I may get shot down in flames for this, but really how essential is pet insurance for house cats?
How much bother can they really get in to health wise? Is putting £20 a month away in savings better than forking out on insurance which may never be utilised? (that's how much a month I need to shell out for my two on lifelong cover)

Speaking to cat owners I know a lot say not to bother with insurance especially if they're house cats (ie no risk of being run over or being mauled). Certainly my family have never insured our dogs or rabbits and never needed to as veterinary costs have only ever been a couple of hundred at most, with the vast majority of our animals never needing veterinary treatment aside from vaccinations and neutering. Maybe we've just been lucky.


I'd really like some opinions on this as Zu's insurance renewal is coming up and Erebus's 4 weeks free insurance will be running out soon.

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Cats: Zu 3 year old long haired black moggie.
Erebus 8 month old black mackerel tabby Turkish Angora.
Styx 10 week old white moggie.
Bunnies: Nuggette and Otis 4 year old orange and blue Standard Rexes

Our lot are house cats but can go in the yard when they like & Tango still managed a £200+ bill last year for a sort of cat flu, Scutter used to get urinary blockages £lot's & our old MC managed to break a rear leg by getting it stuck between the wall & the radiator £300 - £400 I would insure them for the 1st couple of years at least

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All my children have paws!

I've always had insurance - it isnt just accidents they pay for, it's illnesses.

I spent over £5,000 in 8 months on my previous house-cat. (He had cancer) When it came to running tests, it was a releif knowing that there were the funds to do a lot of investigations and treatments - and I can rest easy knowing we did everything we could for him.

I've had my latest cat for 5 months, she's 5, and costs £15 p.m. but has up to £7k cover per year.

In 5 months, she's escaped and was lost (now returned), and I recovered costs related to advertising (£300ish), plus she had a heart murmur, and I was able to get it investigated (£500ish) - oh, and she had an eye infection (£100ish). It can add up quickly - some years I hope/expect not to claim, but knowing it is there gives me huge reassurance.

If you have one or two pet cats then I think insurance is probably worthwhile even if they are house cats. I do think it's a good point though that insurers give no options to take out illness only cover. OK, so a cat may fall inside and break a leg but the chances of injury are greatly reduced for house cats and I do think owners would appreciate the chance to forego accident cover and reduce the premiums accordingly.

you can get insurance for house cats which doesnt include accidents and is cheaper, but what if your cat accidently gets out and injured, ive had cats all my life and until 2yrs ago not had insurance, but so glad ive got it as my cat is having a biopsy on thurs which would cost me £300, if i didnt have insurance i would find it but it would be a struggle.

I have insured Charlie on Petplan - so that if I ever pluck up the courage to let him out he'll be covered!!
But.... does the monthly cost go up if you ever claim on the insurance? I just wondered

I would definately have insurance, Salem scratched mollies eye which resulted in £200+ worth of treatment, she also has a blocked tear duct, always better to know the insurance is there x

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Made by smudge2009
Gloworm - Run free little man. 23.05.2011-06.09.2011

My premiums have never changed and I've claimed 5 times now for 2 cats

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Made by smudge2009
Gloworm - Run free little man. 23.05.2011-06.09.2011

I have always been lucky with my pets, the most expensive vets fees tend to be in their twilight years.

I chose to have indoor cats this time, and I had an outdoor pen made which reduced the risk of RTA and hefty vet bills.

However one of my indoor cats at only 2 years old got a blockage in his urethra. His bladder had to be drained through his abdomen and they tried twice to unblock him and insert a catheter. They did manage to insert a catheter but were reluctant to remove it due to the amount of debris that would have caused another blockage. I opted for a PU operation for him given his age.

My point is even indoor cats can get sick and need expensive veterinary treatment. I have a beautiful 3 years old who is living life to the full.

I was fortunate as I have been putting money aside for my pets for a long time so it wasn't a financial burden. It would have been tragic if I had opted for him to be pts due to finances. Some people are not in that position and insurance can give an owner peace of mind.

Insurance is a safety net.It gives peace of mind if /when an illness/accident rears its ugly head.You know that you can go ahead with any treatment that may help to find the cause and return your furbabe to health.I would much rather pay for something I may not need than to find that I cant afford the help that my cat does need.

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