European Shorthair Cat Insurance FAQs

Do European Shorthair cats need cat insurance?

In the same way that health insurance may help cover some of the out-of-pocket costs of your medical care, cat insurance can do the same for your pet. Whether or not your European Shorthair cat is generally healthy, every cat can benefit from cat insurance coverage. Although European Shorthair cats have no breed-specific health issues, veterinary treatment for unexpected illnesses or injuries can become costly, especially if surgery is needed. All cats can be subject to common feline illnesses like respiratory viruses or bacterial infections, and veterinary care can sometimes include expensive prescription medication. Having some good, basic coverage in place for your European Shorthair cat before you might actually need it makes a lot of sense. Simply pick an insurance provider and plan, enroll your cat, and pay a monthly premium.

At what age can I enroll my European Shorthair cat?

Most cats are weaned around the age of eight weeks old. If you’re bringing a new European Shorthair kitten into your home, your cat is likely older than eight weeks. Many cat insurance providers will not offer coverage for kittens younger than this age. When you first bring your cat into your home, whether as a kitten or an older cat, it’s a good time to look into cat insurance plans. Just check with your chosen provider for any specific age requirements.

What specific coverage should I be looking for for my European Shorthair cat?

Since European Shorthair cats are a generally strong and healthy breed, you don’t have to worry about breed-specific health issues. A good, basic plan that offers coverage for preventative care like dental cleanings, diagnostic procedures like x-rays for unexpected emergencies, and medication or surgery for other illnesses is a great place to start. Generally speaking, coverage options vary among insurance plans and providers, so you might have to do some research to decide what you want. Coverage for medical care for pre-existing conditions is usually excluded.

Do all veterinarians accept cat insurance?

Fortunately, cat insurance works on a reimbursement model, so you don’t have to worry about whether or not your veterinarian accepts cat insurance. Any time your European Shorthair cat needs to see your veterinarian, whether for a regular exam or because he is sick, take him in as normal. Most veterinarians’ offices require payment at the time of service, although they may accept a payment plan for larger bills. Regardless of how you pay your veterinarian, submit a reimbursement request to your insurance provider once you pay your bill in full. Your insurance provider will determine the appropriate amount and send you a check based on your chosen coverage plan and rates.

If my cat is healthy, should I get a high deductible plan?

There really is no right or wrong plan as far as the type of deductible you choose. Higher deductibles usually mean you will be paying lower monthly premiums, which may be preferable to you if your finances are tight, or you are just starting out. On the other hand, if you anticipate your European Shorthair cat needing a great deal of veterinary care in the future, for instance if they are older or prone to infections, you might start with a plan with a lower deductible but a slightly higher monthly premium. Some insurance providers even offer plans with no deductible. Just look over a variety of plans and choose what’s best for you and your cat, based on the coverage you want, your cat’s health, and your financial situation.

5 Useful Strategies for Keeping Your European Shorthair Cat Safe & Healthy

European Shorthair cats have been known to live an average of 14 years, if kept indoors. A few breed-specific tips might help you keep your European Shorthair cat happy and healthy:

1. Grooming

Their short, dense coats make European Shorthair cats easy to groom. Combing once or twice a week keeps the hair glossy and springy. Since their fur consists of a single, upper layer coat with no undercoat, shedding and hairballs are minimal. Establishing a consistent grooming routine is still a good idea and will help you bond with your cat. In addition to caring for their coats, you should regularly trim your cat’s nails and clean his teeth by brushing them or taking him to the vet for dental cleanings.

2. Nutritious Diet

As obligate carnivores, all cats need meat in their diets. European Shorthair cats are no exception. Many high-quality brands of cat food are on the market, including wet, dry, and raw food options. Check with your veterinarian to see if he or she recommends any specific brands or type of food and recommended amounts. Choosing a food whose first ingredient is meat is a great way to keep your cat healthy. If you decide to change your European Shorthair cat’s diet, always do so slowly and in phases where you mix the old and new food, gradually increasing the amount of new food. Sudden changes to a cat’s diet often result in gastrointestinal distress.

3. Interactive Play

European Shorthair cats are very active and are excellent hunters, likely as a leftover trait from their ancestors. They generally handle change well and thrive on a lot of activity, so they make wonderful family pets, especially for families with children. Spending time playing with them is important for their wellbeing, and they especially love any toys that require them to chase or use their hunting instincts. Wand toys shaped like birds or mice, electronic or remote-controlled toys, and even ball mazes are all great choices for this breed.

4. Indoor Only

Because the hunting instincts of European Shorthair cats are so strong, it’s a good idea to keep them as an indoor-only pet. If allowed to roam unsupervised outdoors, they might wander too far from home, searching for prey, which could put them at risk of animal attacks or getting hit by a car. If you want to share the great outdoors with them, you could always consider leash-training them to go for walks with you, or invest in a cat-safe outdoor enclosure, sometimes called a “catio.”

5. Love and Affection

Even though European Shorthair cats are active and playful as a breed, they also tend to be cuddly lap cats when not chasing after toys. Taking time to shower them with affection on a regular basis, including offering your lap from time to time, will keep them happy and will also give you time to relax and enjoy your time with your feline friend.

Conclusion

You know that providing your European Shorthair cat with regular veterinary care is part of being a good cat owner and helps ensure your companion lives the longest, healthiest life possible. If you’re worried about your ability to provide the best care for your pet because of your finances, cat insurance can help ease your mind that you’ll be able to pay for whatever care your cat might need in the future, even if you’re faced with unexpected illnesses or injuries. Several reputable pet insurance providers on the market offer a wide range of coverage options.

After extensive research, we conclude that Lemonade pet insurance offers the best cat insurance policy at the lowest monthly for European Shorthair cats.

SwiftScore Ranking Methodology for European Shorthair Cats

We ranked the best pet insurance policies for European Shorthair Cats based on a variety of important factors including the following:

• Average monthly price for a 2-year-old European Shorthair Cat with a $500 deductible located in the 90210 zip code
• Coverage and benefits
• Key policy details including accidents and illnesses, surgeries, annual check-ups, cancer treatment, lab tests, and more
• AM Best rating of the underwriter
• Reimbursement percentage
• Annual benefit amount
• Technology and user experience
• Ease of sign up
• Policy language clarity
• User reviews

Other state dog insurance resources

Alabama | Alaska | Arizona | Arkansas | California | Colorado | Connecticut | Delaware | Florida | Georgia | Hawaii | Idaho | Illinois | Indiana | Iowa | Kansas | Kentucky | Louisiana | Maine | Maryland |
Massachusetts | Michigan | Minnesota | Mississippi | Missouri | Montana | Nebraska | Nevada | New Hampshire | New Jersey | New Mexico | New York | North Carolina | North Dakota | Ohio | Oklahoma | Oregon | Pennsylvania | Rhode Island | South Carolina | South Dakota | Tennessee | Texas | Utah | Vermont | Virginia | Washington | West Virginia | Wisconsin | Wyoming