Best Pet Insurance for Dogs in 2025: Complete Buyer’s Guide

Last Updated: August 2025 | Expert Reviews by Sibete Insurance Team

Quick Comparison: Top Dog Insurance Plans

Provider	Best For	Monthly Cost	Max Coverage	Key Benefits
Embrace	Large Breeds	$35-80	Unlimited	Hip dysplasia coverage, wellness plans
Lemonade	Young Dogs	$30-75	Unlimited	Fast claims, no price increases
Pets Best	Budget-Conscious	$25-60	$5K-Unlimited	Low starting costs, direct vet pay
ASPCA	Senior Dogs	$40-85	Unlimited	No upper age limits, behavioral coverage
Figo	Active Dogs	$35-70	$5K-Unlimited	GPS tracker, 24/7 live chat

Why Dogs Need Specialized Insurance

Dogs face unique health challenges that make insurance essential:

🐕 Higher Accident Risk: Dogs are 50% more likely to have accidents than cats
🦴 Breed-Specific Conditions: Hip dysplasia, bloat, heart disease vary by breed
💰 Expensive Treatments: Average surgery costs $2,000-8,000
🏃 Active Lifestyle Injuries: Torn ACLs, broken bones from running/playing
⏰ Longer Lifespans: Modern dogs live 12-16 years, accumulating health costs

#1 Best Overall for Dogs: Embrace Pet Insurance

Why Embrace Wins for Dogs:

Breed-Specific Coverage: Covers hereditary conditions common in pure breeds
Orthopedic Excellence: Best coverage for hip dysplasia, ACL tears
Wellness Plans: Includes routine care, vaccinations, dental cleaning
Diminishing Deductible: Deductible decreases each year with no claims

Perfect For: Large breed dogs, active dogs, purebred dogs with genetic risks

Dog-Specific Benefits:

Covers cruciate ligament tears (common in active dogs)
Hip and elbow dysplasia coverage
Bloat/GDV coverage (critical for large breeds)
Alternative therapy coverage (physical therapy, acupuncture)

Monthly Cost: $35-80 depending on breed, age, and location

Real Example: Golden Retriever, 3 years old, California = $52/month for 80% coverage

#2 Best Budget Option: Pets Best

Why It’s Great for Dog Owners on a Budget:

Low Starting Premiums: Basic plans start at $25/month
Essential Coverage: Covers accidents and major illnesses
Direct Vet Pay: Pay your vet directly in many cases
24/7 Pet Helpline: Free advice from veterinary professionals

Perfect For: Healthy young dogs, first-time pet owners, budget-conscious families

Coverage Includes:

Emergency accidents (poisoning, injuries, foreign object ingestion)
Major illnesses (cancer, diabetes, kidney disease)
Diagnostic testing (X-rays, bloodwork, ultrasounds)
Surgeries and hospitalization

Real Example: Mixed breed, 2 years old, Texas = $31/month for 70% coverage

#3 Best for Large Breeds: Embrace + ASPCA (Tie)

Large Breed Health Concerns:

Hip/Elbow Dysplasia: 20% of large dogs affected
Bloat/GDV: Life-threatening, emergency surgery costs $5,000-7,000
Arthritis: Affects 80% of dogs over 8 years old
Heart Disease: Common in giant breeds

Why These Providers Excel:

Cover breed-specific genetic conditions
No weight restrictions or breed exclusions
Orthopedic condition coverage included
Alternative therapy options

Best Dog Insurance by Breed Category

🦮 Large Breeds (German Shepherds, Labs, Golden Retrievers)

Winner: Embrace

Hip dysplasia coverage essential
Higher coverage limits needed
Orthopedic specialists covered

🐕‍🦺 Working Breeds (Rottweilers, Dobermans, Mastiffs)

Winner: ASPCA

Heart condition coverage
No breed discrimination
Covers bloat/GDV

🐕 Small Breeds (Chihuahuas, Yorkies, Pugs)

