Exploring smoll® Care as an Alternative
When it comes to caring for your furry companion, pet insurance often feels like the smart choice—especially when emergencies happen. But for many pet parents, that monthly premium only kicks in when things go wrong. What about the everyday needs of your dog or cat—the vaccinations, parasite control, routine vet visits, dietary advice, nail trimming, and everything in between?
That’s where many pet owners are starting to look beyond traditional insurance, exploring options like wellness plans and other alternatives to pet insurance. One of the most accessible and pet-parent-friendly of these is the Smoll® Care wellness plan. But before we dive into what that is and how it works, let’s unpack why insurance alone might not be enough—and why a day-to-day care approach might actually give you better peace of mind and better value.
The Limitations of Traditional Pet Insurance
First, let’s be clear: pet insurance can be incredibly useful in emergency situations. If your dog swallows a sock and needs surgery, or your cat develops a sudden illness, an insurance policy can potentially save you thousands of dirhams in out-of-pocket expenses.
But here’s the catch: many pet insurance plans don’t cover preventive care or routine wellness. That means if your dog needs a dog vaccination, a dental cleaning, or monthly flea and tick medication, you’re likely still footing the bill. The same goes for cat vaccinations, check-ups, nail trims, ear cleanings, and even nutrition consultations.
Most policies also come with deductibles, waiting periods, and pre-existing condition exclusions. And in the UAE, many pet parents are surprised to learn that very few clinics work directly with insurers, so you’ll likely be paying upfront and getting reimbursed later—if your claim is approved.
A Growing Gap in Pet Care
This leaves a significant gap in the pet care journey. While insurance is there to help when things go wrong, who’s helping when you just need to keep things going right?
That’s where alternative pet insurance models—like wellness plans—step in. These are built for proactive care, not just reactive treatment. And in many cases, they actually encourage better health outcomes and fewer emergencies.
Enter Smoll® Care: A Smarter Way to Stay on Top of Pet Wellness
Smoll® Care is a monthly wellness plan designed specifically for pet parents in the UAE who want to stay ahead of health issues, not just react to them. It works as an alternative to pet insurance, offering access to real-time expert advice and support for all the day-to-day questions and needs that come with being a responsible dog or cat owner.
Let’s break down how it works and why it’s gaining popularity fast.
What You Get With Smoll® Care
Smoll® Care gives you unlimited access to wellness experts, so you can ask anything—from “Can I give my dog this treat?” to “Is it time for my cat’s booster shot?”
Here’s what’s included:
Unlimited wellness calls with licensed veterinary professionals
Vaccination reminders and help choosing the right clinic
Price comparison across trusted vet clinics in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and more
Tailored care plans for your pet’s age, breed, and lifestyle
Support during non-emergency issues like diarrhea, limping, scratching, behavioral concerns, and diet questions
Real-time help deciding whether a clinic visit is necessary
It’s like having a pet nurse in your pocket—without the pressure to rush to the clinic for every small concern.
Why Wellness Plans Work
Wellness plans like Smoll® Care aren’t here to replace insurance completely, but rather to fill in the gaps. They give pet owners the support they need to:
Prevent small problems from becoming big ones
Reduce unnecessary vet visits
Keep pets on track with essential care like dog vaccination and deworming
Feel confident in everyday decisions
The result? A healthier pet, fewer surprises, and lower lifetime vet bills.
The Economics of Prevention
Just like with humans, prevention is far cheaper than cure. A consistent routine of cat vaccinations, annual check-ups, parasite prevention, and good nutrition can dramatically reduce the risk of serious illness.
Smoll® Care members consistently report better outcomes and fewer emergency vet visits—because they’ve stayed ahead of problems before they got out of control.
Real-Life Examples of Smoll® Care in Action
To better understand how this works in practice, here are a few real scenarios from Smoll® Care users:
1. The “Is This Normal?” Call
Sarah in Dubai noticed her dog scratching more than usual. Instead of Googling symptoms and stressing herself out, she called a Smoll® Care expert. Within minutes, she had a plan: change the shampoo, monitor for 48 hours, and avoid a clinic visit unless it worsened.
→ Outcome: No clinic visit, problem solved at home, stress-free.
2. Vaccination Planning Without the Guesswork
Ahmed just adopted a rescue cat in Abu Dhabi. He had no idea what vaccines were due or where to go. A Smoll® Care expert reviewed the cat’s records, provided a list of necessary cat vaccinations, and helped book the most affordable, well-rated clinic nearby.
→ Outcome: Peace of mind, no unnecessary spending.
3. Comparing Vet Quotes for a Dental
Lara’s older dog needed a dental cleaning, but prices ranged wildly—from 800 to 1,800 AED. Smoll® helped her compare multiple trusted clinics, confirm what was actually needed, and make a booking within her budget.
→ Outcome: Saved 600 AED, avoided upselling.
What Smoll® Care Isn’t
Smoll® Care isn’t pet insurance. It won’t pay for surgery or reimburse you for major illness. Instead, it helps you avoid those situations in the first place—or at the very least, reduce their frequency.
It also isn’t a subscription that locks you into a single clinic. You’re free to choose your vet, compare prices, and decide based on your needs. Smoll® simply gives you the guidance and support to make informed choices.
Who Is Smoll® Care For?
If you’re the kind of pet parent who:
Wants proactive, affordable care
Values expert advice over random internet searches
Prefers not to run to the vet for every sneeze
Likes knowing exactly what a visit or treatment will cost
Feels overwhelmed by vaccination schedules, flea treatments, or food options
…then Smoll® Care was designed for you.
It’s especially useful for:
New pet parents who are still learning the ropes
Multi-pet households juggling multiple needs
Elderly or anxious pets who struggle with clinic visits
Expats unsure about UAE veterinary pricing and services
How Much Does It Cost?
Smoll® Care plans start at 49 AED per month, with no lock-in contracts and no hidden fees. That’s less than the price of a coffee per week—and it could save you hundreds, if not thousands, over the course of your pet’s life.
Unlike pet insurance, there’s no deductible, no paperwork, and no delay. You simply open your chat or make a call and speak to a real person who understands animal care.
Final Thoughts: Insurance + Wellness = Complete Care
In an ideal world, pet insurance and wellness plans would go hand-in-hand. Insurance helps when the worst happens. But Smoll® Care keeps the worst from happening in the first place.
So if you already have insurance, consider adding a wellness plan like Smoll® to cover the everyday. And if insurance seems too expensive or unreliable, Smoll® might be the best alternative to pet insurance available in the UAE today.
Because at the end of the day, what your pet really needs isn’t just coverage—it’s care.
Ready to try it?
Join hundreds of pet parents across the UAE who are already using Smoll® Care to stay on top of vaccinations, routine care, and all the little questions in between.
Visit smoll.care to get started.