Insurance for your dog Insurance for your dog

Nourishing Your Pet's Health & Why Pet Insurance Is Essential

Read time: 9 mins

14 Mar 2024

As a pet owner, it’s your job to ensure your pet is living their best life by your side at all times. One of the best ways to do this is to purchase a pet insurance policy.


A pet insurance policy, like those available from Waggel, can help to safeguard your pet from accidents and illnesses whilst also giving you peace of mind and protecting you from unexpected vet bills - something no one needs to worry about when their pet isn’t feeling 100%.


It’s an undeniable fact we all want what’s best for our pets and this extends into their diet and the food we give them. Butternut Box stands out from the crowd by offering fresh, healthy dog food sealed and delivered right to your front door.


Making sure your pet is happy and healthy can be a big responsibility. But with a comprehensive pet insurance policy in place and a good diet for your furry companion, you can be proud of your pet parenting efforts.



The importance of pet insurance

In recent years, the costs associated with veterinary care have increased, which in turn places a financial burden on owners across the UK. 


Fortunately, a comprehensive pet insurance policy can help you to navigate this difficulty so you don’t have to panic when facing any future vet bills.


With a Lifetime pet insurance policy from Waggel in place, you can gain complete peace of mind that any unexpected veterinary expenses are covered which ultimately allows you to focus on your pet’s health rather than worrying about the cost of care.


Because Waggel policies cover health conditions related to dental, orthopaedics and cancer, your pet insurance policy allows you to make informed decisions about your pet’s health and subsequent treatment without the worry of associated costs.


One of the best ways to keep your pet’s health on track is to provide them with a complete, well-balanced diet. This means ensuring their food contains no hidden nasties and is full of the nutrients they need to thrive. 


At Butternut Box, we gently cook our ingredients at 90 degrees to retain nutritional value, whilst ensuring that harmful bacteria is killed off. The result? Tasty and perfectly-portioned meals for your pooch.



What to look for in pet insurance

Choosing a pet insurance policy isn’t easy. With lots of different policy types on the market, it can make the choice a tad difficult, especially if this is your first time owning a pet. 


To help you out, we’ve broken down the different types of pet insurance widely offered in the UK:

Time-limited

A time-limited pet insurance policy provides coverage for a specific period, typically 12 months, for each condition or illness your pet is diagnosed with.


Once the coverage period expires or the financial limit is reached, the policy no longer pays for treatment related to that condition. Renewal of the policy may result in exclusions for pre-existing conditions or higher premiums due to the pet's age or medical history.

Maximum benefit

A maximum benefit pet insurance policy sets a financial limit for each condition or illness, covering veterinary expenses up to that limit.


Once the limit is reached, the policy no longer provides coverage for treatment related to that condition, even if the policy remains active. Renewal of the policy may maintain the overall maximum benefit but may not reset the limits for specific conditions, potentially leaving gaps in coverage for ongoing or recurring medical needs.

Accident-only

This is considered the cheapest form of insurance because it only provides coverage for accidents. An accident-only pet insurance policy provides coverage specifically for injuries resulting from accidents, such as broken bones or lacerations, but does not cover illnesses or pre-existing conditions.


It’s worth noting that accident-only policies don’t provide coverage for ongoing medical conditions so can be very limiting.

Lifetime

Lifetime policies are the most comprehensive form of coverage and are the only type of policy offered by Waggel to keep things simple. 


Lifetime policies offer continuous coverage throughout your pet’s entire life - this means your limits will replenish each year as long as you renew your policy. Unlike other types of pet insurance policies, you can continue to claim for the same condition each year which can provide great support to owners whose pets have chronic or recurring medical needs.




When it comes to paying insurance premiums (the amount you’ll pay monthly or yearly) there are certain things that will impact the price. Most notably, the breed of your dog and their age. 


These two factors are arguably some of the most important because certain breeds are predisposed to health conditions or genetic disorders. Breeds known for hereditary conditions or common health problems may have higher insurance premiums because they are more likely to require veterinary care. 


Older dogs are often at higher risk of age-related health issues which is something to consider when you purchase a pet insurance policy. Regardless of these factors, taking out a pet insurance policy is still in your pet’s best interest and will protect them from future accidents and illnesses.



