Whether you’re a fan of mountains or beaches, small towns, or city life, North Carolina has it all. The best part? You can live the Carolinian life with your dog or cat. But with great adventure comes great responsibility!
If you live in the Tar Heel State, you may want to consider investing in pet insurance. NC is notorious for carnivorous wild animals, toxic plants, and other environmental factors that can impact your pets’ health. Learn more about having a pet in North Carolina, and why you may want to consider choosing award-winning MetLife Pet Insurance as your pet insurance provider to help you offset the cost of health care.1,2
Why Pet Insurance May Be a Good Idea if You Live in North Carolina
North Carolina is known for its sandy beaches, beautiful rolling hills, and national parks. Whether your pet is a hiker, swimmer, runner, or all-around adventurer, there are dozens of risks they could face in the great outdoors. Black bears, alligators, poisonous snakes, and spiders are just a few animals you might stumble upon while adventuring with your pet.3
Due to the variety of terrain in the state, you can also expect to see thousands of different plants, many of which can be dangerous to your pet. On top of that, North Carolina is subject to hurricane season, tornadoes, as well as snowfall in some areas. From heat waves to snow storms to flooding, there are a lot of things that can put a pet at risk.
Dogs and cats can also be predisposed to health conditions that can be inherited by breeding or other genetic factors. Your pet will likely need some sort of medical care over their lifetime, whether it’s something minor or care that could cost thousands. Pet insurance may be able to help offset the cost of this care.2
Why Choose a MetLife Pet Insurance Policy?
A MetLife Pet Insurance Policy can assist in helping you protect your wallet in the event of a furry family member emergency. MetLife Pet Insurance was awarded "Pet Insurance of the Year" in the 2023 Pet Independent Innovation Awards.
Here are just a few reasons why pet parents in North Carolina — and across the country — might choose us:2
- We don’t have breed or age restrictions for dogs and cats.
- We process and reimburse most claims in less than 10 days.4
- We allow up to three pets (cats or dogs) on the same policy to share a deductible.5
- We accept pets with pre-existing conditions if transferring from another insurer.6
- We have a short waiting period for accidents and illnesses coverage.7,8
- We work with any licensed veterinary provider in the U.S.
How it Works
How MetLife Pet Insurance Works in North Carolina
Visit any licensed vet
Like your current vet? Keep them! Unlike health insurance for humans, there’s need to worry about in-network and out-of-network doctors. We work with all licensed vets in North Carolina and across the country.
Pay your vet bill and submit your claim
Pay the bill at the veterinarian, then send us your claim with an itemized invoice and any relevant vet records.
Get reimbursed
MetLife Pet will check in with your vet if we need any additional information, and then we’ll process your claim in about 10 days9 so you can get reimbursed quickly for any covered and approved expenses.
MetLife Pet Insurance Is Available in North Carolina. Let’s See What’s Covered
MetLife Pet Insurance policies are customizable, so you can choose what you need to fit your lifestyle. Whether you’re looking for a comprehensive policy or just the necessities, or whether you have one pet or three, MetLife Pet can help with a policy tailored to your needs. This also means customizable limits, deductibles, and reimbursem*nt rates.
While your pet’s exact coverage depends on your individual policy, here’s what can typically be covered:
- Emergency care
- X-rays
- Ultrasounds
- Diagnostic tests
- Prescription medications
- Hospitalizations
- Accidents and illnesses
- Surgeries
- Examinations
- Holistic treatments
How Much Is Pet Insurance in North Carolina?
A MetLife pet insurance plan can cost as little as $9 per month for cats and $15 per month10 for dogs, but your premium depends on a few factors, including your location.
Typically, you may anticipate a higher monthly premium for pet insurance if you’re in or around a city, like Charlotte or Raleigh, than in a smaller town like Blowing Rock. There are other factors that contribute to the cost of pet insurance, including your pet’s breed, sex,11 and age. Read “How Much Does Pet Insurance Cost” for more information, or get a free quote today.
