworming, making it easier to manage & save on these recurring expenses helping you budget.

Regular grooming for dogs & cats is a crucial part of their routine to help prevent issues such as skin infections, matting, & discomfort. It is important to note that dogs should not be washed too often with products, as it could strip their skin of natural oils & lead to issues, such as hotspots. However, regular rinsing when dirty using just water is fine.

The frequency & type of grooming will depend on your pet’s breed, hair length, & shedding tendencies. Brushing your pet’s hair can serve as a bonding tool between you & your pet.

Long-haired breeds (whether dogs or cats) often require grooming to prevent tangles & matting, & professional grooming may be necessary to maintain their coat. Cats, being naturally skilled at self-grooming, need less frequent grooming than dogs, but some may require assistance, especially long-haired breeds.

Before starting a grooming routine, it is advisable to check with your vet to determine the specific grooming needs for your pet.

Professional grooming services can range from R150 to over R500, depending on the type of grooming required & the size of your pet.

Remember, MediPet’s routine care covers grooming costs, helping you save significantly on your overall pet care budget.

Annual routine care treatments are fundamental to your pet’s long-term health, serving as a cornerstone for routine care.  

Please note that your pet’s sterilisation is a one-time procedure. It is important to discuss with your vet to ensure it aligns with your pet’s overall health & well-being. 

For Ultimate360 members, there is a sterilisation benefit of R1 200. If the cost of sterilisation claim is more than R1 200, you may choose to have the remainder deducted from your routine care add-on benefit, if you have one. 

Annual vaccinations are crucial in safeguarding your pets against various diseases, ensuring they remain healthy & protected throughout the year.

Both dogs & cats require specific vaccinations to protect themselves against diseases, with schedules & types tailored to each pet’s needs & lifestyle. Regular consultations with your vet will ensure you are up to date with your pet’s routine care needs, ensuring they receive the appropriate vaccinations at the right time.

Without routine care cover, you would need to budget for the cost for these essential pet vaccinations typically ranges anything between R350 to R1 000, varying based on your pet’s age, weight, the type of vaccine, & treatment per vet visit.

With MediPet’s routine care add-ons, enjoy an annual savings benefit yearly, ranging from R320 to R960 when applied to vaccinations & other routine care treatments.

In this guide, we have delved into the importance of planning for your pet’s routine care treatments, highlighting the necessity of vaccinations & other treatments to maintain their health & well-being.

These measures can help you ensure that your pet remains healthy & prevents minor issues from becoming major concerns.

Remember, responsible pet care is all about understanding your pet’s needs & proactively addressing them through routine treatments.

While the journey of pet ownership comes with its financial considerations, knowing what to expect & planning accordingly can make all the difference. MediPet’s insurance plans, including add-ons for routine care, offer a way to manage these costs & save, ensuring your pet receives the best possible care without undue financial strain through a cost-saving benefit built into each routine care option.

Find out more about MediPet & why we are the right choice for your pet insurance, compare our plans, & get an obligation-free quote online in just seconds today.

If you are a new or prospective pet owner planning to adopt a pet, you might enjoy reading related content from our blog including How-to guides on dog adoption in South Africa, puppy potty training, traveling with dogs & more.