Pet Insurance - Is It Really Worth It?

When it comes to unexpected physical injuries and genetic issues, pet insurance can be a valuable resource to offset veterinary costs. However, considering that eight out of ten pet insurance claims are directly related to diet and lifestyle, there is much we can do to reduce the likelihood of our dogs needing medical intervention in the first place.

Reading that paragraph back to myself it reminds me of a thought I have had when I once looked into pet insurance; Insurance companies make more money when fewer customers file claims. Why are they not focusing on promoting a healthy diet and lifestyle?! With every single medical procedure or pharmaceutical drug, the risk of side effects and disease increases, and in-turn the number of claims increases. How have they not yet connected the dots?

Since most diseases develop gradually due to a variety of factors over time, I follow a comprehensive and preventative approach to care that I have named the Constant State of Cleansing. This is important because through a multi-factor approach, I am reducing the risk of disease and in turn, the need for pet insurance, or at the least, the need to file a claim.

Based on the following risk factors, I have concluded that it is more cost effective to put money aside each month for an emergency rather than pay for pet insurance for my dogs Diesel and Sammy: 

• Climate & Parasites
• Dog Breeds
• Diet: Clean Water, Hygiene, Fresh & Unprocessed Nutrition
• Thoughtful Approach to Vaccination
• Delaying or Modifying Spay/Neuter Procedures
• Non-Toxic Environment
• Avoiding Synthetic Fragrances
• Sunlight
• Safe Travel Practises
• Likelihood of an accident
• The "Three P's": Peeing, Pooping, and Panting
• Mental Stimulation
• Conservative Use of Pharmaceuticals
• Ongoing Detoxification Protocol

 *Remember; no one approach is bullet-proof and all we can ever do is reduce the risk of disease. While I have chosen to not take out pet insurance, it may be suitable for your dogs.

Below are some of the key practices I follow to support the long-term health and wellbeing of my dogs and that may help you to reduce the need to file a claim.

 

Climate & Parasites

Based on where we live and the places we visit, there is a higher chance of finding a penis on a female unicorn than for Diesel and Sammy to contract heartworm or for either of them to get bitten by ticks. The risk of my dogs encountering fleas is minimal and there are natural options for all of the above mentioned.

Additionally, I follow a strict protocol for all internal worms and viruses. If you have a strong stomach, you can view and read some of my lived experiences by clicking here.

  

Dog Breeds

For those choosing to purchase puppies such as French Bulldogs that will often require Brachycephalic surgery to address Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS), I believe that pet insurance is extremely important. It’s actually a really good deal considering how common BOAS in some breeds and they are still willing to offer insurance. 

If I was to ever get another puppy or fly a rescue in from interstate, I would consider the breed of the dog and their coat type vs the climate they will be living in. For example, huskies, with their beautiful thick coats thrive in colder climates and they are susceptible to heatstroke at temperatures above 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit).

 

Diet

Clean Water

I provide only bottled (SAKA) water or filtered water and never let them drink water that came from a faucet. If we travel, I take water with me. Call me a snob but there are at least 250 chemicals coming out of my kitchen faucet. You can also look into one of the best Hydrogen bottles on the market, speak to Richard at Alkaline World as he is the water guru, or look into Dr. Willard Water to learn about a very unique approach to filtering and enhancing water.

Hygiene

I only use ceramic and glass bowls to feed my dogs. Unlike many bowls that leach nasty heavy metals and chemicals, ceramic and glass bowls are non-porous, meaning that they do not absorb and hold onto chemicals.

Any type of bowl can be a breeding ground for bacteria, so steralising regularly in a safe and healthy way is vital. To keep bowls and surfaces around my home hygienic, I sanitise them regularly using a Cashido OzoneOn machine. The OzoneOn machine pumps ozone gas into the water coming out of my faucet. It produces a highly safe and chemical-free way to eliminate bacteria, biofilms, and chemical residues. No soaps are necessary, and the best part is I can soak all vegetables to eliminate pesticides and even rinse meats to reduce your risk of pathogen exposure.

