Cat insurance: a guide and tips for your feline

Tailor-made cat insurance

Cats can live for around 15 years on average for a female and 13 years for a male. Bear in mind that such a long life expectancy is only possible if you keep a close eye on your feline's diet and health. Lifespan also varies depending on breed: mixed-breed cats live longer than pedigree cats.

Caring for your cat is a long-term commitment that starts from kittenhood. Training it is the foundation of a long life for your pet. Later on, you'll need to support it as it ages by adapting its diet as well as its treatments. Below, we look at the care your cat needs throughout its life, covering prevention, diet and hygiene, as well as covering your feline's healthcare costs.

What's the difference between a cat "mutuelle" and cat insurance?

For you, none at all! Both cover your kitten's health so it can enjoy a happy (and long) life.

Which cat insurance should you choose?

As a cat owner, you know that vet bills resulting from an accident or illness are expensive, very expensive… Hence the value of insuring your kitty to keep costs down! But which insurance should you choose for your moggy?

Hmm, it's hard to name one insurer or another. And for good reason! What makes a "good" cat health insurance policy depends on your animal's unique profile and the cover and options you're looking for…

To help you choose, here are 5 criteria to (always) bear in mind:

• The cover and options available: for equivalent plans, compare the cover and options on offer. This will give you a clear idea of how well your cat is covered if something goes wrong.

• The cost of the premium: there's no need to break the bank to protect your kitty! At Lovys, we believe good cover should be affordable.

• The reimbursement rate: on average, this rate ranges from 50% to 80%*. By comparison, Lovys reimburses you up to 100% and up to €2,500/year! Also pay attention to annual reimbursement limits: if the monthly premium is the lowest, the maximum reimbursement amount may be too, leaving your companion less well covered if something serious happens.

• The amount of the excess: this is the amount you're left to pay when you make a claim… or not. At Lovys, there's zero excess: when we say we'll reimburse a certain amount, you really receive that amount.

• Additional costs: on paper, some plans look cheap… until you factor in the extra charges that send the bill soaring. At Lovys, rest assured: you only pay for your cat's protection. That's all!

How much does cat insurance cost?

Good question! It's tricky to estimate the actual price of cat insurance, as it depends on several factors: the animal's age, its health… as well as the plan and options you choose!

So it's impossible to give a single price for all cats. That said, to give you a price range, expect to pay roughly between €8 and €20 a month to insure a cat in France. At Lovys, for example, our cat insurance starts from €10.50/month!

Training your kitten

Once your kitten arrives in your home, there's no time to lose. Its training should begin straight away. Even though your cat will manage on its own, it's extremely important to teach it the basic rules. These will speed up its development, improve its hygiene and make it easier for it to socialise in its new environment.

Here are several areas to focus on with your kitten:

• Socialising your kitten: it's important that your pet behaves well around other people, or other animals if you have any. To achieve this, getting it used to meeting other people as early as possible is essential. You will, however, need to set rules for children so they don't frighten the kitten.

• Reward and punishment: never use physical contact when you want to punish your kitten. The most effective approach is to raise your voice, always using the same words, or to ignore it for a little while to get the message across. As for rewards, strokes and treats will do the trick, but avoid giving them every time or it may start demanding them.

• Teaching respect: the aim here is to stop it going too far during play. You'll need to tell it off when it gets its claws out or starts biting. Otherwise, it may develop defence mechanisms that will stay with it into adulthood.

• Handling your kitten: handling a kitten from a very young age will make vet care easier. Be careful not to overdo it, as this could put it off.

• The litter tray: when it first arrives, keep the kitten in a single room so it can find its bearings, and be sure to put a litter tray there. It will instinctively understand that it should use it. Don't hesitate to praise it when it has done its business.

• Cleanliness: cats are naturally clean animals, groomed by their mother from a very young age. This will come naturally, but you will need to empty its litter tray regularly so it isn't put off using it. Otherwise, cats lick themselves regularly, which keeps them clean at all times.

