Can I get insurance for my senior dog or cat?

Yes, it's possible to get pet insurance for senior pets. However, coverage, costs, and eligibility will work differently. Your premium may be higher compared to what you'd pay with a younger pet. Insurers typically don't cover pre-existing conditions, but senior pet insurance may still help with accidents, illnesses, and chronic conditions. While many insurers don't have an upper age limit, some limit your pet's maximum age for enrollment. For example, if the insurer's maximum age limit is 10, you can't enroll your 11-year-old dog in their plan.

2 to readUpdated October 29, 2026

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Key takeaways

Insurance for senior dogs and cats may carry a higher premium because older pets typically have more health conditions
Pet insurance typically doesn't cover your pet's pre-existing conditions, so enrolling them earlier may reduce the chance that age-related conditions are excluded from coverage

What is considered a senior pet?

There's no precise definition of a senior pet, in part because each insurance company is free to define its own maximum age limits and price ranges based on age. There's also no clear definition biologically. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, both cats and dogs are often considered senior after age seven, but it may depend on the breed.

In general, PetMD outlines senior age ranges by cat or dog type:

Pet type	Senior age range
Toy/small dogs	Senior age range10 to 12 years
Medium dogs	Senior age range8 to 10 years
Large dogs	Senior age range8 to 9 years
Giant dogs	Senior age range6 to 7 years
Cats	Senior age range10 to 12 years

What does senior pet insurance cover?

Pet insurance for senior pets may cover a range of illnesses, medications, and treatments while excluding pre-existing conditions and routine care. Here's a breakdown of what may be covered and what's typically not:

What's covered	What's not covered
Accidents and emergency care	What's not coveredPre-existing conditions
Illnesses (including chronic conditions)	What's not coveredConditions showing symptoms during waiting periods
Diagnostics (e.g., bloodwork, X-rays)	What's not coveredRoutine care (unless you have a wellness add-on)
Surgery and hospitalization
Prescriptions and medications
Cancer treatment (policy-dependent)

Pro tip:

Purchasing pet insurance sooner rather than later may have benefits for many reasons, but for senior pet owners, there's one particularly important reason: pre-existing conditions. Pet insurance doesn't usually cover illnesses that exist before you buy a policy, so consider buying insurance before something develops, if possible. Get a pet insurance quote for your senior dog or cat.

Are age-related conditions like arthritis or cancer covered?

Comprehensive pet insurance coverage may help you pay for age-related conditions like cancer treatment for your dog or cat — as long as your pet doesn't develop cancer before you buy a policy. If your pet already has cancer, insurers consider it a pre-existing condition and will exclude it from coverage.

Coverage for pet conditions like cancer or arthritis also depends on your plan type. Accident-only pet insurance only covers accidental injuries, not the costs of cancer treatment. Make sure you understand how your coverage type works, so you know how your policy protects your pet in different health situations.

How much does senior pet insurance cost?

Pet insurance for older dogs and cats will likely be more expensive than a policy for a younger animal because older pets typically experience more age-related health conditions. It may also rise in cost every time you renew your policy due to the increased likelihood of filing a claim. Insurers also consider factors like your pet's breed and location to help set your premiums.

The average monthly cost of pet insurance through Progressive is $31.31 for dogs and $56.53 for cats.^* These averages include both younger and senior pets that qualify for coverage. Premiums for older pets may be higher than these figures, depending on additional factors like dog breed and location.

If monthly cost is a concern, look for flexible policies that offer the ability to customize your coverage limits, deductible, and reimbursement percentage to create a policy you can afford.

Is senior pet insurance worth it?

Yes, senior pet insurance may be worth it if your dog or cat is generally healthy and you want help with large or unexpected vet bills. If you're thinking about buying pet insurance for an older dog or cat, consider the following to see if it's worth it:

Life expectancy: Having an idea of how much longer you expect to have your pet can help you weigh the costs more effectively. Cats generally live longer than dogs (around 15 years, on average), while the life expectancy of dogs varies widely by breed. Tiny dogs like Chihuahuas can reach 15 or 20 years old, but the largest breeds, like Great Danes, have an average lifespan of only seven years.
Covered conditions: Most policies will cover accidents and acute illnesses (such as a respiratory infection), but senior pet owners should also prioritize comprehensive plans with coverage for common illnesses that show up with age, like organ (kidney/liver/heart) disease, cancer, and arthritis.
Quality of care/service: Make sure you'll be happy with the provider and policy you select in the long term. Switching companies later can be a problem due to coverage restrictions on pre-existing conditions. If you buy a policy and your pet later develops a covered condition, the policy may pay for eligible treatment, subject to its terms. However, if you switch after the condition develops, the new provider will probably see that condition as "pre-existing," and you may lose coverage.

If your pet has multiple pre-existing conditions that exclude them from coverage, these options may help you manage vet costs:

Personal savings: Setting aside money in an emergency fund can help cover unexpected vet bills.
Wellness plans: These aren't a substitute for pet insurance, but they can help cover routine and preventative care like annual exams, screenings, and vaccinations. They may have less stringent age requirements and can sometimes help you stay ahead of other health conditions.
Payment plans: Some vet clinics offer payment plans to help you spread care costs over time.
Financing options: Programs like CareCredit may help with larger vet expenses.
Pet discount plans: You may be able to access discounted rates on vet services, medications, or routine care through membership-based programs.
Telehealth services: Virtual consults can be a cost-efficient option for general questions or follow-ups. A telehealth call may even help you avoid in-person exam fees, depending on the circumstances.

FAQs about pet insurance for older cats and dogs

Does senior pet insurance cover euthanasia?

Accident-only and comprehensive accident and illness pet insurance plans may cover euthanasia if a vet recommends the procedure for a covered injury or illness. While most pet insurance policies don't cover burial and cremation costs, some plans may offer this benefit, so be sure to check your coverage details. Learn how to file a pet insurance euthanasia claim.

What is the maximum age to start a new pet insurance policy?

The older your pet, the more difficult it may be to find insurance. Pet insurers with maximum age limits for new policies often set them at 10 years old, so if your pet is older than 10, you'll want to look for a company with a higher age limit or no limit. When researching pet insurance age limits for senior dogs and cats, be sure to check the insurer's rules to understand if your pet qualifies.

How to choose the right plan for your senior pet

Comparing plans is a practical way to shop for a pet insurance plan. Consider these factors when you're looking for the best pet insurance options for senior pets:

Age limits: See what the maximum enrollment age is and whether coverage continues as your pet gets older.
Coverage caps: Check yearly, per-accident, or lifetime payout limits to make sure they meet your needs.
Deductibles and reimbursements: Compare how much the insurer reimburses with how much you'll pay out of pocket.
Optional wellness add-ons: You may choose to add coverage for routine care (i.e., checkups, preventive care, teeth cleanings, vaccines), if it's available.
Pre-existing condition exclusions: Look into how insurers define pre-existing conditions.
Waiting periods: Find out how long you'll wait before coverage begins.

Once you've compared and quoted a few plans, you may be ready to buy insurance for your senior pet. With Progressive, you can easily quote and buy coverage online or by phone: