Many who don’t want the responsibility of a cat or dog will often decide to have a small mammal. Unfortunately, vet fees for injured or unwell animals, no matter how small they are, can still be expensive.
The term ‘small mammals’ includes the following:
Vet treatments can be costly even for small mammals. Having pet insurance in place means less worry about the cost of treatment in the event your pet becomes ill or gets injured, as insurance will pay up to a specified amount - for example, £2,000 - towards vet fees.
Some pet insurance policies include additional benefits that can come in handy if your small mammal escapes or gets into trouble.
However, as with any pet insurance policy there might be exclusions related to pre-existing conditions, diet and upkeep.
As dogs and cats are the most popular animals in the UK, some pet insurers only offer cover for these. However, some specialist groups offer small mammal insurance or exotic pet insurance cover.
Guinea pigs are easier to look after than your average cat or dog, and if looked after well they can live up to eight years old.
They are known to suffer from an array of medical issues including respiratory infections, scurvy, tumours, abscesses due to infection, urinary problems, and infestations by lice or fungus.
Treatments and vet fees can cost hundreds of pounds. Guinea pig insurance can help owners cover high veterinary costs.
Hamster insurance is harder to find than cover for your average pet cat or dog, however they need just as much care as any other pet.
They can be fragile and do need to be handled carefully. Hamsters can also suffer from an array of health conditions including:
Ferrets usually live between six to 12 years and are relatively easy pets for working people as they sleep up to 20 hours a day.
Their mischievous behaviour makes them a popular choice of pet. However, their playful nature means they often suffer from accidents such as broken bones, sprains and bites.
These small mammals are also known to suffer from tumours and cancers like insulinoma and adrenal disease.
Just like hamster insurance, you might have to look for ferret insurance from a specialist provider.