When your pet is injured or sick, the last thing on your mind is how much it will cost to get them better. Whisking your dog or cat off to the emergency vet after they’ve broken a bone, eaten chocolate or experienced pretty much anything unexpected is stressful enough. But the fact of the matter is, taking your animal to the vet for an emergency visit can get really expensive, really fast.

Depending on the state you live in, the veterinary facility, your pet’s breed and the emergency itself, prices for emergency vet visits can vary. But across the board, they’re notoriously steep. An emergency vet can be the same as a standard vet or an entirely different practitioner or animal hospital; either way, the nature of the visit dictates the fees.

We reached out to Alex Stone, CEO of Petted, a leading pet insurance comparison site, and Kristen Lynch, Executive Director of pet insurance association NAPHIA, to learn more about what emergency vet visits actually cost and why they’re so costly. We were shocked to hear the truth. We aren’t talking about hundreds of dollars; we’re talking thousands. The costs add up quickly, but there are some things you can do to soften the financial blow, like investing in the right pet insurance.

Our mission at SheKnows is to empower and inspire women, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. Lemonade is a SheKnows sponsor, however, all products in this article were independently selected by our editors. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale.

How Much Do Emergency Vet Visits Cost?

If your pet has an emergency, “You are basically going to the ER,” says Stone, and just like in the human world, ER visits will cost you. Average prices start at about $40 for a urine test or pain meds and escalate to about $5,000 for emergency surgery, according to Preventive Vet. Some other common treatments include:

If you figure that many of these treatments may be required in a single visit, you start to realize how some people can end up in debt if their pet experiences a medical emergency.

Why Are Emergency Vet Visits So Costly? Experts Break It Down

“Emergency visits are costly because it typically means that the situation is no longer about small or routine treatments that can be more easily addressed. Instead, they often require complex and multi-pronged diagnostics and treatment approaches which may include blood tests, X-rays, exams, prescriptions, overnight hospital stays, IV fluids or medication, surgery and specialist treatments,” says Lynch.

“A specialty animal hospital is no different than the ER,” adds Stone. “So in terms of the diagnostics, whether it’s X-rays, MRI scans, whether it’s blood tests, surgery…you’ve got teams of people around the clock that are watching over your pet.” Stone emphasizes that emergency veterinary training is just as rigorous as training for human emergencies. And since pets can’t vocalize how they feel or how many pain they’re in, monitoring them requires even more vigilance. Supplies and machinery in veterinary emergency rooms can be more expensive than those in regular vet facilities, too.

Emergency vet costs can vary, according to Betterpet, based on:

Location

Different states charge different fees for veterinary care. The actual facility you choose will factor in too. “You can have the same surgery done in the midwest for $3,000 to $4,000, let’s say for example, TPLO (tibial plateau leveling osteotomy) surgery…can typically cost you three or $4,000 in the Midwest. But in California [or New York] that can be $9,000, simply because the cost of buildings, staff, and education — the cost of everything is just more expensive in those states,” says Stone.

Breed

Your dog’s breed will determine what kinds of illnesses they’re susceptible to, like hip dysplasia and eye infections, which can also affect prices.

The severity of the emergency

Things like emergency surgery and cardiac conditions often cost thousands.

Specialities

If your pet develops cancer, for instance, they’ll need to see an oncologist. Cancer treatments can be among the most costly.

Why Having Pet Insurance Helps With Emergency Vet Visits

“We live in a country where almost six out of 10 people have less than $500 in savings,” notes Stone, according to some statistics. Other studies have that average hovering around $1,200. Either way, it’s not getting you very far in the event of an emergency: it would only cover a two-day hospital stay on the low end of the cost spectrum. “People just don’t have the money to keep their pets healthy. That’s why pet insurance is growing massively. In the last few years, people are finally realizing, ‘Hey, pet insurance is a really good thing because it protects my pet against the worst,'” says Stone.

“Pet insurance helps the pet owner say ‘yes’ to comprehensive care and treatments. When this happens, you want to be able to be there for your pet, deal with the complex emotions of being a caring pet parent, and ideally not worry about whether you can afford to provide the care they need and the situation demands,” adds Lynch. But pet insurance is all about the type and level of coverage you have. “Policies offer a wide range of coverage options to suit the needs of the pet owner, their financial situation, and the breed and age of their pet.”

Choosing pet insurance to protect your pet in the event of a medical emergency comes down how much annual coverage you want, how much you want to spend in monthly premiums, how much you’d rather pay toward a deductible versus a copay, the age and general health of your pet and, of course, what accidents and illnesses are covered by the policy. Some pet insurers offer accident and illness plans only, while others give the option of adding preventive care, too.

Lemonade Pet Insurance

Buy Now $10 a month and up

Lemonade is an example of a pet insurance that has you covered in the event of a range of emergencies. In fact, accidents and illnesses are covered in their base plan. You can select an annual coverage limit between $5,000 and $100,000. You’ll pay a higher premium for higher payouts, but this can benefit you in the event of an emergency. Choosing a higher copay and lower deductible could also benefit you in this regard. A Lemonade policy will cover diagnostics and treatments with reimbursement rates of 70%, 80% or 90% depending on the plan. You can add emergency room visits to the plan for an additional $5 a month. For another $13 a month, you can include dental emergencies (and checkups). An add-on of $3.50 a month will give you prescription medication coverage.

