Written by: WaggyLane Editorial Team
Reviewed for accuracy by: Insurance Research Team

Can You Get Pet Insurance for Older Pets?

A Complete, Honest Guide for Senior Dogs & Cats (2025)

One of the most common questions pet owners ask often with a sense of urgency is:

“Can you still get pet insurance for older pets?”

The short answer is yes, sometimes.
The long answer is it depends and expectations matter more than ever.

Unlike puppies and kittens, senior pets live in a very different insurance reality. Premiums are higher. Coverage is more limited. Exclusions are more common. And the value of insurance depends heavily on what your pet’s medical history already looks like.

This guide exists to give you a clear, honest, and practical answer, not a sales pitch.

By the end of this article, you’ll understand:

Whether senior pets can still qualify for insurance
How “senior” is defined by insurers
What coverage older pets can realistically get
Why many claims are denied for senior pets
When insurance still makes sense and when it doesn’t
Smart alternatives if insurance isn’t the right fit

What Is Considered an “Older” Pet in Insurance Terms?

There is no universal definition of a senior pet, but most insurers use age ranges like these:

Dogs

Small breeds: 8–10+ years
Medium breeds: 7–9+ years
Large breeds: 6–8+ years

Cats

Typically considered senior at 9–10+ years

This matters because eligibility, pricing, and coverage options change significantly once a pet reaches these age ranges.

Can Older Pets Still Get Pet Insurance?

The Honest Answer: Yes But With Conditions

Many pet insurance companies do allow enrollment for older pets, but:

Fewer companies accept new senior enrollments
Plan options may be limited
Premiums are higher
Exclusions are more extensive

Some insurers impose maximum enrollment ages, while others allow enrollment at any age but restrict coverage.

Why Insuring Older Pets Is More Complicated

Pet insurance works best when it covers future, unpredictable risk. With older pets, insurers face:

Higher likelihood of illness
Higher frequency of claims
Greater chance of chronic conditions
More extensive medical histories

As a result, insurers protect themselves by:

Raising premiums
Limiting coverage
Strictly enforcing pre-existing condition rules

This doesn’t mean insurance is useless for older pets it means expectations must be realistic.

Pre-Existing Conditions: The Biggest Barrier for Senior Pets

If there is one issue that defines senior pet insurance, it’s pre-existing conditions.

What Counts as a Pre-Existing Condition?

A pre-existing condition is:

Any illness, injury, or symptom noted before coverage starts
Anything documented in veterinary records
Even unresolved or “monitored” issues

For senior pets, this often includes:

Arthritis
Heart disease
Kidney disease
Dental disease
Diabetes
Allergies
Thyroid disorders

Once a condition is pre-existing, insurance will not cover it, regardless of age or provider.

Why This Matters So Much for Older Pets

Most senior pets already have at least one documented condition. That means:

Insurance will not help with that condition
Future related care is often excluded
The policy mainly applies to new conditions only

This is where many owners feel disappointed not because insurance “failed,” but because expectations weren’t aligned.

What Coverage Can Older Pets Still Get?

Even with exclusions, senior pets can still be covered for new issues.

Typically Covered (If Not Pre-Existing)

Accidents (falls, injuries, trauma)
New illnesses that appear after enrollment
Emergency care
Diagnostic testing
Surgery for new conditions
Prescription medications for covered issues

For example:

A senior dog with arthritis may still be covered for cancer
A senior cat with kidney disease may still be covered for an injury

Accident-Only vs Accident & Illness for Senior Pets

This decision matters more for older pets than any other group.

Accident-Only Insurance for Older Pets

Pros

Lower monthly cost
Easier enrollment
Fewer medical history issues
Covers injuries and emergencies

Cons

Does not cover illness
No help for cancer, infections, or chronic disease
Very limited long-term value

Accident-only plans are often the most realistic option for very old pets.

Accident & Illness Insurance for Older Pets

Pros

Covers new illnesses
Can help with emergency disease treatment
More comprehensive protection

Cons

Higher premiums
Many exclusions
Strict underwriting
Some claims still denied

This option works best when the pet has a relatively clean medical history for their age.

