New Mexico Pet Insurance Guide

New Mexico pet parents: Whether you’ve got a Black lab in Albuquerque or a Doberman in Santa Fe, you’ve come to the right place. We’ll take you through the best dog parks and insider tips of being a New Mexico 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 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, Roswell, 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 Roswell 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 we cover here.
3. Get your money back. Roswell 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 purchasing a pet insurance policy can provide peace of mind knowing your dog is covered as their age. 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 New Mexico threats 

New Mexico might enjoy a dry, mild climate without the threat of too many natural disasters, but if you’re a New Mexico pet parent, there are a few local dangers you need to be aware of to protect your pet and avoid an emergency trip to the vet. 

Coyotes

Coyotes are common wildlife in New Mexico. While they might look cute and cuddly and are even part of the same species as domesticated dogs, coyotes can be an extremely dangerous threat to house pets. This is because they like to hunt and roam, and may find themselves in local neighborhoods and even in backyards. There have been several reports of coyote attacks over the years, which is why it’s important to take some precautions as a New Mexico pet parents, such as:

• Build a tall fence around your backyard so coyotes can’t climb over.
• Always supervise your pet outside.
• Don’t let your pet off-leash at night in coyote habitats.
• Clean up pet waste, as the smell can attract coyotes.
• Never feed coyotes.
• Report any neighborhood coyote sightings to your local municipality.

Snakes 

New Mexico is home to forty-six species of snakes, eight of which are venomous. These poisonous species can be broken down into two types: rattlesnakes and coral snakes.

Rattlesnakes are best identified by a distinct rattling sound they make that’s hard to miss. To identify coral snakes, look out for their color patterns. These snakes tend to have blocks of color, particularly red and orange, intermixed with black. If you see either type of these snakes while out on a walk with your pet, immediately leave the snake alone and walk away.

If your pet is bitten by a snake, it’s important to take them to the nearest vet right away. Poisonous snake bites can affect your pet’s health very quickly, so it’s important to get them treatment as soon as possible. Don’t try to capture the snake, although if you are able to snap a quick picture it can help the vet determine what type it was.

Once you’ve arrived at the vet, they will see your pet right away and begin treatment. This may include pain medication, intravenous fluids, antibiotics, and in some severe cases, antivenom. Try to keep your pet calm and comfortable to avoid any further injury.

Top New Mexico dog parks 

Energetic pup? Let them run wild in one of Ohio’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. 

• Frank S. Ortiz Dog Park. This exquisite 138 acre dog park is full of trails, hills, and grassy fields for your dog to run free in. Located in Santa Fe, this magnificent space isn’t fenced in, but it’s so large your pet can roam free without approaching the park’s edge.
• USS Bullhead Park Dog Park. This great space in southwest Albuquerque has everything your four-legged friends might need in a dog park. It’s full of greenery and has an abundance of open space for your dog to run. Pro tip: bring water for your dog, as the park doesn’t have a pet fountain.
• Tom Bolack Urban Forest Park. Big and small dogs alike will enjoy running around and playing at this Albuquerque dog park. They have two separate runs for dogs of different sizes, completed with waste bags and water spigots for hot summer days.
• Cabezon Park. Located in Rio Rancho, your four-legged bestie can run off all their energy in this 13-acre park. Bring the whole family and spend the day picnicking and grilling using one of the park’s many barbecues.
• City of Gallup Dog Park. Located in Gallup not far from I-40, this park is a great choice for travelers making a rest stop. You and your pet can both stretch your legs and burn off some energy in one of the several fenced in areas or along one of the walking paths.

Support New Mexico-based pet businesses

Support small New Mexico businesses while keeping your best friend totally pampered! 

• Teca Tu. This Albuquerque pet shop truly has everything you need to treat your pet like royalty, including high quality food, treats, beds, toys, and even dog clothes. They even have a section on their website dedicated to locally made products!
• Pet Pangaea. Pet Pangaea’s mission is to ensure all pets in Los Alamos are happy and healthy. They offer quality products and the staff is friendly and will help you find whatever you need for your dog or cat.

• Long Leash on Life. This pet shop has a very large selection of dog foods, from fresh and raw to dehydrated and freeze dried. They also offer pet supplements to help your pet live a long happy life.
• Better Life Pet Foods. The experienced staff at Better Life Pet Foods work with each individual customer to choose the best products for your pet. Fish parents can also find everything they need to nourish their fish and keep their tanks squeaky clean.
• Clark’s Pet Emporium. Another one of Albuquerque’s top-notch pet shops! At Clark’s Pet Emporium, customers will find a large selection of pet supplies for all animals, including reptiles, fish, and small animals like hamsters. 

Before we go… 

Being a pet parent is a rewarding experience. Pets add so much love to our lives and truly complete our families. In New Mexico, there is no shortage of ways to spoil your pet, whether it be with treats, dog parks, and pet insurance. Your pet deserves the best. Vet bills aren’t cheap, which is why more and more pet parents are choosing to purchase insurance for dogs or insurance for cats to keep their pets healthy. Learn more about how much pet insurance costs, and whether or not pet insurance is worth it for you.