Pet insurance in Canada: what it costs
What a typical dog and cat policy costs in Canada, how the size of the breed changes it, and what to check before you buy.
Checked 8 November 2026
Typical price
Dog
89 CAD a month, about 1,068 CAD a year
NAPHIA 2024 average accident and illness premium for dogs 89 CAD/month (via BrokerLink, Dec 2025). Sonnet (Jun 2026): dog insurance typically 43-84/month. source
Cat
45.85 CAD a month, about 550.20 CAD a year
NAPHIA 2024 average accident and illness premium for cats 45.85 CAD/month (via BrokerLink, Dec 2025). Sonnet (Jun 2026): 27-50/month. source
By size
| Size | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| Toy | 58.74 CAD | 704.88 CAD |
| Small | 69.42 CAD | 833.04 CAD |
| Medium | 77.43 CAD | 929.16 CAD |
| Large | 98.79 CAD | 1,185.48 CAD |
| Giant | 133.50 CAD | 1,602 CAD |
Our estimate: the typical price scaled by the size of the dog. Real quotes depend on the breed, its age, the cover and the excess.
Check your breed
Estimates for popular breeds
| Breed | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| Labrador Retriever | 88.11 CAD | 1,057 CAD |
| French Bulldog | 127.27 CAD | 1,527 CAD |
| German Shepherd Dog | 96.12 CAD | 1,153 CAD |
| Golden Retriever | 83.66 CAD | 1,004 CAD |
| Dachshund (Standard) | 72.09 CAD | 865 CAD |
| English Cocker Spaniel | 73.87 CAD | 886 CAD |
| Chihuahua | 56.07 CAD | 673 CAD |
| Border Collie | 72.09 CAD | 865 CAD |
| Mixed breed (dog) | 66.75 CAD | 801 CAD |
| Mixed breed (cat) | 38.97 CAD | 468 CAD |
| Maine Coon | 45.39 CAD | 545 CAD |
| British Shorthair | 43.10 CAD | 517 CAD |
| Ragdoll | 40.81 CAD | 490 CAD |
Before you buy
- New policies often have an age limit, so insuring young is cheaper and easier.
- There is usually a waiting period before illness cover starts.
- Conditions the animal already has are not covered.
- Check whether hereditary conditions such as hip dysplasia are covered. Each breed page lists the ones to ask about.
- A higher excess or co-payment lowers the price but raises what you pay at the vet.
- Look at the yearly limit. One operation can cost more than a cheap policy pays out.
Rules and costs for dogs in Canada → Pet insurance by country
Prices are typical published prices, not a quote. Pet Wiki is not an insurer or a broker.