01Best match
Lemonade
4.7/5The lowest cat premiums we found, starting around $14 a month, with fast app-based claims.
From $14/mo · 70% / 80% / 90%
Full Lemonade reviewCat insurance
The best insurance for Cats
Self-sufficient and quietly stoic, which is exactly why problems are often found late.
Reviewed by the PetsHealthHub editorial teamLast updated
Estimated premium
$18–$40/mo
- Typical lifespan
- 13 – 17 years
- Our top pick
- Lemonade
Only around 4% of insured pets in the US are cats, yet cats live longer than most dogs and are remarkably good at concealing illness. By the time a cat shows obvious symptoms of kidney disease, hyperthyroidism or a urinary blockage, treatment is often urgent and costly. A blocked urethra in a male cat is a genuine emergency that can cost several thousand dollars within a weekend.
Cat insurance is also considerably cheaper than dog insurance, often half the price. That changes the value calculation: for $15 to $25 a month for a young cat, a comprehensive policy offers a lot of protection against the chronic, expensive conditions that tend to appear after age ten. The best cat plans combine strong chronic-illness coverage with dental illness benefits and no early cut-off for senior cats.
01Health risks
What tends to go wrong, and what it costs
Average US treatment costs for the conditions most often claimed for cats. All are covered by comprehensive plans when not pre-existing.
| Condition | Avg. treatment cost |
|---|---|
| Chronic kidney diseaseVery common in older cats; managed with diet, fluids and medication for life. | $1,500 |
| Urinary blockage (FLUTD)An emergency in male cats requiring catheterization and hospitalization. | $3,500 |
| HyperthyroidismOveractive thyroid treated with medication or curative radioiodine therapy. | $1,200 |
| Tooth resorptionPainful erosion of teeth affecting many adult cats; affected teeth are extracted. | $1,100 |
02Recommended
Our top 3 for cats
Chosen for how each policy handles the specific conditions above, not just overall score.
02
Embrace
4.6/5Dental illness cover up to $1,000 a year, well suited to tooth resorption.
From $19/mo · 70% / 80% / 90%
Full Embrace review03
ASPCA
4.1/5Competitive cat pricing with exam fees and behavioral care included in the base plan.
From $16/mo · 70% / 80% / 90%
03FAQ
Questions owners ask
For most owners, yes. Cat premiums are low, often $18 to $40 a month, while a single urinary blockage or a diagnosis of kidney disease can cost thousands in the first year alone.