When it comes to pet insurance for older dogs, you may have many questions like ‘Can you even get insurance for an older dog?’, ‘Is it even worth it?’ ‘Will it cover their ever-growing list of "quirks" (like selective hearing when you call them inside)?’, etc. We’ll answer all of them for you.
To give you a small spoiler, though, yes, you can get insurance for an older pet. For deciding its worth, once you learn about the costs of treating the common medical conditions for them, you can decide for yourself.
Before we get to insurance for older pets, let us be on the same page when using the word ‘older’ for pets.
What is an Older Pet?
You can call a pet older when they’ve reached their senior years. While we often consider humans "old" around retirement age (60-65), a pet's senior status is more complex, since it depends on their species and breed.
Senior Dogs
Small breeds like Chihuahua, Dachshund, Yorkshire Terrier (under 20 lbs):10–12 years of age.
Medium breeds like Border Collie, Cocker Spaniel, Beagle (20–50 lbs): 8–10 years of age
Large breeds like Labrador, German Shepherd, Boxer (50–90 lbs): 7–8 years of age
Giant breeds like Great Dane, Saint Bernard, Mastiff (90+ lbs): As early as 5–6 years of age
Senior Cats
Breeds like Domestic Shorthair, Siamese, Ragdoll, etc. can be called senior at the age of 10-12 years
Others like Persian, Maine Coon, Russian Blue, etc., go into the senior category at the age of 15+.
Do you need Pet Insurance for Older Pets?
Some people may think that getting pet insurance for older pets might not be worth it, but older pets can often develop certain health conditions that can be expensive to treat. Some of the most common medical conditions in older pets include:
Eye problems like degeneration of the cornea, glaucoma, cataracts
Autoimmune diseases
Dental illnesses
Kidney disease
Diabetes
Hyperthyroidism
Hip dysplasia
Cancer
Arthritis
Heart disease
Can you get Pet Insurance for Older Pets?
We know how important pet insurance can be during your pet's golden years and do not want those years to be filled with financial stress if your pet falls sick. With a Spot plan, dogs up to age 12 and cats up to age 13 can enroll. Pets that enroll before reaching these ages can keep their coverage as they get older.
Are there any Cons to getting Insurance for Older Dogs?
There are multiple benefits of getting pet insurance for an older pet. Peace of mind is the biggest one. However, certain terms and conditions come along with policies for senior pets. They include –
Exclusion of pre-existing conditions
Higher premiums because the risk of the pet getting sick is also higher
Some policy exclusions like dental care, physical therapy, behavioral treatments, or exam fees.
It is advised to read the policy document carefully, as exclusions can vary from insurer to insurer.
Is Pet Insurance for Older Pets Worth It?
With Spot Pet Insurance plans, you can get help covering the eligible costs of alternative therapies, prescription diets, specialist vet visits, and more.
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 travelling 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.
Learn more about dog insurance or get a free quote!
The resident animal enthusiast at Spot. I have a lifetime of pet parent experience. If it has fur, feathers, or scales, I’ve probably shared my home with it. I aim to be a reliable source, blending experience with a dedication to the well-being of pets.
Turner, A. (2018, April 10). 5 common — and costly — conditions that can send your pet to the vet. CNBC. https://www.cnbc.com/2018/04/09/common--and-costly--conditions-that-can-send-your-pet-to-the-vet.html
Hospital, E. C. V. (n.d.). Radioactive iodine (I131) treatment for hyperthyroid disease | Exclusively Cats Veterinary Hospital, Waterford, MI, USA. Exclusively Cats Veterinary Hospital. https://www.ecats.vet/radioiodine-i131-treatment.pml
How Much Does Chemotherapy Cost for Dogs and Cats? (2021, January 23). https://www.carecredit.com/well-u/pet-care/cat-and-dog-chemotherapy-cost-and-financing/
Wag. (2016, September 16). Heart disease in cats. Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, Recovery, Management, Cost. https://wagwalking.com/cat/condition/heart-disease
Falk, T. (2022, December 12). Common health problems in elderly dogs. https://wagwalking.com/wellness/common-health-problems-in-elderly-dogs
