Utah pet parents: Whether you’ve got a Saint Bernard in Salt Lake City or an Oriental in Ogden, you’ve come to the right place. We’ll take you through the hidden gems and insider tips of being a Utah pet parent, and while we’re at it, we’ll go through the ins-and-outs of pet insurance in Utah so you can keep your furry companion (and your wallet) covered.
What pet insurance plans does Lemonade offer in Utah?
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 feline or canine 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 routine care 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 also offers three preventative care packages:
- Preventative Care package
- Preventative+ Care package
- Preventative Package for Puppy/Kitten
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.
What does a Lemonade pet insurance policy in Utah cover?
Pet insurance can cover a lot (but it’s still important to be versed in what your policy doesn’t include). Here are just a few of the things that a Lemonade Pet policy could come in handy for, depending on your specific policy details:
Bloodwork
X-Rays
MRI
CT Scans
Lab Work
Urinalysis
Ultrasounds
Cancer
Emergency Care
Surgery
Heart Disease
Hospitalization
Road Accidents
Outpatient Care
Allergy Medicine
Specialty Care
Injections
Prescription Medications
Arthritis Medication
Knee, Elbow & Hip Dysplasia
How does pet insurance work at Lemonade in Utah?
Here’s an example of how a Lemonade pet insurance policy works:
- Buy a policy. You answer a few quick questions about your German Shepherd, Bee, 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 Bee 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 pet insurance covers.
- Get your money back. Bee 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.
What is pet insurance?
Pet insurance assists in covering the costs of your vet bills. You pay a premium each month to the insurance company, and in return, you can care for your canine or feline fur family members without having to worry about how much it will cost.
How much does pet insurance cost in Utah?
Several factors impact your pet insurance quote, including:
- Cat vs Dog: Cats are usually cheaper to insure than dogs because medical costs are generally cheaper for cats.
- Breed: For example, mixed breed dogs tend to cost less to insure because they often exhibit the concept of ‘hybrid vigor,’ potentially having fewer health problems than purebreds.
- Age
- Where you live
- The coverages you choose
- The deductible, co-insurance, and annual limit you choose
You can learn more about the costs of pet insurance here. But the truth is, the best way to get a sense for how much you’ll pay for pet insurance in Utah is to build a quote. Click below to get started. It’s fast, free, and dare we say it’s even kind of fun.
Apply now to get your free pet insurance quote.
Snakes
Utah is known a snake country. The Beehive State is home to thirty-one native snake species, seven of which are venomous. Be on alert for the sidewinder, the Mojave rattlesnake, the speckled rattlesnake, the Hopi rattlesnake, the western rattlesnake, the Great Basin rattlesnake, and the midget-faded rattlesnake.
Paying attention is the best way you can prevent your pet from getting a snake bite. Keep your dog on a leash if you’re hiking in nature, so you can pull them back quickly if a snake is in the area. Piles of timber and leaves are ideal hiding places for a slithering visitor so keep those off your property. During daytime hours, snakes love basking in the sunshine on rocks and logs. If you are certain that a snake has bitten your pet, don’t waste a second trying to figure out whether it was venomous or not. Take them to the vet ASAP. Do not attempt to kill the snake to bring with you either– it’s unnecessary to determine the bite’s toxicity and dangerous for you as well. Keep the bitten area below the heart if you can, and keep your pet calm as much as possible.
For cats and dogs, the options for snakebite treatment include antibiotics, pain medication, intravenous fluids, and antivenom for the occasional severe case.
Spiders
Be on the lookout for the wolf spider, yellow sac spiders, and the hobo spider.
The hobo spider used to be thought of as the most dangerous spider in Utah. However, it turns out that often spider bites are misattributed to it. It is still a spider to steer clear of. Wolf spider bites are usually not deadly, but they can be dangerous if your furry friend has a reaction to the venom. Some unpleasant symptoms of a wolf spider bite include blood infections that can lead to gangrene. Though not as dangerous as a black widow, the wolf spider can lead to complications if not taken care of. Yellow sacs, unlike the other spiders mentioned, will attack you for no reason at all! Unlike other spiders, they lurk around on the ground in their sacs (hence their name) instead of webs.
Toxic plants
The list of toxic plants that are native to Utah is long. This is not a comprehensive list of plants that are poisonous for your pets, however a few that are highly toxic are listed below. Contact your local veterinarian immediately if your fur babies have ingested any plant that you are unfamiliar with.
| Name of plant | Toxic to dogs | Toxic to cats |
|---|---|---|
| Myrtle Spurge/Donkey’s Tail/ Creeping Spurge | √ | √ |
| Stinging Nettle | √ | √ |
| Poison Ivy/Poison Oak | √ | √ |
| Castor Bean | √ | √ |
| Bittersweet Nightshade | √ | √ |
| Death Camus | √ | √ |
| Water Hemlock | √ | √ |
Top Utah dog parks
Energetic pup? Let them run wild in one of Utah’s many off-leash dog parks and nature reserves. Only be sure your pup’s vaccinations are up-to-date and that they are spayed or neutered before you let them cut loose.
- Memory Grove at Freedom Trail. This scenic off-leash area, part of the Memory Grove park just outside of downtown Salt Lake City, is a peaceful oasis in the city. Located at the mouth of City Creek Canyon, you enter the trail along a wooded path that follows a creek. At first, you need to enter with your dog leashed, but afterward (pay attention to the signs), you can let your best friend loose to have a blast frolicking in the water and splashing with comrades! The rest of Memory Grove Park is a living memorial to America’s fallen military personnel, and includes a green expanse full of monuments—definitely worth a visit as well.
