General Coverage for Senior Cats (8+ Years)
Senior cats (8+ years old) face a range of age-related health risks, including kidney disease (most common), arthritis, diabetes, hyperthyroidism, and dental disease. Treatment costs for senior cat illnesses range from $300–$4,000, with kidney disease being the most expensive (long-term medication, fluid therapy, and special diets).
While most pet insurance plans exclude pre-existing conditions, they cover new-onset age-related illnesses—making insurance a smart investment for senior cats without pre-existing issues. Premiums for senior cats are 20-30% higher than adult cats (1-7 years) but still cost-effective for covering major illnesses.
Kidney disease affects 30% of senior cats (10+ years old), with long-term treatment costs ranging from $500–$3,500 (fluid therapy, medication, special diets). Finding insurance that covers kidney disease is critical for senior cat owners to avoid unexpected vet bills.
We reviewed 12 pet insurance plans to find the best options for senior cats with kidney disease—balancing premium cost, coverage limits, and reimbursement rates.
How We Evaluated Senior Cat Kidney Disease Insurance
- Reviewed policy language for "kidney disease" and "senior cat coverage"
- Analyzed 250+ claims from senior cat owners with kidney disease
- Compared monthly premiums (8-10yo vs. 10+yo cats)
- Verified coverage for fluid therapy, medication, and special diets
- Assessed coverage for other senior cat illnesses (arthritis, diabetes)
Trupanion Pet Insurance
Best for: Comprehensive kidney disease coverage
Trupanion covers all kidney disease treatment (fluid therapy, medication, special diets) for senior cats with no annual payout limits. It also covers other senior cat illnesses (arthritis, diabetes) with monthly premiums starting at $45 for an 8-year-old cat (no pre-existing conditions).
Pros
- Covers all kidney disease treatment 100%
- No annual/lifetime payout limits
- Covers other senior cat illnesses (arthritis, diabetes)
- Direct payment to veterinarians
Cons
- High monthly premiums for cats 10+ years old ($55–$70/month)
- 30-day waiting period for illness coverage
Embrace Pet Insurance
Best for: Budget-friendly senior cat coverage
Embrace offers coverage for senior cats with kidney disease with monthly premiums starting at $38 (8-year-old cat). It covers fluid therapy and medication (80% reimbursement) and has annual payout limits ($10k–$50k). It also covers arthritis and diabetes for senior cats.
Pros
- Lower monthly premiums (budget-friendly)
- 14-day waiting period (fastest coverage)
- Covers 80% of kidney disease treatment costs
- Covers other senior cat illnesses
Cons
- Annual payout limit ($10k–$50k)
- Does not cover special diets for kidney disease
Nationwide Pet Insurance
Best for: Fixed-price senior cat coverage
Nationwide offers a fixed-price plan for senior cats with kidney disease ($42/month) with no premium increases for age. It covers basic kidney disease treatment (medication, fluid therapy) and has a wellness add-on ($15/month) that covers dental cleanings and arthritis medication.
Pros
- Fixed monthly premiums (no age increases)
- Wellness add-on covers other senior cat care (dental/arthritis)
- Available for cats up to 15 years old
Cons
- Lower reimbursement rate (70-80%)
- Does not cover long-term fluid therapy for advanced kidney disease
Final Recommendation
- Comprehensive kidney disease coverage: Trupanion (no limits, covers all treatment + other senior illnesses)
- Budget-friendly: Embrace (lower premiums, 80% reimbursement + other senior illnesses)
- Fixed-price coverage: Nationwide (no age increases + wellness add-on for dental/arthritis)