We all know that one dog who eats a sock, a corn cob or a whole bag of Halloween chocolate and ends up at the emergency vet at 2 a.m. The owner walks out with a bill bigger than their rent and a dog who looks totally fine. If you have a pet in Canada, sooner or later that owner is you.
Vet care is not cheap here. Fetch’s own claim examples show a dog’s kneecap (patella) surgery costing $28,776 and a cat’s multiple tooth extraction costing $4,164. Even a root canal averages $3,140. Pet insurance won’t make those bills go away, but it can turn a $4,000 surprise into a $500 one.
So which company should you pick? Below are the 10 best pet insurance companies in Canada for 2026, with what they cost for dogs and cats, how long you wait before coverage starts and where each one falls short. Every price comes with its source, because pet insurance rates change all the time and you should know where a number came from.
How Much Pet Insurance Costs in Canada
The average Canadian paid $1,176 a year (about $98 a month) to insure a dog with an accident and illness plan in 2025, and $601 a year (about $50 a month) for a cat, according to NAPHIA’s 2026 State of the Industry report as quoted by WealthNorth. Accident only plans cost a lot less, $251 a year for dogs and $212 for cats.
What you pay depends on the breed, the age of your pet, where you live and what plan you pick. A French Bulldog on Fetch averages $73 a month, while a Shih-Tzu averages $24, according to Fetch’s own numbers. Same company, same country, three times the price.
Best Pet Insurance in Canada at a Glance
Prices are Forbes Advisor Canada average monthly rates for $5,000 coverage (or the closest plan), $100 deductible and 80% reimbursement, across 65 postal codes. “n/a” means Forbes didn’t publish a price for that company.
| # | Company | Dog (avg/mo) | Cat (avg/mo) | Reimbursement | Accident / illness wait | Available in Quebec? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Trupanion | n/a | n/a | 90% | n/a | Yes |
| 2 | Petsecure | $72.86 | $41.53 | Up to 80% | 48 hours / 14 days | Yes |
| 3 | Pets Plus Us | $121.86 | $52.25 | 70%, 80% or 90% | 48 hours / 14 days | Yes |
| 4 | Spot | $98.86 | $41.50 | 70% to 90% | Next day / 14 days | No |
| 5 | PHI Direct | $76.21 | $24.69 | 80% | 48 hours / 14 days | No |
| 6 | Desjardins | $47.87 | $32.20 | 80% | 48 hours / 14 days | Yes |
| 7 | Peppermint | $55.03 | $30.83 | 80% | 48 hours / 14 days | Check with insurer |
| 8 | Furkin | $98.27 | $32.27 | 80% | 48 hours / 14 days | No |
| 9 | OVMA Pet Health Insurance | $83.29 | $47.71 | 80% | 48 hours / 14 days | Yes |
| 10 | Fetch | $131.45 | $30.47 | Up to 90% | None / up to 15 days | No |
Forbes didn’t use the exact same plan for every company. Pets Plus Us is priced on a $7,500 plan, Furkin on its $20,000 plan, Spot and PHI Direct with a $200 deductible and Fetch with a $300 one. So treat this table as a rough starting point, not a price tag.
1. Trupanion
Reimbursement: 90% Payout limit: None Max enrolment age: 14 years
Trupanion is the one people talk about when they want coverage with no ceiling. Its Canadian site says it has no annual, lifetime or per-condition limits, and pays 90% of eligible treatment for as long as your pet needs it. You pay one deductible per condition for the life of your pet, not every year, according to WealthNorth.
The part owners like most is VetDirect Pay. Trupanion works with more than 11,000 clinics in Canada and the US, and at those clinics it pays the vet directly at checkout. You don’t front $6,000 on your credit card and wait for a cheque.
The catch: We couldn’t find a published Trupanion price from a source that explains how it got the number. You will need to get your own quote. It also enrols pets only up to 14 years old.
2. Petsecure
Dog: $72.86 a month (Forbes) Cat: $41.53 a month (Forbes) Reimbursement: up to 80%, including exam fees and taxes
Petsecure sells in every province, Quebec included. It has four plans with yearly limits starting at $2,000 and going all the way to unlimited, so you can pick based on budget. Dental illness and accident are covered in every plan, and it pays for behavioural therapy too.
If you have a full house, Petsecure gives 10% off for three or more pets and 15% off for six or more.
The catch: You wait 6 months for cruciate ligament, back disc (IVDD) and dental claims. Cruciate tears are one of the most common big dog surgeries, so if your dog is a Lab or a Rottweiler, that matters.
