1300 489 873Is it time to get your pooch or kitty desexed? If it is, you’re probably wondering whether the procedure will get covered under your pet insurance, and we’ve got the answers right here.
As cute as they can be, having little kittens and puppies running around is a lot of work, not just for you, but also for your furry friends – it’s not easy being a pawrent!
The sooner you get your four-legged pal desexed, the less you’ll need to worry about unwanted litters, related vet costs, long-term health issues, and behavioural problems.
In this article, we don’t just tell you if desexing is covered by pet insurance, we also break down what desexing actually is, how much it typically costs, why it matters, and when’s a good time to get your fur babies desexed.
Jump into this guide and discover everything you need to know about pet desexing!
What Is Desexing and Why It Matters
Desexing, neutering, spaying — they all mean the same thing. It’s a surgical procedure that involves removing your furry friend’s reproductive organs.
There’s a bunch of reasons that make desexing an absolute must-have treatment. Let’s check them out:
Prevents Unwanted Litters
The last thing any pet parent wants is an unexpected and unplanned arrival of little kittens or puppies. Pets always get up to mischief, especially when they’re out and about, and unwanted breeding is among the many issues fellow pet owners have to watch out for. Thankfully, desexing is a precautionary action that 100% works.
Calms Problematic Behaviours
When our furry friends are fertile, they’re fuelled with a bunch of hormones that can cause some problematic behaviour and even stress. Aggression, excessive howling and meowing, and spraying are all the troublesome things we face with pets that are yet to get desexed. Once pets have the procedure, these behaviours stop in an instant.
Reduces the Risk of Certain Cancers and Infections
Did you know that pregnancy and mating can cause a bunch of health complications for our pets? Serious problems, like testicular cancer and uterine infections are much more likely to happen if your pet isn’t neutered. Desexing completely removes the risk of these troubles, making it an important and responsible choice for your pet’s long term health.
Does Pet Insurance Cover Desexing?
Unfortunately, insurers don’t cover desexing, so you can’t claim the procedure costs back. That’s because it doesn’t fall under accidental injury or illness treatment, but rather preventive and elective care. You might be able to get some of the costs reimbursed with select kitten and puppy plans, but this is pretty rare, and can knock up your monthly premiums.
However, any emergency health issues that pop up as a result of the desexing procedure can be eligible. For example, if your pet pulls out their stitches or gets an infection during recovery.
Common Pet Insurance Inclusions
While desexing isn’t covered under most policies, there are a bunch of other treatments that are, depending on the level of cover you’ve got. Let’s check them out:
- Accidental injuries
- Third-party liability
- Emergency illness treatment
- Prescribed medicine
- Non-elective euthanasia
- Hospitalisation
- Emergency operating theatre costs
- Tick paralysis
- Radiology and pathology
- Select hereditary conditions
Common Pet Insurance Exclusions
In addition to desexing, most pet insurance policies don’t cover these treatment costs:
- Routine check-ups
- Pre-existing conditions — these are any health problems that started before the commencement date of your policy
- Statutory quarantine costs
- Breeding and pregnancy treatments
- Behavioural therapy
- Special diets and supplements
- Elective/preventative treatments
The Cost of Desexing in Australia
Desexing can cost anywhere between $150 to $700. It all depends on whether you’ve got a cat or dog, male or female, and the size of your pet — bigger dog breeds, like Labradoodles and Golden Retrievers, tend to cost more. Pets with any pre-existing health problems will need a little more care during the procedure and therefore cost more to desex.
The vet you go to can also have a part to play in the final bill. Some areas can be a bit more costly than others, particularly suburban spots like Bondi (New South Wales) and Brighton (Victoria).
When’s the Best Time To Get Pets Desexed?
There’s a right time to get your pet desexed. Most cats and dogs can have the procedure when they hit 4 to 6 months of age. This is the most ideal time to get them neutered because it’s before they hit sexual maturity.
Female pets are recommended to be desexed before their first heat cycle. A heat cycle is the phase when cats and dogs are most fertile and ready to breed. It can be super stressful for them, and lead to reproductive health issues later in life if left for too many cycles, so the sooner you sort it the better.
Make sure you always have a chat with your vet to find out when it’s the best time to get your fur babies desexed. Your vet will also give you lots of helpful post-procedure care tips.
Get Paw-tacular Pet Insurance at PetsOnMe
We’ve got a tail-wagging lineup of multi-award-winning policies at PetsOnMe. Whether you’ve got a dog or cat, puppy or kitten, we’ll get you covered. Our waiting periods apply to our Classic and Deluxe Plans, so you get instant coverage with our Accidental Plan.
Held a policy for over a year with no interruptions in coverage? We’ll ditch our waiting periods and get you covered pronto.
Our policies are designed specifically for pets, with pet owners in mind. So, you can rest assured you’re picking transparent and straightforward pet insurance, without the jargon!
Browse and compare our plans online today and get covered.
Please note: like most insurers out there, we don’t cover routine care, desexing, or pre-existing conditions. But, we do cover third-party liability, accidental injury treatments, illness, prescribed medication, and even select dental illnesses (depending on the plan you pick).
Find Out More About Desexing and Pet Insurance
How Can I See What My Pet Insurance Policy Covers?
Check the product disclosure statement (PDS) and the terms and conditions of your policy. Here, you’ll find all the important details about what your plan covers, insurance benefit, eligible claims, applicable waiting periods, and more.
Is Desexing Mandatory in Australia?
Nope, desexing isn’t a must-have procedure everywhere in Australia. But, it can vary depending on your local government’s rules. For instance, in some places, it is a legal requirement to have free-roaming cats spayed.
What Are The Most Common Eligible Vet Bills?
Eligible vet bills will vary depending on the policy you’ve got. When you’ve got pet insurance, you can typically expect treatment for accidental injuries, prescribed medications, select illness care, and third-party liability to all be covered.
At PetsOnMe, we offer three multi-award-winning pet insurance options. You can get just the accidental mis-haps covered with our Accidental Plan, have accidents and illnesses sorted with our Classic Plan, or get the extra stuff covered (like select dental care) with our complete Deluxe Plan.