- Willow Creek Dog Pond. Who says only humans get swimming pools? Willow Creek Dog Pond, a gem located in Park City, is a one-acre swimming pool for your pooch! Your adventurous Fido can test his jumping skills on the floating dock. The pond is outside of the 2.4-acre fenced area. There is a perfect grassy 24,000-square-foot area for playing fetch, an agility course for running and romping, and a 1/3-mile soft-surface trail. In the 17.5 acres of Willow Creek Park, there is plenty more to do. The amenities include two volleyball courts, two playgrounds, three playing fields, four tennis courts, a basketball court, and four pavilions.
- Run-A-Muk Dog Park. True to its name, this is where your pup can indeed run amuck, with an entire forty-three acres of off-leash area to play with abandon. It is almost difficult to remember that all of that expanse is fenced in. You can also wander with your dog on the two-mile trail in this Park City dog park. When you visit Run-A-Muk, especially after snow, it looks like a scene out of a movie! That is because this picturesque park has views of Utah Olympic Park, a winter sports park built for the Winter Olympics in 2002. Meander along all the way to the UOP via the trail system to experience spectacular vistas. You can access the park from Millennium Trail, a multi-use forty-six-kilometer trail. The entire area is a nature buff’s haven.
- Dayland Dog Park. This well-maintained park is located in Draper, and has two separate areas, one for small dogs and another for large dogs. A dog-friendly creek running through the middle of the park adds to the fun. There are shaded structures for pawrents who prefer relaxing, and a walking path for those who want to get some exercise in with their furry friends. With plenty of space to play catch and a view of majestic snow-capped mountains, this dog park might become one of your favorites!
- Tanner Dog Park. Unlike a typical dog park, Tanner Park is a walk on the wild side. Near Parley’s Historic Nature Park, and nestled at the mouth of Parley’s Canyon, it is an expanse of nature trails and a stream where you and your pup can hike in doggy heaven. Butch needs to be leashed upon entry to the dog park and the adjacent Parley’s Trail, but once you head down in the canyon, he can roam free in a wide-open space. Follow the creek on the main path or wander off on the smaller trails. Let yourself get mesmerized by gorgeous Utah mountains!
Support Utah-based pet businesses
Support small Utah businesses while keeping your best friend totally pampered!
- Fetch. The very best kennel-free dog services can be found at Fetch in Park City. This family-owned business, which started in the backyard, offers grooming, training, concierge, and sitting services, plus fully supervised play in various yards. Pups that need extra attention to acquire proper socializing skills are one of their specialties in their “pawsitive” play environment. Your fur babies can go on playdates, sleepovers (also kennel-free boarding!), and go hiking. They even provide an in-home staff member if your pup does better off solo. In addition, they offer daily shuttle service to and from their ranch. They provide a full spectrum of dog services to meet all of your needs! It’s no wonder they have been voted Park City’s best by The Park Record.
- Pet Central. Pet Central is a business that provides grooming and boarding services. Located in Springfield, they also serve customers from Mapleton, Orem, Spanish Fork, and Provo. The grooming facility is state-of-the-art equipped with professional grooming equipment and tools, large hydraulic grooming tables, a professional grooming tub, a walk-in shower for extra large dogs, bio-groom products, and a pet walking area for pet owners dropping off or picking up. Their boarding facilities include climate control, so your pets are at their most comfortable, large grass yards to move around and play in, and security measures to keep your furry loved one safe. With experienced groomers and boarding staff, Pet Central goes out of its way to treat your pets like their own! Check out their pet of the month section.
- Desert Raw Holistic Pet. Do you believe that pets should eat real food? Desert Raw Holistic Pet in Millcreek has a real approach to pet nutrition and is on a mission to the lives and health of your furry family members. They provide real food alternatives and educate their customers at their education center with information from holistic experts, so you can give the best while maintaining your budget. They have done the footwork, or paw work, for you by researching hundreds of brands, so they can honestly vouch for every single product they carry! From raw brands to canned brands to dry brands and supplements and treats, you can find only the best of the best at Desert Raw.
- The Humane Society of Utah (HSU). This clinic and adoption center provides much needed services in Murray and St. George. If you are looking for more fur babies to love, you can view sweet, bright-eyed kitties, bunnies, and doggies looking for a home on their website. Then you can come to visit the one who has stolen your heart at their Adoption Center. They also have a separate pet listing for animals available for private rehoming (not housed at the HSU). Sometimes being a pet parent is hard, but there is hope! If you need help, the HSU offers a pet retention program, behavior and training classes and resources, and phone consultations. You can take part in the lifesaving work that they do by volunteering, helping advocate for pet welfare, signing up your child for H.E.R.O. camp, or becoming one of their business partners.
- The Dog’s Meow. Millcreek and Draper’s favorite pet store is chock full of healthy products, fun stuff, and love! Are you looking for a snout soother or soft-baked treats? At the locally owned Dog’s Meow, they only stock brands that they trust, so you can find quality products. The knowledgeable staff will give you personalized recommendations. You can also make good use of the DIY dog wash located at the Draper branch. Beyond what the store offers to customers, the Dog’s Meow supports local animal shelters. Their site features pets from local shelters and rescues looking for their forever home.
Before we go…
Being a pet parent is amazing, isn’t it? The companionship, the kisses, the laughter! Pets add so much to our lives. The love that Utah pet parents have for their furry companions is real. In fact, Southern Utah University has a new certificate learning program in which students can earn credits by running a humane animal shelter as part of a partnership with the Best Friends Animal Society. That is real puppy love.
Of course, our pets are close to our hearts, but vet bills can really take a gnaw at our finances. That is why more and more pet parents decide that dog health insurance or cat health insurance is the best thing they can do.
