Does Pet Insurance Cover Cancer Treatment for Pets?

Pumpkin Team
4 hours ago
6 min read

Key points

Pet insurance plans can help cover eligible expenses for cancer care, but check for exclusions and waiting periods.
It’s a good idea to get pet insurance when you adopt a pet so your new family member is protected from the start.
Pumpkin Pet Insurance plans can help cover eligible veterinarian expenses for cancer treatments, hereditary conditions, and post-treatment therapies.

From the moment you notice something’s off to waiting for test results, cancer care can be an emotional roller coaster — a ride you never wanted to get on.

It’s a reality no pet parent wants to face, but cancer is more common than many realize. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), roughly one in four dogs will develop cancer at some point in their lives. Cats also face a significant risk of developing cancer, especially as they age.

If you’re wondering, does pet insurance cover cancer treatment? The short answer is yes, in many cases, you can often get help covering eligible expenses related to medically necessary cancer care.

While no one can predict the future, accident and illness insurance plans can help by covering eligible costs related to medically necessary cancer treatment. That way, you can focus on giving your pet the best care they need during trying times.

Understanding how pet insurance can help with cancer care can give you peace of mind — and financial relief — when you need it most.

When pet insurance covers cancer

Depending on your provider and plan, pet insurance may help you pay for veterinarian expenses for:

Diagnostic tests (X-rays, biopsies, and ultrasounds)
Surgery and hospitalization
Chemotherapy and radiation
Prescription medications
Follow-up and rehabilitation care

When pet insurance doesn’t cover cancer

Most plans limit coverage for pre-existing conditions. For example, if your dog develops or shows signs of lymphoma before your plan starts, that condition would likely be considered pre-existing and not eligible for reimbursement under your pet insurance policy.

Many plans also exclude coverage for experimental cancer treatments, such as newly developed immunotherapies or unproven stem cell therapies. Your veterinarian may recommend them out of hope, but pet insurance providers typically only reimburse for established treatments, such as surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation.

Similarly, cosmetic procedures, such as removing small, benign skin growths, aren’t covered. Although pet parents may want their pets to feel and look like themselves again after a treatment, operations for appearance aren’t considered medically necessary.

Cat peeks from an orange cat-shaped bed on a wooden floor

Common types of cancers in dogs and cats

Cancer can affect pets in many ways, and each diagnosis may require different treatment options.

Dogs

Common cancers in dogs include:

Lymphoma: affects the immune system; often treated with chemotherapy.
Osteosarcoma: bone cancer common in large breeds; may require surgery or amputation followed by chemotherapy.
Mast cell tumors: a common skin tumor that may need surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy.
Hemangiosarcoma: a fast-growing cancer of the blood vessels; typically treated with surgery and chemotherapy.
Soft tissue sarcoma: a cancer that develops in connective tissues like muscle or fat; may require surgical removal and radiation therapy.

Cats

For cats, these types of cancer are most common:

Lymphoma: often found in the gastrointestinal tract; typically treated with chemotherapy.
Squamous cell carcinoma: affects the face or mouth; may require surgery or radiation.
Mammary tumors: more frequent in unspayed females; often treated surgically.
Mast cell tumors: may appear on the skin or internal organs; may require surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation.

Every cancer case is unique. A licensed veterinarian can determine the exact type and best course of treatment for your pet.

The cost of cancer treatments with vs. without pet insurance

Like in humans, cancer is a serious illness that can be expensive to treat. Costs can quickly $15,000 or more for dogs, and $12,000 or more for cats, depending on the type and stage of the condition.¹

Without insurance, these bills can place a real strain on many pet parents’ budgets. But with pet insurance, you could reduce those out-of-pocket costs significantly for dogs with cancer or cats with cancer.

In the case of one cat, Smokey, who had a cancerous growth, Pumpkin paid back $5,958 of his $8,524 treatment costs.

Cancer care can be costly, but being prepared makes a world of difference. Fetch a free quote from Pumpkin today.

Black pug wearing a white cone with orange paw prints, looking up

Factors that affect cancer coverage

Every pet insurance plan has its own fine print. Small details can make a difference when it comes to how much your pet’s cancer treatment is reimbursed.