From using ozone water as mouthwash, all the way to making flowers last longer in vases and working wonders on skin problems for people and animals, the list of benefits is plentiful.

*Sadly, I have just learned that the company was sold and they are no longer producing ozone machines so get in quick! I could not go back to living without mine.

If you need to use a cleaning product, look for the one with the least synthetics and chemicals. A great company to look into is Resparkle.

Fresh & Unprocessed Nutrition 

Nutrition is foundational. Chronic inflammation is at the root of many diseases, so I avoid all forms of processed food, particularly kibble and canned foods. Dry foods convert to sugar in the body, and this is a problem because yeast and cancer thrive on sugar. A wholefood diet with ample fibre helps bind and eliminate toxins from the digestive system naturally. The base for all of my dog's nutrition is Augustine's SuperFood and you can find lots of information about it here on our website.

Remember, even if a fresh diet every day is not possible, it does not have to be an all-or-nothing approach. Do the best you can, as often as you can and even just one fresh meal a week is still beneficial.

 

Thoughtful Approach to Vaccination

After the 12-month booster, research shows that core vaccines provide protection for 7–10 years, potentially even for life (in my opinion it is for life). Over-vaccination is not only unnecessary but may contribute to adverse reactions and chronic health issues. It’s worth questioning why many insurance providers are even willing to insure customers with "up-to-date" vaccination records that aren't supported by current immunology.

Similarly, I politely decline engaging the services of business that require proof that my dogs have annually or tri-annually vaccinated as their requirement is not supported by science. For those interested, effective holistic alternatives do exist if you look hard enough.

Furthermore, it has become common for me to speak with people whose dogs began itching and scratching right after any of their puppy vaccinations and then they usually go down the medical route which I call The Cycle of Doom (the perpetual medication cycle). This approach does nothing to heal the gut and causes long-term problems.

Below is an image of two years of medical care vs just six weeks using wholefoods and herbs.

In Australia Parvo-virus, Hepatitis and Distemper form part of your dog’s core puppy vaccine regime. However, the AVA now states the following about core vaccines;

“…improvements to vaccines have increased their effectiveness, and new studies have indicated that immunity lasts longer than previously thought... Titres can be used to check immunity to see whether boosters are required for some agents.”

Once your pet has its titre levels checked, you can formulate a yearly health plan with your veterinarian. Having said that, it is worth noting that even if your dogs titres are low, it does not mean that the vaccine is not still effective.

 

Delaying or Modifying Spay/Neuter Procedures

Hormones play a critical role in a dog’s physical and behavioural development, including an increased risk of ACL tears and other joint problems. I advocate for delaying desexing as long as possible and recommend looking into alternatives such as the Ovary Sparing Spay for female dogs, which preserves hormonal balance while addressing population control.

Dr. Michael Dym explains some of the emotional dangers of early spaying and neutering:

The Ovary Sparing Spay explained with Tabouli by Dr. Karen Becker.

 

Non-Toxic Environment

Pet bedding is an often-overlooked contributor to pet health. We all know foam releases VOCs (volatile organic compounds) which our pets and us, inhale. STAN Pet Beds however do not release any gasses. Although they’re in a production hiatus at the moment, STAN is extending their safe range by producing a new product to make existing FOAM beds safer. It is secret squirrel business right now but definitely one to watch out for!

I use only organic and chemical-free bedding, avoiding materials treated with flame retardants and synthetic dyes, which can emit harmful gases. For cleaning, I rely on the Cashido Ozone On machine as mentioned previously, alongside natural, organic products when needed. It’s one of the best investments I’ve made in my dogs’ environment.

 

Avoiding Synthetic Fragrances

I do my best to minimise Diesel and Sammy's exposure to artificial scents and chemical air fresheners, cleaning products, as well as limiting their exposure to anyone that smokes cigarettes, all of which can impact respiratory and neurological health.

I always leave windows open when I am home to ensure that there is always fresh air in the home as stagnant air is unhealthy. Wind currents are essential for health.

