Washington pet parents: Whether you’ve got a Saint Bernard in Seattle or a Tonkinese in Tacoma, you’ve come to the right place. We’ll take you through the hidden gems and insider tips of being a Washington pet parent, and while we’re at it, we’ll guide you through the ins and outs of pet insurance so you can keep your furry friend (and your wallet) covered.
What is pet insurance and what does it cover in Washington?
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 fam without having to worry about how much it will cost.
With Lemonade pet insurance, there are numerous ways to customize your policy with our coverage options:
To begin with, a base Lemonade pet health insurance policy will assist in covering the costs of medication, tests, and treatments if your cat or dog has an unexpected accident or illness.
A base policy is excellent for the unexpected things in your fur fam’s future. Still, Lemonade also offers preventative care packages, which are designed to keep your pet healthy and help cover expenses you’re probably paying for anyway. By adding this package to a Lemonade policy, you’ll also get access to a live medical chat option and will get covered for all kinds of things—like your annual blood tests, vaccinations, wellness exam, and more. There may be some applicable exclusions.
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:
- Buy a policy. You answer a few quick questions about your German Shepherd, Spruce, and build your pet’s policy with the help of our friendly AI chatbot. The monthly premium you pay is determined by various factors, primarily things that you can customize, like your annual deductible, co-insurance, coverage package, and the annual limit on your plan. (If you would like, you can take a deeper dive into how pet insurance works to help you create your perfect policy.) Pet insurance coverage with Lemonade can cost as low as $10/month. Here’s a handy breakdown of the whole (simple) process.
- Go to the vet. You rush Spruce to the vet after he broke his leg from playing too rough at the dog park. The exam, x-ray, and cast cost you $1,000. Woof. But since you have pet insurance, you don’t have to worry about the total amount. Find out how does pet insurance work here.
- Get your money back. Spruce 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 Washington threats
Washington state is a place of rugged beauty. From the Cascade mountains, to the stunning Olympic, Colville, and Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie national forests, and of course the bays and sounds of its northwestern coastline, there is plenty to explore with your four-legged friends. But the natural world can contain risks too, and it’s best to be aware of these when out and about.
Water
Any pet owner will tell you that there’s nothing more most dogs love than to dive into water and splash about. But an estimated 5,000 pets drown each year nationwide in back-yard swimming pools alone, while the strong currents, high waves or tangled weeds in natural water sources all increase the risk to your pet.
Before you let your dog loose at your local water beauty spot, check to ensure the conditions are safe for swimming. Beware of strong currents in rivers, or rip tides under the waters’ surface when out at sea which can easily carry away even the strongest of swimmers.
Whether swimming in salt or freshwater, don’t let your dog drink the water. Ingesting too much salt water will likely make your dog sick even if the beach is known to be clean, but the water can also contain pollutants that can make your dog unwell. Take fresh drinking water with you to offer to your pooped pup after a day of frolicking on the beach.
In the summer months, look out for blue-green algae, which is toxic to dogs. This is most commonly found in fresh water sources where the water is still, but the ASPCA warns it can also be found in sea water, rivers, and even in birdbaths or damp rocks. Blue-green algae is often fatal to dogs as it causes liver failure, so if you suspect your dog has ingested it, seek emergency treatment.
Finally if your dog is a real water-baby, help to maintain healthy paws by cleaning mud, sand and other irritants off after playtime, and keeping paw pads soft and supple by applying petroleum jelly as required.
Poisonous plants
Happy dogs are naturally curious and love to explore their environments in all sorts of ways, including chewing on new plants they come across. While most of the time this won’t do them too much harm, there are a few poisonous plants in Washington that can get your dog in real trouble.
