5 Best Pet Insurance Providers for Dogs: Protect Your Pooch's Health [2025]
Ensure a happy and healthy life for your dog with the right pet insurance plan
Updated November 30, 2023.
Pet insurance has become the go-to solution for pet owners looking to ease the sting of high vet bills. Industry reports put the cost of an emergency visit to the vet anywhere from $1,600 to over $10,000—a number not every pet owner can afford.
Pet insurance policies can help ease the financial burden, so you can be sure your dogs get the care they need without having to worry about your bank account. A survey conducted by the North American Pet Health Insurance Association showed that 4.8 million pets are insured in the US today, up from 3.9 million in 2021. If you’re not part of this number, you probably should be.
Here are our five top picks of pet insurance companies for dogs:
5 Best Pet Insurance Providers for Dogs
- Best pet insurance for multiple dogs - MetLife
- Best pet insurance for senior dogs - Pumpkin
- Best pet insurance for a new puppy - Embrace
- Best affordable pet insurance for dogs - Lemonade
- Best pet insurance with unique benefits for dogs - Fetch
We've reviewed the top pet insurance providers, highlighting their key offerings, considerations, and notable pros and cons. This guide aims to simplify your search, empowering you to make a well-informed choice for your canine companion's health coverage.
Making the Right Choice
Securing the health of your dog involves choosing the best affordable pet insurance. With an array of options offering varied features and benefits, it's crucial to compare policies and ask plenty of questions before making your decision. Whether you're welcoming a new puppy, ensuring your senior pooch's golden years, or providing for a multi-dog household, always ask lots of questions and compare policies before signing on the dotted line.
» Learn more about common dog illnesses
1
MetLife Pet Insurance
Multi-dog household champion
Waiting Period
Midnight EST for accidents; 14 days for illness coverage
Age restrictions
None
Maximum annual coverage
$1,000 to $25,000
Plans available
Accident and illness; Wellness
Brief overview
Multi-pet insurance is a great choice for homes with several dogs because it bundles coverage, often comes with discounts, and makes document management a lot easier (all policies will now have the same renewal date).
MetLife shines in this arena, offering both preventative and wellness care coverage. Often named the best pet insurance for English and French Bulldogs for its comprehensive coverage of breed-specific health issues, MetLife is a great way to ensure your pooches receive the best care available.
Why we chose MetLife
The joys of owning multiple dogs come with a big downside: lots more expenses. This not only means buying more toys and food but also more visits to the vet.
MetLife simplifies insuring multiple pets, offering a bundle that covers up to three pets. This streamlined approach saves you money and makes the process less daunting. Furthermore, MetLife’s policy can be tailored to fit your pets' needs, considering factors like age, breed, and pre-existing conditions when determining your monthly premium.
Pros and cons
Up to three pets under one policy
No waiting period; accident coverage starts immediately
Coverage for holistic and alternative care included
No sample policies on the website
2
Pumpkin Pet Insurance
Senior dog specialist
Waiting Period
14 days for accidents and illnesses
Age restrictions
Minimum 8 weeks old; No upper age limit
Maximum annual coverage
$7,000 to unlimited
Plans available
Accident and illness
Brief overview
As dogs age, they face a higher risk of injuries and breed-specific conditions, often incurring larger vet bills. Pumpkin Pet Insurance stands out as a superb choice for dogs reaching their golden years because their comprehensive policy covers all types of accidents and illnesses, as well as alternative and advanced therapies like acupuncture and stem cell therapy.
In addition, Pumpkin does not have an upper age for enrollment, which means all senior dogs are accepted.
Why we chose Pumpkin
Pumpkin stands out because of its commitment to older pets. The provider has no upper age limits for enrollment and does not limit coverage for senior dogs. Senior dogs qualify for their 90% reimbursement rate, so you can make the most of your policy.
Pumpkin will stay at your side towards the end of a pet's life journey too. During that difficult time, Pumpkin supports dog owners by covering end-of-life services, including euthanasia when medically necessary, cremation, and burial services.
Pros and cons
No lifetime limits
90% reimbursement rate for all plans
10% discount for each additional pet
No coverage for most pre-existing conditions
3
Embrace Pet Insurance
New puppy's best friend
Waiting Period
14-day waiting period for illnesses; 48 hrs waiting period for accidents; 180-day for orthopedic injuries, reducible to 14 days with a vet exam
Age restrictions
Minimum 6 weeks old; Up to age 14, accident and illness coverage; Age 15+, only accident coverage
Maximum annual coverage
$5,000 to unlimited
Plans available
Accident and illness; Accident-only; Wellness
Brief overview
Welcoming a new puppy into your family is a fun event—but also an expensive one. Raising a healthy, happy puppy comes with a lot of expenses: high-quality puppy food to support their development, grooming and training sessions, toys, and even boarding costs if you need to travel and your furry friend can’t tag along.