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After weeks and weeks of cold, winter-like weather, the official start of winter is finally here. To celebrate the start of a new season, we’ve got a little something that’ll have you rushing to get your wardrobe updated ASAP. Lululemon’s We Made Too Much sale section has a ton of discounts on cold weather gear, including their shopper-loved Wunder Puff line. Whether you’ve been dying to get your hands on one of Lululemon’s puffer jackets or vests, or you’re just in need of a new jacket for winter, now is the time to shop.

In case you aren’t familiar with Lululemon’s We Made Too Much section, it’s basically where you can find all kinds of discounts on pretty much everything including leggings, shorts, bras, tops, and accessories, like their viral Everywhere Belt Bags (a large version of the fleece belt bag is on sale right now!). If you’re looking to stock up on winter gear before temperatures really start to drop, there are great discounts on jackets, parkas, puffer vests, and so much more. The deals are so good, we even found discounts for nearly 60% off! The brand rarely ever has huge discounts like this, so you’ll want to act fast. Plus, popular items tend to sell quick. You don’t want to miss out on something you love.

We rounded up a few winter must-haves from Lululemon’s We Made Too Much section right now. Check those out below.

CAN'T-MISS DEAL

Lululemon Wunder Puff Jacket

$229 $298 23% off

Buy Now

Lululemon’s Wunder Puff Jacket is described as being “wonderfully warm,” and features a cinchable waist and hem for you to find them most comfortable and flattering fit. According to multiple shoppers, this puffer is incredibly cute, super warm and cozy, and a “favorite” for the season. Right now, two colors are on sale for over 20% off.

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CAN'T-MISS DEAL

Lululemon Wunder Puff Cropped Jacket

$169 $278 39% off

Buy Now

If love the look of the original Wunder Puff Jacket but prefer a slightly shorter length, consider snagging the Wunder Puff Cropped Jacket. It’s made of the same water-repellent, windproof SoftMatte Fabric as the original length. According to one recent shopper, it’s a purchase that’s well worth it. They wrote, “The color is so beautiful. Everywhere I go, I see heads turn. It goes with everything. The jacket is so light, doesn’t make me too hot, and feels just right.” Currently, you can snag this vibrantly colored jacket for nearly 40% off.

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CAN'T-MISS DEAL

Lululemon Wunder Puff Super-Cropped Jacket

$119 $228 48% off

Buy Now

Just when you think the Lululemon Wunder Puff Jacket couldn’t get any cuter, they made a super-cropped version in some really chic colors. Per one shopper, this is the “best jacket ever.” They wrote, “I don’t like puffer jackets because I feel like a marshmallow, but took a chance on the Super Cropped and it’s amazing! I’m 5’8 and wasn’t sure how it would look, but it’s perfect! It hits just above my belly button. It’s super warm too!” It’s currently on sale in three colors: roasted brown (dark brown), trench (beige), and sonic pink (hot pink). Don’t miss out on this nearly 50% off deal!

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CAN'T-MISS DEAL

Lululemon Wunder Puff Cropped Vest

$149 $228 35% off

Buy Now

This ultra-chic cropped puffer vest is a must-have for days when you’re not feeling a full-on jacket. Per shoppers, it’s perfectly cropped, very warm, and oh-so comfortable. One reviewer who waited three years (!) to get the vest since it was always out of stock said it was well worth the wait. “It is so nice,” they wrote. “The fit is perfect and I’m glad it’s still long enough for my torso … It’s so cute for an athleisure look and is very warm. I know I’ll enjoy this for many winters.” There are three colors on sale, with discounts up to 35% off.

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CAN'T-MISS DEAL

Lululemon Down for It All Jacket

$99 $228 57% off

Buy Now

Don’t let those extra cold morning stop you from getting your early run in, this winter jacket was made to be “down for it all.” In fact, it’s “fully loaded” for running in cold weather due to its zoned insulation that holds warmth where you need, as well as the stretchy fleece that moves with you. Sizes are super, super limited. However, if you’re lucky, it is on sale for nearly 60% off in a gorgeous color.

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If you love the look of Lululemon’s puffer jackets but are looking to save even more, shoppers found a really great lookalike at the most surprising place. You can check that out here.

Before you go, check out our top foolproof holiday gifts for absolutely everyone on your list:

Winter is baking time, and there’s nothing more comforting than the smell of freshly baked loaves of bread filling the house when it’s cold and blustery outside. And we’re not the only ones who think so. Many of our favorite celebrity chefs have waxed poetic about the art of baking bread, and some, like Ina Garten, have recipes we’ve made over and over again. Garten’s honey white bread loaf, from her cookbook Barefoot Contessa at Home, has long been one of our favorite things to bake, whether we’re craving sandwich bread, toast, or something to accompany a big pot of soup. It turns out that we’re not alone. Ina Garten fan Jennifer Garner recently posted on her Instagram story that she’d just baked up two of these soft, tender loaves of white bread, but it’s the cinnamon twist she put on the recipe that has us drooling.

