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Best Pet Insurance Plans For Older Dogs

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  • There are several risk factors that come with old age that limit the availability of pet insurance to older dogs. That said, senior dogs’ increased risk or predisposal to illnesses like cancer and joint issues makes finding adequate coverage all the more important. 
  • First, consider that many pet insurance plans have upper age limits for enrollment, so you’ll need to check if the company of your choice can insure your older dog. 
  • Second, most providers exclude pre-existing conditions, so this is another area of coverage where you’ll need to be aware of what is mentioned in the fine print. 
  • There are several pet insurers that can cover older dogs with pre-existing conditions and have no maximum age limit for enrolling which we highlight below. (skip ahead to view these plans)
  • If your dog has too many pre-existing conditions or is too old to qualify for pet insurance, you may want to consider alternatives, such as a pet savings account or using a reputable credit card to relieve the bill burden.
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What to look for in a policy 

Apart from aiming for affordability, it’s important to note that older dogs carry increased risk for certain illnesses, so you should look for plans to cover these scenarios. 

Here is our list of the most important coverage to consider when buying pet insurance for older dogs:

Enrollment age limit

Many pet insurance companies have age limits for enrolling senior pets. This is because senior animals are more likely to have health issues and providers aim to reduce their risks. You’ll want to look for insurance that can still accept your dog at its current age. Here is a list of age limits for several major providers. 

Company Age Limit for Enrolling Older Pets
Embrace 14
Healthy Paws 14
Lemonade 14
Paw Protect 14
Animalia 15
CarePlus by Chewy None
Fetch None
Figo None
Metlife None
Odie None
Pets Best None
Pumpkin None
Spot None

Pre-existing conditions coverage

Many pet insurance companies refuse to cover pre-existing conditions as part of their pet insurance policies. This is especially important to consider when insuring an older pet as older pets are more likely to have pre-existing conditions. 

With this in mind, there are a few plans that will cover pre-existing conditions in dogs. Often, the conditions must be curable and your dog will have to have been “cured” or symptom free for a certain period of time prior to buying your plan. You can read more in our guide to pet insurance that covers pre-existing conditions. 

Lastly, if your pet has many pre-existing conditions, you can consider opting for an accident-only pet plan that can cover injuries related to accidents like broken legs, being run over, etc. You won’t be covered for things like cancer or other illnesses, but it may be better than nothing.

Cancer coverage

According to statistics from the Veterinary Cancer Society, canine cancer is the leading cause of death for senior dogs. Studies estimate that around 50% of all dogs over the age of 10 will develop cancer. For this reason, it’s important to consider a provider that has cancer treatment included as part of its coverage for older dogs. 

Coverage for end-of-life care 

Death is an eventual reality we all must face with older dogs, and end-of-life care is an expense you should anticipate when your dog finally passes on. Several pet insurance policies can cover expenses related to end-of-life care such as paying for putting a dog down, cremation, burial, etc. Since you are likely to have to pay for this eventually, consider looking for a pet insurance policy that includes this coverage. 

Physical therapy coverage

Older dogs are prone to ligament and joint issues which can worsen with age. According to Brian C. Hurley, DVM, national medical director at AmeriVet Veterinary Partners, nearly 80% of dogs over 8 years of age will experience joint pain. According to Dr. Hurley, larger dogs are at greater risk for joint issues. In serious cases, you may need to operate on your animal, and this is where physical therapy coverage can come in handy. Not all plans cover physical therapy, so it’s worth considering this before buying you pet insurance.

Plans we like for older dogs

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Spot Pet Insurance Paw Protect
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Accident & Illness Plan
Available
Available
Accident-Only Plan
Available
Not Available
Surgery
Covered
Covered
Hereditary and Congenital Conditions
Covered
Covered
Chronic Conditions
Covered
Covered
Dental Disease
Covered
Covered
Allergies
Covered
Covered
Cancer Treatment
Covered
Covered
Physical Therapy
Covered
Covered
Alternative Therapies
Covered
Covered
Behavioral issues
Covered
Covered
Breed Specific Issues
Covered
Covered
Emergency Vet Visits
Covered
Covered
Telehealth Visits
Covered
Covered
24/7 Vet Chat
Covered
Covered
Specialist Visits
Covered
Covered
Exam Fees
Covered
Covered
Blood Tests
Covered
Covered
Laboratory Testing
Covered
Covered
X-Rays & CT Scans
Covered
Covered
Wellness Coverage
Add On
Add On
Prescription Medication
Covered
Covered
Prescription Food
Covered
Add On
Microchipping
Covered
Add On
Boarding
Not covered
Not covered
Euthanasia
Covered
Covered
Max Enrollment Age
No Max
14 years
Accident Waiting Period
14 days
2 days
Illness Waiting Period
14 days
14 days
Orthopedic Waiting Period
14 days
6 months

When is a dog considered a senior?

