The field of veterinary medicine has advanced significantly in recent years. There are now veterinary cardiologists, veterinary neurologists and even veterinary cancer specialists. All that specialization has allowed many pets to live happier and longer lives, but it all comes at a cost.
 
The cost of veterinary care has risen almost as fast as the expertise of its practitioners. Many pet owners have found the cost of caring for their dogs and cats prohibitive, and some have even had to give up their beloved companions from lack of funds.
 
Pet insurance has attempted to fill the gap between financial means and veterinary costs. Buying a pet insurance policy can make a lot of sense, but it is important for shoppers to understand the pros and cons. These are some of the advantages pet insurance can provide:
 
.   Pet insurance provides you with peace of mind. The peace of mind alone can be enough reason to choose pet insurance. Many pet owners worry that they will not have the funds to care for their pets. Pet insurance can set their minds at ease.
 
.   Pet insurance lets you know your veterinary costs ahead of time. Budgeting for veterinary care can be difficult; you never know when your cat or dog will get sick or experience an accident. Pet insurance makes veterinary costs more predictable and easier to budget for.
 
.   Pet insurance could save the life of your pet. Many pet owners find themselves making the decision to euthanize based not on medical needs but financial costs. Having pet insurance could mean the difference between life and death for a beloved pet.
 
.   A growing number of vets now accept pet insurance. When pet insurance was first introduced, many old-school vets were reluctant to join the networks or accept the coverage. These days, however, a growing number of vets happily accept pet insurance and understand how it can help their clients.
 
Pet insurance may be useful, but it is certainly not a panacea. Here are some of the disadvantages of insuring your pet.
 
.   Pet insurance can be expensive. The cost of pet insurance can be quite high, especially in large cities where the cost of veterinary care is particularly high. Pet owners will need to determine if the peace of mind is worth the extra cost.
 
.   Some breeds may be difficult, or even impossible, to insure. It may be difficult to insure breeds with known genetic conditions and chronic conditions. Even if insurance is available, genetic defects are sometimes excluded from coverage.
 
.   You may have problems getting insurance for an older or ill pet. As your pet gets older, it may be harder to insure. The chance of illness rises with age, and that can make getting insurance more difficult. The same difficulty awaits pet owners whose cats and dogs are already ill.
 
.   The network of providers could be limited. Pet insurers work much the same as traditional health insurers. If the vet you normally use is not a network provider, you may face higher out-of-pocket costs or even claim denials.
 
.   Pet insurance may not cover routine care. Routine examinations and vaccinations may not be covered by pet insurance, so pet owners will need to budget for such items separately.
 
In the end, each pet owner will need to determine whether or not pet insurance is a good buy. Owners with sufficient financial resources may be willing to take the risk and go without insurance, while pet lovers with more limited bank accounts may be happier knowing the insurance is in place just in case.