Iowa Pet Insurance Guide

Iowa pet parents: Whether you’ve got a Dalmatian in Des Moines or a Siamese in Sioux City, you are in the right place. We’ll take you through the hidden gems and insider tips of being an Iowa pet parent, and while we’re at it, we’ll guide you through the ins and outs of pet insurance so you can keep your furry friend (and your wallet) covered.

What is pet insurance?

Pet insurance assists in covering the costs of your vet bills. You pay a premium each month to the insurance company, and in return, you can care for your canine or feline fur fam without having to worry about how much it will cost.

With Lemonade pet insurance, there are numerous ways to customize your policy with our coverage options:

To begin with, a base Lemonade pet health insurance policy will assist in covering the costs of medication, tests, and treatments if your cat or dog has an unexpected accident or illness.

A base policy is excellent for the unexpected things in your fur fam’s future. Still, Lemonade also offers preventative care packages, which are designed to keep your pet healthy and help cover expenses you’re probably paying for anyway. By adding this package to a Lemonade policy, you’ll also get access to a live medical chat option and will get covered for all kinds of things—like your annual blood tests, vaccinations, wellness exam, and more. There may be some applicable exclusions.

Lemonade offers a Preventative, Preventative+, and a Puppy/Kitten Preventative package. Depending on your pet’s age, this package covers things like spaying/neutering, vaccinations, microchipping, and flea and tick treatments.

You can also customize your Lemonade policy with a mix and match of optional add-ons like: physical therapy, vet visit fees, dental illness, behavioral conditions, and end-of-life and remembrance—to help take the bite out of pricey treatments, services, and trips to the vet.

Here’s an example of how a Lemonade pet insurance policy works:

1. Buy a policy. You answer a few quick questions about your German Shepherd, Hawk, and build your pet’s policy with the help of our friendly AI chatbot. The monthly premium you pay is determined by various factors, primarily things that you can customize, like your annual deductible, co-insurance, coverage package, and the annual limit on your plan. (If you would like, you can take a deeper dive into how pet insurance works to help you create your perfect policy.) Pet insurance coverage with Lemonade can cost as low as $10/month. Here’s a handy breakdown of the whole (simple) process.
2. Go to the vet. You rush Hawk to the vet after he broke his leg from playing too rough at the dog park. The exam, x-ray, and cast cost you $1,000. Woof. But since you have pet insurance, you don’t have to worry about the total amount. Find out what’s covered with pet insurance here.
3. Get your money back. Hawk is safely on the mend, and you get up to a $900 reimbursement back in your pocket from Lemonade!

It’s worth noting that as your dog ages, they will require more veterinary care and treatments, which is why it pays to take out a pet insurance policy for your dog as early as possible. If you try to sign your 13-year-old dog up for insurance for the first time, they might be declined due to their age; either way, they’re more likely to have pre-existing conditions that won’t be covered by insurance. But if you get your new puppy a Lemonade policy right away, you’ll be able to continue renewing their policy as they age.

Apply now to get your free pet insurance quote.

Top Iowa dog parks

Energetic pup? Let them run wild in one of Iowa’s many off-leash or fenced-in dog parks. Just make sure that they are spayed or neutered, and your pup’s vaccinations are up-to-date and before you let them run wild.

