Pumpkin Wellness Club: a new way for pet owners to save on vet care

Pumpkin Pet Insurance is a well-known company that has provided pet insurance policies for dogs and cats since 2020. Pumpkin covers pre-existing conditions (under very specific terms) and dental disease—two things that truly make it unique in the pet insurance sector. However, Pumpkin’s newest product doesn’t cover accidents and illnesses like pet insurance does.

On September 16, 2024, Pumpkin rolled out Pumpkin Wellness Club. Betterpet had the privilege of speaking to Pumpkin’s Chief Product and Growth Officer, Michael Landsberger, in a private interview ahead of the launch to answer some questions about the new program. He said, “Pumpkin Wellness Club is about helping pet owners save on routine care along with bringing them discounts with reputable pet brands.”

Pumpkin Wellness Club, offered as a standalone product, helps pet owners recover some of the money they spend on routine, preventative wellness. It provides reimbursement for care such as exams, vaccines, and fecal screenings. Unlike Pumpkin’s Preventive Essentials plan, you won’t have to purchase a Pumpkin pet insurance to access this coverage.

Pumpkin Wellness Club aims to be an affordable solution for pet owners to encourage them to follow through with routine care that helps our pets live longer, happier lives and could save a pet’s life down the road. Landsberger confirmed this in our interview saying, “regular preventive care improves the quality of a pet’s life immeasurably, and taking a proactive approach to pet health helps catch issues early, prevent costly emergencies, and ensures that our four-legged companions receive the care they deserve.”

Here’s a brief breakdown of what Pumpkin Wellness Club covers and why each is important:

• Exams and blood work. Yearly wellness exams and routine blood work help veterinarians spot problems sooner and monitor for changes. Early detection of some conditions (like diabetes and heartworm disease) can mean the difference between successful, easy treatment and long, complicated measures.
• Vaccinations. Vaccines can prevent diseases like parvovirus (dogs), panleukopenia (cats), and rabies with nearly 100% efficacy. Without them, your pet could face a horrible, painful death.
• Fecal testing. It might be gross, but checking your pet’s poop alerts veterinarians to potentially zoonotic parasites (those transferable to humans) your pet might be carrying. Treatment is usually pretty simple, but we know you’d rather not pick up any of these from your pet!
• Tick/Flea/Heartworm prevention. Keeping creepy crawlies away from your pet is important because they can spread a whole host of potentially life-threatening diseases. Not to mention, many of them can bite you too!
• Spay/Neuter surgery. An essential procedure for pet dogs and cats, spaying and neutering prevents unwanted litters and life-threatening diseases in later life such as prostate cancer, mammary cancer, and pyometra.
• Routine dental cleanings. Most cats and dogs need their teeth cleaned by the time they are two or three years old. Many have already developed some stage of periodontal disease at this point and may even need some teeth removed. To prevent this and keep your pet in tip-top shape, routine dental cleanings starting at around 18 months old can help prevent the need for extreme measures.

Only $14.95/month for cats and $19.95/month for dogs, the Essential Plan provides pet owners up to $260 back each year. The Premium Plan includes additional benefits like tick/flea/heartworm prevention and $150 back on spay, neuter, or dental procedures increasing the total reimbursement potential to $390 per year.

PawSupport—24/7 pet health helpline

Another special feature of Pumpkin Wellness Club is 24/7 support from real veterinary professionals. Club members can reach out via the “chat now” button in the dashboard and request a chat via phone, live chat, or video chat.

Betterpet tested this product and was able to reach a live, licensed veterinary technician in less than two minutes despite the promised time of “typically within 4 minutes.” According to Landsberger, this impressive response time and credible resource was designed to help take the burden off vet clinics that answer hundreds of calls every day from pet owners while ensuring those pet owners still get rock-solid advice. The estimated value of this service alone is more than $100/year.

While PawSupport can’t diagnose or treat your pet, they can let you know if it’s time to rush to the vet, advise on safe/unsafe human foods, instruct you on how to stop a broken toenail from bleeding, etc.

Discounts on top pet brands

Not only does Pumpkin Wellness Club put money back in your pocket for taking great care of your pet, but you’ll also receive special, significant discounts on pet brands that Pumpkin trusts. According to Landsberger, some discounts are even up to 60-70% off! Pumpkin has teamed up with well-known, reputable pet brands like Ollie, Embark, and more. Pumpkin estimates the value of these discounts at more than $100/year also!

Using Pumpkin Wellness Club is simple. Here’s how it works:

1. Choose your plan. Select the plan that fits your pet’s needs, starting at $14.95/month for cats and $19.95/month for dogs.
2. Visit any licensed vet. Go to any licensed vet in the US or Canada for eligible preventive services, like wellness exams, vaccines, or screenings.
3. Pay as usual. Pay for the services at your vet’s office and be sure to ask for an itemized invoice.
4. Submit your claim. Upload the invoice online to submit your claim.
5. Get reimbursed fast. Once approved, you’ll get reimbursed by check or direct deposit, often within 24 hours.

This process makes managing your pet’s preventive care easy and affordable. Pumpkin provided us with a simplified breakdown of the plans to show pet owners just how much they can save:

Before releasing Pumpkin Wellness Club to the public, Pumpkin provided trial periods to various users. Here’s what they had to say about the program:

Unlike many wellness plans that require purchasing a full insurance policy, Pumpkin Wellness Club stands out because it can be purchased as a standalone membership. This gives pet owners a more flexible, affordable option without the need to commit to traditional insurance, which can often come with higher premiums and unnecessary coverage.

With comprehensive preventive care, fast reimbursements, and additional perks like 24/7 access to PawSupport and discounts on popular pet brands, Pumpkin offers an easy way to save on routine care and keep your pet healthy.

This setup makes Pumpkin Wellness Club a practical solution for pet owners looking to manage preventive care costs while avoiding the financial burden of a full insurance policy.

Let’s compare Pumpkin Wellness Club to other products available:

Pumpkin Wellness Club provides a practical and affordable solution for managing your pet’s preventive care. This standalone membership covers essential services like wellness exams and vaccinations while offering valuable perks such as 24/7 PawSupport and discounts on top pet brands. With a straightforward reimbursement process and no need for traditional insurance, it’s an excellent choice for ensuring your pet receives comprehensive care while saving on costs.

Consider Pumpkin Wellness Club today—save money and support your furry friend’s health!