It’s more difficult to find pet insurance for senior cats than for kittens or younger cats. Your cat is more likely to experience age-related health problems as they age, which can be quite expensive to cure. In fact, one study on ageing cats discovered that after the age of 10, over 85% of cats visit the vet for conditions like dental problems, kidney disease, arthritis, and more. Enrolling your older or senior cat in a pet insurance plan is an excellent way to assist them and ensure that they receive necessary medical treatment during their old age.
Pet insurance can help to reduce the financial pressure of veterinarian treatment by covering a percentage of the costs. However, if you haven’t already signed up for a plan, getting pet insurance for a senior cat could be difficult. Some insurance companies will not cover pets past a particular age, while others may demand higher premiums to compensate for probable losses.
Usually, it is ideal to start seeking for cat insurance when the cat is young. By doing this, you may secure your cat against diseases and accidents while they are still young and eliminate the need for you to worry about buying them an insurance coverage when they get older. Because there is a higher probability that they will have medical conditions as they age, it gets more complicated.
Can an Older Cat Acquire Pet Insurance?
Your older cat may be eligible for one of many cat insurance plans, with Accident & Illness insurance being the most popular because it provides thorough coverage for newly discovered illnesses and wounds.
However, the conditions of each pet insurance company’s policies and limitations with regard to senior cats vary.
To enhance the basic pet insurance policy and provide protection for routine medical expenses, several pet insurance providers also offer pet wellness policies. This covers costs for items like yearly heartworm screening, pet health checks, and flea and tick preventatives.
While some insurance companies have an upper age limit for membership, some don’t and will continue to cover your cat no matter how old they get. For instance, if you insure your feline friend as a kitten, as long as you continue to pay your payments, they will be protected for the remainder of their lives.
Is It Too Late to Insure My Cat?
Most insurance companies consider cats to be senior at the age of 14 in terms of coverage limitations. If a cat is insured between the ages of eight weeks and fourteen years, the majority of providers will pay for coverage.
Purchasing pet insurance is best done when your feline companion is still young and healthy. Your monthly charges will be lower the younger the cat is when you join. Waiting to insure your feline friend increases the likelihood that they will develop pre-existing illnesses that will not be insured, even though some companies have no upper age limit.
What is the Cost of Senior Cat Insurance?
Because elderly cats are more prone to experience health issues and need medical attention, much like older humans, pet insurance for senior cats is more expensive. Higher rates are typically associated with the possibility that you could result in higher costs for the insurer.
Although the age of your cat does affect the cost of your monthly premium, it won’t have the same impact as it would on a dog. In certain circumstances, senior dog insurance policies might cost multiple times as much as those for puppies.
Because the possibility that the insurer will have to make claims grows with age, the premium is still quite likely to go up as your cat gets older.
Why Should Older Cats Need Pet Insurance?
Cats may be more susceptible to specific medical issues as they age. Among the most prevalent medical conditions in older cats are:
Arthritis
Cat arthritis is a frequent degenerative condition that causes severe joint pain. Although there is no known treatment for arthritis, there are things you can take to help your pet feel better, such as medicine and weight management.
Dental illness
Stomatitis and periodontal disease are common dental problems in older cats. Options for treatment include tooth extraction, antibiotics, and steroids. Regular dental cleanings and tooth brushing can help avoid painful gum disease.
Heart condition
Heart disease in senior cats is frequently acquired (as opposed to congenital, or present at birth) and can be related to other conditions like heartworm in cats. Depending on the disease, care and treatment may result in your feline friend living a life that is nearly normal.
Kidney dysfunction
Only around 10% of cases of chronic kidney failure, often known as kidney failure, are seen in felines under the age of three. This is because the condition mainly affects older cat populations. Although kidney failure cannot be reversed, it can be controlled with prescription drugs, specific diets, and hydration treatment. The prognosis for your cat may be better the earlier it is diagnosed.
Hyperthyroidism
Age-related hyperthyroidism in cats is prevalent. The disorder results in the thyroid gland producing too many hormones, which causes symptoms like:
- Enhanced thirst.
- Loss of weight.
- Fast heartbeat.
Most felines can manage the disease with the right care.
Cancer
Cancer is more likely to strike older cats. Although cats can develop a variety of cancers, lymphoma, squamous cell carcinoma or skin cancer, and breast cancer are the three most prevalent.
Does Senior Cat Pet Insurance Make Sense?
The cost of senior cat pet insurance will vary depending on a number of variables, but the most crucial one is whether your cat has any pre-existing conditions at the time of registration. Any health issues your senior cat may have at the time of enrollment will not be covered by your insurance. However, even after the required waiting period has passed and your policy takes effect, you might still be covered for any upcoming, unrelated problems.
As not all pet insurance companies cover hereditary disorders, if your cat breed is prone to health problems, be essential to confirm that your policy covers those particular medical ailments in the event that your pet develops one in later life. For example, pedigree cats like the Siamese are more likely to have hip dysplasia and progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), whereas the Bengal is more likely to develop patellar luxation and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCP).
Finally, you should avoid Accident-Only coverage if you want to get the most out of your pet insurance plan. Although these plans are the most affordable options for older cats, they do not cover the cost of treatment for sudden illnesses, ongoing illnesses, or progressive diseases, which are all issues that senior cats are more likely to develop as their health deteriorates.
Bottom Line
Pet insurance is a smart choice since it can help you save money and provide the best care for your feline buddy, especially since older cats are more likely to experience pricey health problems. The money you save on out-of-pocket vet expenses may make cat insurance, which is more costly for older pets, still beneficial.