How Much Does Pet Insurance Cost for Older Pets?

Senior pet insurance is significantly more expensive.

Average Monthly Costs (2025)

Dogs

Accident-only: $20–$40
Accident & illness: $70–$120+

Cats

Accident-only: $10–$25
Accident & illness: $40–$80+

These are averages some pets cost more depending on breed, location, and coverage level.

Why Premiums Are Higher for Senior Pets

Premiums increase because:

Claim likelihood is higher
Treatment costs are higher
Chronic conditions are common
Emergency frequency increases with age

This doesn’t mean insurers are “penalizing” older pets it reflects real medical risk.

Coverage Limits Matter More for Senior Pets

Senior pet plans often come with:

Lower annual caps
Per-condition limits
Medication limits

A policy may technically “cover” a condition but stop paying after limits are reached.

This is why reading the sample policy is critical.

Which Pet Insurance Companies Accept Older Pets?

Policies change, but in general:

More Senior-Friendly Providers Tend to:

Allow enrollment at older ages
Offer accident-only plans
Provide customizable deductibles
Accept higher premiums

Less Senior-Friendly Providers:

Impose strict age cutoffs
Limit illness coverage for seniors
Restrict enrollment options

Always check maximum enrollment age, not just coverage claims.

Real-Life Scenarios: When Senior Pet Insurance Helps

Scenario 1: Senior Dog, Clean History

Age: 9
No major illnesses
Develops cancer at 10
Insurance covers diagnostics and treatment
Owner saves ~$6,000

Scenario 2: Senior Cat with Kidney Disease

Kidney disease pre-existing
Later suffers a fracture
Accident coverage applies
Insurance pays for surgery

Scenario 3: Multiple Pre-Existing Conditions

Arthritis, dental disease, thyroid issues
Premiums high, exclusions many
Insurance provides little real value

In this case, insurance likely isn’t worth it.

When Senior Pet Insurance Is Worth It

Insurance may still make sense if:

Your pet has few documented conditions
You want protection against major emergencies
You can afford higher premiums
You understand exclusions clearly
You want financial predictability

When Senior Pet Insurance Is NOT Worth It

Insurance may not make sense if:

Most likely future care is already excluded
Premiums exceed your budget
You’re primarily managing chronic conditions
You expect insurance to cover ongoing treatments

In these cases, alternatives are often better.

Smart Alternatives to Pet Insurance for Older Pets

If insurance doesn’t make sense, consider:

1. Dedicated Emergency Savings

Monthly deposits
Full control
No exclusions

2. Vet Payment Plans

Some clinics offer installment options
Useful for predictable care

3. Pet Credit Programs

CareCredit or similar
Useful for emergencies
Requires financial discipline

4. Preventive Focus

Regular checkups
Early detection
Cost control through prevention

How to Decide: A Practical Checklist

Ask yourself:

How many pre-existing conditions does my pet have?
What future risks worry me most?
Can I afford premiums long-term?
Would accident-only coverage still help?
Am I comfortable self-funding illness care?

Your answers point to the right decision.

Common Mistakes Owners Make with Senior Pet Insurance

Expecting coverage for existing conditions
Buying without reading exclusions
Choosing plans with very low limits
Assuming “insurance is insurance”
Waiting until symptoms worsen

Final Answer: Can You Get Pet Insurance for Older Pets?

Yes but it’s not the same insurance younger pets get.

For senior pets:

Insurance is narrower
Coverage is conditional
Value depends on medical history
Alternatives may sometimes be better

The key is not whether insurance is available
it’s whether it meaningfully helps your specific situation.

Final Thoughts

Senior pets deserve care, comfort, and dignity.
Insurance can still play a role but only when chosen with clear eyes and realistic expectations.

For some owners, senior pet insurance is a lifesaver.
For others, savings and planning provide more flexibility.

The right choice is the one that protects both your pet and your peace of mind.

Editorial Note:
This article was prepared by the WaggyLane Editorial Team and reviewed for accuracy using insurer policy documentation, coverage summaries, and publicly available disclosures. Content is intended for informational purposes only.