Best cat insurance in Canada | Ranking 2025

Why take out pet insurance for a cat?

In Canada, cat owners face rapidly rising veterinary costs, with general care expenses increasing by more than +17% since 2020. The average annual outlay for a single cat—including food, litter, and routine medical needs—now reaches $2,075–$2,800 CAD. However, this figure can skyrocket in the face of accidents or chronic conditions: surgeries such as fracture repair typically cost between $1,000 and $4,000 CAD, and a single emergency visit can set an owner back $1,000–$3,000 CAD. Even everyday diagnostics like bloodwork or x-rays can cost $200–$800 CAD per use.

Cats are particularly susceptible to chronic issues like diabetes, kidney disease, dental problems, and breed-specific genetic conditions, especially in senior years (10+). Statistics show that while 77% of Canadian households have pets, only about 3% carry pet insurance, leaving most families fully exposed to sudden, often devastating, bills. With many insurers covering up to 80% of eligible claims and routine chronic care costs (e.g., insulin for diabetes at $100/month), pet insurance serves as a crucial financial safeguard that helps ensure quality veterinary care is always within reach—protecting both your cat's health and your budget in the face of life's unexpected events.

What's usually covered by cat insurance

For a cat in Canada, pet insurance typically reimburses several crucial types of medical care, directly matching the main health risks faced by felines at every age.
First, accident and emergency care is covered: if your cat jumps off a balcony and fractures a leg, insurers will frequently reimburse up to $2,000–$4,000 CAD of surgery or hospitalisation costs, after a 15-day waiting period for accidents.
Secondly, most policies cover diagnostic tests (bloodwork, X-rays, ultrasound)—an older cat displaying signs of kidney disease may need imaging and repeated blood panels costing $400–$800 CAD per year, with reimbursement levels between 70% and 90% (though caps per event or year may apply).
Finally, treatment for chronic illnesses such as diabetes, thyroid conditions, or dental disease is often included if the issue was not pre-existing; for example, insulin, medication, and follow-up visits for feline diabetes can reach $1,200–$2,400 CAD per year, much of which is returned to you depending on your plan’s structure.
In all these cases, the absence of coverage would leave cat owners bearing the full financial impact, and these expenses can be unpredictable and substantial. With basic plans, some annual service or per-condition limits apply, while premium options may have higher annual maximums or even offer unlimited reimbursement for covered care.

Pet Insurance Coverage Example: Emergency Surgery

Imagine your cat needs emergency surgery for a fractured leg costing $3,000 CAD. With a premium insurance plan that has a $200 deductible and 90% reimbursement, the process is simple: you pay the first $200 (the deductible), and the insurer covers 90% of the remaining $2,800—that’s $2,520 paid directly back to you. Your total out-of-pocket is only $480, while insurance covers $2,520. In scenarios where you’ve already paid your annual deductible (for example, through earlier claims), insurance would cover the full 90% of the procedure—meaning you pay nothing except your plan’s coinsurance, making comprehensive coverage truly powerful for unexpected, high-cost events.

What's not covered in cat insurance?

When considering pet insurance for your cat in Canada, it’s useful to understand that certain exclusions are typical, though the exact details can differ by provider.
Most insurers exclude pre-existing conditions, meaning any illness or injury diagnosed before your policy’s start date won’t be covered—an important consideration for senior cats or those already managing chronic diseases like diabetes or kidney issues.
Congenital and hereditary problems may also be excluded, which is especially relevant if you have a pedigree cat (such as Maine Coon or Persian) prone to recognised genetic conditions. Some everyday costs—like annual vaccines, routine check-ups, or dental cleaning—are often not reimbursed in basic plans, as insurers usually focus on unexpected illnesses and emergencies.
If your cat is older when you first apply, certain companies in Canada may restrict new policies, set higher premiums, or add exclusions for age-related ailments.
Waiting periods are standard: most policies won’t cover illness or accidents that arise within the first 15 days after enrolling.
It’s important to note that exclusions can vary, so always ask for a detailed list of what is and isn’t covered before choosing an insurer—this way, you can ensure your cat’s needs are properly protected while avoiding any disappointment down the road.

How much does pet insurance cost for a cat?

Monthly premiums for cat insurance in Canada are shaped by several key factors—these determine what you pay and how coverage levels are set for your companion.

• Age of the cat: Premiums are lowest for kittens and young adults, typically starting around $18–$24 CAD/month for a basic plan. After age 10, insurers often raise rates by 50–100%, and a 13-year-old cat can cost $45–$60/month for comparable coverage. Senior cats pose higher chronic risk, so price jumps reflect real veterinary data.
• Breed and genetic risk: Purebred cats such as Ragdolls or Maine Coons may have 20–30% higher premiums than Domestic Shorthairs, as they’re statistically more prone to hereditary illnesses. For example, a premium plan may cost $48/month for a Ragdoll, versus $36/month for a Domestic Shorthair.
• Pre-existing and chronic conditions: If your cat has been previously diagnosed with a chronic condition (e.g. diabetes), most plans will exclude that illness, but some premium insurers load premiums by 10–25% even for new conditions developing after policy start.
• Level of coverage: Basic plans (usually accident/illness only) average $19–$25/month. Adding dental, wellness, or chronic disease cover can raise the cost to $35–$55/month, as annual vet bills in Canada often exceed $2,000 for advanced care.
• Claims history and recent health events: Premiums typically rise by 10–15% the year following a major claim (such as surgery). If your cat had a $3,000 emergency surgery, your renewal cost may increase to reflect ongoing risk.
• Geographic location: Vets in urban centres like Toronto or Vancouver tend to charge more—owners in these provinces may pay $3–$5/month extra compared to rural areas, due to higher average claims costs.
• Multi-pet discounts and optional add-ons: Some Canadian insurers offer 5–10% off per cat if multiple pets are insured, but optional wellness packages (e.g. vaccination cover) are often priced separately, adding $10–$15/month.

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Daniel Clarke

Personal finance expert

Daniel is a Canadian personal finance expert passionate about making financial literacy more accessible to everyone. He holds a degree in Economics from the University of British Columbia and a Master’s in Financial Planning from York University. Before joining HelloSafe, he worked as a financial coach and content editor for a number of fintech platforms across Canada. At HelloSafe, Daniel writes clear and practical guides on insurance, credit, savings, and budgeting—always with the goal of helping readers make confident and informed money decisions.