Cat Insurance & Kitten Insurance (2024)

FAQs

Do I need insurance for my indoor cat? ›

Our figures show that illnesses account for more than 90% of claims – so whether your cat spends their time indoors or outdoors, having insurance is really important.

"You may enroll your dog or cat as early as 7 weeks of age," insurer Pets Best says. "Like children, young dogs and cats have the highest risk of accidents. And because their immune systems aren't mature, they're more susceptible to infectious diseases.

Cat insurance FAQs

Cat insurance helps you to cover the cost of veterinary treatment if your kitten gets injured or falls ill. It can also have additional benefits such as cover if your kitten dies or is put to sleep (if you paid for them) or if they injure someone or damage their property.

Indoor cats still need pet insurance

They may not be exploring the world outside, but they can still get into plenty of things, from toxic houseplants to hair ties. Plus, indoor cats are more prone to weight gain and associated medical conditions, such as arthritis and diabetes.

But without insurance coverage, the cost to treat unexpected pet emergencies can present a financial burden for the majority of pet parents — in fact, six out of 10 Americans have less than $1,000 in savings to spend in an emergency. In the worst cases, a pet medical emergency can lead to long-term expenses .

The annual limit you need will depend on your pet and your financial situation, but the MarketWatch Guides team recommends a minimum of $5,000 to $10,000 to cover an unexpected pet emergency or accident.

Ultimately, pet insurance can be helpful for many situations, especially if you want to reduce the stress and difficult decisions that can stem from unexpected vet bills. In general, you want to shop for pet insurance sooner than later so that it's more cost-effective, but even older pets can be insured.

Mixed-breed

Specifically, the North American Pet Health Insurance Association (NAPHIA) says, mixed-breed, spayed females come with the lowest premiums. Domestic shorthairs, a type of mixed breed cat, cost around $30 per month to insure or just $19 for an accident-only policy.

They should stay with their mothers until they're around 8-9 weeks (taking them away earlier than this can lead to problems with their behaviour).

Is it worth insuring an old cat? ›

In the same way cover can increase in price for older people, the cost increases for pet insurance for older cats too. Insurance is often measured on risk, and the older your cat gets, the more prone it is to develop conditions that it may need additional care. It's not just about serious conditions either.

A kitten's weight in pounds roughly corresponds to his age in months, and he will gain weight at a relatively predictable rate until about 5 months of age. As long as a kitten is in good body condition, you can safely guess that a 1-pound kitten is about 4 weeks old and a 3-pound kitten is about 12 weeks old.

Cat insurance covers eligible vet services that you pay for out-of-pocket, such as unexpected surgey, diagnostic testing, exam fees, prescription drugs, and more. There are three types of insurance plans for cats, each with different degrees of coverage: accident-only, accident/illness, and wellness plans.

A “comprehensive” pet insurance policy typically refers to an accident and illness plan with optional wellness coverage, but even the best pet insurance plan doesn't cover everything. All pet insurance plans exclude incurable pre-existing conditions.

They have their first set at nine weeks old and a second set when they're three months old. Kittens and cats usually need 'booster' vaccinations once a year, too. According to Catster, the first course of vaccinations can cost from around £44 up to £172, while the booster vaccinations can cost from £40 to £65.

Our most frequently asked questions on indoor cat health.

We get asked this question a lot and the answer is yes, despite them being only indoors we do still recommend treating your pet with parasite preventatives and keeping up to date with vaccinations.

You may think that cats have to go outside to be happy. But cats would disagree with you (and so would local birds!) Actually, close to two-thirds of owned cats live indoors either exclusively or for a majority of the time. Cats can live a happy and healthy life indoors with their families.

It is just plain wrong to assume that indoor-only cats don't really need proactive vet care, or that they will let you know if they are sick! Just as humans need regular visits to the doctor or dentist to prevent health problems or catch them early, all cats need proactive vet care to keep them healthy.

Cats often prefer to live alone, so think very carefully before getting another one. Most cats will be friendly with cats they grew up with, but they may not accept having to share your home with a new cat. If you do want to get another cat, you'll need to introduce them patiently and carefully.