Embrace Pet Insurance offers comprehensive policies that cover accidents and illnesses, but also routine care and vaccinations through their Wellness Rewards program so your pup can thrive without the costs becoming overwhelming.
Why we chose Embrace
We think new puppy owners will love Embrace Pet Insurance because of its extensive wellness coverage. It covers puppy vaccinations, preventive treatments, and even microchipping—which ensures your puppy stays healthy from the get-go but also provides peace of mind if they ever get lost. This comprehensive feature is perfect for those searching for the best pet insurance for huskies, considering their unique health needs.
Pros and cons
Covers curable pre-existing conditions
Accident-only plan for pets 15+
Customizable plans
No coverage for prescription food and supplements
4
Lemonade Pet Insurance
Quality meets affordability
Read the reviewWaiting Period
2 days for accidents; 14 days for illnesses
Age restrictions
Minimum 2 months old; Maximum age limits vary by breed
Maximum annual coverage
$5,000 to $100,000
Plans available
Accident and illness; Wellness
Brief overview
You don't have to spend a lot of money to get quality pet insurance. We like Lemonade because it provides wide-ranging coverage coupled with highly customizable policies, so you can choose a plan that fits your budget without compromising quality.
Why we chose Lemonade
Lemonade is our favorite wallet-friendly pet insurance company for many reasons. While the company offers some of the cheapest monthly premiums for dogs, it also provides full coverage for accidents and illness through its basic policy. This makes it a particularly good choice as the best pet insurance for German Shepherds—or any breed that has a potential for expensive breed-specific health issues.
With Lemonade, you can tailor your pet's coverage in many ways, including adjusting the deductible, reimbursement level, and annual limit so you can end up with a plan you can afford.
Pros and cons
Affordable rates
Best insurance for preventive care
Donates a portion of premiums to non-profit organizations
Not available in all states
5
Fetch Pet Insurance
Coverage beyond health
Waiting Period
15 days for accidents and illnesses; 6 months for hip and knee injuries, waivable with a vet exam within first 30 days of policy
Age restrictions
Minimum 6 weeks old; No upper age limit
Maximum annual coverage
$5,000 to unlimited
Plans available
Accident and illness
Brief overview
Most pet insurance companies tend to cover the same things, such as accidents and various illnesses. Because of this, you might have a hard time finding coverage for unique situations your dog might find himself in.
Insurance policies that include extras and special benefits are great to gain peace of find in unexpected situations. When you're dealing with a lost pet or have a health crisis yourself, knowing your pet insurance is there to help will make a big difference. Fetch is a good example of a pet insurance company that really covers everything.
Why we chose Fetch
When it comes to coverage that extends beyond just health, we love Fetch Pet Insurance. Fetch covers some unique situations, such as paying up to $1000 for advertising and reward money if your furry one goes missing and up to $1000 in boarding fees if you have to be hospitalized and cannot care for your dog. With Fetch, you also get coverage for chiropractic care, behavioral therapy, and acupuncture.
Pros and cons
Covers dental injuries and diseases
Includes holistic treatment options and sick exam fees
Discounts available for rescued or adopted pets from a shelter
No accident-only plans or wellness coverage
Ensuring Furry Wellness
DailyTails is your go-to hub for all things pet care. From top pet insurance providers to insights on diet, behavior, and training for dogs and cats, it's your ultimate guide to holistic pet well-being. Dive into expert advice and navigate the world of pet ownership with confidence!
» Find out why pet insurance is worth it
FAQs
Does pet insurance cover surgery?
Yes, pet insurance in the US can cover surgeries for your pets. The coverage for surgeries can vary depending on the specific pet insurance policy you choose. Pet insurance plans may cover medically necessary surgeries, including emergency surgeries and some preventative procedures.
What age is best to get pet insurance?
The best age to get pet insurance for your pet is when they are young and healthy. It is generally recommended to enroll your pet in insurance at a young age, ideally before they develop any pre-existing conditions. By getting insurance early, you can take advantage of lower premiums and ensure that your pet is covered for any unexpected illnesses or accidents that may occur in the future.
What is the average cost of pet insurance for dogs?
The average cost of pet insurance for dogs is around $49 per month for plans that cover both accidents and illnesses, according to the North American Pet Health Insurance Association. However, it's important to note that the actual cost can vary depending on factors such as the breed, age, location, and the level of coverage chosen.