Garner has professed her love for cinnamon bread before. She even shared her recipe for making “perfect” cinnamon toast on her “Pretend Cooking Show” video series, which she said “makes for an indulgent Sunday morning or after-school snack.” So filling Ina Garten’s honey white bread dough with a cinnamon swirl seems like the only logical next step for Garner.

If it sounds as delicious to you as it does to us, we recommend preparing a batch of Ina Garten’s honey white bread dough, then pairing it with the cinnamon swirl technique used in The Pioneer Woman’s recipe for Homemade Cinnamon Bread. After the dough undergoes its first rise, halve it and roll each half into a rectangle. Then, brush the dough with melted butter, cinnamon, and sugar. We also like to add a dash of cardamom here, but it’s totally up to you. The dough gets rolled up, the seam pressed together, and then it’s added to the loaf pan for another rise before baking.

The end result will be a soft, tender loaf of gently sweet honey white bread, with a buttery cinnamon sugar swirl inside. Use it to make a double cinnamon version of Garner’s favorite cinnamon toast, or spread with butter and eat alongside a cup of hot tea, cocoa, or coffee to keep you warm while the winter wind howls outside.

Before you go, check out Garten’s best dinner recipes below:

Watch: Peppermint Bark Is the Perfect Holiday Gift That You Can Make Right at Home

After a long day of battling pregnancy symptoms — be it nausea, backaches, sore breasts, running to the bathroom every five minutes, or overall discomfort — all an expectant mom wants (and needs!) is a good night’s sleep. But, the cruel reality of pregnancy, is that it can be impossible to get settled in bed when there’s a baby bump in the way. By the second trimester, it’s not only uncomfortable to sleep on your back or belly, but it could potentially restrict blood flow to the fetus.

And so, pregnant mamas have to turn to their sides and often need a supportive pregnancy pillow in order to get some serious Zs. Some pillows come as a full-body wrap-around pillow, or as pieces that are meant to target specific parts of the body.

The Sleepybelly pregnancy pillow has the best of both worlds. The 3-piece adjustable pillow surrounds mamas with one side supporting the back and the other, the tummy. There are two pieces that are basically the shape of a baby bump. Moms can place one below their belly and one behind them, or they can swap in the torso-length pillow to give their back extra support and stop mamas from rolling over. The pieces have an adjustable velcro attachment for widening the pillow, making this a one-and-done purchase that will last throughout the pregnancy. So yeah, it’s no wonder it keeps selling out.

Sleepybelly

$98.95 $109.95 10% off

Buy Now

It’s even a win postpartum when it can be used as a nursing pillow! And we’re not the only ones who think so.
The Australian co-founders (Fear not! The Sleepybelly has free shipping to the United States!) wanted to create a product that had comfort and safety at the forefront, and midwives, physiotherapists, and more than 15K happy customers would certainly say they succeeded.

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Our favorite detail of all? The pillow comes with a 30-night trial, so skeptical shoppers can rest easy (literally).

The Sleepybelly pregnancy pillow has hundreds of glowing reviews.

“Most comfortable pillow! The best part is being able to separate the pillows and use one at a time. My favorite is the long one! So convenient when I keep turning sides. 100% recommend!!”

“LOVE MY PILLOW. I read heaps of reviews before purchasing this product and this pillow is worth every cent!!!!…My only regret is not purchasing this in the first trimester, I didn’t think I needed a pregnancy pillow but your body changes so, so quick and the pillow really helps! ALSO. This pillow looks nice and isn’t bulky!”

“I can honestly say it’s the best money ever spent…The memory foam is honestly the best, it never flattens and just bounces right back after you’ve used it for the night.”

“Game changer! As a women’s health physio, I was getting frustrated as I found that a lot of pregnancy pillows on the market were not quite right for my patients. Being pregnant myself now I decided to do some research and came across Sleepybelly and WOW!…The main benefit for me has been the huge relief in hip pain that I was experiencing going from a back sleeper to a side sleeper. Highly recommend and will be suggesting this pillow to all of my pregnant patients!”

“Initially dubious but totally get it now…wondered what was with all the hype, but now happy to be part of the rave reviewers.”

“This pillow is life-changing.”

We’re constantly on the lookout for the best beauty and skincare products out there so you know what’s worthy of adding to your daily routine. When you’ve read through as many shopper reviews as we have and see “OMG” pop up numerous times, you just know a product has to be good. Better yet, it’s a product that shoppers say smell “so heavenly,” you’ll smell like a “goddess.” That’s what we came across when we found Nativa SPA’s Quinoa Firming Body Lotion. That’s right, everyone’s favorite superfood is now the star or golden ingredient in a line of shopper-loved Brazilian skincare products. A former Victoria’s Secret angel even gave the brand her stamp of approval.

