Connecticut pet parents: Whether you’ve got a Husky in Hartford, or a Newfie in New Haven, you’ve come to the right place. We’ll take you through the hidden gems and insider tips of being a Connecticut 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 companion (and your wallet) covered.
What does pet insurance cover in Connecticut?
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, exam fees , 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 health care 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 in Connecticut:
- Buy a policy. You answer a few quick questions about your German Shepherd, Connie, 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 $10/month. Here’s a handy breakdown of the whole (simple) process.
- Go to the vet. You rush Connie to the vet after he suffered a broken bone 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 we cover here.
- Get your money back. Connie 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 Connecticut threats
Coyotes, bears, and snakes, oh my! If you’re a Connecticut pet parent, here are a few local dangers to be aware of so you can avoid an emergency trip to the vet and move around the state with peace of mind.
Coyotes
Eastern coyotes have been living in the Connecticut area since at least 1950. As their natural habitat disappears, these wild canines have been sighted in residential areas more and more often. Coyotes are smart and adaptable, and have learned to live in pretty much any environment they find themselves in – from city parks, to beach fronts, and office parks. For the most part, they avoid humans, but when living in close proximity, sometimes a meeting is inevitable.
Coyotes mostly eat small to medium mammals, mice, woodchucks, rabbits, and even deer. Occasionally they may even attack small dogs or cats. However, there are a number of things you can do to prevent your pet from becoming coyote food.
First of all, never leave your dog or cat outside unattended, especially at night. Second of all, do not feed coyotes or leave your pet’s food bowl outside. Both of these things could attract coyotes and likewise teach them that humans are a source of food. Keep an eye out for places on your property that could serve as coyote dens—rock crevices, crawl spaces, or sheds. Finally, always keep your dog on leash while walking them. If you do encounter a coyote while walking your dog, keep yourself and your pet calm and leave the area. Do not run or turn your back.
All in all, it is highly unlikely that you or your pet will encounter a coyote in your day-to-day lives. Still, as a pet owner it is important to know what to do should the unlikely happen.
Black Bears
The black bear population in Connecticut continues to grow, and therefore so does the likelihood of encountering one with your dog or cat. The number one thing you can do to prevent meeting a black bear is to make sure that any and all food or food remains be kept out of their reach. If there have been bear sightings in your area, keep your garbage and recycling bins inside a garage or storage shed. The same goes for pet food.
It is also important that you keep your dog on a leash when you hike, so that if you do encounter a bear, your pup can be easily controlled and is less likely to be seen as a threat by the bear. Do not approach the bear to take pictures or try and interact with it. Simply back away quietly and calmly. Most bears prefer to avoid human contact and will just leave you alone.
Snakes
There are two types of venomous snakes that reside in Connecticut: the Timber Rattlesnake, and the Northern Copperhead. Both snakes are non-aggressive and shy, and will only strike if they are feeling threatened. The rattlesnake, per its name, will even shake its rattle in warning before attacking.
The copperhead likes to live in brush, near sources of water, or at the edge of fields. They are mostly nocturnal, and spend most of their time camouflaged under leaves or debris. The timber rattlesnake lives in rugged terrain, steep ledges, or rock falls, and likes to have a source of water nearby.
Always keep your dog on leash when hiking and steer them away from piles of brush or debris. If you do encounter a venomous snake, keep your dog under control and walk away calmly. Snakes would much rather retreat than attack. In the event that you do encounter a venomous snake, do not kill it. Snake populations are waning, and they are an important part of the ecosystem. In particular, the timber rattlesnake is actually endangered in Connecticut, and it is illegal to harm them.
Top Connecticut dog parks
Energetic pup? Let them run wild in one of Connecticut’s many off-leash dog parks. Just make sure your doggy family member is up-to-date on their vaccinations and spayed or neutered before you let them cut loose.
- The Enfield Dog Park. Run by a group of volunteers, this wood chip-filled dog park features separate sections for small and big dogs. The park committee also elects a doggy “mayor” of the park, and hosts dog-centered events. It is a great place to go if you want to join a community of dog-loving pet parents.
- The West Hartford Dog Park. Located in Beachland Park in Hartford, this fenced area is a great place to bring your dog to run off a little steam. The park itself also has a number of nice nature trails as well as a small lake and river. Occasionally, the dog park committee also hosts events such as pooch plunges at the beach, or pop-up dog parks.
- Cranbury Park. Cranbury Park in Norwalk features 227 acres of land, along with a dog park with wooded trails, a disk golf course, pavilions, a playground and a historic mansion. (Note: dogs are not allowed in the playground or in the mansion). It’s definitely worth an outing.
- Jennings Dog Beach. Located in Fairfield, just off the Long Island Sound, this beach is open to off-leash dogs and their parents. It is handicap accessible, and features a concessions stand as well as public bathrooms and other (human) facilities. During the summer, the municipality offers swimming lessons, movie nights, and bonfires on the beach. It’s a wonderful place to hang out with your furry friend.
- South Windsor Bark Park. This sweet South Windsor dog park has separate areas for big dogs and little dogs, comfy chairs for pet parents to lounge in, a portable toilet , and an emergency phone. The park surrounding the dog park is pleasantly wooded and has a number of nice walking trails for you to check out with your pup when they’re done playing.
Support Connecticut-based pet businesses
Support small Connecticut businesses while keeping your best friend totally pampered!
- Mackey’s. Located in Colchester, Mackey’s is the place to go—not only for all your pet needs, but for anything you need for all of your critters: From your pets, to your livestock, your neighborhood birds, and your garden. Mackey’s has it all.
- Mystic Pet Shop. This award-winning pet shop is named for the town of Mystic where it is located (not for its magical properties). This local treasure has everything you might need for your pet, from all natural food to collars and leashes. In addition, it also sells home-baked dog treats, offers nutritional consultations so you can keep up with your pet’s routine care, and Mystic will put you in touch with the best rescue organization for you if you decide that you want to adopt a pet.
- The Natural Pet Outlet. Natural, healthy pet food can get expensive. That’s why the family-run, independent Natural Pet Outlet in Monroe exists— to provide high-quality holistic pet supplies at reasonable prices. In addition to pet food and supplies, it also offers nail clipping services and a self-service dog washing station.
- Just Cats. As its name implies, Just Cats in Stamford caters solely to felines. It opened in 1991 as a veterinary clinic with a focus on cats, but as time went by the clinic began to offer more and more cat products. Now it serves both as a clinic and a pet store for cats. It sells food and products exclusively for your feline friends – from catnip toys to cat furniture. And because Just Cats is also a veterinary clinic you can be sure you are getting only the best quality food and care for your kitty.
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.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 pet insurance. Learn more about how much pet insurance costs, and whether or not pet insurance is worth it for you.
