Pet insurer Petguard expects boom in pet alternative therapies

Online pet insurance provider Petguard anticipates a strong increase in pet alternative therapies for the years to come. According to their latest study (2008), 25% of UK dogs have been treated at least once with untraditional methods such as hydrotherapy, acupuncture and homeopathy.

Really widespread in the US, where $112m are expected to be spent by 2010, alternative treatments are becoming increasingly popular amongst UK pet owners as information spreads quickly. Vets, however, have reportedly been struggling to keep up with the demand as only 20% of them currently dispense care like hydrotherapy, homeopathy and acupuncture. As a result, vets have had to refer pets to ’specialists’ but not without raising concerns over the quality of care actually administered, especially in the case of hydrotherapy. Aware of the issue, pet insurance companies often impose that the specialist practitioner belongs to an association they approve of in order to accept a claim.

Alternative therapies though are proving more and more popular as they provide a greater choice of treatments, so that each pet can receive the best suitable care. These treatments are also seen as being less invasive and more natural, which can make a big difference in the way pets react to medical care. Petguard is one of the few insurance companies that cover alternative treatments for pets (also known as complementary therapies) without special restrictions and up to £7,500 every year if you choose a lifelong policy.

Find out more about Petguard pet insurance.