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Does Pet Insurance Cover Cataract Surgery? 2026 Update
Owning a pet comes with several responsibilities, and the animal’s health should be at the top of the priority list. As life goes on for our beloved pets, their health slowly deteriorates, and cataracts are just one of the ailments that may cause them discomfort. It can be an inherited disease and can also be caused by other conditions, such as diabetes or injury to the eye. Either way, it may come to a point when your companion requires surgery since it is currently the only treatment option, and unfortunately, that may put a big dent in your bank account.1
The good news is that several pet insurance companies will fully or partially cover cataract surgery. However, it is essential to check with your insurance provider to learn more about their cataract policies. If you're looking for a new pet insurance plan for your puppy or kitten, iron out any cataract coverage details before signing a policy.
How Pet Insurance Can Help Pay for Cataract Surgery
Pet insurance reimburses you for a significant portion of covered vet costs. Accident/illness plans cover injuries and most pet illnesses, including cataracts, and are the most common type of pet insurance plan. Wellness coverage, which reimburses you for routine care, is also available.
Plans can be tailored to provide higher reimbursement rates and more coverage.
Why Your Pet Insurance Company Won’t Cover Cataract Surgery
It is critical to read your insurance contract carefully since it may contain exclusions. One of the most significant exclusions is that many pet insurance companies will not cover cataracts as a pre-existing condition.
If you suspect your pet is genetically predisposed to developing cataracts later in life, the best course of action is to sign up for pet insurance as soon as possible. Some companies have specific policies for juvenile cataracts, and some pets can develop cataracts while they are still young due to other diseases or injuries. Surgery, however, is often not recommended for cats with non-hereditary forms of cataracts.
Cost of Treatment
Currently, surgery is the only option for the treatment of cataracts. Cataracts are a progressive disease; if surgery is recommended, it should be performed as soon as possible. To ensure that the eye inflammation caused by cataracts is controlled, pre-operative medication must be administered and continued for several days to a few weeks before surgery. Long-term success rates in dogs following simple cataract surgery range between 85% and 90%.
Even though you may not need to send your pet to the vet for cataract surgery, it is better to be safe and have appropriate pet insurance. Here are a few of the best pet insurance companies on the market to choose from:
Top Rated Pet Insurance Companies:
The cost of treatment can vary depending on where you live and the costs of the clinic you choose, but you should expect to pay a few thousand dollars for cataract surgery. Other factors will increase the cost, including consultation fees, pre-op exams, bloodwork and ultrasounds, anesthesia, hospitalization, post-op check-ups, and medication.
If only one of your pet's eyes is affected, you could be charged between $2,000 and $3,000. If both eyes are involved, you'll most likely pay $3,500 to $4,500. On the high end, costs could reach $5,000 or higher.
Here are some estimated costs for you to chew on:
These are only estimates, and the actual costs can vary depending on the nature of the cataracts, the presence of systemic disease (such as diabetes mellitus), and whether complications arise during or after surgery.
Most Popular Pet Insurance Companies that Cover Cataract Surgery
- Petfirst Insurance: Available in all states, starts at $12 per month.
- Healthy Paws Pet Insurance: Starts at $29 per month
- Petplan Pet Insurance: Average $50 per month
- Embrace Pet Insurance: Average $37 per month
- Lemonade Pet Insurance: $12- $24 per month
Recovery and Management
Dogs are usually kept in the hospital overnight after surgery. To keep them from scratching their eyes, they must wear an Elizabethan collar or an inflatable cone, and their owners will get eye drops to give to their pets at least twice a day.
When a pet is diagnosed with immature cataracts, their owner must start a routine of multiple anti-inflammatory eye drops that will probably be required throughout the animal’s life. The rate at which the disease progresses is determined by the dog’s age, the cataract's underlying cause, and the cataract's location.
Prevention of Cataracts
Because most cataracts are inherited, there isn't much a pet parent can do to prevent it. On the other hand, feeding your pet a high-quality diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids can help promote eye health. You can talk to your veterinarian to find the most beneficial products for your pet.
You should also consider how much UV ray exposure your pet receives. You can help prevent cataracts in dogs by blocking harmful UV rays and ensuring your dog has plenty of shade outdoors.
Conclusion
If you obtain insurance while your pet is still young and healthy, you can claim cataract surgery on your policy when your pet requires it. Cataract surgery is a relatively expensive procedure, and the cost will be determined by the individual policy purchased by the pet owner. Paying for cataract surgery out of pocket can be a massive burden on your finances. We believe it is a better and safer option to pay for a policy that can give you financial aid should you need it.
Related Reads:
Sources
Featured Image Credit: Meteoritka, Shutterstock
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Oliver (Ollie) Jones is a zoologist turned freelance animal writer living in South Australia with his partner Alex and their mini zoo consisting of many aquatic creatures, dog Pepper, and of course, cat Steve. Ollie is originally from the USA and holds a Master's degree in wildlife biology. He hopes to share his feline knowledge and expertise with people so they can share in his passion and help their cats live their best lives.
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