Ohio pet parents: Whether you’ve got a Calico in Cleveland, or a Corgi in Columbus, you’ve come to the right place. We’ll take you through the hidden gems and insider tips of being an Ohio pet parent, and while we’re at it, we’ll go through the ins-and-outs of pet insurance so you can keep your furry companion (and your wallet) covered.
What does pet insurance cover in Ohio?
Pet insurance helps cover the costs of your vet bills. You pay a monthly premium to the insurance company and in exchange, you can care for your canine or feline fur fam without stressing about the costs.
With Lemonade pet insurance, there are a few different ways to customize your policy with our coverage options:
For starters, a base Lemonade pet health insurance policy will help cover the costs of tests, treatments, and medication if your dog or cat has an unexpected accident or illness.
A base policy is great for the unexpected things in your fur fam’s future, but Lemonade also offers preventative care packages designed to keep your pet healthy, and helps cover expenses you’re probably already paying for. By adding this package to a Lemonade policy you’ll also get access to live medical chat and be covered for all kinds of things—like your annual wellness exam, blood tests, vaccinations, and more. Some exclusions may apply.
Lemonade offers a Preventative, Preventative+, and a Puppy/Kitten Preventative package. Depending on your pet’s age, this package covers things like spaying/neutering, vaccinations, microchipping, and flea and tick treatments.
You can also customize your Lemonade policy with a mix and match of optional add-ons like: physical therapy, vet visit fees, dental illness, behavioral conditions, and end-of-life and remembrance—to help take the bite out of pricey treatments, services, and trips to the vet.
Here’s an example of how a Lemonade pet insurance policy works in Ohio:
- Buy a policy. You answer a few quick questions about your German Shepherd, Buckey, and build your pet’s policy with the help of our friendly AI chatbot. The monthly premium you pay is determined by a few factors, mostly things that you can customize, like your coverage package, your annual deductible, your co-insurance, and the annual limit on your plan. (If you want, you can take a deeper dive into how pet insurance works to help you build your perfect policy.) Pet insurance coverage with Lemonade can cost as little as $10/month. — here’s a handy breakdown of the whole (simple) process.
- Go to the vet. You rush Buckey to the vet after he broke his leg from going too hard at the dog park. The exam, x-ray, and cast cost you $1,000. Woof. But because you have pet insurance, you don’t have to worry about the full amount. Get the scoop on what we cover here.
- Get your money back. Buckey is safely on the mend and you get up to a $900 reimbursement back in your pocket from Lemonade!
It’s worth noting that as your dog ages, they will require more veterinary care and treatments, which is why it pays to take out a pet insurance policy for your dog as early as possible. If you try to sign your 13-year-old dog up for insurance for the first time, they might be declined due to their age; either way, they’re more likely to have pre-existing conditions that won’t be covered by insurance. But if you get your new puppy a Lemonade policy right away, you’ll be able to continue renewing their policy as they age.
Apply now to get your free pet insurance quote.
Protect your pet from Ohio threats
Snakes, spiders, plants, oh my! Ohio might enjoy a mild climate without the threat of too many natural disasters, but if you’re an Ohio pet parent, there are a few local dangers to be aware of, so you can avoid an emergency trip to the vet.
Snakes
Ohio is home to thirty-three species of snakes, three of which are venomous. The venomous species of snakes include: the Northern Copperhead, the Eastern Massasauga rattlesnake, and the Timber rattlesnake .
Awareness is the number one thing you can do to protect your pets from snake bites. Snakes enjoy warming themselves on rocks and logs during the daytime hours. Keep your dog on a leash if you’re enjoying a hike, so you can easily pull them back if you spot a snake. Keep piles of timber and leaves off of your property, as this can provide an ideal hiding place for a slithering visitor.
If your pet is bitten by a snake, don’t waste time figuring out if it was venomous or not, take them to the vet right away. Also, don’t kill the snake and bring it with you—this is dangerous and not necessary for determining the toxicity of the bite. Do your best to keep your pet calm, and keep the bitten area below heart level if possible.
Treatments for snake bites on dogs and cats include pain medication, intravenous fluids, antibiotics, and in some severe cases, antivenom.
Black widow and brown recluse spiders
The female black widow is highly poisonous and will bite, but only when provoked. Brown recluse spiders are nocturnal and are also not aggressive unless agitated. Black widows and brown recluses enjoy hanging out in dark and warm environments, like in your garage, shed, or attic. If a cat goes toe-to-toe with a dangerous spider, your feline could walk away with multiple severe bites, since cats are known to paw and play with their prey.
Symptoms of black widow bites in both cats and dogs include extreme pain, tremors, muscle stiffness, and paralysis. Black widow bites can be fatal in pets. Take your pet to the vet right away if you suspect they’ve been bitten by a black widow.
Treatments for black widow bites include antivenom, muscle relaxants, pain medication, and IV fluids.
