Arkansas Pet Insurance Guide

Arkansas pet parents: Whether you’ve got a Labrador in Little Rock, or a Springer Spaniel in Springdale, you’ve come to the right place. We’ll take you through the hidden gems and insider tips of being an Arkansas pet parent, and while we’re at it, we’ll go through the ins-and-outs of pet insurance so you can keep your furry friends (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 family members 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 family’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, such as check-ups and teeth cleanings. 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, Rocky, and build your pet’s policy with the help of our friendly AI chatbot on our mobile app. 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 a $10 monthly payment. Here’s a handy breakdown of the whole (simple) process.
2. Go to the vet. You rush Rocky 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.
3. Get your money back. Rocky 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.

Protect your pet from Arkansas threats 

Animal, plant, natural, and man-made- if you’re an Arkansas pet parent, there are a few local dangers to be aware of, so you can avoid an emergency trip to the vet.

The American Black Bear

Found in the Ozark and Ouachita National Forests as well as the White River area, the American Black Bear is mostly harmless. Still, they are predators and will attack if they feel threatened, especially if there are young cubs in the area. It’s best to keep your dogs on leash and well away from any encounter with a black bear.

Snakes

Arkansas is home to the venomous Western Diamondback Rattlesnake, the Timber Rattlesnake, and the Coral Snake. Of the three, the Coral Snake is the most venomous, but it is also the most unlikely to attack, as they are extremely reclusive.

Awareness is the number one thing you can do to protect your pets from snake bites. Snakes enjoy warming themselves on rocks and logs during the daytime hours. Keep your dog on a leash if you’re enjoying a hike, so you can easily pull them back if you spot a snake.

Homeowners, keep piles of timber and leaves off of your property, as this can provide an ideal hiding place for a slithering visitor.

If your pet is bitten by a snake, don’t waste time figuring out if it was venomous or not, take them to the vet right away. Also, don’t kill the snake and bring it with you—this is dangerous and not necessary for determining the toxicity of the bite. Do your best to keep your pet calm, and keep the bitten area below heart level if possible.

Treatments for snake bites on dogs and cats include pain medication, intravenous fluids, antibiotics, and in some severe cases, antivenom.

Flash Floods

Flash flooding can happen pretty much anywhere across Arkansas, and is hard to predict. It is usually the result of heavy rain over a short period of time, but it can also be caused by ice or debris, or even a dam or levee failure. Keep an eye on the weather, and pay attention to flood warnings.

It is also a good idea to have a plan in case of flooding, so that you know what to do just in case. It is wise to try and make it to higher ground with your pet. Do not try and traverse the flood waters with or without your pet—even 6 inches of water can bowl you over when it is moving fast! Finally, be prepared to be evacuated if necessary. Have an emergency bag packed, and put your pet in a carrier if possible.

Tornadoes

Tornado season in Arkansas can be dangerous. These massive storms usually occur in the spring, fall or early winter. So as with floods, keep an eye on the weather reports and pay attention to tornado warnings in your area.

The first thing you should do to protect your pet is to make sure they are microchipped and have identification tags. This will make it easier for them to get back to you in the event that you are separated during a tornado. In addition, it’s a good idea to practice bringing your pet family into your tornado safety area—whether it is a basement, cellar, bathroom, or stairwell. Doing this will help you and your pets stay calm during a tornado and they will be less likely to freeze, panic, or try to run away.

If a tornado warning is issued for your area, it is a good idea to put your cat, small dog, or other small pets in their carrier so that they can be easily moved if needed. Likewise, larger dogs should be leashed and kept near you so that you can all take cover together. 

Finally, keep calm. If you are calm, your pet is more likely to be calm.

Top Arkansas Dog Parks 

Energetic pup? Let them run wild in one of Arkansas’s many off-leash dog parks. Just make sure your pup is up-to-date on their vaccinations and spayed or neutered before you let them cut loose. 

• IAMS Dog Park at Bryce Davis Park. This Fayetteville dog park features 3 acres of fun for you and your pup. Off of a nature trail, the IAMS dog park has three areas: a drinking station, a play area for small dogs, and a play area for large dogs. It also has a pavilion, picnic tables, and trash cans so that you can sit and enjoy watching your dog play along with other pet parents.
• PetSafe Dog Park. Located in Conway, AR this tree-filled dog park is easy to find, has ample room for your dogs to play, and is well-maintained. It has separate play areas for large dogs and small dogs, water, and benches. So, if you are in the Conway area with your pup, jump over to the PetSafe dog park to let them have a run around.
• Hot Springs Bark Park. This 2 acre dog park in Hot Springs, Arkansas, is located right off the Hot Springs creek. It has an area for small dogs, and an area for big dogs, as well as an area where you can hose your dog off if they get muddy while playing. Pet parents can sit on the benches throughout the park, and there are biodegradable poop bags available as well.
• The Lake Wilson Off-Leash Park. At three hundred and twenty acres, Lake Wilson park is one huge doggy paradise! All three hundred and twenty acres are available for your dog to run around off-leash. They can take a dip in Lake Wilson, run through meadows, and sniff through the forest undergrowth. It is truly a haven for dogs and their owners. Bear in mind that there is no source of fresh water in the park, so you should bring along water for you and your dog to drink. Likewise, children under the age of 8 are not allowed in the park, and older children (8-15) must be supervised by an adult.

Support Arkansas-based pet businesses

Support small Arkansas businesses while keeping your best friend totally pampered! 

• Just Dogs Gourmet. This Little Rock bakery offers a huge range of locally produced dog treats. They offer handmade doggie birthday cakes, holiday themed cookies, and even personalized birthday bone cookies. So if you’re in the Little Rock area and want to treat your dog with something yummy, Just Dogs Gourmet is the place to go.
• Hollywood Feed. With high online ratings, Hollywood Feed in Jonesboro is nothing more than a very excellent pet store. It offers products for dogs, cats, and other animals, as well as pick-up and delivery options to make things easier on pet parents.
• Woof and Wander. Located in Rogers, this pet supply store is focused on making you feel good about your purchases for your dog. With its focus on three areas of pet wellness: nutrition, exploration, and rejuvenation. It offers natural pet food, supplements, toys, and even upcycled dog beds.

• Hounds Lounge. Among other awards, Hounds Lounge has been voted “Best Dog Boarding and Pet Care” facility by the Arkansas Democratic Gazatte in 2017, 2019, and 2020. With locations throughout Arkansas including Little Rock and Fayetteville, Hounds Lounge is a luxury dog hotel. With ample space for your pup to run around, it offers overnight stays, grooming, a doggie day care, and self-service washing station.

Before we go… 

Isn’t being a pet parent just the best? The companionship, the kisses, the laughter! Pets really add so much to our lives. The love that Arkansas pet parents have for their furry companions is real. Arkansas has one of the highest rates of dog ownership in the United States. Woof. 

We love our pets, but sometimes those vet bills can take a real bite out of our wallets, which is why more and more pet parents are choosing to get covered with dog health insurance or cat health insurance. Learn more about how much pet insurance costs, and whether or not pet insurance is worth it for you.