Washington’s state flower, the Rhododendron, is beautiful with its large bunches of colorful flowers, making it a popular addition to many Washington gardens – but don’t let your dog have a munch. Ingesting as little as 0.2% of their body weight of any part of this shrub will be poisonous to your dog. +
Every visitor to Washington knows that ferns are abundant in this corner of the country, and they sure are beautiful to look at, but bracken fern, which is common in the region, can be toxic if ingested regularly. If your dog is one of those who loves to chow down on plants while puttering around the garden, don’t let him munch on this one. The Death Camas is another native species to Washington, as well as further afield throughout the western states. It’s aptly named as this little bulb can kill your dog if ingested. Generally found in dry meadows, on hillsides, and on forested slopes, the plant puts out cream colored clusters of flowers between April and July.
Top Washington dog parks
Energetic pup? Let them run wild in one of Washington’s many off-leash or fenced-in dog parks. Just make sure that they are spayed or neutered, and your pup’s vaccinations are up-to-date and before you let them run wild.
- Wapato Park Off-Leash Dog Park. Do you love the lake and the forest? You and your furry best friend can enjoy both at this picturesque park in Tacoma. There are three fenced sections in the off-leash area and benches in shady spaces for paw parents to chill. The park itself includes an impressive pergola, picnic shelters, a playground, and a walking trail around the park. You can even go fishing and boating on the lake!
- Fort Steilacoom Off-Leash Dog Park. Dubbed the best dog park in Western Washington, Fort Steilacoom Dog Park has been dubbed a doggy nirvana! The dog park is twenty-two acres of a fully fenced expanse that feels like a wide-open space near Waughop Lake Trail, which loops Waughop Lake and historic barns. Ft. Steilacoom is 340 acres making it the largest park in Lakewood. Aside from the scenic trail system, the park features picnic shelters, a state-of-the-art playground, and softball, soccer, and baseball fields.
- Grandview Off-Leash Dog Park. Grandview is a scenic park that lives up to its name, boasting spectacular views of Mount Rainier. It is well-maintained and expansive, a real gem south of Seattle in the city of SeaTac and bordering the City of Kent. There is an open area for running or a looped trail. Your pup can bust a move on the agility and obstacle course to work off all of that extra energy from dawn to dusk.
- Paws-abilities Place Dog Park at Badger Mountain Community Park. Part of the Tri-city Dog Park Society, Paws-abilities is an off-leash park located in Richland. Paws-abilities Place honors Audrey Lee Ulrich, who loved animals, was active in animal rescue and was the first president of the Tricity Dog Park Society. The park is five acres of grassy area, with water pumps, pools, and plenty of room to run and play.
- Blue Dog Pond. Blue Dog Pond is a unique dog park in Seattle, starting with the giant blue dog monument at the entrance, which you can’t miss! The 1.7-acre park is full of quirky art installations for pawrents to peruse and grassy hills for furry friends to run up and down. The park doubles as a catchment area for excess water during the rainy season, so don’t be surprised if your Clifford comes back with muddy paws and love in his eyes.
Support Washington-based pet businesses
Support small Washington businesses while keeping your best friend completely pampered!
- Wet Noses Dry Paws. This is a pawesome one-stop-shop serving the Tacoma, Gig Harbor, and soon Bremerton communities. Their services include open-play style doggy daycare, a fabulous indoor dog park, boarding, and grooming. The indoor dog park is 6,000 square feet of agility equipment, tennis balls, and a built-in turf potty zone. They also serve beer for the pawrents as they kick back and relax! Wet Noses Dry Paws also started a non-profit called Wet Noses Foster Paws, which helps sponsors local adoptions.
- The Seattle Barkery. Have you ever dreamed of treating your pup with bacon pupcakes? How about a cake served on a frisbee platter for your fur baby’s birthday? The Seattle Barkery whips up custom hound dog cakes for birthday parties and special events for pickup or delivery in the Seattle area. They offer options to your fur baby’s special treat, and they also throw in a complimentary party hat for your pup to get into the festive mood! Don’t miss their dog treat food truck! Your best friend will be barking for more.
