Rhode Island pet parents: Whether you’ve got a Persian in Providence or a Welsh Terrier in Warwick, you’ve come to the right place. We’ll take you through the hidden gems and insider tips of being a Rhode Island 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 most things your pet needs, like 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 pet’s routine care, including annual blood tests, vaccinations, wellness exams, 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:
- Buy a policy. You answer a few quick questions about your German Shepherd, Chowder, 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 petplan.) Pet insurance coverage with Lemonade can cost as little as $10/month. Here’s a handy breakdown of the whole (simple) process.
- Go to the vet. You rush Chowder 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.
- Get your money back. Chowder 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 Rhode Island threats
Snakes, spiders, plants, oh my! Rhode Island might enjoy a mild climate without the threat of too many natural disasters, but if you’re a Rhode Island pet parent, there are a few local dangers to be aware of, so you can avoid a trip for emergency care at the vet.
Snakes
Rhode Island is home to twelve species of snakes, and while no venomous species are native to the state, the Northern Copperhead and the Timber rattlesnake can be found nearby in other parts of New England. So for their own peace of mind, Rhode Island pet owners would do well to educate themselves about the dangers of snakes.
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. 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.
Black widow and brown recluse spiders
The female black widow is highly poisonous and will bite, but only when provoked. Brown recluse spiders are nocturnal and are also not aggressive unless agitated. Black widows and brown recluses enjoy hanging out in dark and warm environments, like in your garage, shed, or attic. If a cat goes toe-to-toe with a dangerous spider, your feline could walk away with multiple severe bites, since cats are known to paw and play with their prey.
Symptoms of black widow bites in both cats and dogs include extreme pain, tremors, muscle stiffness, and paralysis. Black widow bites can be fatal in pets. Take your pet to the vet right away if you suspect they’ve been bitten by a black widow.
Treatments for black widow bites include antivenom, muscle relaxants, pain medication, and IV fluids.
Symptoms of brown recluse bites include pain, blistering, swelling, and a bullseye pattern around the bite (this is the cells dying from the venom). Brown recluse bites can be fatal in pets.
Treatments for brown recluse bites include a drug called Lepsone, antibiotics, and thorough antiseptic cleaning.
Toxic plants
Most pet parents know that chocolate, onions, and tomatoes are toxic foods for four-legged friends. But what about toxic plants found in nature?
When your four-legged friend goes for a walk or hangs out in the backyard, keep your eyes out for these toxic plants commonly found in Rhode Island. If you think your pet has ingested a toxic plant, take them to the vet right away. You can also call the ASPCA animal poison control phone number: (888)-426-4435.
| Name of plant | Toxic to dogs | Toxic to cats |
|---|---|---|
| Boxwood | √ | √ |
| Red Maple | √ | √ |
| Honeysuckle | √ | √ |
| Poinsettia | √ | √ |
| Black Laurel | √ | √ |
| Burdock | √ | √ |
| Wisteria | √ | √ |
Top Rhode Island dog parks
Energetic pup? Let them run wild in one of Rhode Island’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.
- Pawtucket Dog Park (at Slater Park). Considered one of the best dog parks by many Rhode Islanders, Pawtucket is a great place for pet owners to socialize. It’s well-lit and is overseen by an active committee of volunteers. Don’t miss Dogapalooza, a weekend festival for your fur babies and the entire family with vendors and food trucks galore.
- Waterman St. Dog Park in Providence. This forested park has lots of space for dogs to roam around and blow off steam, with large, open spaces and ample fresh water for the dogs. It’s a well-maintained space your pup will enjoy visiting time and time again.
- Barrington Dog Park is 1.6 acres of pooch paradise. The park has clear guidelines that are enforced to ensure everyone’s safety and enjoyment, and a friendly group of regulars that make pets and their owners feel welcome.
- South Kingstown Dog Park is very welcoming, making it a top choice for dogs and owners alike. It has double-door entry to prevent your furry friend from running off, mowed grass, and fenced-in areas. Small and large dogs each have their own play area at this gem of a dog park.
- Warwick City Dog Park offers plentiful parking and shaded seating areas for owners to enjoy. The park has separate large and small dog areas that are fenced in, and a mix of grassy and sandy surfaces.
Support Rhode Island-based pet businesses
Support small Rhode Island businesses while keeping your best friend totally pampered!
- For the Love of Paws. This Cranston pet store has everything you need for your favorite furry friend. It offers a range of delicious, natural treats your pet will love, as well as handcrafted decorative products, seasonal items, and personalized goods for dogs and cats.
- Bone Appetit is an eco-friendly dog store that encourages dog owners to “Shop local, bark local, and be local.” Based in Greenwich, this local favorite has been serving area pooches for nearly 18 years. The annual Dog Parade is not to be missed and draws crowds from the entire area.
- Fetch in Richmond, Rhode Island, is a holistic pet boutique and supply store. Owned by a certified clinical pet nutritionist, Fetch operates on the principle that dogs and cats need balance to ensure their well-being and vitality. They carry natural foods, treats, and supplements, along with stimulating toys, games, and pet products you can feel good about giving your pet.
- Chibi’s Choice Pet Grooming and Supply in Rumford will pamper your pet with love and attention. They’re experts at trimming pets’ nails to ensure healthy paws, and they’ll get your dog’s fur clean, soft, and smelling the freshest it ever has. While you’re there, you can pick up leashes, beds, dry food, toys, and more.
- Jack’s Snacks, A Dog Bakery sells specialty food and treats for people who take pet ownership to the next level. They sell no-preservative dog biscuits, “pupcake” cupcakes, and customized birthday cakes so your favorite pet can be celebrated with style. Check out their line of wheat-free snacks and treats.
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 Rhode Island pet parents have for their furry companions is real. In fact, there are over 200,000 proud pet owners in Rhode Island— that’s nearly 20% of the population! 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 a cat insurance plan or a dog insurance plan. Learn more about how much pet insurance costs, and whether or not opting to enroll in pet insurance is worth it for you.