• Thornberry Off-Leash Dog Park. Thornberry Off-Leash Dog Park is twelve acres of wide-open space for your furry friend to romp and play around in Iowa City. There is agility equipment for the sporty pup and a training area. There are two separate areas, one for big dogs and another for small dogs. There is a doggie swimming pond, Lily’s Pond, with a pier for splashing and tons of wet fun for water-lovers! Watch this virtual tour of the park to catch the vibe.
• Kinship Brewing Company. So, yes, technically, this is not exactly a dog park. But it might be something more remarkable than that. Kinship Brewing Company in Waukee is a brewery and restaurant that also has an on-site fenced half-acre park for your pups to socialize and play while you sip on a cold one! This place is not just dog-friendly; these are dog lovers who want you to bring your furry friends with you and have the space to prove it. Dogs are even welcome on the patio, as long as they’re leashed. 
• Rover’s Ranch. Located between Pleasant Hill & Runnells, Rover’s Ranch is way more than a dog park. The ranch is a privately owned & operated membership dog park, training center, and doggie social boarding facility. The dog park has pools to play in and trees your pup can relax under after running amok. Rover’s Ranch has many training services, from crate training to treatment for dog aggression. Get a membership and come as often as you’d like!
• Prairie Pastures Dog Park. Prairie Pastures Dog Park in Clinton offers a one-of-a-kind, unique experience for your fur babies. The dog park features everything from swimming pools to agility equipment to natural trails. There is even a designated area for older dogs. Old Paw should also get to have a good time, right? And that’s not all; the expansive eight-acre park was converted from what used to be an old zoo! Pawtrons of this dog park get to experience diverse terrain, structures and vegetation which amplify a sense of spaciousness.  
• Raccoon River Dog Park. An excellent choice for nature-lovers, Raccoon River Dog Park in West Des Moines is twelve acres of parkland with a river nearby for off-leash action. There are separate areas for small and large dogs. You and your furry best friend get the experience of being on a hike but in a fully enclosed space. Plus, there are hiking trails to explore outside the fenced area. Raccoon River Park itself boasts fantastic facilities, from an archery facility to a boathouse and nature lodge, and more!

Support Iowa-based pet businesses

Support small Iowa businesses while keeping your best friend completely pampered!

• Pawsitive Pet Services. Do you need to travel or find your poor pooch bored while you are at work? Pawsitve Pet Services in Lawton provide daycare and boarding so your precious pup won’t be lonely while you are away. They also offer grooming and training services. You can upgrade to their “Report Card”service and get photos conveniently emailed to you, so you get your daily-dose of your fur baby. Check out their Instagram and Facebook  page for some adorable examples! 
• Iowa Pet Foods & Seascapes. Iowa Pet Foods and Seascapes, located in West Des Moines, has everything you need for all of your finned friends’ needs. This full-service aquatics store has served customers for over twenty years, from setup to maintenance. They specialize in all aspects of the wonderful world of fish! Whether you need a goldfish bowl or a custom-designed aquarium, Iowa Pet Foods and Seascapes handle it all. 
• Petsakes. This family-owned pet supply store with two locations in Altoona and Des Moines has everything covered for a wide range of animal needs. Not only do they carry supplies for dogs, cats, birds, and small animals, they also offer supplies for goats, chickens, and even your equine friends! From beds and mats to stain and odor products, pest control services to supplements, there really is nowhere else you need to go. Petsakes even has a nice collection of vintage-style clocks, for Pete’s sake!
• Petland. Petland is a local pet store in Iowa City that provides a hands-on approach to learning about your furry loved ones and their needs. If you are looking to expand your heart and home to a new fur baby, Petland is the place to turn to. They have years of experience helping thousands of families get matched with the right furry friend for their family. With a commitment to quality pets and animal welfare, your new relationship will be the best it can be! Check out their blog, podcast, and videos for puppy potty training tips and more!
• Leash on Life. Of course, you only want the best toys and treats and the highest quality nutrition for your furry family. Leash on Life has a passion for pets! Located in North Liberty and Iowa City, this premier pet store offers supplies for cats and dogs from pet food to health products, toys to apparel, and more. Your fur babies are even invited for an exciting trip to their store. Just make sure they don’t get you to buy too many treats. Don’t miss their news and events in the Leash on Life Newsletter. 

Before we go…

The bonding, the snuggles, the giggles! Being a pet parent is remarkable, isn’t it? Pets contribute so much to our lives. The connection that Iowa pet parents have with their furry companions is real. In fact, an Iowa State University study has found that cancer research in pets is beneficial to humans and vice versa. Our furry best friends don’t only offer unconditional love and companionship, they are even our best research partners. Of course, our pets are important to us, but vet bills can really gnaw at our pocketbooks, which is why more and more pet parents have decided that dog health insurance or cat health insurance is right for them.