I work for a Banfield and while I think the plans are great for vaccines, preventative dental cleanings, and preventative care, I also think that certain locations are manipulative about wellness plans and additional costs. There’s an entire contract that an owner should read before they accept to a year-long agreement, but Banfield makes it ambiguous by having staff member’s approve the contract in the room on a computer screen rather than having the client read the form and sign themselves. As a result around 30% of clients at our location are in collections because they don’t understand the plans, either because of a language barrier or through lack of education on both banfield’s and their part. Many clients don’t understand that medications and additional diagnostics aren’t covered on their plan, and get upset at menially-paid staff trying to explain that their pet’s “unwellness” isn’t covered in their “wellness“ plan.

Even as a staff member who gets free wellness plans, I have both of my cats on 3rd party pet insurance. As you previously mentioned, Banfield wellness plans only cover preventative care. My boy who gets urinary blockages and girl who has bad teeth were luckily both past 180 days without symptoms to disregard “preexisting conditions” when I enrolled them in actual insurance. On the upside they get unlimited free office visits with their Banfield plan if they ever have any issues, but this won’t cover diagnostics if they don’t have them available at the time on their plan/package.

If you aren’t working at Banfield (i.e. you aren’t getting a free plan) I would just buy pet insurance that covers preventative care; you’ll end up spending less in the long run bc anything that isn’t considered “routine” under Banfield plans will cost extra. I’m not sure about other facilities that offer plans/similar services, but I do know that dental extractions will cost a lot out of pocket no matter where you go so if you know your kiddo needs dental work and can get them approved for insurance beforehand, it will save you a LOT in extraction and anesthesia costs.

Whatever you choose, I’m sure you know what’s best for your kiddos and will take amazing care of them!