Many pet owners purchase pet insurance for their cats. Pet health insurance companies write policies that work like human health insurance does.

The owners pay a monthly or annual premium and submit claims as she incurs vet bills. After fulfilling the deductible requirements (which vary based on the policy and the amount of coverage), the owner reimbursed for a percentage of her expenses.

Before buying a policy, research the insurance company ( to make sure they are legitimate and have a reliable reputation) and read the policy carefully so that you know what you are buying.

It should explicitly state what veterinary services (such as spaying or neutring, dental care, lab costs, vaccinations or emergency treatments) and procedures are covered and which ones are not covered. If you are interested in buying a policy for your cat, ask your vet to recommend a reputable agency that specializes in this type of insurance.

Feline Respiratory Disease Complex or FRDC includes upper respiratory infections such as colds, flu, and feline pneumonia. Symptoms include discharge from the eyes and nose and sneezing. Feline pneumonia is a contagious bacterial infection that can be passed from cat to cat. Symptoms include congestion, difficulty breathing, sneezing, coughing, fever, shortness of breath, and yellow or green nasal discharge. It is common in kittens and older cats and should be treated by a veterinarian.

Feline Urologic Syndrome (FUS) or Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD) is a serious problem. A cat with FUS or FLUTD could be suffering from bladder or urethral stones or blockages. Symptoms include crying when trying to urinate, urine retention, inability to urinate or straining while trying to urinate, blood or pus in the urine, a hard, full bladder, and constant licking of the genital area.

Because the cat cannot urinate, high levels of deadly toxins build up in his blood. An acute blockage can lead to uremic poisoning and can be fatal if not treated within 48 hours.

Urinary tract infections (UTI) have similar symptoms (difficulty urinating, bloody urine or urinating outside the litter box) and often affect males. Cystitis is an inflammation of the lining of the bladder. The obstruction prevents the cat from urinating and causes FUS. It is common in older cats, and approximately 1 to 2 percent of the feline population suffers from it. If your cat has any of these symptoms or trouble urinating, take him to the vet immediately.