Pet insurance in Japan: what it costs
What a typical dog and cat policy costs in Japan, how the size of the breed changes it, and what to check before you buy.
Checked 8 November 2026
Typical price
Dog
3,590 JPY a month, about 43,080 JPY a year
Small-dog quotes only (no medium mixed-breed price fetched; medium dogs cost more): Anicom Family 70% Toy Poodle 3,590 JPY/month at age 0, 4,780 at age 5; Nihon Pet SSI Light 70% Toy Poodle 2,010 at age 0, 2,390 at age 5. Both cover outpatient, hospitalisation, surgery. source
Cat
1,452 JPY a month, about 17,424 JPY a year
Kakaku.com comparison, mixed-breed cat age 0, 12 plans at 70% covering outpatient+hospital+surgery: median about 1,452 JPY/month, cheapest 930 (wan days/nyan days), Anicom Family 3,330. source
By size
| Size | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| Toy | 2,369.40 JPY | 28,432.80 JPY |
| Small | 2,800.20 JPY | 33,602.40 JPY |
| Medium | 3,123.30 JPY | 37,479.60 JPY |
| Large | 3,984.90 JPY | 47,818.80 JPY |
| Giant | 5,385 JPY | 64,620 JPY |
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 | 3,554.10 JPY | 42,649 JPY |
| French Bulldog | 5,133.70 JPY | 61,604 JPY |
| German Shepherd Dog | 3,877.20 JPY | 46,526 JPY |
| Golden Retriever | 3,374.60 JPY | 40,495 JPY |
| Dachshund (Standard) | 2,907.90 JPY | 34,895 JPY |
| English Cocker Spaniel | 2,979.70 JPY | 35,756 JPY |
| Chihuahua | 2,261.70 JPY | 27,140 JPY |
| Border Collie | 2,907.90 JPY | 34,895 JPY |
| Mixed breed (dog) | 2,692.50 JPY | 32,310 JPY |
| Mixed breed (cat) | 1,234.20 JPY | 14,810 JPY |
| Maine Coon | 1,437.48 JPY | 17,250 JPY |
| British Shorthair | 1,364.88 JPY | 16,379 JPY |
| Ragdoll | 1,292.28 JPY | 15,507 JPY |
Liability insurance
Dog liability insurance costs about 1,500 JPY a year in Japan. source
Anicom pet liability rider 1,500 JPY/yr (140/month), 3,000 deductible, via SMBC page. Optional.
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 Japan → Pet insurance by country
Prices are typical published prices, not a quote. Pet Wiki is not an insurer or a broker.