Pet Insurance Claims We Paid in North Carolina
Interested in seeing just how much some of our customers get? Here are a few examples of real claims we’ve received in North Carolina, from bite wounds to exams to allergy treatment.12
- More than $4,300 paid — This helped fund an exam to diagnose an enlarged spleen in an 11-year-old mixed dog in Raleigh, NC.
- About $600 paid — This helped cover treatment for a bite wound for a 5-year-old mixed dog in Youngsville, NC.
- More than $500 paid — This assisted paying for a cardiomyopathy exam for a 10-year-old mixed dog in Charlotte, NC.
- About $450 paid — This helped cover a gastroenteritis exam for a 1-year-old mixed cat in Cary, NC.
- More than $100 paid — This assisted payment for a therapeutic allergy treatment for a 5-year-old mixed dog near Durham, NC.
Notable claim in The Old North State
When 8-year-old mixed dog Roberto experienced a cruciate ligament rupture while playing at home, he was rushed to the vet for care. Diagnosing this injury cost $387. Roberto’s parents were reimbursed for the full cost of the visit through their dog insurance policy, so they were able to weigh their options and move forward with treatment for Roberto.12
Pet Injuries and Illnesses Typically Found in NC
While the only Panthers you may see in North Carolina are the ones who play football, there are serious risks throughout the state. From the state’s diverse wildlife and climate, there are many things you may want to look out for as a pet owner.
- Kennel cough: Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease (CIRDC) is a highly contagious disease that impacts dogs throughout the country. Dogs often catch it when exposed to infected dogs in kennels, doggy daycares, or dog parks. Dogs diagnosed with severe cases of the disease typically require medication, and possibly X-rays to fully diagnose the condition if it is advanced.
- Alligator attacks: Alligators are prominent on the coast and in the wetlands of North Carolina. While your pet may be an adventurer, don’t let them wander in areas where gators could creep up on them.
- Leptospirosis: This disease is transmitted by lepto-contaminated urine, standing water, or soil, and is more prominent in cities with large animal populations or rats. If unvaccinated dogs catch leptospirosis, it could be fatal.
- Snake bites: Similar to alligators, snakes can lurk near bodies of water. They’re also found in the dense forests and mountain ranges. Aside from injuries from the bite itself, your dog could have had venom injected into their bloodstream, depending on the snake.
North Carolina Plants That Can Be Poisonous to Pets
Due to the variety of terrain in North Carolina, there are many plants that could pose a risk to your pet. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) has a comprehensive list of plants that may be toxic to your pet and may require a vet visit.13 Here are some of the most common North Carolina plants that may be toxic to cats and dogs:
- Lily
- Sago palm
- Hydrangea
- Tulip
- Elephant’s ear
- Daffodil
- Pothos/Devil’s Ivy
Most Popular Dog Breeds in North Carolina
Based on the data, North Carolinians love having an active furry friend to accompany them. Here are the top three adopted breeds for North Carolina and some common health problems they face:14
- Labrador retriever: The beloved Lab is often susceptible to obesity, elbow and hip dysplasia, and heart disease.
- German shepherd: An obedient and hard-working companion, the German shepherd may be predisposed to skin conditions, conjunctivitis, and otitis.
- Beagle: These patient pups are typically susceptible to hip dysplasia, epilepsy, eye disorders, and hypothyroidism.
Adoptable Dogs and Cats in North Carolina
Now that you know how to protect your furry family member, find your next companion! Visit PetFinder to find adoptable dogs and adoptable cats in North Carolina.
Adoption shelters in NC
Whether you’re searching for a new cat or dog to add to your life, adoption shelters in North Carolina are ready to help! Check out one of them below and stop in to see all the good boys and girls ready for adoption.
The Humane Society of Charlotte
1348 Parker Dr, Charlotte, NC 28208
If You Live in North Carolina, Consider Insuring Your Pet
Whether you have an apartment kitty or an athletic lab who likes to have fun in the sun, your pet will typically need some form of veterinary care in their lifetime. A MetLife Pet Insurance plan can help offset the cost of care, especially when the bills get high.2 Get a free quote now so you can help your pet live a happy and healthy life.
