There is a healthcare crisis in America and I'm not talking about the obvious one. Have you taken your cat or dog to the vet recently? Last year Fido and Fluffy cost consumers $36 billion! That would buy a lot of Purina.

Have you considered pet insurance?

The average price for a plan is $25 a month. But ask questions before you sign up.

• Will the premium rise as the pet ages? Many plans readjust higher when the animal turns 8.
• Does the policy refuse to fully cover your pet due to genetic makeup? Most consider these conditions congenital or preexisting. Know your breed.
• Will the policy cover 80% or 100% of the claim? If your pet develops a chronic problem, the 100% policy could quickly reach its lifetime cap, leaving you holding the bag.

The right policy will keep the vet bills down. So do your homework.

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