3. Pets Plus Us
Dog: $121.86 a month (Forbes, $7,500 plan) Cat: $52.25 a month (Forbes, $7,500 plan) Reimbursement: 70%, 80% or 90%
Forbes picked Pets Plus Us as the best for short waiting periods. Accidents are covered after 48 hours and illness after 14 days, and that 14 days includes cruciate and kneecap problems, where a lot of other companies make you wait 6 months.
It sells everywhere in Canada. Costco members get a 10% to 15% discount, and AMA members in Alberta get 13.5% off, according to Spring Financial. Multi-pet homes can save up to 15%.
The catch: The Forbes price is the highest dog price on this list besides Fetch, partly because it’s for a bigger $7,500 plan. Spring Financial also says some reimbursements can take up to 6 months.
4. Spot Pet Insurance
Dog: $98.86 a month (Forbes, $200 deductible) Cat: $41.50 a month (Forbes, $200 deductible) Reimbursement: 70% to 90%
Forbes named Spot its best overall pet insurance in Canada in November 2026, with a 5 out of 5 score. Accident coverage starts the next day, which is the fastest on this list after Fetch. Exam fees are included, and it pays up to $1,000 a year for behavioural therapy.
You can add wellness cover for $260 or $530 a year in benefits, and you get 5% off for two pets and 10% for three or more.
The catch: Spot doesn’t sell in Quebec. It also only takes new dogs up to 10 years old and cats up to 12, according to Spring Financial.
5. PHI Direct
Dog: $76.21 a month (Forbes, $200 deductible) Cat: $24.69 a month (Forbes, $200 deductible) Reimbursement: 80%
If you have a cat, look here first. PHI Direct has the lowest cat price in the Forbes data, and Forbes calls it the best cheap insurance for cats. It has two plans, Direct 5 and Direct 10, with $5,000 or $10,000 a year in coverage and a flat $200 deductible.
Exam fees and behavioural therapy are included, and you get a 24/7 vet helpline. The cruciate wait is 60 days, a lot shorter than the 6 months at Petsecure or OVMA. Spring Financial says it takes all cats and dogs with no age or breed limits.
The catch: No Quebec, and the top plan caps out at $10,000 a year. One cancer treatment can go past that.
6. Desjardins Pet Insurance
Dog: $47.87 a month (Forbes, single source) Cat: $32.20 a month (Forbes, single source) Reimbursement: 80%
Desjardins has the cheapest dog price in the Forbes cheap pet insurance analysis. It has three plans, Bronze, Silver and Gold Paw. Bronze covers up to $2,000 per illness and per accident each year, Silver $4,000, and Gold has no limit, according to Spring Financial.
Desjardins plans are underwritten by Petline, the same company behind Petsecure and OVMA, so the claims process is similar. Discounts are 10% for three pets and 15% for six or more.
The catch: Bronze is cheap because it covers so little. A $2,000 per illness cap won’t go far if your dog needs surgery. Behavioural therapy is only on the top plan.
7. Peppermint
Dog: $55.03 a month (Forbes, single source) Cat: $30.83 a month (Forbes, single source) Reimbursement: 80%
Forbes ranked Peppermint first in its October 2026 cheap pet insurance list and called it the best pick for older pets on its main list. It has four plans, from Lite (accident only, $1,500 a year) up to Prime ($5,000 per accident and $5,000 per illness each year). Exam fees are covered, and you get $350 a year for alternative therapy on every plan.
The catch: Coverage limits are low. The best plan stops at $5,000 per illness. There is no dental coverage, and the price goes up as your pet gets older.
8. Furkin
Dog: $98.27 a month (Forbes, $20,000 plan) Cat: $32.27 a month (Forbes, $20,000 plan) Reimbursement: 80%
Furkin keeps it simple. One plan, up to $20,000 a year. Forbes named it best for maximum coverage, and that $20,000 is the highest fixed limit on this list (Trupanion and some unlimited plans go further). It includes behavioural therapy and a 24/7 vet line, and the deductible starts at $100 and goes up with age.
You can enrol a pet between 7 weeks and 14 years old, according to Spring Financial.
The catch: You wait 180 days for cruciate and knee claims. Furkin isn’t sold in Quebec or Nunavut, and you have to send in claims within 90 days.
9. OVMA Pet Health Insurance
Dog: $83.29 a month (Forbes) Cat: $47.71 a month (Forbes) Reimbursement: 80%
The Ontario Veterinary Medical Association sponsors this one, but you can buy it anywhere in Canada. Forbes rates it best for vet approval, which makes sense because vets are the ones who set it up. Exam fees and taxes are covered, and every plan covers dental illness and accidents.