Quinoa may not be an ingredient you think of when you’re looking for products that will be good for your skin, but it just might be your next new skincare obsession. According to Nativa SPA, their exclusive formula includes the “precious qualities” of quinoa and is “booming” with nutrients that stimulate collagen production. In addition to that, their formulas are said to provide 30 times more nutrition to the skin than coconut oil.

While the brand offers several quinoa-based products, Nativa SPA’s Quinoa Firming Body Lotion is one that shoppers just can’t get enough of. According to the description, it’s rich in omegas 3, 6, and 9. It was made to improve the skin’s barrier, increase firmness and elasticity, and more. Not only that, its scent is warm and floral, with notes of peony and “comforting” vanilla. For numerous shoppers, the scent is a huge selling point with several describing it as heavenly.

The Nativa SPA Quinoa Firming Body Lotion has over 4,000 glowing five-star reviews. It works so well, shoppers seem to be seriously impressed. As one wrote, “I can not get over how great this lotion is. It’s very gentle on the skin and made my very dry skin feel silky, smooth, toned, and amazing. The packaging and everything about this is amazing. Would HIGHLY recommend.”

If harsh winter weather is ruining your skin, this lotion is just the thing you need for your routine. In fact, one shopper said it’s “perfect” for their extra dry skin. “It has a wonderful scent and leaves my skin feeling super nourished and like insanely soft,” they wrote. “I love this stuff and would definitely purchase when I run out.”

Numerous reviewers raved over the lotion’s delicious scent. “Not only is it super hydrating, it smells WONDERFUL!” one shopper wrote. “I get more compliments on the scent than I do when I wear perfume!” Another shopper who mentioned the scent said, “My skin feels amazing and people are always asking what perfume I’m wearing (none!).”

Another shopper wrote, “This lotion blew me away! First off, the smell is intoxicating. The scent will last for hours and make you smell like a goddess. Second, this has transformed my skin. I have suffered from very dry skin since having a child and this makes me feel like I have my old, pre-pregnancy skin back. Makes my skin so soft and supple.”

If you’re wondering how well it actually works, just read this review from a shopper who had zero luck finding the right lotion for them until they came across Nativa SPA. “It’s hard for me to find a body lotion that works for me,” they said. “This amazingness in a bottle has went above and beyond, and exceeded all of my expectations. As a bonus, the firming works. You don’t have to question, IT WORKS.”

While the Quinoa Firming Body Lotion is definitely a star in the brand’s quinoa collection, it’s not the only product worth checking out. There’s also a body oil and a firming hand cream that also have near-perfect ratings. Don’t miss out and see what Nativa SPA has to offer you today.

Before you go, check out our slideshow below:

There’s just something so thrilling about finding great and, quite frankly, surprising deals — especially when you’re not looking for them. So you can imagine my shock when I discovered that Sam’s Club sells top-tier, high-end beauty products for ridiculously good prices, like up to 30% off the market price, good. And I’m talking about beauty brands you can usually only find at Sephora or Ulta, like Tatcha, Drunk Elephant, Fenty Skin, Dr. Dennis Gross, Peter Thomas Roth, and so much more. Sam’s Club even has luxury brands sold at Nordstrom and Saks, like Augustinus Bader and La Mer. 

Seriously, I was floored when I found out they had such excellent brands discounted so heavily! So much so that two things came to mind: One — I could never gate-keep this information, and two — with prices this good, I will probably have to trade in my Costco membership for one at Sam’s Club. That’s how great the discounts are! the prices are! Below, I’ve gathered just a few of Sam’s Club’s many noteworthy beauty products, from Tatcha to La Mer and everything in between. 

P.S. If you’re like me and still need to get a membership at Sam’s Club, you can sign up here to score these incredible deals.

Augustinus Bader The Light Cream

$129.98 $180 28% off

Buy Now

Augustinus Bader’s The Light Cream might be a better option than the rich one if you have normal to oily skin. This lightweight moisturizer retails for $180 at Sephora, and you can get it for 28% off at Sam’s Club.

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Tatcha Luminous Dewy Skin Mist Facial Spray

$37.98 $49 22% off

Buy Now

Tatcha is just one of those brands people can’t help but love, like Meghan Markle, Jennifer Aniston, Michelle Yeoh, and Kim Kardashian. Kardashian uses this Dewy Skin Mist to spray her makeup brushes and sponges for the perfect contour — and you can get it for over 20% off since it retails for $49 at Sephora.

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Drunk Elephant Mini Virgin Marula Luxury Facial Oil

$29.98 $38 21% off

Buy Now

If you want to try a product for the first time, I recommend buying the mini version first. You can figure out if you actually love it without committing to a full-size, and it’s usually cheaper — and in this case, it’s much cheaper. This mini version of Drunk Elephant’s macula facial oil is 20% off the retail price of $38 at Sephora. And if you know you already love this beaut, you can get the full-size version at a lower price at Sam’s Club.

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La Mer Creme de la mer Moisturizing Cream

$398

Buy Now

No matter how you spin it, La Mer will always be on the pricier side. However, this is the value-size version of cult-favorite moisturizing cream for 30% off the price at Sephora! And just to put it into perspective, the two-ounce version retails for $380 while this one — that’s over three ounces — is just $18 more. I’m telling you, this deal at Sam’s Club is an absolute steal.

