5 Best Pet Insurance Providers for Cats: Protect Your Feline's Health [2024]
Updated November 16, 2023.
Adopting a cat could help your mental health if you are lonely or stressed. According to the National Institute of Health, studies show that interacting with animals decreases the stress hormone cortisol, reduces feelings of loneliness, boosts mood, and has other health benefits.
Studies have linked the bond between people and pets with numerous health benefits in humans, such as lower blood pressure, more physical activity, better cognitive function in older adults, lower cholesterol, and decreased loneliness, anxiety, and PTSD. However, caring for a cat or dog can be expensive. Not only are there expenses you can budget for, but unexpected injuries and illnesses can result in costly vet bills. Getting a pet insurance policy minimizes your share of vet expenses.
Here are the five best pet insurance policies for cats.
5 Best Pet Insurance for Cats
1. Best Pet Insurance for Senior Cats
Senior cats, with their established personalities and calmer disposition compared to kittens, can make wonderful pets. While senior cats still need playtime, they are not as rowdy as young kittens. They require toys, a place to rest, and fresh food and water in an accessible location.
You can find pet insurance for older cats, but your options may be limited. Senior cats are more likely to struggle with heart disease, kidney disease, arthritis, and dental disease. MetLife pet insurance is the best pet insurance for senior cats.
Why We Picked It
MetLife offers comprehensive accident and illness policies, including coverage for emergency care, diseases, and injuries. Plus, it provides an optional preventative care package covering wellness exams, spaying/neutering, heartworm prevention medication, and vaccinations. Notably, MetLife also provides grief counseling, showing they understand the emotional toll of losing a beloved pet.
2. Best Affordable Pet Insurance for Cats
An unexpected accident or illness can cost thousands of dollars in vet bills. If you are on a tight budget, you may have to face tough decisions or cut vet expenses to save money. However, a pet insurance policy can cover surgeries, medication, and unplanned veterinary visits, and a wellness plan can reimburse you for routine vet check-ups and vaccinations for your cat. Lemonade pet insurance is the best affordable insurance for cats.
Why We Picked It
With sample premiums as low as $11 per month, Lemonade is a budget-friendly choice for cat owners. Notably, it offers a 5% multiple-pet discount, making it an excellent option for multi-cat households. Additionally, deductibles range from $100 to $500, allowing you to choose a lower deductible health insurance plan if your pet needs frequent treatment. As a bonus, policyholders can enjoy a 10% discount if they bundle their pet insurance with Lemonade's home, renters, or car insurance.
3. Best Pet Insurance for Kittens
Adopting a kitten is an excellent opportunity for a pet owner to take care of an animal early in life and shape its character. However, kittens are also a big responsibility. They need lots of attention, and curious kittens love to explore, so ensuring their safety is a priority.
Young kittens also need their initial vaccinations and spaying or neutering around four months old. All of these one-time expenses can add up. However, if you are looking for the best insurance for a kitten, you are in great hands with Pumpkin pet insurance.
Why We Picked It
Unlike some insurers, Pumpkin provides coverage for microchipping and hereditary conditions—benefits often excluded elsewhere. Additionally, they cover common behavioral issues in kittens, making it a prime choice for new kitten owners. Pets can enroll as early as eight weeks old.
4. Best Pet Insurance for Cats with Hereditary and Congenital Conditions
Owning a cat, whether purebred or mixed breed, can sometimes come with unanticipated health concerns due to hereditary or genetic conditions. These can vary widely from hip dysplasia to allergies, or even specific types of cancer. Concurrently, cats can also suffer from congenital conditions, abnormalities present at birth but not always immediately evident, including umbilical hernias or heart defects.
Why We Picked It
Embrace covers hereditary, genetic, and breed-specific conditions at no additional cost, making it an excellent choice for owners of breeds prone to certain disorders. They also don't impose additional waiting periods for these conditions, meaning you can get help managing these expenses sooner.
5. Best Pet Insurance for Unlimited Coverage
Unexpected situations can come up, and sometimes having unlimited coverage turns out to be the best option. For example, if your cat develops a condition that requires daily medication for the rest of his life and additional vet visits, that's a lot of unplanned expenses. In such a case, paying more and having unlimited coverage might be worth it. Fetch pet insurance is our choice for unlimited coverage.
Why We Picked It
Fetch offers a range of coverage limits, including an unlimited option. This means there's no annual limit to your reimbursement, which can be a lifesaver if your pet requires extensive care.
Choosing Peace of Mind
Owning a cat brings immeasurable joy, but also responsibility. With these top pet insurance options, you can protect your feline friend and enjoy peace of mind, knowing you're prepared for unexpected veterinary costs. Always consider your unique circumstances, your cat's breed and age, and your financial situation when choosing the best policy. Your cat is part of your family - ensure they get the best possible care with the right insurance.