Secure your furry family’s future with comprehensive Pet Insurance for Cat & Dog in the UAE. Unexpected vet bills won’t derail your pet’s care when you have the right Insurance for cat or Insurance for dog. This guide explores coverage options, costs, top providers, and key considerations—ensuring your cat or dog gets lifesaving care without financial stress.
Why Pet Insurance Matters in the UAE
More and more UAE residents are choosing to get pet insurance, and it’s not hard to see why. The country offers top-notch veterinary services, but these don’t come cheap. Even a simple check-up can cost a few hundred dirhams, and serious treatments like surgery or hospitalization can run into the thousands.
Having insurance for dog or cat is a smart way to handle these potential costs. Think of it as a way to protect your pet’s health and your own peace of mind. With the right plan, you can visit the vet whenever necessary without worrying about how you’ll afford it. Plus, as the UAE becomes more pet-friendly, having insurance can even be required for certain services or housing agreements.
For expats who are new to the region, adjusting to the cost of pet care can be surprising. That’s why insurance for cat or dog is not only useful, but also essential.
What Does Pet Insurance for Cats and Dogs Cover?
Most pet insurance for cat & dog in the UAE offers a single, standardized coverage plan with a few different pricing options. These options don’t differ in what they cover — instead, they vary by annual coverage limits or whether you choose a one-year policy or a lifetime plan that renews yearly. The lifetime policies are often more expensive up front, but they ensure long-term protection without needing to reapply each year.
In general, the coverage is the same across all plans, and it’s designed to support pet owners through common but serious situations. Here’s what’s typically included:
- Accidents and injuries: Whether your dog breaks a leg or your cat gets hurt during a fall, emergency treatments are covered. Some providers even offer a lower-cost, accident-only policy for budget-conscious pet owners.
- Illness and medical conditions: Coverage includes treatments for short-term and long-term illnesses such as infections, digestive issues, or chronic conditions.
- Vaccination note: While basic plans exclude routine vaccinations, some providers offer wellness add-ons covering up to AED 500/year for core shots like rabies.
- Lost pet reimbursement: If your pet is stolen or permanently lost, the insurer may reimburse you for what you originally paid for the animal.
- Advertising and rewards: If your pet goes missing, some policies help cover the cost of putting up posters or offering a reward to encourage their return.
- Boarding costs if you’re hospitalized: If you’re admitted to the hospital and can’t care for your pet, some policies will help pay for temporary boarding or pet sitting.
- Dental care: Some providers offer add-ons covering tooth extractions or treatment for dental diseases (routine cleanings usually excluded)
- Routine vet visits and lab tests: Basic check-ups and diagnostic tests like blood work or urinalysis (note: often limited to illness-related visits in standard plans)
Keep in mind that pre-existing conditions and routine care like vaccinations or grooming are not covered under these plans. Insurance providers require pets to be vaccinated before coverage begins, but the cost of vaccinations themselves is your responsibility.
So when you’re comparing insurance for cat or dog plans, focus on the policy’s coverage limit and term length, since those are the main differences — not what’s included in the coverage itself.
How to Apply for Pet Insurance in the UAE
Signing up for pet insurance for cat & dog is fairly simple, and most providers offer online applications. However, you’ll need to meet certain criteria and have your paperwork ready.
Eligibility Requirements
Here’s what most insurance companies in the UAE require:
- Age limits: Most policies only accept pets between 8 weeks and 8 years old at the time of enrollment. Some plans may offer coverage beyond this age, but at a higher cost.
- Breed restrictions: Some breeds, especially large dogs or those prone to illness, may be excluded or cost more to insure. Check this in advance.
- Vaccination records: To be eligible, your pet usually needs to be up to date with core vaccinations like rabies, feline distemper, or canine parvovirus.
It’s best to apply when your pet is young and healthy because, in that way, not only is it easier to get approved, but premiums are also lower.
Required Documents
Like insuring any other valuable possession, you will need to submit certain documents that not only are used to verify your ownership, but will also be used by your insurer to gauge the potential risk involved in insuring your car, home, or pet. Here is what most providers will ask you to submit upon registering:
- Pet ID or microchip number: This helps confirm your pet’s identity.
- Vet records: Documents showing vaccinations, past illnesses, or surgeries.
- Proof of ownership: Receipts, adoption certificates, or breeder agreements.
The more detailed your documents, the faster your insurance for dog or cat application will be processed. Some providers even let you upload these directly from your phone.
Top Insurance Providers for Cats & Dogs in the UAE
When it comes to choosing a provider, UAE pet owners have access to both local and international options. Some focus on affordability, while others provide more coverage and customer service perks.