Here are several factors that can influence how much a dog cancer insurance or cat insurance plan will cover:

Pre-existing conditions: Your pet insurance plan may not cover veterinarian bills for cancer treatments that began or showed symptoms before your policy becomes active. Pumpkin Pet Insurance plans may cover cured and curable pre-existing conditions. This means if your pet stays symptom-free and treatment free for a period of time, related veterinarian expenses may qualify for reimbursement in the future.
Waiting periods: Coverage typically starts after a short waiting period. Any illness that develops during this time may be considered pre-existing. It’s important to review you policy for state specific waiting periods.
Policy type: Accident-only plans won’t cover veterinary expenses for illnesses like cancer; choose accident & illness for more complete veterinary care coverage.
Policy limits: Annual limits, reimbursement rates, and deductibles affect how much you’ll get back for eligible veterinary bills.
Exclusions: Some plans exclude hereditary or congenital conditions that can be linked to certain cancers, limiting your reimbursement potential.

Why robust cancer coverage matters

Low-cost pet insurance plans may seem appealing at first, but they can surprise you with hidden drawbacks. These kinds of plans usually come with lower reimbursement rates, higher deductibles, and coverage gaps that leave you paying more when it matters most.

In contrast, a more robust accident and illness plan ensures that when your pet faces a serious illness, you can move forward with care confidently.

When it comes to protecting your pets from cancer and other serious illnesses, Pumpkin Pet Insurance plans go beyond the basics:

No upper age limits or breed restrictions for enrollment, so older pets still qualify for coverage.
No extended waiting periods for major illnesses, so coverage for cancers like lymphoma or osteosarcoma can start sooner.
No exclusions or monthly add-on fees for hereditary or chronic conditions, which largely include cancer.
Coverage for alternative and rehabilitation therapies, such as hydrotherapy, acupuncture, or laser therapy, when prescribed by your veterinarian to help your pet regain strength or manage pain after cancer treatment.

When it comes to your pet’s health, you shouldn’t have to choose between giving them the best care and protecting your finances.

Tabby cat with red collar sits beside a resting black-and-white puppy on green grass

Finding dog and cat cancer insurance

When your pet becomes a family member, you’d do anything to keep them healthy and comfortable. So, hearing a cancer diagnosis from your veterinarian can feel heartbreaking and surreal.

The good news is, most accident and illness insurance plans help cover eligible expenses for cancer treatments when they’re medically necessary and not pre-existing.

That can include reimbursement for diagnostic tests (like X-rays, biopsies, or bloodwork), surgery to remove a tumor, chemotherapy or radiation therapy, and prescription medication to manage side effects or pain.

You don’t have to navigate pet cancer alone. To see how a Pumpkin Pet Insurance plan can help cover eligible vet bills if your pet develops cancer, fetch a free quote today.

FAQs

Is it worth treating a dog with cancer?

Yes! Advances in veterinary cancer care mean many pets can live longer, more comfortable lives after treatment. Pet insurance can make the process easier by helping reimburse eligible medical costs, so finances don’t get in the way of quality care.

What if I can’t afford cancer treatment for my pet?

Cancer treatment can be a very expensive process. Thankfully, pet insurance is designed to make care more affordable when your pet gets sick. But if your pet gets diagnosed before your coverage becomes active, pet insurance likely won’t cover related expenses.

In that case, you may want to ask your veterinarian about payment plans, nonprofit programs, or local aid foundations that help pet parents manage treatment costs.

What is the best pet insurance for dogs with cancer?

The best dog cancer insurance offers extensive coverage for a wide range of eligible expenses, from diagnosis to recovery.

For example, Pumpkin Pet Insurance plans can help cover eligible veterinary bills for diagnostic tests, surgery, chemotherapy, and prescription medication if your dog develops cancer in the future. They also help cover supportive treatments, like acupuncture or rehabilitation therapy, when prescribed by your veterinarian to ease pain or improve mobility after treatment.

References

1. Based on Pumpkin Claims data captured between October 2023 and October 2025. The examples illustrate reimbursement of an eligible claim. Coverage and reimbursement rates vary based on policy options. This does not guarantee coverage. Individual results may vary and statistics may change during different time periods.

Does Pet Insurance Cover Cancer Treatment?