 

Sunlight

Daily exposure to natural light and outdoor air supports circadian rhythm, immunity, and overall vitality. While dogs cannot produce vitamin D like people can from sunlight, it is still essential. Ample Fresh Air and Sunlight can regulate their sleep patterns, improve their mood and encourage outdoor activity. Living outside their intended natural environment (outdoors) does not contribute to health.

 

Safe Travel Practices

My dogs travel securely in a crash-tested Variocage by MIMsafe which I purchased from their Australian distributor, Black Hound. While costly, these cages significantly increase the chance of survival and reduce injury in the event of a car accident. The safety of my dogs is a non-negotiable and the Variocage is something you will only ever need to purchase once.

 

Likelihood of an Accident

I am a helicopter parent and I ensure that my dogs are secure and cannot leave the premises when I am not home so the risk of them needing life-saving surgery is low. If you are in a living arrangement where you cannot guarantee that your dog will not be ablet to leave your property and get into an accident, or if you frequent dog parks where dog fights are a possibility, then pet insurance has my vote.

 

The "Three P's": Peeing, Pooping, and Panting

These are the primary means by which dogs eliminate toxins. I support this process by feeding adult dogs once daily in the morning, which gives their bodies time to move, digest, and eliminate waste efficiently rather than consuming cleansing herbs and minerals and sleeping on a full belly. I have observed over the years that on a primal level, dogs are more inclined to engage in play and exercise once they have had food because they are not concerned about reserving energy for a hunt. If you are trying to put weight on your dog, then it makes sense to feed twice a day and the second time closer to bed time. Otherwise, feeding once a day brings dogs closer to fasting which is the most powerful form of healing. Remember, in the wild, dogs would eat every 3-4 days if they were lucky, and this made for natural parasite management.

While exercise is absolutely crucial to health, important risk factor to consider is any sort of play where dogs are not running in a way that is natural. For example, the risk of injury increases when playing any sort of fetch game that requires stopping and turning quickly. Like many people, I am guilty of this and it is a risk I take.

 

Mental Stimulation

A calm and busy mind makes a healthy body, and the most important thing in the world is love. Ever wonder why dogs fed the worst diets sometimes outlive dogs eating fresh and nutritious food? Genetics aside, dogs live for us and being loved is responsible for keeping the mind healthy.

Conservative Use of Pharmaceuticals

If a health condition arises (e.g. heart, liver, or kidney issues), unless it is life-threatening emergency I explore all holistic, nutritional, and herbal options before considering pharmaceutical treatment. I have lost count of how many dogs I have seen recover without the need for long-term drug therapy.

Personally, I would not opt for pet insurance for medical conditions is because I have enough experience to know what can be done naturally. For example, I would never agree to chemotherapy or steroids for my dogs so my need for pet insurance is low. If you are not confident in finding a natural practitioner, don’t believe in natural medicine or if you are inclined to follow medical advice, then pet insurance is a great option.

As an example of an alternative to medication, here is an image showing what a herbal tincture from local herbalist and legend, Ross Wilson can do for heart arrythmia. It is made by mixing 50% Hawthorn and 50% mistletoe.

Ongoing Detoxification Protocol

My dogs follow a tailored protocol of whole foods, herbs, and minerals that keeps them in a state of continual detoxification A.K.A. The Constant State of Cleansing. While all of my knowledge and experience has gone into the range of Augustine Approved products which are foundational, as well as safe and healthy for all dogs, my way is not the only way. Everyone should consider creating a personalised protocol suited to their dog’s needs.

Ultimately, disease prevention is about minimising chemical exposure and avoiding unnecessary medical interventions. In my experience, dogs raised in a low-toxin, minimally invasive environment tend to be healthier and require less veterinary care over their lifetime. The Starter Pack is a great introduction to my approach.

Finally, depending on your personal risk tolerance, it may be worth considering a self-funded approach to pet care. In some cases, setting aside the amount you would pay toward insurance premiums into a dedicated savings account can provide greater flexibility and long-term benefit. Every situation is unique, so evaluate what works best for you and your dog.