[Today's guest post is all about being prepared! I didn't even know pet insurance existed when I first ended up at the emergency with Calvin. While it's a personal choice for every household, we're happy to share this submission full of great things to think about.]

Your dog is your best friend, and you’ll do anything to make sure they have a happy twinkle in their big brown puppy eyes. Whether you spoil them with fancy treats, bring them new toys every week or break your own rules and let it lounge with you on the sofa when the X Factor is on, you’d probably do anything for your dog.

In the same way, if your precious pup gets sick, or hurt, you’ll want to rush them straight to the animal hospital for the best treatment money can buy. Yet what happens if your money can’t really buy the best? Vet bills can make most jaws drop, and it’s unlikely you’ll have been prepared for your canine pal getting sick or injured. This is why it’s important to arrange pet insurance; so that you know if something happens, you can afford to get it sorted.

After all, even if your dog is super healthy, and well behaved, they are not immune to getting sick or hurting themselves. Each dog - and breed for that matter - has their own personality quirks which can sometimes get them into tricky situations. Daschunds, for instance, are notorious for eating things they shouldn’t; even taking them for a walk can lead to them chomping up someone’s leftover lunch on the ground. And next thing you know, your wee pooch has a belly ache! Some dogs can be extremely energetic and can literally run into trouble; others might simply be prone to getting a cold. At the end of the day, we’re always at risk of something happening to our health and the same goes for our furry friends.

Of course, as well as looking after medical bills, dog insurance covers other things too. What if you have to cancel your much-longed-for holiday because your dog falls ill before you go? Your insurance can cover some of the costs of your cancelled trip. And if your neighbour comes over to complain that your dog has used their mobile phone as a chew toy, you can be covered for that as well. There are loads of US and UK dog insurance providers who can offer a policy to suit your requirements, so you can enjoy life with your dog, without the stress of unexpected costs.