Symptoms of brown recluse bites include pain, blistering, swelling, and a bullseye pattern around the bite (this is the cells dying from the venom). Brown recluse bites can be fatal in pets.
Treatments for brown recluse bites include a drug called Lepsone, antibiotics, and thorough antiseptic cleaning.
Toxic plants
Most pet parents know that chocolate, onions, and tomatoes are toxic foods for four-legged friends. But what about toxic plants found in nature?
When your four-legged friend goes for a walk or hangs out in the backyard, keep your eyes out for these toxic plants, commonly found in Ohio. If you think your pet has ingested a toxic plant, take them to the vet right away. You can also call the ASPCA animal poison control phone number: (888)-426-4435.
| Name of plant | Toxic to dogs | Toxic to cats |
|---|---|---|
| Buckeye | √ | √ |
| Pothos | √ | √ |
| Cyclamen | √ | √ |
| Autumn crocus | √ | √ |
| English ivy | √ | √ |
| Sago palm | √ | √ |
| Azalea | √ | √ |
Looking to adopt a pet in Ohio? Check out these popular shelters
| City | Most popular animal shelters |
|---|---|
| Akron | One of A Kind Pet Rescue |
| Canton | Humane Society of Stark County |
| Cincinnati | Cincinnati Animal CARE / Hamilton County Animal Shelter |
| Cleveland | Cleveland Animal Protective League |
| Columbus | Columbus Humane |
| Dayton | Humane Society Of Greater Dayton Adoption Center |
| Lorain | Friendship Animal Protective League |
| Parma | Parma Animal Shelter |
| Toledo | Toledo Animal Rescue |
| Youngtown | Animal Charity Humane Society |
Top Ohio dog parks
Energetic pup? Let them run wild in one of Ohio’s many off-leash dog parks. Just make sure your pup is up-to-date on their vaccinations and spayed or neutered before you let them cut loose.
- Wheeler Memorial Dog Park. Let your pup stretch their legs at this 1.5 acre park in the heart of Columbus. There’s plenty of parking, water stations, and local pups to play with!
- Bow Wow Beach.7.5 acres of off-leash fun around a tranquil lake in Stow. Dogs are welcome to take a relaxing dip and swim to their heart’s content. There’s also a washing station so you can hose your pooch down before heading home (your car will thank you!).
- Taps and Tails. This Cleveland spot is the perfect combination of a dog park and a bar, all rolled into one! You can let your pooch get some exercise in the indoor and outdoor park, while you sip on a beer and socialize with your fellow pet parents.
- Bark Park. Canine recreation with a sustainable twist! This dog park sits on a landfill that has been creatively repurposed into a grass-covered hill, which makes it an ideal place to let your dog run free. Fun fact: The tables, chairs, agility courses, and gazebos in the park are all made of recycled materials.
- Scioto Audubon Dog Park. Enjoy 2.5 acres of off-leash aerobics, with agility courses for your dog to challenge their inner Olympian. There’s also a 10-mile long trail around the park’s grounds, in case you want to take yourself on a walk!
Support Ohio-based pet businesses
Support small Ohio businesses while keeping your best friend totally pampered!
- Lake Erie Pet Food Co. This high-quality dry food is made fresh in Cleveland and can be delivered to dog and cat owners throughout Northern Ohio. The company uses only human-grade meat, fruit, and vegetables. Lake Erie Pet Food is corn, wheat, soy, and gluten-free.
- Fangs & Fur. This unique Columbus-based pet store carries natural, raw, and fresh food and supplements for dogs and cats.
- Pet’s General Store. In Lakewood, Ohio there’s a small pet store with a big heart. Pet’s General Store has been in business for over 30 years and offers up a wide selection of supplies for cats, dogs, and other critters you might have in your family. Pet’s also offers grooming, nutritional counseling, and hosts pet adoption events.
- Animal Station. This Centerburg institution provides food and bedding over 50 local stables and farms, stocks high-quality birdseed to keep local feathered friends coming back for more, and also carries supplies for the felines and canines in your life. It’s an animal-aficionado’s paradise.
- Pet Palace. Pamper your dog or cat with high-quality grooming, boarding, and day care. If you’re going away on vacation, you can trust that your pet is in good hands. Even feisty, hard-to-please felines will enjoy a luxury stay in their custom “kitty townhouses.”
Before we go…
Isn’t being a pet parent just the best? The companionship, the kisses, the laughter! Pets really add so much to our lives. The love that Ohio pet parents have for their furry companions is real. In fact, 40% of Ohio pet owners admit to spending more on their pets during the holiday season than on their human partners. Woof.
We love our pets, but sometimes those vet bills can take a real bite out of our wallets, which is why more and more pet parents are choosing to get covered with dog insurance or cat insurance. Learn more about how much pet insurance costs, and whether or not pet insurance is worth it for you.
BTW, we’ve started offering car insurance in Ohio! Woohoo! Learn more about our brand-new, earth-loving coverage here.