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Peter Thomas Roth Potent-C Power Brightening Hydra-Gel Eye Patches

$48.74 $65 25% off

Buy Now

Who doesn’t love a set of good eye patches, especially when Peter Thomas Roth makes them? These Hydra Gel Eye Patches are infused with vitamin C to help brighten up the delicate skin under your eyes while giving them a hydrating boost. And the best part Is they’re 25% off the price at Sephora.

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Tatcha The Water Cream

$56.98 $89 36% off

Buy Now

Another great product from Tatcha is The Water Cream moisturizer. It’s super lightweight but hydrating — as if your skin drank a glass of water. It’s the perfect cream for someone with combination skin, which is oily in some parts but dry in others. And at Sam’s Club, it’s 20% off the market price.

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Fenty Skin Total Cleans'r Remove-It-All Cleanser

$23.98 $28 14% off

Buy Now

It’s nice to save money wherever possible, especially on beauty products you use daily. This Fenty Skin cleanser is 14% off its market price of $28, so it’s definitely worth stocking up on.

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Jo Malone Silk Blossom Cologne

$84.98 $105 19% off

Buy Now

Sam’s Club has luxury fragrances like YSL, Marc Jacobs, and Jo Malone. Anyone who’s bought Jo Malone will tell you it is costly! You can snag this full-size cologne for way less than the market price. This version is over one and a half ounces and costs less than the one-ounce version, starting at $105.

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Before you go, check out our slideshow below:

Responsible pet owners know all too well the cost of properly caring for an animal. Aside from day-to-day care and grooming, there are the constantly mounting costs of wellness checks, emergency vet visits, pet medications and everything else it takes to keep your furry friend healthy and happy.

Fortunately, the availability of pet insurance eases some of the financial burdens of pet care. Unfortunately, choosing the best from among all the options available to you can be overwhelming. Get started by determining precisely which insurance benefits are most important to you, and go from there.

Pet insurance is typically utilized for emergencies and illnesses, while pay for your pet’s wellness checks and routine healthcare out of your own pocket. You can often add preventive care if you’d like, but, of course, your premiums will go up. So first decide what your needs are when it comes to keeping your furry friend healthy. Then dig around for a pet insurance plan that offers the best coverage and reimbursement. Let’s sniff out the top contenders.

Best Pet Insurance Plans at a Glance

Best for Fast Reimbursements: Lemonade
Best for Emergencies: Paw Protect
Best for Senior Dogs: Fetch
Best Customized: Careplus by Chewy
Best for Unlimited Payouts: Trupanion

What to Look for in Pet Insurance, According to an Expert

SheKnows turned to Alex Stone, CEO of Petted, the leading pet insurance comparison site in the U.S., to find out exactly what to consider when choosing a pet insurance policy:

Annual coverage

Stone says annual coverage, or “the amount that you can select or amount you can use for covered vet bills each year,” is the first thing to look out for. Depending on the insurer, this can be anywhere from $5,000 a year to unlimited, with a common middle ground being about $250,000. “You really want to make sure that you have enough annual coverage so that if your pet gets really sick, the insurance will pay for it,” clarifies Stone, whose own golden retriever racked up $20,000 in cancer treatment bills in the last year of his life. “If we’d had a plan that only had $2,500 or $5,000 of coverage, then really it wouldn’t have helped him.”

Types of coverage

You’ll want to research exactly what each company covers. For instance, some pet insurers pay only for emergencies and illnesses, while others include preventive care. Others even offer dental coverage, as Stone notes, as well as add-ons like boarding and acupuncture.

Wait times

Pet insurance companies will often require wait times before providing coverage for certain treatments, but every company is different. “Some insurers have longer waiting times than others before knee conditions are covered, for example, or some hip conditions,” says Stone.

Reimbursement model

“Pet insurance is usually a reimbursement model. What that means is you have to pay the vet bill first and then get the money back,” says Stone, who points out that some companies take a while to pay claims, so you might want to investigate this beforehand. A few pet insurers will pay the vet directly — something else to consider if that’s important to you.

Comparison sites like Petted help you skip the monotony of going from one insurance site to another to compare. They lay out all your options in detail so you can make your own informed decision.

How to Pick a Pet Insurance Plan Based on Your Needs, According to an Expert

Once you’ve zeroed in on the pet insurers you prefer, check to make sure they’re available in your state. Then consider:

Your pet’s age

“Puppies and younger pets are usually healthier than senior pets, just like in the human world,” says Stone. “Coverage is never going to change If you sign up when your pet is younger, but if you try and sign up when they’re older, sometimes there’s going to be longer wait period. And there are certain coverages or deductibles or copays that just won’t be available from certain insurers. Sometimes insurers won’t insure pets at all if the pet is over, say age five.” Stone says it’s best to sign your pet up as a puppy, but if that’s not an option, find a pet insurer that has provisions for older pets (although Stone points out that pre-existing conditions are almost never covered).

