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

How Much Does Pet Insurance Cost Per Month?

A Realistic Cost Breakdown for Dogs & Cats (2025)

One of the first questions every pet owner asks when considering insurance is simple:

“How much does pet insurance cost per month?”

The problem is that most answers online are either:

Overly vague (“it depends”)
Misleading averages
Promotional numbers that don’t reflect real policies

In reality, pet insurance pricing is highly variable, and small differences in your pet’s profile can change your monthly cost dramatically.

This guide breaks pet insurance pricing down in a way that’s honest, detailed, and practical, so you can understand:

What most people actually pay
Why prices vary so much
How insurers calculate premiums
What makes premiums go up over time
How to estimate your real monthly cost before buying

The Short Answer (Before We Go Deep)

In 2025, average monthly pet insurance costs in the U.S. look like this:

Dogs: $30–$70 per month
Cats: $15–$40 per month

But these are only starting points.

Some owners pay:

$12/month
Others pay:
$100+/month

The difference is not random, it’s driven by very specific factors.

Why Pet Insurance Costs Vary So Much

Pet insurance is not priced like streaming services or phone plans.
It’s priced like risk-based insurance.

Insurers estimate:

How likely your pet is to need care
How expensive that care might be
How long they’ll be insured

Every monthly quote reflects those calculations.

Average Monthly Cost by Pet Type

Dogs (2025 Averages)

Coverage Type	Monthly Cost
Accident-only	$10–$20
Accident & illness (basic)	$30–$45
Accident & illness (comprehensive)	$50–$70
High-end plans	$80–$120+

Dogs cost more to insure because:

Vet care is more expensive
Large breeds have higher claim costs
Dogs have higher injury rates

Cats (2025 Averages)

Coverage Type	Monthly Cost
Accident-only	$5–$15
Accident & illness (basic)	$15–$25
Accident & illness (comprehensive)	$25–$40

Cats are cheaper to insure because:

Smaller size = lower treatment cost
Fewer injuries
More indoor lifestyles

Cost by Pet Age (One of the Biggest Factors)

Age is one of the strongest predictors of monthly cost.

Puppies & Kittens (Under 1 Year)

Dogs: $20–$40/month
Cats: $10–$20/month

Lowest premiums, best coverage, minimal exclusions.

Adult Pets (2–6 Years)

Dogs: $35–$60/month
Cats: $20–$35/month

Still affordable, but prices begin to rise.

Senior Pets (7+ Years)

Dogs: $60–$100+/month
Cats: $40–$70+/month

Higher risk, higher cost, more exclusions.

This is why buying early matters, premiums compound over time.

Breed Has a Massive Impact on Cost

Breed affects pricing because of genetic risk.

High-Cost Dog Breeds

These breeds often cost more to insure:

French Bulldogs
English Bulldogs
German Shepherds
Rottweilers
Great Danes
Golden Retrievers

Monthly cost can be 20–50% higher than average.

Lower-Cost Dog Breeds

Mixed breeds
Small, healthy breeds
Breeds with fewer genetic issues

Lower risk = lower premium.

Cat Breed Differences

Breed matters less for cats, but:

Maine Coons
Persians
Bengals

Often cost slightly more due to known conditions.

Location: The Hidden Cost Factor

Where you live affects:

Vet pricing
Claim sizes
Premiums

Higher-Cost Areas

California
New York
Massachusetts
Washington
Florida

Monthly premiums can be 15–30% higher.

Lower-Cost Areas

Midwest
Rural regions
Southern states (non-metro)

Premiums tend to be lower.

How Coverage Choices Change Monthly Cost

This is where you control pricing.

Deductible

Deductible	Monthly Cost
$100	Highest
$250	High
$500	Moderate
$1,000	Lowest

Higher deductible = lower monthly premium, but more out-of-pocket later.

Reimbursement Percentage

Reimbursement	Monthly Cost
70%	Lowest
80%	Moderate
90%	Highest

Higher reimbursement protects against large bills.

Annual Coverage Limits

Limit	Monthly Cost
$5,000	Low
$10,000	Medium
Unlimited	Highest

Low limits keep premiums cheap — but cap protection.

Accident-Only vs Full Coverage Cost Comparison

Accident-Only

Dogs: $10–$20
Cats: $5–$15

Cheap but extremely limited.

Accident & Illness

Dogs: $30–$70
Cats: $15–$40

Covers the majority of real vet expenses.

This $15–$30 monthly difference is often the difference between coverage that helps and coverage that doesn’t.

Wellness Add-Ons: How Much Extra?

Wellness plans usually add:

$10–$30 per month

They reimburse routine care but rarely save money.
They’re about budgeting convenience, not value.

Why Pet Insurance Prices Increase Over Time

This surprises many owners.

Premiums rise because:

Pets age
Medical costs increase
Claim risk increases

Average annual increases:

5–10% per year
Sometimes more after major claims

This is normal in insurance, not a scam.

Real Monthly Cost Scenarios

Scenario 1: Puppy, Mixed Breed

$250 deductible
80% reimbursement
Unlimited coverage

Monthly cost: ~$32

Scenario 2: Adult Golden Retriever

$500 deductible
90% reimbursement
Unlimited coverage

Monthly cost: ~$65

Scenario 3: Senior Cat

$250 deductible
80% reimbursement
$10,000 limit

Monthly cost: ~$45

How Much Do People Actually Spend Per Year?

Annual premiums:

Dogs: $400–$800
Cats: $180–$450

Compare that to:

One emergency surgery: $4,000–$7,000
Cancer treatment: $6,000–$15,000

This is why many owners see insurance as risk protection, not savings.

Is Pet Insurance “Too Expensive”?

It feels expensive when:

Nothing happens
You don’t file claims

It feels cheap when:

Something goes wrong
Insurance pays thousands

Insurance is not about winning, it’s about avoiding financial disaster.

How to Estimate Your Own Monthly Cost

To estimate realistically:

Start with your pet’s age & breed
Decide accident-only vs full coverage
Choose a deductible you can afford
Select reimbursement that fits your risk tolerance
Check local vet cost levels

This gives you a realistic range before quoting.

Final Thoughts

Pet insurance costs vary widely, but not randomly.

If you understand:

Age
Breed
Location
Coverage structure

You can predict your monthly cost fairly accurately and avoid surprises.

Most owners who regret pet insurance don’t regret the price
they regret not understanding what they were paying for.

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.