- Firehouse Pet Shop. Locally owned and operated in Wenatchee, this shop is full of everything you need to keep your furry friend happy and healthy. The fun services they offer include the Firehouse Treat Club, a Birthday Box, and a Firehouse Fix box of treats for Felines and Fidos. They have a full line of supplies and food for dogs and cats, unique toys and gifts, self-service pet wash, adoptions, local delivery, and curbside pickup seven days a week!
- Yuppy Puppy. Yuppy Puppy in Spokane is a locally-owned pet supply store staffed by eclectic, fun, pet-loving humans. Their motto is: “We’re more fun than a pile of puppies!” Yuppy Puppy services include a self-serve dog wash, professional grooming, natural pet products, doggy daycare, and online shopping. Get your pup a Bougie Box subscription full of monthly surprises! Or order online and get the Drool Bus to drop by delectable treats.
- Scratch and Sniff Pets. Pay attention cat-people: This one’s for you! Scratch and Sniff Pets design trees to make your feline feel like the king or queen of the kingdom (which, of course, they already are). Their trees have multiple surfaces that are oversized, flat platforms from top to bottom for worry-free lounging, curved edges to cradle your cat, and quality materials to last against claws. Check out the models and their gallery of gorgeous, happy customer kitties.
Before we go…
The bonding, the snuggles, the giggles! Being a pet parent is remarkable, isn’t it? Pets contribute so much to our lives. The connection that Washington pet parents have with their furry companions is real. In fact, the University of Washington offers free pet therapy to its students since studies show that animal-assisted therapy can reduce anxiety and pain in people. Our furry best friends are literally good for our health.
Of course, our pets are important to us, but vet bills can really gnaw at our pocketbooks, which is why more and more pet parents have decided that insurance for dogs or insurance for cats is right for them.
BTW, we now offer car insurance in Washington! Woohoo! Learn more about our earth-loving coverage here.
FAQs
How can I protect my dog from blue-green algae in Washington?
Avoid letting your dog swim in or drink from still water sources, especially during summer. If you’re unsure if the water is contaminated, it is best to avoid contact with the water altogether. If you suspect your dog has ingested blue-green algae, seek immediate veterinary care, as ingestion of this toxic algae can be deadly.
How can I keep my pet safe from encounters with predators in Washington?
It’s best to keep your pet on a leash in areas known for wildlife like coyotes or bears. It’s also wise to avoid dawn and dusk outings when wildlife is more active.
Are there specific seasons when natural threats to pets in Washington increase?
Yes, certain seasons in Washington heighten risks for pets. In summer, blue-green algae blooms in water, and increased snake activity pose dangers. Spring brings poisonous plants like rhododendrons, while fall can lead to encounters with wildlife, such as bears.
Staying informed about local environmental risks, keeping pets leashed, and providing fresh water to prevent ingestion of harmful substances can help keep your pet safe.
Can I use Lemonade pet insurance at any vet in Washington?
Yes, since Lemonade Pet works on a reimbursement basis, you can bring your pet to any licensed vet in any state in the U.S., including Washington.
What happens to my pet insurance if I move to a different state?
If you move to a different state, you will need to contact Lemonade within 30 days of your move to update your policy. Your premiums might change based on the new location, so it’s essential to get updated information. Additionally, Lemonade pet insurance is not available in all 50 states yet, so be sure to check that Lemonade is able to offer coverage in your new state.
A few quick words, because we <3 our lawyers: This post is general in nature, and any statement in it doesn’t alter the terms, conditions, exclusions, or limitations of policies issued by Lemonade, which differ according to your state of residence. You’re encouraged to discuss your specific circumstances with your own professional advisors. The purpose of this post is merely to provide you with info and insights you can use to make such discussions more productive! Naturally, all comments by, or references to, third parties represent their own views, and Lemonade assumes no responsibility for them. Coverage and discounts may not be available in all states.
