Does Pet Insurance Protect Pregnancy & Breeding in Dogs & Cats?

Most pet insurance companies don’t cover pregnancy and breeding. There are simply too many complications that could arise and things that could wrong for a typical pet insurer to cover the risks. However, there are pet insurance companies that offer specialist products for breeders, so that they can give their breeding dogs and cats (and their offspring) the best medical care available.

Niche pet insurance providers

Niche pet insurance providers offers cover for the risks associated with pregnancy and breeding. Note: Sometimes there is a minimum age for breeding mothers. Some insurers won’t cover breeding moms younger than 12 months old, as breeding that young is not healthy. Some of the risks that specialist pet insurance companies take on when they cover pregnancy and breeding include:

• Pre-breeding tests (to ensure healthy breeding lines)
• Fertility treatment
• Artificial insemination (especially with certain breeds)
• Prenatal examinations
• Caesarean section births (essential with certain breeds)
• Problems during birth (requiring additional x-rays and ultrasounds, etc.)
• Additional cancer risks related to the reproductive systems
• Injuries resulting from aggression and fights (from having many dogs on one property, especially with hormones raging)
• Post-natal complications
• Whelping complications
• Early puppy and kitten care
• Vet fees pre-sale or up to 4 months old

Certain dog and cat breeds are naturally more at risk when it comes to breeding than others, so if you intend breeding with them, you may need to double-check with your specialist insurer to find out if your breed is covered.

Very at risk dog breeds include:

At risk cats include: Himalayan and Persian.

Most responsible pet owners have no intention of breeding with their dogs or cats, so they don’t need to worry about whether their insurance covers pregnancy, birth and whelping. However, breeders do need to special cover for their pets and should investigate their options and compare pet insurance packages carefully before making a decision.