Does pet insurance cover cancer?
Cancer. It’s a word no one wants to hear. Unfortunately, the chances of your pet developing cancer during its lifetime are quite high.
The American Veterinary Medical Association has reported that around 1 in 4 dogs will be diagnosed with cancer. The leading cause of death in older pets, it’s estimated that half of dogs ten years of age and older will develop cancer. To put an approximate figure on that, the National Cancer Institute’s Center for Cancer Research (CCR) states that there are around six million new cancer diagnoses in both dogs and cats in the USA every year.
On a more positive note, cancer treatment for pets is available — and is likely to be covered by many pet insurance plans.
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Why do I need pet insurance with cancer coverage?
Pet insurance can be there to provide support when your dog or cat needs it. So, because cancer is so common there is, sadly, a strong chance that your pet will be diagnosed with this serious condition.
Most forms of cancer in dogs and cats can be treated — especially if diagnosed early — but without pet insurance, or without a pet insurance policy that includes cancer coverage, a pet parent will face the prospect of substantial cost. For many dog and cat owners, that cost simply won’t be affordable, potentially putting them in the position of having to make some difficult, heartbreaking decisions.
Having pet insurance with cancer coverage can help your dog or cat gets the treatment they need, whether that’s to cure the condition or improve quality of life.
Select an insurer for more info on how they provide cancer coverage
How much can cancer treatments cost?
There’s no fixed price for the cost of treating cancer in pets. It depends on a series of factors — including the kind of treatment needed, the level of treatment needed, and the type of cancer that’s been diagnosed.
The size of the pet can also be taken into consideration — there will be a difference between cancer treatment costs for a Great Dane dog and an American Shorthair cat, for example.
Treatment for cancer can involve surgery, radiation therapy, or chemotherapy — or a combination of more than one method. But, there are also other costs to consider, including diagnosis, testing, X-rays, bloodwork, anesthesia and more. Specialist oncologists are likely to be involved.
The Veterinary Cancer Society calculates that an initial consultation can cost up to $250, chemotherapy up to $600 — per dose — and radiation therapy between $1,000 to $1,800 for palliative control, and $4,500 to $6,000 for curative intent protocol. 1
Claim data from Pets Best cites average costs in treating different types of canine cancer. These include $1,001 for Mast Cell Tumor and $1,095 for Sarcoma. 2
| Type of Cancer | Typical cost to treat | Likelihood of occurring |
|---|---|---|
| Lymphoma | $3,000 – $10,000 | medium |
| Mast Cell Tumor (MCT) | $500 – $5,000 | high |
| Osteosarcoma (bone cancer) | $4,000 – $8,000 | medium |
| Hemangiosarcoma | $5,000 – $10,000 | medium |
| Melanoma | $2,000 – $8,000 | low |
Signs of cancer in your pet
There are many different signs of cancer that every pet parent should be aware of — although lots of these symptoms are also indicators of other health conditions. If your dog or cat is displaying one or more of these symptoms, it doesn’t necessarily mean your pet has cancer. But they could, so it’s always recommended that you follow up with your vet for more advice.
Could your pet have a form of cancer? Typical signs and symptoms include:
- Lumps and bumps — though these are often benign and harmless
- Weight loss
- Loss of appetite
- Sores and open wounds that won’t heal
- Fatigue, lack of interest in exercising
- Limping, stiffness, lack of mobility
- Vomiting and diarrhea
- Bleeding from the mouth or nose
- Bad breath or odor, which can indicate the presence of tumors
Certain breeds of dog are considered to be more likely than others to be diagnosed with cancer — including Boxers, Beagles, Golden Retrievers, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Rottweilers and German Shepherds.
If one of these breeds is part of your family, be extra vigilant to the threat of cancer and act quickly if you suspect your pet is displaying symptoms.
Preventing Cancer
Cancer isn’t 100% preventable — whether that’s in dogs, cats or humans. Your pet may simply be one of the unlucky ones to be diagnosed with a form of cancer, or a breed that has a higher genetic chance of getting cancer.
However, there are things you, as an owner, can do to reduce the risk of your pet getting cancer.
Maintaining a healthy weight for your pet can help. Overweight or obese dogs and cats might be more at risk of developing cancer, as well as a host of other health problems.
Regular check ups can help identify potential issues early, as can taking prompt action to see a vet if you suspect a potential problem.
Getting your dog or cat spayed or neutered can decrease the risk of certain types of cancer, such as testicular, mammary and ovarian cancers.
Pets are also susceptible to the kind of risk factors that can lead to cancer in humans. So, if someone in your household smokes, your pet could be exposed to secondhand smoke. Exposure to too much strong, direct sunlight can also lead to skin cancers and tumors.
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How to find pet insurance with great cancer coverage
Cancer is such a common and serious health issue for dogs and cats that having a pet insurance policy that doesn’t include cover for diagnosis and treatment is a real risk. The chances of your pet developing cancer, especially as they get older, are too high to have pet insurance without cancer coverage.
Our tip is to review any pet insurance policy thoroughly before making the decision to sign up. First, check that cancer coverage is included, and if there are any potential exceptions.
You’ll need coverage for all the major and most common types of cancer. These include:
- Lymphoma
- Osteosarcoma
- Mast cell tumors
- Oral melanomas
- Hemangiosarcoma
Pet Cancer Insurance Coverage FAQs
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Always check any pet insurance policy to make 100% sure, but yes — many, if not most, pet insurers will provide cancer coverage as standard. But, it depends on the type of policy you have. An accident-only pet insurance policy typically won’t include cancer coverage, as cancer is an illness. An accident and illness policy, or a ‘full coverage’ policy should include coverage for cancer diagnosis and treatment. Different levels of coverage — the amount you can claim annually — will vary.
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No. Pre-existing health conditions — any medical issues your pet had before taking out a pet insurance policy — won’t be covered. Some insurers may offer to include coverage of certain so-called ‘curable’ pre-existing conditions once a pet has been completely free of symptoms for a set period, but cancer is considered an ‘incurable’ health condition.
This means that if your pet was diagnosed with cancer before you took out a policy with a particular pet insurer, coverage won’t be available. It also means that if your pet previously had cancer and was successfully treated before you took out insurance, and it later returned again — even if a few years later — you may not be covered either.
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Yes. Paws crossed it never happens to your pet, but cancer is a life-threatening condition. It can be treated, but that treatment can cost thousands of dollars. Without cancer coverage in your pet insurance, you’re on the hook for the full bill — and many pet parents won’t be able to afford the cost involved.
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Just like humans, cancer treatment can be tough on our pets, whichever procedure they endure. Surgery needs post-op recovery time, which requires lots of rest. Chemotherapy side effects can include vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss and lethargy — but hair loss, which is extensive for humans undergoing such treatment — is rare in pets, at least.
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The length of cancer treatment will vary, depending on the type of cancer, the grade of cancer, and the type of treatment. Treatment might be one main surgery, or a series of chemotherapy sessions over a period of months. Your vet will advise on a treatment timeline and discuss the process with you.