A Quiet and Peaceful Birthday for My Cat: Reflections on Our Unbreakable Bond
On my cat’s birthday, there was a serene atmosphere with no one else around to join in the celebration. It was a bit sad to realize that my aging cat doesn’t attract attention like before, but I found comfort in the deep connection we share. Our love and companionship aren’t affected by external factors such as age or appearance. Even though it was momentarily disappointing to have no well-wishers, it reminded me that true connection goes beyond seeking validation from others.
Instead, we commemorated the occasion together in our cozy home, enjoying the peaceful beauty of a love that doesn’t rely on external recognition. For my not-so-cute feline friend, the significance of this celebration wasn’t about the number of guests, but rather the strength of our bond. This made the birthday celebration exceptionally special and meaningful.
-The health benefits of cats
While owning any pet can provide a myriad of health benefits, there are some benefits that are specific to cats. They can:
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- Lower stress and anxiety. Cat owners know how one session of petting or playing with their cat can turn a bad day into a good one. Scientific evidence also shows that a cat’s purr can calm your nervous system and lower your blood pressure.
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- Improve your cardiovascular health. Cat owners have been reported to carry a lower risk for heart disease and stroke.
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- Prevent allergies. You always hear about cat hair being one of the most common allergens. However, if a child is exposed to cats within the first few years of life, they are more likely to develop an immune system that combats not only cat allergies but other kinds of allergens as well.
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- Reduce feelings of loneliness. Cats make great companion animals. They offer an unconditional love that can be equal to (or sometimes even greater than) many human friends and confidants.
Best Pet Insurance Companies Of January 2023
What Does Pet Insurance Cover?
What’s covered by pet insurance will depend on the type of plan you buy. Pet insurance plans are generally available in three varieties:
- Accident and illness plans (the most common)
- Accident-only plans
- Wellness plans for routine care such as vaccinations, usually available as an add-on Accident and illness plans generally cover injury or sickness such as broken bones, cancer, hereditary conditions and congenital conditions, and more. Accident-only plans cover only accident-related problems, like a broken bone. You can add a routine wellness plan to many pet insurance policies. This will offset the cost of the annual vet wellness visit, vaccinations, heartworm treatment and other routine care costs that help keep your pet healthy. Pet insurance may not cover pre-existing conditions, meaning conditions your pet had before the policy went into effect, including any waiting period. Ask whether there’s a look-back period so that conditions before the look-back period can be covered.
What Doesn’t Pet Insurance Cover?
Here are some common exclusions typically found in a pet insurance policy:
- Boarding and kennel fees. Most plans won’t cover the cost of boarding and kenneling, but some insurers will cover this expense if you’re hospitalized. For example, the Pet Owner Assistance Package from Trupanion covers these expenses.
- Breeding costs.Costs associated with breeding aren’t covered.
- Exam fees. Some insurers won’t cover your vet exam fees, even if it’s related to an accident or illness. And most insurers won’t cover your pet’s annual wellness exam unless you purchase a wellness plan.
- Expenses not related to veterinarian care. Costs such as taxes or administrative fees charged by your vet are typically not covered.
- Food and supplements. Your pet’s regular food and supplements, such as vitamins, are not covered by pet insurance, but some plans cover prescription pet food.
- Grooming. Expenses such as grooming, nail trims and shampooing are not covered.
- Lost or stolen pets. Most plans won’t cover lost or stolen pets, but some insurers will pay for the cost of advertising and rewards as an optional coverage, such as the Extra Care Pack from Figo pet insurance.
- Pre-existing conditions. Injuries and illness that occur before your pet insurance coverage begins are not covered. However, some insurers extend coverage to “curable” pet pre-existing conditions, like an ear infection. For example, ASPCA pet insurance will cover curable conditions if your pet is free of symptoms and treatment for 180 days. Conditions that recur after 180 days are treated as a new problem and are covered.
- Preventative and elective procedures. Pet insurance won’t cover procedures such as declawing, ear cropping and tail docking.
- Vaccines. A standard pet insurance plan typically does not cover vaccines and booster shots. But you can often add a wellness plan to your pet insurance policy if you want coverage for vaccines.
Your policy might also require you to maintain the level of recommended care from your veterinarian. For example, if your vet recommends a dental cleaning due to dental issues for your pet and you fail to do so, you might not be covered for subsequent vet expenses related to dental illness.