According to the American Animal Hospital Association, a dog achieves senior status when it reaches the last quarter of the dog breed’s expected lifespan. Smaller dogs live longer than large dogs, and therefore, take longer to be considered senior animals. In general dogs reach their senior years as follows: 

Take a look at our list of the most common dog breeds and when they reach senior status to see where you stand with your pet:

Breed Age When Considered Senior Average Lifespan
Boxer 6.5-8 years 9-11 years
French Bulldog 6.5-8 years 9-11 years
Basset Hound 7.5-9 years 10-12 years
German Shepherd 7.5-10 years 10-13 years
Welsh Terrier 7.5-9 years 10-12 years
Pug 9-10.5 years 12-14 years
Shih Tzu 10.5-12 years 14-16 years
Cocker Spaniel (English) 10.5-12 years 14-16 years
Lhasa Apso 11 years 15 years

Common health problems for senior dogs

Senior dogs have a more difficult time getting insured because they’re more prone to age-related health problems, including:

  • Reduced appetite
  • Lethargy
  • Skin growths
  • Cloudy eyes/vision concerns
  • Bad breath/dental issues
  • Limited mobility
  • Joint pain
  • Weight loss or weight gain
  • Incontinence
  • Difficulty urinating
  • Irritability
  • Slowed healing
  • Anxiety
  • Sleeplessness
  • Repetitive or compulsive behaviors
  • Confusion/disorientation
  • Being newly fearful of familiar people, places and animals

Can you get pet insurance for a senior dog?

It can be more difficult to get pet insurance for older dogs than it is to insure younger pets, but it’s certainly not impossible. Not all companies choose to insure older pets. Those that do often put an age cutoff into place – refusing to insure dogs over the age of 14, for example.

You may find that some pet insurance providers will insure all dogs, regardless of age, under an accident-only policy. That means your older pet would be covered if it was injured as the result of an accident but not if it contracted a disease or needed treatment for issues commonly associated with old age.

Keep in mind that, in most cases, insurance for senior dogs won’t offer plans that cover pre-existing conditions, and all costs (premiums, deductibles, etc.) will be higher compared to similar pet insurance policies for younger dogs.

How much does pet insurance for senior dogs cost?

To better understand the cost of pet insurance for senior dogs, we’ve compared policies and average pricing for a 10-year-old Golden Retriever across three providers:

  Monthly Premium Annual Reimbursement Limit Annual Deductible Annual Reimbursement Limit
Pumpkin $241.76 $10,000 $1,000 90%
Spot $85.62 $5,000 $750 70%
Pet’s Best $116.69 $5,000 $500 80%

It’s important to remember that all insurance estimates are relative as the price you pay depends on a variety of considerations, including where you live, what type of pet you have and how much coverage you’re interested in.

Factors that affect your pet insurance premium

How to reduce the cost of insurance for a senior dog

If you’re eager to insure your pet but find yourself concerned about the cost, there are a few ways you can find inexpensive pet insurance:

1

Adjust your coverage levels

The more coverage you ask for, the higher you can expect your premium to be. You will probably also pay more per month if you want a lower deductible. Add-ons like wellness plan that covers dental work will also increase your overall cost. Try adjusting what your pet insurance covers to see if you can find the sweet spot between protecting your pet as much as possible and keeping pet insurance costs within budget.

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2

Check for discounts

Check with each insurance provider to see if it offers any discounts. Many companies offer savings for multi-pet households and pet owners in the military. There may also be reduced fees if you pay an entire year of premiums up front or agree to get your pet spayed/neutered.

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3

Compare quotes online

We recommend using an online quote tool to see pricing from at least five different insurance companies and you will probably get five different insurance packages and rate offers. Go through each quote with a fine-toothed comb to understand what you’re really going to pay and what you get in exchange.

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Is pet insurance for senior dogs worth it?