Deductibles and copays

The deductible is the amount of covered vet bills you’re responsible to pay for each year before insurance kicks in, and it resets each year. The copay is the amount or percentage you have to pay out of pocket for each visit. These two factors usually have an inverse relationship with each other. If your pet is generally healthy and you don’t expect too many vet visits, a high deductible might be right for you versus higher copays.

Reimbursement percentages

“This is what percentage you get back for each claim, whereas a copay would be the percentage that you pay towards each claim,” says Stone. A reimbursement percentage is broken down like this: “Typically the options are 70, 80 or 90 percent reimbursement. So what that means is you are either going to pay 30, 20, or 10 percent towards each covered condition,” Stone explains. The higher your monthly premium, the more you’ll get reimbursed for each incident. Stone says most people would rather pay a higher monthly premium than put a lot of money into each service — especially if they don’t have a lot in savings to pay for 10 to 30 percent of an emergency vet bill. But this is entirely up to you.

Here’s an overview of the best pet insurance companies on the market.

Our mission at SheKnows is to empower and inspire women, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. Lemonade is a SheKnows sponsor, however, all products in this article were independently selected by our editors. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale.

Lemonade

BUY NOW:

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Buy now

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This insurance company has a base pet plan that covers accidents and illnesses — specifically, the diagnostics, procedures and medications involved, whether your dog or cat breaks a bone, swallows a Lego or develops hip dysplasia — after various waiting periods that range from two days to six months. Lemonade also offers add-on options and preventive packages that kick off immediately. The company prides itself on reimbursing claims quickly (up to 90 percent), depositing funds directly into your bank account. Plans start at $10 a month, and deductibles and copays may apply.

Age restrictions: Eight weeks to 14 years
Plans available: Accident and Illness, Preventive Care and Preventive Care+ with dental cleaning
Deductible options: $100 to $500 per year
Reimbursement options: 70%, 80% or 90%
Coverage limits: $5,000 to $100,000
Pros: Claims can be approved and paid instantly by Lemonade’s AI-powered platforms; payments can be made directly to the vet; preventive care options are available.
Cons: Claims can only be filed through the app, and you cannot interact with a human representative.

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Paw Protect

Buy Now $Get a Quote

There’s something very unique about Paw Protect: in addition to accidents, illnesses and preventive care, they provide members with an interest-free $2,000 line of credit to use in the event of a vet bill you can’t afford. They also offer 10% if you take out an additional pet policy, and they’ll reduce your deductible by $50 for each year you don’t make a claim. You’ll also get back $25 a year if you opt for a wellness plan.

Age restrictions: Up to 14 years for accidents and illnesses; 15 years and older for accident-only.
Plans available: Accident and illness, Accident-only and Wellness (as an add-on)
Deductible options: $100 to $500
Reimbursement options: 70% to 90%
Coverage limits: $5,000 to unlimited
Pros: Interest-free line of credit; some coverage for senior dogs; preventive care; incentives for covering more than one pet; 24/7 telehealth line.
Cons: Illnesses not covered for senior dogs; $25 enrollment fee.

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Careplus by Chewy

Buy Now $20/month and up

The beloved pet supply brand offers both wellness and emergency/illness insurance plan options that make your life as a pet parent easier. They pay the vet directly — any vet in the U.S. offer unlimited lifetime coverage and cover prescriptions 100 percent. Chewy even offers telehealth services. Waiting periods are up to two weeks at the most.

Age restrictions: Two months to unlimited.
Plans available: Accident only, Value, Essential, Essential Plus and Complete
Deductible options: $250
Reimbursement options: 70%, 80% and 90%
Coverage limits: Unlimited
Pros: Direct payment to vets; telehealth access seven days a week; full reimbursement; a lot of plan tiers, some including preventive care.
Cons: Up to a month waiting period; Premiums on the higher side.

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Trupanion

Buy Now $34/month and up

Trupanion will reimburse the vet directly up to 90 percent, offers unlimited annual coverage and flexible deductible options, and their customer service agents are there for you 24/7. They cover accidents, illnesses — even those developed through breeding — and add-ons such as boarding and third-party property damage. However, Trupanion doesn’t offer preventive care. Trupanion places no limits on claims or incidents per year or lifetime payouts — a particular benefit for someone who has an unlucky pet or one with lifelong health conditions. Once your pet has been approved for insurance coverage, Trupanion will work with you to adjust your deductible as needed.

Age restrictions: 0 to 14 years
Plans available: Accident and illness plan (plus add-ons)
Deductible options: $0 to $1,000
Reimbursement options: 90%
Coverage limits: Unlimited
Pros: No annual caps; rates won’t increase as your pet ages; payment directly to vets; offers pet owner assistance add-ons.
Cons: Preventive care is not covered; vet exams not covered.

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Fetch

Buy Now $20/month and up

Fetch (formerly PetPlan) is the only insurance option that offers the option of 100 percent reimbursement to all veterinarians in the U.S. and Canada. Other reimbursement amounts are available for pet owners looking to control their premiums. And Fetch covers all accidents and illnesses with no restrictions for hereditary or congenital conditions. They even cover acupuncture!