Supporting your cat as it ages

As a cat gets older, certain signs point to a more fragile metabolism. You'll need to be extra vigilant and give it the care it needs.

Various signs of ageing will appear more or less quickly depending on how fragile your pet is. It will be less active, and its appetite may be reduced by underlying illnesses such as diabetes or hyperthyroidism. Incontinence problems may even appear.

The same goes for illnesses, some of which develop with age. You'll need to do everything you can to detect them as early as possible and treat them.

Cat insurance will ease the strain on your wallet when faced with potentially high vet fees. However, as the first signs of ageing appear around the 10th birthday, we advise taking out cat insurance well before then.

Everyday care (diet, hygiene, etc.)

Even though cats are fairly independent and quite clean animals, that doesn't mean they don't need daily care. We recommend 4 essential types of care:

• Grooming: to limit the amount of fur it swallows, it's a good idea to brush your cat regularly (especially if it's long-haired). You'll need to trim its claws to stop them breaking or to avoid catching cat scratch disease. Finally, cleaning its ears with a cotton bud will reduce the risk of infection.

• Diet: to stay healthy, a cat needs a reasonable amount of healthy food throughout the day. Its bowl must be clean, and it should always have access to a regularly refilled water source. Be careful to limit portions to avoid obesity.

• Play and cuddles: cats need a lot of attention from their owners. However, cuddle time shouldn't go on too long, or you may annoy your feline.

• Other care: you should examine your pet thoroughly on a regular basis and take it to the vet if you notice any wounds or parasites. It's also your duty to keep up with all preventive care, such as worming treatments, vaccinations and boosters.

Common illnesses

Cats can suffer from different forms and types of illness. These can become complicated and lead to your cat's death if not treated in time. When adopting a new feline into your home, you should first find out about cat illnesses. These may relate to its breed, environment or lifestyle. The best way to protect against many illnesses is still vaccinating your pet. These vet fees can easily be reimbursed by cat health insurance.

Cat parasites

There are two main types of parasites in cats: external parasites and internal parasites. It's important to know how to spot them as early as possible to relieve your cat. Bear in mind that a severe parasite infestation can sometimes kill your pet. Once these parasites have been identified, or to prevent them appearing, there are a few treatments to apply.

Medical veterinary procedures

Over the course of a cat's life, you'll make several trips to the vet for various reasons. Visits will be very frequent when it's a young kitten and a little less so in adulthood. The main reasons that take you to a clinic can vary widely. You may go for preventive care, routine consultations or surgery.

Prevention

Prevention is always better than cure. To avoid any risk of viruses or parasite infestations, you'll need to vaccinate and worm your cat. You'll probably also want to limit your cat's breeding, which requires surgical procedures such as castration or spaying.

Vet consultations

If in doubt, it's best to ask a professional for advice. That way, you won't miss a symptom that could lead to something more serious. As a rule, consultations take place in the event of illness, an accident or follow-up of a treatment. As fees aren't capped, it's worth checking prices beforehand.

Surgery

The vet will also be there to carry out surgical procedures when needed. They can also perform certain preventive procedures, such as limiting your pet's breeding. There are different types of surgery for which the clinic will take care of your pet from A to Z.

Cat breeding

Is your queen expecting a litter, or are you thinking of breeding your pedigree cat to sell the kittens? Bear in mind that reproduction in cats is very different from many other animals, with fairly short cycles. That's why it's common to have several litters in the same year. So it's essential to learn about the different cycles in order to control your feline's breeding, and to understand the cycles and methods available to you.

Interpreting your companion's behaviour

When you get a cat, it's very important to keep an eye on everything it does. Cat behaviour will tell you how well it's adapting to its new environment. Keep this habit up every day, as its behaviour will help you tell whether it's ill or has parasites. This is especially true if you regularly go on holiday with your pet. That way, you can decide whether to treat it yourself or take it to the vet if needed.