The Unlimited plan has no per-accident or yearly illness limit and adds wellness money ($450 a year for dogs, $350 for cats), according to Spring Financial.
The catch: Same 6 month wait as Petsecure for cruciate, back disc and dental claims. Behavioural therapy is capped at $350 a year.
10. Fetch Pet Insurance
Dog: $131.45 a month (Forbes, $300 deductible) Cat: $30.47 a month (Forbes, $300 deductible) Reimbursement: up to 90%
Fetch is best for dental. It covers every tooth for illness and injury, which a lot of plans won’t do. Fetch’s own numbers show it paid back $2,826 on an average $3,140 root canal. There is no waiting period for accidents and you can see any licensed vet in Canada or the US.
Fetch also pays up to $1,000 a year, with no deductible, for things like behavioural therapy, boarding if you’re in hospital for 4 or more days, a cancelled vacation and online vet visits.
The catch: Forbes has its dog price as the highest on this list, though Fetch says its own average is $35 a month for dogs and $21 for cats. That big gap is why you should get your own quote. Fetch isn’t sold in Quebec or New Brunswick, and its own pricing page says it’s “probably not the best choice” for senior pets.
Which Pet Insurance Is Best for You?
- Big dog breed (Lab, Golden, Bernese): Trupanion or Pets Plus Us. Trupanion has no payout limit, and Pets Plus Us covers cruciate tears after 14 days.
- Cat on a budget: PHI Direct at $24.69 a month in the Forbes data.
- Dog on a budget: Desjardins at $47.87 a month, but read the Bronze limits first.
- You live in Quebec: Trupanion, Petsecure, Pets Plus Us, Desjardins or OVMA. Spot, PHI Direct, Furkin and Fetch don’t sell there.
- Older pet: Peppermint or PHI Direct. Trupanion takes pets up to 14 years old.
- Lots of dental trouble (small breeds, cats): Fetch or Petsecure.
- Three or more pets: Petsecure, OVMA or Desjardins for 10% off, or 15% off at six pets.
How to Pay Less for Pet Insurance
- Sign up while your pet is young. No company covers pre-existing conditions. If your puppy gets an ear infection before you buy a policy, that ear might never be covered.
- Get at least three quotes. The same French Bulldog can cost double at one company compared to another. It takes about 15 minutes online.
- Raise your deductible. Going from $100 to $300 or $500 lowers your monthly bill. Just make sure you can actually pay it at the vet.
- Pick 80% instead of 90%. You pay a bit more on each claim but less every month.
- Ask about discounts. Multi-pet, Costco, AMA and paying yearly can all save you 5% to 15%.
- Skip wellness add-ons if you’re disciplined. Wellness plans often cost close to what they pay out. Saving $40 a month in a separate account for vaccines and checkups can work just as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best pet insurance in Canada?
There is no single answer. Forbes Advisor Canada named Spot the best overall in November 2026, and named Peppermint the best cheap option in October 2026. Trupanion is the main pick if you want no payout limit and direct payment at the vet.
How much is pet insurance in Canada per month?
The average was about $98 a month for a dog and $50 a month for a cat on an accident and illness plan in 2025, according to NAPHIA figures quoted by WealthNorth. Accident only plans average about $21 a month for dogs and $18 for cats.
What is the cheapest pet insurance in Canada?
In Forbes Advisor Canada’s October 2026 data, Desjardins had the cheapest dog price at $47.87 a month and PHI Direct the cheapest cat price at $24.69 a month, for $5,000 of coverage.
Is pet insurance worth it in Canada?
It is if a $3,000 to $8,000 vet bill would hurt your bank account. WealthNorth’s example: a dog owner pays $11,760 over 10 years in premiums, and an $8,000 treatment gets $6,000 back on a $500 deductible and 80% plan. If your pet stays healthy you may pay more than you get back, but you’re paying for not having to choose between your savings and your dog.
Does pet insurance cover pre-existing conditions in Canada?
No. None of the companies on this list cover conditions your pet had before the policy started. Trupanion says that once a condition is covered, it stays covered for the rest of your pet’s life, as long as you keep the policy.
Get Your Pet Covered Before You Need It
Most people look for pet insurance the day after the emergency vet visit, and by then it’s too late for that problem. Take 15 minutes this week and get a quote from three companies on this list. Pick one big nationwide name, one cheap option and one that fits your pet’s breed.
