Is Pet Insurance Worth It for Older Dogs and Cats?
Pet insurance seems like a no-brainer when you first get a puppy or kitten. Rates are typically at their lowest, and enrolling early helps lock in coverage before medical issues become part of their health history.
But that value proposition warrants a second look when it comes to an older pet.
On one hand, having insurance at a life stage when chronic illnesses are more likely can bridge the financial obstacles standing between your pet and the best care possible. A study by Money and Healthy Paws Pet Insurance found that 50% of pet owners with insurance are more likely to pursue all recommended treatment, regardless of cost, compared to 34% of pet owners overall.
On the other hand, pet insurance premiums can increase as your pet ages, even if you enrolled early.
Here's what you need to know.
Why older pets cost more to insure
Older pets cost more to insure because the number and severity of insurance claims tend to increase as pets get older. Illnesses like cancer, diabetes and arthritis are more likely to develop with age, and often require specialized care. Older pets are also more susceptible to orthopedic conditions like hip dysplasia and torn ligaments.
Those factors are reflected in what pet owners pay. In 2024, a Money price survey found that owners of ten-year-old dogs were quoted between $155 and $310 per month for an accident and illness policy, depending on the breed.
Rising veterinary costs have pushed premiums even higher in recent years. In 2021, the average pet insurance premium for a dog was about $52 a month. By 2025, that figure had climbed to nearly $70, according to the North American Pet Health Insurance Association (NAPHIA).
Buying pet insurance for a senior pet
Buying pet insurance later in your pet's life can be more complicated than enrolling a puppy or kitten. You're likely to be quoted higher premium rates, and pre-existing conditions (any symptom, injury or illness that happened before enrollment) aren't covered.
There are also fewer insurers that offer new policies for older pets. Those that do may set additional coverage limits, such as offering accident-only policies, reducing the maximum they'll pay in a year or excluding hereditary and congenital conditions.
Common joint problems like arthritis, hip dysplasia and torn ligaments, for instance, may be considered pre-existing conditions by the time a senior dog is enrolled, since the early signs of these conditions can appear months or even years before they're formally diagnosed.
“The early signs of joint issues are often detected by veterinarians long before they require additional care” says Dr. Dana Varble, DVM, CAE and Chief Veterinary Officer for North American Veterinary Community (NAVC) in an email to Money. “Those early notations are an essential part of your pet's medical record, but can also lead insurance companies to exclude coverage later on.”
Keeping coverage as your pet ages
As pets grow older, they're more likely to develop serious health conditions that require costly treatment.
Cancer is one of the clearest examples. About half of older pets develop the disease as they age, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Thanks to medical advances, there are more treatment options available than ever before, but they often come at a steep cost. For many pet owners, the prospect of facing thousands of dollars in diagnostics, chemotherapy or palliative care can change the way they weigh the cost of keeping pet insurance.
The challenge is that the years when pet insurance is most expensive often coincide with the years when pets are most likely to need it.
If your pet has been insured since they were young and the premiums still fit your budget, maintaining that coverage may be worthwhile. Should your pet develop a medical condition after you drop that coverage, a new policy typically won't cover it because it's considered pre-existing.
Buying insurance for a senior dog or cat for the first time involves a different set of tradeoffs. Weigh your pet's health, the coverage available and the cost of premiums against your ability to pay for unexpected veterinary care out of pocket. If pet insurance isn't the right fit, payment plans and other financing options can help manage the cost of care.
Never forget: they’re family, too. Make sure they’re protected!
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