The average cost of pet insurance for dogs in Canada is about $89.18, and for cats, it’s about $45.866. It can vary based on your location, pet breed, coverage, pet’s age, medical history, etc.
What is Pet Insurance?
Dogs might seem invincible, able to battle the world, chew up furniture, and even swallow socks without a hitch. And we've all heard that cats have nine lives. While we wish these were true, our pets can get injured or sick, sometimes severely.
Vets can work wonders to help your beloved companion, but when a serious injury or illness strikes, the treatment costs can skyrocket. These unexpected bills can put a significant strain on your savings. That's where pet insurance steps in to help.
How does pet insurance work?
A typical pet insurance claim looks like this:
You take your puppy to the vet for an ailment.
You pay the bill.
You submit a claim to your pet insurance company, which must include a copy of your puppy’s medical record and a copy of the vet’s invoice.
After the pet insurance company reviews the claim, and if the issue is covered by the policy you have opted for, the company will send you a reimbursement based on your reimbursement percentage.
What Affects Pet Insurance Prices?
Multiple factors can affect your pet insurance premiums, including:
Pet breed: Some breeds are more prone to certain health issues than others. For example, GDV or gastric dilation volvulus is common in breeds like your Great Dane and German Shepherd. Bull Terriers, Cocker Spaniels, and Boxers are said to be more prone to kidney problems. For such breeds, the insurance cost may be higher2,3.
Age of your pet: As pets get older, just like people, their risk of injury or illness goes up. This means that pet insurance prices typically increase with your pet's age.
Location: Vet expenses tend to be higher in cities, which means your insurance premiums might be higher too.
Coverage type: The cost of your pet insurance depends on the coverage you choose. For example, a plan that only covers accidents will be less expensive than one that includes both accidents and illnesses. If you decide to add preventive care (like routine check-ups or vaccinations), your premium will be higher.
Deductible and reimbursement rates: Your deductible is a set amount you pay, no matter the total vet bill. Once you've paid that deductible, your pet insurance provider will then reimburse you for a percentage of the remaining costs, based on the rate you chose.
Keep in mind: If you pick a higher deductible amount and a lower reimbursement rate, your monthly premium will be lower. Conversely, choosing a lower deductible and a higher reimbursement rate will lead to higher premium costs.
Is Pet Insurance Worth it?
According to Rover, 45% of Canadian dog parents are worried about the long-term cost of caring for their dog, and it’s easy to see why. In recent years, the cost of veterinary services has increased significantly, with routine expenses like office visits, preventatives, and vaccinations rising by up to 50%4.
In addition to routine care, sudden illnesses or injuries can result in significant veterinary bills. Below are the average costs for several common treatments for pets:5
Cancer treatment - $4,000
Diabetes - $1,600-$2,900
Kidney disease - $1,318
Heart murmur - $1,140
Hernia - $700-$2,500
Urinary tract infection - $1,053
There are several others that can cost four digits for the treatment.
FAQs
Why is dog insurance more expensive than cat insurance? Dogs are more active and hence, more prone to injuries than cats. Many dog breeds are prone to health conditions that can be expensive to treat, like hip dysplasia or heart disease. And their larger size often requires higher doses of medication or anesthesia, increasing treatment costs.
What is not covered by pet insurance? Pet insurance plans do not cover pre-existing conditions or cosmetic surgeries. Base-level plans do not cover preventive treatments like dental cleaning and routine vet visits.
Can I get insurance for an older pet? Not every insurer allows insurance for dogs or cats after a certain age. At Spot Pet, there are no age limits for pets to get insurance.
More About Spot Pet Insurance
Spot accident and illness plans can be used with any licensed vet in Canada or the U.S. Whether you are home or traveling to the U.S., veterinary services your pet receives for the diagnosis, treatment, or management of covered conditions can be eligible for reimbursement. Spot’s accident and illness plans can help cover a variety of conditions including broken bones, lacerations, aggression, kidney disease, diabetes, and more. With the addition of Wellness Riders for an extra cost, you can also receive reimbursements for wellness exams, certain vaccinations, dental cleanings, and more.
To learn more about Spot plans or get a free quote, click here.
As Spot’s resident cat enthusiast, I am dedicated to researching and sharing information that helps pet owners take the best care of their pets. Pet ownership comes with it’s share of challenges, but my goal is to help make this journey easier.
BrokerLink. “How Much Is Pet Insurance?” BrokerLink, 22 Mar. 2023, www.brokerlink.ca/blog/how-much-is-pet-insurance.
Gastropexy | VCA Animal Hospitals. (n.d.). Vca. https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/gastropexy
Chronic kidney disease in dogs. (n.d.). PDSA. https://www.pdsa.org.uk/pet-help-and-advice/pet-health-hub/conditions/chronic-kidney-disease-in-dogs
“Cost of Dog Parenthood in Canada | Rover.com.” The Dog People CA, 2025, www.rover.com/ca/blog/cost-of-dog-parenthood/.
How much does a vet visit cost? Average pricing by procedure. (2024, August 5). https://www.carecredit.com/vetmed/costs/
“Average Premiums - NAPHIA State of the Industry Report.” NAPHIA, 22 Apr. 2025, naphia.org/industry-data/section-3-average-premiums/.
