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Dogs bring joy to our homes and enrich our lives. Getting pet insurance to assist with expenses that can help them live long and healthy lives can prove invaluable.
But what if your dog’s muzzle is turning gray, and they have impending health concerns? Is pet insurance worth it for older dogs? Learn about your options and how they can benefit you and your senior pup.
Yes, you can! MetLife Pet’s dog insurance policies can help you cover senior dogs’ eligible veterinary expenses related to accidents and illnesses — and routine care expenses with optional coverage. We can typically provide coverage on things like:
You can also add our optional Preventive Care to enhance your standard policy coverage and help keep your senior dog as healthy as possible with routine care. Get reimbursed up to your selected limit option1 for things like:
With MetLife Pet, there are no upper age restrictions — your senior pup won’t be denied enrollment because of their age.1 Your specific benefits depend on the deductible, reimbursement rate, and annual limit options you choose when you sign up.1 It’s important to note that while your senior pup won’t be denied enrollment, there may be exclusions to their coverage, especially if they have pre-existing conditions. We’ll go over those below.
Enrolling in pet insurance for your older dog can help you plan for and offset the costs of potential diagnoses and treatments. Older dogs tend to experience more health issues as they age, just like we do. Your pup may be slowing down, playing less, or disoriented at times. Other health issues your dog could experience include arthritis, lethargy, obesity, poor organ function, decreased immunity, hearing and vision loss, and neurological issues.2
Another unfortunate reality of aging is cancer rates among dogs — with about half of dogs ages 10 and older developing cancer.3 This, along with the following reasons, could make having a pet insurance policy worth it for senior dogs:
Many senior pets have chronic ailments...[that] can be covered by pet insurance...and save [pet parents] thousands of dollars over their pet's lifetime.
The earlier you can enroll your dog, the more likely you’ll receive coverage for things before they become pre-existing conditions. That way, you can focus less on your finances and more on caring for your senior companion.
To determine if pet insurance is worth it for older dogs, it may help to know how real-life families have used their benefits. Take a look at some claims stories to see how much members of the MetLife Pet family have saved on senior dog costs:4
Caring for a senior dog can be an emotional time. The things you used to do together may be more difficult for them — you might see changes in your pup that tug on your heartstrings, or you may realize your time left together is shorter than you’d like. Dogs become some of our closest family members, and when they cross the rainbow bridge, it can be a very difficult experience.
Here at MetLife Pet, we’re dog parents, too. We strive to provide supportive care for you and your pup during transitional times. That’s why, in addition to offering coverage for euthanasia and cremation services, we’re one of the only providers to offer grief counseling and support the planting of a memorial tree after the loss of your beloved pet.5
MetLife Pet dog insurance policies start at $16 per month for one dog.6 Your premium depends on your ZIP code and the coverage you choose, as well as your dog’s age, breed, gender, and any pre-existing conditions they may have. The monthly premium on pet insurance for older dogs may cost more than if they were younger. While your premium may increase as your dog gets older, it won’t increase when you file a claim.
Even though the cost may be higher, it can seem like a lifeline when faced with paying a large bill or euthanizing your family pet. Economic euthanasia is a sadly common practice when dealing with veterinary bills and other financial obligations.7 Being prepared can help you give your pup the best chance at getting the care they need — which means more belly rubs and wagging tails.
Again, your dog won’t be denied enrollment because of their age. But if your dog has pre-existing conditions, associated costs may not be covered by a new MetLife Pet Insurance policy.
Dog insurance can still be helpful for future vet expenses. Through reimbursements, new vet costs might be easier to manage if you’re already paying vet bills related to pre-existing conditions.1 And expensive vet care might become more financially accessible, so you can say yes in crucial moments.
That said, MetLife Pet may be able to help you if you’re looking for different coverage. If your senior dog has pre-existing conditions already covered under another provider’s insurance policy, continued coverage of them is possible when you switch to MetLife Pet through your employer.8
Knowing what’s considered a “senior dog” can be challenging because calculating their “human” age isn’t as simple as taking your dog’s age and multiplying it by seven. A dog’s age depends on their size, breed, and genetics — with smaller dogs typically aging at a slower rate than larger ones.2
You can typically expect your pup to reach “senior” status around the following ages:2
Consider your dog’s breed, what you know about their genetics, and their lifestyle. You may have a senior pooch on your hands who will need special care!
No, MetLife Pet offers one dog insurance plan no matter the age of your dog. One notable difference is what might be covered based on your specific pup. Other than that, our pet insurance works the same way for puppies as it does for seniors.
Simply pay for the care at any certified veterinary clinic in the U.S., and then submit a claim with the invoice and any relevant vet records. MetLife Pet can reimburse up to 90% of covered veterinary expenses — typically within 5 days — depending on your benefits.1,9
Look for a plan that’s budget-friendly but has comprehensive coverage to provide long-term protection. Plans with no upper age limits can be especially helpful for senior companions because they won’t lose coverage just because they got older.
Pay attention to your customization options. A higher annual limit can stretch farther when it comes to potentially expensive senior vet care. And you can balance it out by adjusting your deductible and reimbursement rate to arrive at a premium that works for you.
However, if you expect the bulk of your vet bills to be for pre-existing conditions, you might want to choose a lower annual limit but a higher reimbursement rate so you can get more money back on the few new bills you might receive.
Another benefit that can be helpful for older dogs is adding routine or wellness coverage to reimburse you for vet bills you’re likely already paying for. This could leave more room in your budget for vet bills you might need to cover out of pocket.
We understand that managing your finances can be stressful. The last thing you want is for your senior pet’s care to fall by the wayside because finances make it difficult. Our policies can help make the medical care your precious companion needs more accessible, with the ultimate goal of helping you and your family have more time with them.
Here’s a review of how MetLife Pet Insurance helped Pat with this exact situation — so he could get important vet care for his senior pup.
“I have never had pet insurance before but this year I decided to get it to help care for my senior dog and help reduce my out of pocket expenses. Actually thinking I wouldn't need it but why not get it. Well was I surprised when my girl was diagnosed with a heart murmur and needed a cardiac workup that cost over $700. Well the claims process was so easy it didn't seem possible. I would recommend MetLife Pet Insurance to anyone who has a pet. It has saved me hundreds of dollars this year. I have actually saved more money than the cost of the insurance.” — Pat Leach, TrustPilot, 05/26/2026 (Star rating = 5)10
It’s never too late to see how a dog insurance policy with MetLife Pet can benefit you and your pup. Get started with a free, personalized quote today.