Local and International Providers
Here are some popular names offering pet insurance for cat & dog in the UAE:
| Provider | Policy Types / Annual Limits | What’s Covered |
| Moopet | Lifetime (Bronze/Silver/Gold with increasing annual limits) | Vet fees, prescription food, advanced diagnostics, surgeries, euthanasia, cremation, lost pet recovery, emergency boarding, third-party liability for dogs, as well as optional travel cover |
| Oslo | Multiple identical plans with varying annual veterinary benefit limits (e.g., AED 20k / 35k / 70k) | Accidents, illness, lost pet advertising & reward, emergency boarding, death from covered illness or injury |
| Fidelity United | Silver, Gold, Platinum—varying aggregate and coverage limits | Injury, illness, alternative therapies, death due to injury/illness, theft/straying, advertising & rewards, third-party liability |
| Salama (Pet Takaful) | Multiple vet cover levels (AED 5k up to AED 30k) | Accidents, illness, prescription medicines, specialist treatments, advertising & reward for a lost pet |
Choosing between them depends on your pet’s needs, your budget, and how hands-on you want the experience to be.
What to Look for When Comparing Plans
With online insurance aggregators such as Lookinsure, you can now get quotes from multiple providers all at once, which allows for a quick comparison. Here are some important things to keep in mind while comparing insurance for cat or dog plans:
- Monthly premium: While the coverage seldom varies between plans offered by each provider, the limit certainly changes. The more expensive the plan, the higher the limit. So, while a cheaper plan can be a good option for routine expenses, costlier operations that exceed the annual limit will not be covered.
- Deductibles: This is what you’ll pay each month. Cheaper premiums might look attractive at first, but they sometimes come with trade-offs (like higher deductibles or lower annual limits).
- Customer support: Accidents don’t wait for office hours. Responsive and reliable customer service is crucial, especially when you’re in a stressful situation and need quick help or claim guidance. So make sure you do your research and choose the provider with the best reviews.
- Claim process: Look for providers with 24/7 claim submission and < 72-hour processing. Direct billing options (where clinics bill insurers directly) save out-of-pocket stress.
A good rule of thumb is to find a provider with a balance between affordability and reliability.
Estimated Costs of Pet Insurance in UAE
Understanding the cost of pet insurance for cat & dog helps you budget more effectively and set realistic expectations. Here are some general guidelines on how pricing works for pet insurance.
For Cats
Cats are usually less expensive to insure than dogs, and their generally low-risk lifestyle contributes to lower premiums.
- Basic plans: AED 25–40/month
- Comprehensive plans: AED 60–100/month
- Add-ons: AED 10–30/month depending on what’s included
A vaccinated indoor cat with no chronic illnesses can be covered quite affordably. The cost is even more manageable if you opt for annual billing.
For Dogs
Dogs tend to be more active and are more likely to develop breed-specific issues, which raises their insurance costs.
- Basic plans: AED 40–60/month
- Comprehensive plans: AED 100–150/month
- Add-ons: AED 15–50/month
For example, a Labrador Retriever may cost more to insure than a small mixed-breed dog due to a higher risk of hip dysplasia or obesity-related problems.
NOTE: Most providers offer third-party coverage for dogs as additional features. This add-on provides coverage in the unfortunate event of your dog attacking other people or pets.
Things Not Covered by Pet Insurance for Cat & Dog
Just like any other type of insurance, pet insurance has its limitations. These exclusions are important to understand so you’re not caught off guard later.
Most insurance for dog and cat plans will not cover:
- Pre-existing conditions: Anything diagnosed before the policy begins.
- Vaccinations: Routine vaccinations are generally not covered, though they are required for eligibility. You’ll need to cover these out of pocket.
- Routine grooming: Bathing, nail trimming, or brushing.
- Cosmetic procedures: Includes ear cropping, declawing, and tail docking.
- Breeding-related care: Pregnancy, birth, or fertility treatments are rarely covered.
- Non-emergency treatments: Like acupuncture or behavioral therapy, unless explicitly stated.
Always read the fine print of your pet insurance for cat & dog plan and ask questions if anything is unclear.
Secure Your Pet’s Future Today
Investing in Pet Insurance for Cat & Dog safeguards both your finances and your pet’s health. With tailored Insurance For Cat and Insurance For Dog plans widely available in the UAE, you can face emergencies confidently. Compare providers, understand coverage limits, and choose a policy that lets you prioritize care over costs. Start protecting your furry family member now—because their well-being is priceless.
Frequently Answered Questions
Is pet insurance mandatory in the UAE?
No, it’s optional. However, having pet insurance for cat & dog can significantly reduce your financial burden in case of emergencies.
What is the average cost of pet insurance for a dog in Dubai?
It varies, but most plans fall between AED 50 to AED 300/month, depending on your dog’s age, breed, and health.
Can I insure a senior cat?
There is usually an age limit when it comes to insuring pets, so it is highly unlikely that you will be able to insure your cats after a certain age (usually 10).
What happens if my pet has a pre-existing condition?
These are usually not covered. Some insurers may review them after a waiting period, but most will exclude them entirely.
How fast are claims processed?
Fast claims can take up to 10 business days. While there might be providers who also offer direct billing options with certain clinics, most will require you to pay the bill yourself and then wait for them to reimburse you.