Pet insurance is worth the expense in most cases as long as you are able to use it and take full advantage of all of the coverage it offers. With the case of older dogs, there are several factors (pre-existing conditions) that can lead to exclusions in the coverage or overall high-priced premiums (age) which may make having pet insurance not worth it. However, this ultimately depends on the age and health of your individual dog, so the decision is yours.

If you can take full advantage of your policy and afford the premiums, pet insurance is worth it, especially as you are more likely to use the policy with an older animal. If you cannot take full advantage of the illness portion of a policy due to pre-existing conditions, it may be worth opting for an accident-only plan in case unexpected severe injuries happen to your pet.

If you are wondering whether you’re better off just saving up for vet bills, here are a few questions you can ask yourself to help determine if pet insurance is right for you. 

  1. Does your pet have too many excluded pre-existing conditions that makes buying pet coverage not worth it?
  2. Is your dog so old that the coverage becomes prohibitively expensive and not worth the expense?
  3. Are the insurance premiums too high for you to pay on a regular basis?
  4. Do you have the funds to pay a vet bill out of pocket and therefore may not have a dire need of pet insurance?
  5. Can you afford to pay an unexpected catastrophic vet bill, such as with cancer?

If you answered ‘yes’ to one or more of the questions above, you may want to consider an alternative to pet insurance. If you answered ‘no’, then you may want to consider an insurance policy.

Alternatives to pet insurance for senior dogs

According to the APPA, nearly 40% of vet bills in America are paid using a credit card, which is the most common method. A good credit card with low interest and benefits for paying at the vet can be a good alternative for many people forgoing pet insurance.

Alternatively setting up a pet savings account is another great way to pay for unexpected vet bills. There are many savings accounts that offer around 5% interest which can help your deposits grow as they sit in the account. Best of all, most savings accounts these days allow you access to withdraw your funds whenever you need them. Here are a few that our banking team recommends:

Many vet’s also are willing to negotiate and help you set up a payment plan to pay off large bills bit-by-bit. This can also be an option for financing the vet in the later stages of your dog’s life. 

Lastly, consider combining any or all three of these options for a solid payment strategy

Frequently Asked Questions: pet insurance for senior dogs

Does pet insurance cover euthanasia?

Many pet insurance providers cover euthanasia as well as basic end-of-life and post-death care. Euthanasia may not be covered if it’s related to a non-covered illness or injury or if you’ve chosen an accident-only plan. Check each policy for this coverage using our coverage comparison tool.

Is it difficult to get insurance for a senior dog?

It can be difficult to get the best dog insurance for older dogs, as senior pets are at greater risk of injury and illness. It’s also common for pets approaching the upper age limit for insurance to only be eligible for plans that come with more limitations and higher premiums.

Do I need vet records to insure my older dog?

Some dog insurance providers request both vet records and veterinary checkups before they will issue an insurance policy for your pet. But that’s not true across the board; you may be able to find a company that offers policies for older dogs even without records or in-office workups.

What is the oldest age you can insure a dog?

The upper age limit for coverage depends on the provider and, sometimes, even the type of plan you’re interested in. Many pet insurance companies won’t insure dogs over the age of 14, but there are also a few providers that have no maximum age limit.

Providers with no age limit include: CarePlus by Chewy, Fetch, Figo, Metlife, Odie, Pets Best, Pumpkin, and Spot.

About the Author

Alana Luna (Musselman)
Alana Luna (Musselman) Writer & Content Strategist

Alana Luna (Musselman) is a versatile storyteller with over a decade of writing experience. She is passionate about helping people build their business through unique and engaging content.

Some examples of her current freelance projects include building content strategies for small businesses, completing industry research to build case studies, crafting buyer guides and more.

She has a passion and keen ability to simplify complex ideas through storytelling to make it easier for readers to understand hard-to-digest information. To accomplish this, Alana’s writing holds strong three principles – content that educates, engages and entertains.

About the Reviewer

Blake Esken
Blake Esken Los Angeles Times

Blake Esken has over 15 years of experience in product management and has been a member of the Los Angeles Times staff for over five years.

As part of his role at the Los Angeles Times Commerce Team, Blake acts as the in-house reviewer and fact checker for LA Times Compare. He supervises all content for compliance and accuracy and puts to use skills he has honed through years of experience managing high-stakes projects for a range of industry-leading companies.

He has a strong background in data analysis, compliance, and communication, which allows him to support LA Times Compare through fact-checking in an effort to provide up-to-date and factual information across our content.

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