Age restrictions: 6 weeks and up
Plans available: Accident and illness plan
Deductible options: $200, $350 or $500
Reimbursement options: 70%, 80% and 90%
Coverage limits: $5,000 to $15,000
Pros: No maximum age limit; covers up to $1,000 in telehealth visits; offers some dental coverage.
Cons: Does not pay the vet directly; no preventive care.

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Healthy Paws

Buy Now $35/month and up

Not only does this insurance cover your sick or injured pet, it also provides first-rate coverage for animals with chronic (but not pre-existing) conditions. Healthy Paws offers unlimited lifetime benefits, and there is no cap or limit on individual claims. Your deductible is annual and not per incident, so it’s a money-saver for anyone whose pet spends a lot of time at the vet. And you can customize your deductible based on what you’re willing and able to afford out-of-pocket.

Age restrictions: 8 weeks to 14 years
Plans available: Accident and illness
Deductible options: $100 to $500
Reimbursement options: 70% to 90%
Coverage limits: Unlimited
Pros: No annual caps; cancer treatment is covered (not as an add-on).
Cons: Dental care is not included; routine care is not included.

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During the holiday break, there’s really nothing better than doing, well, absolutely nothing. That time of the year is meant for sitting on the couch, watching movies, eating Christmas treats, and living in sweatpants — or, an ‘incredibly cozy’ chenille robe from Target that looks and feels just like the bestselling CozyChic robe from Barefoot Dreams. Just saying!

The super plush bathrobe from Stars Above is Target’s version of Barefoot Dreams’ CozyChic solid robe. It comes in either gray or white and is available in sizes ranging from extra small through 2XL. The hidden side pockets are big enough to keep your hands warm or store away Christmas cookies for later, and the material is soft and warm but not suffocating.

And compared to the $127 price tag of the CozyChic robe, the Stars Above robe is a steal at just $38.

If you’re not yet convinced that this robe should be added to your loungewear lineup stat, then let the reviews do the talking. This robe has an overall rating of 4.6 stars because it really is just that comfy.

Stars Above Women's Cozy Chenille Robe

Buy Now $38

“Not too warm, but very cozy,” one five-star reviewer wrote on Target’s website. “Great dupe! No need to buy the more expensive versions.”

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Another reviewer added, “I’ve been looking for a few years for the right cozy fabric bathrobe and was convinced they ‘just don’t make them anymore.’ Until I found this one! So comfy that my daughter stole me and I had to get another.”

“I love this robe so much!” someone else said. “So soft and cozy and incredibly warm! Love that it’s not super bulky either.”

So before you settle in for your long winter’s nap, grab a Stars Above chenille robe to cuddle up in. It’s going to make going back to work that much harder once the holiday break ends, but we don’t need to think about that right now, do we?

Before you go, check out our top foolproof holiday gifts for absolutely everyone on your list:

Meet Pepper. She’s a three-year-old German Shepherd-Cane Corso mix (emphasis on German Shepherd—she’s 75 percent, according to the neighbor from whom I adopted her). Likes: Belly rubs, morning zoomies, and pepperoni as a bedtime snack. Dislikes: When I leave for work, if I give my other dog “too much” attention, and anyone who has the audacity to ring the doorbell. I know as much as I can about Pepper: her health — according to annual vet visits — is in good shape, and she doesn’t seem to have any allergies, aside from dry skin from time to time.

But I could always learn more, so that not only would I know for sure what her genetic markers say about her overall health and prognosis. That way, I can take the steps needed to make sure she lives a long, happy life. Since she’s a large breed (90 pounds!) I know she runs the risk of hip dysplasia and heart disease. She’s not the most active dog (my other dog, a purebred GSD, can circle laps around her — Pepper mostly just wants to cuddle), so we’re already careful about how many treats we give her (and make sure the ingredients are as wholesome as possible). Luckily, there’s a way to be even more proactive: You can test for genetic risk factors (and breed traits) with a DNA test, and the one I’m currently testing is Basepaws Breed + Health Dog DNA Test ($85, originally $149).

Our mission at SheKnows is to empower and inspire women, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. Basepaws is a SheKnows sponsor, however, all products in this article were independently selected by our editors. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale.

Basepaws Dog DNA Test

$85.00

Buy Now On Amazon

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How Basepaws Breed + Health Dog DNA Test Works

Completing the Basepaws Dog DNA Test is pretty simple: You sign up on Basepaws.com, create an account and register your kit — this is where your pup’s information will be stored, and you’ll get emails notifying you that Basepaws received the kit and that the sample is being sequenced (and eventually you’ll get a messaging saying the results are in, which you would then check on the website).

Once you set up your account, open the packaging, which has two key parts: A swab, and a tube containing stabilizing liquid. You take the swab and run it along your dog’s gums and cheek pockets for 5-10 seconds, fully coating it with saliva. Then, put the swab into the tube and make sure it’s sealed. Lastly, you send it off (shipping is free). The whole process takes about three minutes, and that’s including the sign-up process. From there, you should get your results 4-6 weeks later.

