Why Filipino Pet Owners Need Insurance for Rainy Season Vet Visits

Protect your pets this rainy season with smart care tips and pet insurance in the Philippines. Avoid costly vet visits and rainy weather-related illnesses.

July 11, 2025
Product Guides, Reliable Guides, Reliable Resources

The rainy season is, more often than not, also a time of sickness for Filipinos due to the rain, flooding, and the accompanying stress we experience. What you might not know is that this is also a time for costly vet visits.

Pet care becomes more difficult during the wet season in the Philippines for several reasons, often leading to higher-than-average medical bills for our ailing fur babies. While any pet parent would readily say they’re willing to pay whatever it takes to see their pets get better, it doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg to provide proper medical attention.

Why Pets Get Sick During the Rainy Season

Why does healthcare for pets get harder at this time of the year? The short of it is that rain and floods drastically affect the living standards of our pets, many of which are not as resilient as we are when it comes to the challenges the season brings.

For example, while we might welcome the reprieve the rain gives from the heat of a Philippine summer, our pets could be in for some rougher times, as most breeds of common house pets don’t do well in colder temperatures. When temperatures drop below 30°C, it can cause discomfort to our pets. At worst, it can lead to hypothermia or worsen any existing conditions.

Another is that the weather and its effects - cold, damp surroundings - are perfect breeding grounds for diseases and agents that can adversely affect our pets. Respiratory diseases become more common during the rainy season for pets. While we might be mildly discomforted by a bout of the sniffles, it could be much harder for our pets and even lethal in some cases.

Leptospirosis is a common disease we are often warned about during the stormy part of the year, as all this water exposes us all the more to rat excrement. But just as we humans should be worried, it goes double for our pets. Another common waterborne disease for pets, especially dogs, is heartworm, caused by certain mosquito eggs in standing water.

If the weather causes our pets to be stuck indoors for some time, it could lead to issues regarding their behavior and general health. Pets used to going outdoors, especially to do their business, are unable to do so or experience great discomfort in this unusual situation. Thunderstorms are also a common occurrence during this season, and the very loud sounds can lead to anxiety issues akin to what happens during fireworks displays.

How to Protect Your Pets in Rainy Weather

Any of these factors and situations can easily lead to an unplanned visit to your vet. So, what can you do as a pet parent to minimize risks to your fur babies?

Minimize environmental hazards. Many pet health problems during the rainy season can be avoided by something as simple as making sure water containers are covered and pets aren’t allowed to wade in floodwaters. Dealing with mold and fungi buildup in your house due to water damage can be the difference between a healthy pet and costly vet visits.
Help your pet cope with the seasonal changes. While the change in routine is unavoidable, you can find ways to minimize seasonal impacts on your pets. Read up on various indoor enrichment activities and have safe, clean areas where they can stay for long periods of time, especially when thunderstorms arrive.
Diligence with their conditions. If your pet suffers from health conditions that get aggravated in wet weather, make sure your pet's medical kit is well-supplied with the necessary medicines and that their treatment, if any, is up to date. An ounce of prevention is just as effective as a pound of cure for pets as it is for humans.

Sometimes, the vet visit can’t be avoided. One of the best ways to minimize the financial impact is by getting pet insurance.

Why Pet Insurance Is Essential During the Rainy Season

Pet insurance works in almost the same way as coverage for us humans. Often, the differences are in the ailments and treatments covered and the premiums involved. Here’s a simple listing of features you can find in locally available basic plans:

Vet reimbursement. This is money you get back for your vet’s medical bills.
Vet access. The insurance helps ensure your pet can get the vet care they need when they need it.
Accident claims. A number of accidents per year involving your pet can be covered by your plan.

Most providers also have lists of add-on options, often increasing the range of illnesses covered, dental hygiene, medical care access during international travel, and even money out for incidents of petnapping.

Reliable Insurance offers pet insurance options tailored to your needs and those of your pet, regardless of breed or size. Check out our handy guide on pet insurance and give us a call so we can help you choose the best healthcare for your pets you can get.