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Key takeaways
- Pet benefits through your employer can help reduce what you spend on veterinary care
- Some employers offer more than one type of pet benefit, each serving a different purpose: pet insurance, wellness plans, and discount plans
- Choosing the right pet benefits starts with identifying key factors that determine both eligibility and fit
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Table of contents
- What are pet benefits?
- Understanding the types of pet benefits
- How to choose pet benefits
- Which pet benefits are right for you?
- Enrolling in pet benefits
- Pet benefits FAQ
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Every year, open enrollment brings a series of decisions. You’re comparing plans, weighing costs, and thinking about what you or your family might need in the year ahead. For pet parents, pet benefits through your employer are part of that picture too, yet they’re one of the most overlooked options on the list.
From pet insurance through work to wellness and discount plans, workplace pet benefits can help make veterinary expenses more manageable. Understanding how these options work can help you choose the right support for your pet's needs and your budget.
This open enrollment checklist breaks down how to choose pet benefits, what to look for when comparing plans, and the key factors to consider before enrolling.
What are pet benefits?
Pet benefits provided through your employer are intended to help you manage the costs and responsibilities of caring for a pet. Some of the pet benefits your employer might provide are pet insurance, pet wellness plans, and pet discount plans.
Each pet benefit serves a different purpose, from helping cover emergency veterinary expenses to reducing the cost of routine care and everyday essentials.
Why enroll in pet benefits through your employer
Pet care costs can quickly pile up between annual checkups, vaccinations, unexpected vet visits, and other bills. Pet benefits through your employer can help make these expenses more manageable, with potential access to coverage, savings, or services that aren't available elsewhere.
By easing some of the financial pressure of pet parenthood, the right pet benefit can help make it easier to keep up with care, address health concerns, and give your pet the support they need at every stage of life.
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🐾 Pet parent tip
Before enrolling, check whether your employer offers special pricing or group discounts. Pet insurance through work is often available at a lower cost than purchasing independently.
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Understanding the types of pet benefits
Pet benefits can look different from one employer to the next, and each option comes with its own costs, features, and eligibility requirements. Understanding these differences can help you compare what’s available and decide which option, or combination of options, offers the most value.
Pet discount plans
Pet discount plans are membership-based plans that give members access to reduced rates on eligible veterinary services at participating practices. For a monthly membership fee, you receive these instant discounts with no claims to file or reimbursements to wait for.
See the pet discount plan guide →
Pet insurance
Pet insurance helps cover the cost of care when your pet gets sick or injured. Most plans work on a reimbursement basis: you pay the veterinarian upfront, submit a claim, and get reimbursed for eligible care expenses based on your coverage.
Pet wellness plans
Pet wellness plans help manage the cost of routine and preventive care throughout the year. Rather than covering accidents or illnesses, they’re built around the care needed on a regular basis like wellness exams and vaccinations. Benefits are typically paid as reimbursements up to a set allowance.
See the pet wellness plan guide →
How to choose the right pet benefits
Choosing the right pet benefit starts with asking yourself a few key questions. Your pet’s age, health history, expected care needs, and budget all play a role in determining which option is the right fit. As you compare the benefits offered by your employer, use this open enrollment checklist to evaluate your options and find the right fit for your pet.
Open enrollment checklist: what to consider
Which pet benefits are right for you?
Not every employer offers the same mix of pet benefits. Some may offer pet insurance, while others provide wellness plans, discount plans, or a combination of options. Once you’ve considered your pet’s needs and your circumstance, compare what each benefit offers, how it works, and which costs it can help you manage.
Enrolling in pet benefits
Open enrollment is your opportunity to sign up for pet benefits through your employer and plan for your pet’s care costs in the year ahead.
Before the enrollment period closes, check your employer’s benefits platform or reach out to your HR team to confirm which benefits are available, when you can enroll, and when coverage begins. Some plans may also allow enrollment throughout the year.
To check if Wishbone pet benefits are available through your employer, use the employer finder tool to view your plans and get started.
Pet benefits FAQ
Who pays for my pet benefits?
Most pet benefits are voluntary, meaning employees pay for them. However, some employers contribute toward the cost or offer group discounts that can lower premiums.
What happens to my plan if I leave my company?
Your plan may continue after you leave, but it depends on the benefit and provider. Some plans allow you to maintain coverage or membership independently, while others end when your employment does.
Can I enroll in pet benefits outside of open enrollment?
Yes, some pet benefits allow enrollment year-round. Others have specific enrollment windows, so check your employer’s benefits platform for specific enrollment dates.
Can I enroll in more than one pet benefit plan?
Yes, if your employer offers multiple benefits and the plan terms allow you to combine them. Pet insurance and wellness plans are often combined for more comprehensive care coverage.