We spoke with  Anya Ryan, Head of Marketing at Basepaws, who explained the process even further. “The oral swab that a pet parent uses for our feline and canine DNA tests provides Basepaws with a saliva sample. From this sample we extract DNA and sequence a pet’s genetic material to uncover: 1. A pet’s risk for potentially developing a genetic disease based on the genetic markers we screen for. 2. A pet’s risk (the cat DNA test has this info, the dog DNA test will have it in 2024) for having — at the time of testing — a current, actively developing dental disease that, if left untreated, can lead to other systemic diseases such as diabetes, a heart condition, or kidney disease.”

We asked how exactly Basepaws is able to identify dog breeds, and their team explained that it’s a process of comparing hundreds of different canine breeds in their database. “For our breed analysis, we compare sections of your dog’s DNA to the DNA from over 300 different canine breeds that are in our proprietary canine genomic database and public databases,” Ryan says. “As we make these comparisons, we find regions of similarity and dissimilarity between your dog’s DNA and the DNA of the dogs in these databases.”

Ryan adds, “Based on this comprehensive analysis of your dog’s DNA, we display your dog’s top breed matches. Each match is associated with what we call a ‘breed similarity score.’ This is simply a ranking system to reflect the level of similarity that your dog’s DNA shares with each of their breed matches, starting with the highest level of shared similarity they have with a particular breed, down to the lowest level of shared similarity. Genomic similarity is rated on a scale of 0 to 10.”

While it’s great to know more about your dog, the best use this kit has is actually for their health. “DNA testing your pet is more for potential health risks than breed. In these cases, breed similarities have little value other than for ‘fun.’ It’s more important to identify any potential genetic mutations so lifestyle changes, vigilant monitoring, or medical interventions can be pursued,” Ryan says, adding, “The genetic health section of your dog’s report indicates the diseases that they have clear, carrier, or at-risk results for. Taken together, your dog’s breed plus health results help you to get a glimpse into their genomic similarity to different breeds and the genetic health conditions that they may be at risk for.”

My Honest Review of Basepaws Breed + Health Dog DNA Test

Taking Pepper’s sample and completing the process so I can send off my Basepaws Breed + Health Dog DNA Test was simple and really quick. The instructions are easy to follow and also include illustrations, which I was thankful for, because the swabbing part kind of freaked Pepper out. While the swab shouldn’t hurt (it’s just a soft cotton swab), she didn’t like how it felt, and certainly made that very known. I rubbed the cotton swab along her gums — both sides, for good measure — for 10 seconds. Sealing the tube and packing it back into the box the tools came from took a couple minutes.

I mailed the DNA kit on October 31, and on November 2, I got an email saying Pepper’s kit has been received. On November 16, I received an email letting me know that her DNA sample was being sequenced (this is where DNA is analyzed). The next time I got an update from the Basepaws team was December 15 — about six weeks after I sent in the kit. Unfortunately, Pepper’s sample got contaminated somehow. It may have been due to food she still had in her mouth (I tried to make sure she didn’t eat anything for at least a couple hours before I collected the sample, but it’s very possible she found a “snack”). Samples can also get compromised if your dog is taking any meds. Pepper wasn’t, so I don’t think that was the case here.

With this update, Basepaws recommended they send a replacement kit completely free of charge, which I opted for. The kit arrived 2-3 days later, and we plan on re-taking the sample. While I’m bummed I didn’t get Pepper’s results — because I truly am excited to see what her breed traits and genetic health markers are so that we can be as proactive about her health and wellness as possible — I’m really impressed the Basepaws team came up with a solution right away.

What Makes Basepaws Breed + Health Dog DNA Test So Cool

While I’m definitely curious if Pepper indeed is a German Shepherd-Cane Corso mix (and if she’s perhaps a mix of other breeds, she certainly has the cuddly-ness of a lab), I’m mostly interested in her genetic health markers. With two large breeds, I’ve done extensive research on behavioral traits as well as common health concerns as they get older, so that I can train them properly and give them the nutrients and care for a (long!) life well-lived.

For example, large breeds can develop joint and hip issues, so my two get vitamin “treats” every day with their dinner. And they’re always up-to-date on their annual vet visits and vaccinations. But if there’s more I can do, you bet I’m doing it, which is why I was really excited to try Basepaws.

Basepaws has partnerships with veterinary professionals and university researchers, which allows them to collect clinical data and studies, and get samples from pets that match study criteria. They’ve also done studies of their own, using Basepaws customer data (with their consent!). All this to say: Basepaws has a breadth of knowledge and data it uses to sequence samples and give pet parents actually helpful results they can put into action. Results can indicate increased risk for specific diseases so that pets can get the care they need earlier on — when it matters most.

Dogs are only with us for such a short time — and large dogs get the shortest lifespan of all. I know I want to make sure mine live their fullest, longest, healthiest life — and that they’re happy every day. Stay tuned for Pepper’s results! I’ll be sharing everything I receive from the Basepaws team, and what my next steps for her may be.