The health benefits of good quality food

Nutrition is a crucial part of maintaining your pet's health and well-being. A balanced diet provides essential nutrients that support overall health, weight management, energy levels, skin and coat health, digestive function and longevity.Proper nutrition contributes to a pet's vitality, prevents illness and disease, supports behavioural health and enhances their overall quality of life.


Fortunately, Butternut Box is here to help. As a provider of fresh and quality pet food, we’re paving the way for positive mealtimes. This is because we focus on using high-quality, human-grade ingredients that offer various health benefits for dogs. 


These ingredients include immune-supporting nutrients, natural anti-inflammatories and omega-3 fatty acids that contribute to overall pet health in several ways.


Immune-supporting ingredients, like vitamins C and E and antioxidants, help bolster the immune system, aiding in the defence against infections and illnesses.


Natural anti-inflammatories, such as turmeric and ginger, can help reduce inflammation in pets, alleviating discomfort associated with conditions like arthritis or gastrointestinal issues. In addition to this, omega-3 fatty acids, commonly found in fish oils, promote a healthy skin and coat by moisturising the skin, reducing itchiness and enhancing its protective barrier. 


By incorporating these beneficial ingredients into our recipes, Butternut Box supports dogs’ immune function, alleviates inflammation and maintains a healthy skin and coat - ultimately resulting in one well-fed and happy pooch.


Best of all, the meals are perfectly portioned and sealed to keep food fresh without the need for additives and preservatives. Your pup’s food is then frozen to lock in all the nutrients, before being delivered directly to your front door.



Conclusion

In summary, nutrition is vital for a pet's overall health and well-being. A balanced diet provides essential nutrients that support immune function, weight management, digestion, skin and coat health and vitality. By focusing on quality nutrition tailored to your pets' needs, owners like you can help prevent illness, improve quality of life and ensure long-term health for your furry friends for years to come.


To help you on your mission, why not try out Butternut Box? Every ingredient is carefully chosen for its health properties and you can rest easy knowing there are never any fillers or artificial preservatives in your dog’s diet. If you’re not sure you want to commit, that’s cool too. Simply tell us about your pup and we’ll send you a tasty intro box to help you see what all the fuss is about.


Forget rushing to the supermarket to pick up your dog’s food, our reliable deliveries are delivered straight to your door. You also have the ability to pause, push back or cancel your plan whenever you like.


As pet owners, we always want what's best for our pets - part of this means making informed and responsible decisions about their health and well-being. As mentioned above, one of the best ways to safeguard their health is by ensuring they’re insured. With a pet insurance policy by Waggel in place, both your pet and your finances are protected at all times. 


Plus once you’re a Waggel member, you’ll get unlimited access to their Membership Platform where you can access exclusive deals and discounts each month.


Fancy 40% off your first 2 Butternut Box deliveries? Secure your free, no-strings-attached quote with Waggel today to find out more.



FAQs

What is pet insurance, and why do I need it?

Pet insurance provides financial coverage for veterinary expenses, offering peace of mind and ensuring your pet receives necessary medical care without financial strain.

How do I choose the right pet insurance policy?

To choose the right policy, consider factors such as coverage options, premiums, deductibles and customer reviews to find a plan that suits your pet's needs and your budget. A Lifetime policy from Waggel is the most comprehensive form of insurance coverage and protects your pet from accidents, illnesses and ongoing conditions.

How does the type of pet affect insurance costs?

Insurance costs vary based on factors like the type of pet, breed, age and pre-existing conditions, with certain breeds or older pets typically resulting in higher premiums. 

How does age impact pet insurance premiums?

The older the pet, the more likely they are to develop health conditions. This often results in slightly higher insurance premiums.

What makes Butternut Box different from other pet food?

Butternut Box specialises in healthy and human-quality pet food. We offer a fresh take on dog food by gently cooking each meal to perfection and ensuring fillers and artificial preservatives stay far away from our food.

Where do the ingredients come from?

All Butternut Box meals use human-grade and vegetables from trusted suppliers.

How can I manage my Butternut Box deliveries?

Managing your Butternut Box deliveries is easy. Simply log in to your account where you can pause, push back or cancel your deliveries any time you need to.