Do Cats Need Pet Insurance?

Often we hear “pet insurance” and we think of dogs. It’s understandable. Dogs do all of our crazy adventuring with us. They eat weird stuff off the ground. And they’re always getting into something they shouldn’t (if you don’t believe us, check out this hilarious list of naughty dogs).

Unless you’re this this adorable couple who takes their cats everywhere, including the beach, you might wonder if your homebody cat even needs pet insurance.

Research from the NAPHIA shows the yearly split between insured dogs and insured cats typically sits at 83/17 percent, respectively.

However, insured cats are on the rise, with an average annual growth rate of 17.3%, compared to 15.6% for dogs (from 2015-2019).

And it’s with good reason. We like to believe cats have nine lives and always land on their feet. But cats need regular medical care too, and it’s worth considering getting them on a pet insurance plan.

Outdoor Cats

If you’re the owner of an outdoor cat with an adventurous heart, pet insurance -particularly accident coverage- might be a worthwhile investment.

Unfortunately, car accidents are a common cause of injury and death among outdoor cats. A study of U.K. cats in the National Library of Medicine says these following were associated with higher rates of road traffic accidents:

Additionally, veterinarians often see cats who have become ill from ingesting toxic plants. (If you find your cat has eaten a plant, remove any visible plant material from their body, keep them in a safe area, and call the Pet Poison Helpline at 1-855-764-7661 or Animal Poison Control at 1-888-426-4435. Keep a sample of the plant if possible for your veterinarian to examine.)

Finally, if you have an outdoor cat, you may have seen it come home with injuries sustained during a fight with another cat. All of these things require immediate veterinary care.

Indoor Cats

If your cat is more of a homebody, their insurance needs might revolve more around preventative care or illness. Many affordable pet insurance plans include wellness coverage, along with accident and illness coverage. It’s something to consider if you expect a lot of vet visits.

In addition, bringing home a kitten is a particularly good time to consider insurance, as some plans will not cover a senior cat due to preexisting conditions.

Overall, getting pet insurance really comes down to having peace of mind. Many people are making the decision to get their cat insured, and with an abundance of affordable options, including Pawsome Pet Insurance plans, it’s now easier than ever to shop for a plan that fits the unique needs of your kitty.