Winner: Lemonade

Lower premiums for smaller dogs
Covers luxating patella (common in small dogs)
Dental disease coverage

🐺 Mixed Breeds/Rescues

Winner: Pets Best

Most affordable option
Fewer pre-existing condition concerns
Basic but solid coverage

Dog Insurance Cost Breakdown by Size

Small Dogs (Under 25 lbs):

Average Monthly: $25-50
Common Conditions: Dental disease, luxating patella, tracheal collapse
Average Claim: $800-2,500

Medium Dogs (25-60 lbs):

Average Monthly: $35-65
Common Conditions: ACL tears, allergies, ear infections
Average Claim: $1,200-3,500

Large Dogs (60-90 lbs):

Average Monthly: $45-80
Common Conditions: Hip dysplasia, bloat, arthritis
Average Claim: $2,000-6,000

Giant Dogs (90+ lbs):

Average Monthly: $55-95
Common Conditions: Heart disease, bone cancer, joint issues
Average Claim: $3,000-8,000

What Dog Insurance Covers

✅ Accidents & Injuries:

Broken bones from falls or accidents
Cuts and wounds requiring stitches
Poisoning from toxic foods or plants
Foreign object ingestion (socks, toys, etc.)
Car accidents and trauma injuries
Burns from hot surfaces or chemicals

✅ Common Dog Illnesses:

Cancer (lymphoma, osteosarcoma, mast cell tumors)
Diabetes and insulin management
Kidney disease and dialysis
Heart conditions (cardiomyopathy, murmurs)
Allergies and dermatitis treatment
Ear infections and chronic ear problems

✅ Breed-Specific Conditions:

Hip/elbow dysplasia in large breeds
Bloat/GDV in deep-chested dogs
Eye conditions (cataracts, glaucoma, PRA)
Breathing issues in flat-faced breeds
Epilepsy and seizure disorders
Luxating patella in small breeds

❌ Usually Not Covered:

Pre-existing conditions diagnosed before coverage
Preventive care (unless you add wellness plan)
Cosmetic procedures (ear cropping, tail docking)
Breeding-related costs and complications
Experimental treatments not FDA approved

Special Considerations for Puppy Insurance

Why Puppies Need Early Coverage:

🐶 No Pre-Existing Conditions: Start with clean slate
💉 Accident-Prone: Puppies get into everything
🦷 Teething Issues: May swallow inappropriate objects
📅 Lock in Low Rates: Premiums increase with age

Best Puppy Plans:

Lemonade: No waiting period for accidents
Embrace: Comprehensive coverage including wellness
Pets Best: Affordable starting rates

Puppy-Specific Coverage Needs:

Foreign object ingestion (most common puppy claim)
Vaccination reactions and complications
Injuries from falls or rough play
Parasites and infectious diseases

Senior Dog Insurance (7+ Years)

Why Senior Dogs Still Need Insurance:

👴 Increased Health Risks: Cancer, arthritis, kidney disease
💊 Medication Costs: Chronic conditions require ongoing treatment
🏥 Frequent Vet Visits: More monitoring and diagnostics needed
⚕️ Specialist Care: Often need cardiologists, oncologists

Best Providers for Senior Dogs:

ASPCA: No upper age limits for enrollment
Embrace: Covers age-related conditions well
Pets Best: Affordable for fixed incomes

Senior Dog Coverage Priorities:

Cancer treatments (chemotherapy, radiation, surgery)
Arthritis management (medications, physical therapy)
Heart disease monitoring and treatment
Kidney disease management and dialysis
Dental disease treatment and extractions

State-Specific Dog Insurance Costs

High-Cost States:

California: $45-90/month (high vet costs, earthquakes)
New York: $40-85/month (urban area, high living costs)
Massachusetts: $40-80/month (excellent vet care, higher wages)

Moderate-Cost States:

Texas: $35-70/month (large state, varied costs)
Florida: $35-75/month (many retirees with dogs)
Illinois: $30-70/month (mix of urban and rural)

Budget-Friendly States:

Ohio: $25-55/month (lower cost of living)
Georgia: $30-60/month (growing vet market)
North Carolina: $25-60/month (competitive vet market)

How to Choose the Right Plan for Your Dog

Step 1: Assess Your Dog’s Risk Profile

High Risk Dogs:

Purebred with known genetic issues
Large breeds prone to hip dysplasia
Active/working dogs with injury risk
Senior dogs (7+ years)

Lower Risk Dogs:

Young mixed breed dogs
Small breeds with fewer genetic issues
Indoor dogs with limited exposure

Step 2: Match Coverage to Breed Needs

Large Breed Priorities:

Hip dysplasia coverage
High annual limits ($10K+)
Orthopedic specialist coverage

Small Breed Priorities:

Dental disease coverage
Luxating patella coverage
Lower deductibles

Active Dog Priorities:

ACL/cruciate ligament coverage
Emergency accident coverage
Physical therapy benefits

Step 3: Budget Considerations

Monthly Premium: What you can afford consistently
Annual Deductible: $500-1000 is typical
Reimbursement Level: 80% is the sweet spot
Annual Limit: $10K minimum recommended for dogs

Common Dog Insurance Claims & Costs

Top 10 Most Expensive Dog Claims:

Bloat/GDV: $5,000-7,000
Cancer Treatment: $3,000-15,000
ACL Surgery: $3,000-5,000
Hip Replacement: $6,000-8,000
Foreign Object Surgery: $2,000-4,000
Heart Disease Treatment: $2,500-8,000
Kidney Disease Management: $2,000-6,000
Spinal Surgery: $4,000-8,000
Eye Surgery (Cataracts): $2,500-4,000
Diabetes Management: $1,500-3,000/year

Most Common Dog Claims:

Ear Infections: $200-500
Skin Allergies: $300-800
Diarrhea/Vomiting: $400-1,200
Urinary Tract Issues: $500-1,500
Cuts/Wounds: $300-1,000

Dog Insurance FAQ

What’s the best age to start dog insurance?

As young as possible, ideally 8-16 weeks old. Puppies have:

Lowest premiums
No pre-existing conditions
Full coverage for genetic conditions

Do I need insurance for a healthy young dog?

Yes. Dogs are unpredictable. A healthy 2-year-old can swallow a sock and need $3,000 surgery tomorrow. Insurance provides peace of mind for unexpected emergencies.

Will my premiums increase every year?

Most companies increase premiums as your dog ages, typically starting around age 7. However, Lemonade promises never to raise rates based on claims filed.

Can I use any veterinarian?

Yes, most pet insurance works with any licensed vet in the US and Canada. You’re not restricted to a network like human health insurance.

What if my dog has a pre-existing condition?

Pre-existing conditions are never covered. However, some companies will cover curable conditions (like ear infections) if they’ve been symptom-free for a certain period.

Is it worth insuring an older dog?

It depends on your finances and the dog’s health. If you can afford potential costs out-of-pocket, self-insuring might work. But insurance helps budget for expensive treatments like cancer care.

Next Steps: Getting Your Dog Insured

1. Get Multiple Quotes (5 minutes)

Compare personalized quotes based on your dog’s:

Age and breed
Your zip code
Desired coverage level

2. Review Policy Details

Waiting periods (accidents: 2-14 days, illnesses: 14-30 days)
Coverage exclusions
Annual limits and deductibles
Claim filing process

3. Start Coverage Immediately

Don’t wait for an emergency. The sooner you start:

Lower premiums (dogs get more expensive to insure with age)
Earlier coverage for age-related conditions
Peace of mind for unexpected accidents

Related Dog Insurance Guides

This guide is updated monthly with the latest dog insurance rates and coverage options. Last updated: August 2025.