How much does dog & cat insurance cost in California for the 15 most popular breeds?

The price for California pet insurance varies depending on where you live. To give you an idea we’ve collected costs for three cities shown below. The prices will also vary based on the age, health, and breed of your puppy.

All prices shown below are based on a 90% reimbursement rate with a $500 deductible and a $5,000 annual benefit from Figo pet insurance. Please note: these prices should only be treated as a rough guide as of January 2025 and are subject to change. If you’re looking for the most up-to-date cost of pet insurance in California we suggest getting a quote directly with Figo or Lemonade.

Dog Insurance Prices in California:

1. Mixed Breed
   • Beverly Hills – $43.82/ mo
   • Fresno – $38.77/ mo
   • San Francisco – $47.00/ mo
2. Labrador Retriever
   • Beverly Hills – $59.68/ mo
   • Fresno – $52.80/ mo
   • San Francisco – $64.01/ mo
3. Golden Retriever
   • Beverly Hills – $59.56/ mo
   • Fresno – $52.69/ mo
   • San Francisco – $63.86/ mo
4. German Shepherd
   • Beverly Hills – $63.39/ mo
   • Fresno – $56.96/ mo
   • San Francisco – $69.04/ mo
5. Goldendoodle
   • Beverly Hills – $51.82/ mo
   • Fresno – $45.85/ mo
   • San Francisco – $55.56/ mo
6. Chihuahua
   • Beverly Hills – $17.20/ mo
   • Fresno – $24.11/ mo
   • San Francisco – $29.23/ mo
7. Siberian Husky
   • Beverly Hills – $59.85/ mo
   • Fresno – $52.96/ mo
   • San Francisco – $64.18/ mo
8. Yorkshire Terrier
   • Beverly Hills – $19.35/ mo
   • Fresno – $33.28/ mo
   • San Francisco – $40.35/ mo
9. American Pit Bull Terrier
   • Beverly Hills – $66.26/ mo
   • Fresno – $58.61/ mo
   • San Francisco – $71.05/ mo
10. Australian Shepherd
    • Beverly Hills – $41.20/ mo
    • Fresno – $36.45/ mo
    • San Francisco – $44.18/ mo
11. Dachshund
    • Beverly Hills – $38.88/ mo
    • Fresno – $34.39/ mo
    • San Francisco – $41.68/ mo
12. Shih Tzu
    • Beverly Hills – $34.64/ mo
    • Fresno – $30.64/ mo
    • San Francisco – $37.13/ mo
13. French Bulldog
    • Beverly Hills – $81.95/ mo
    • Fresno – $72.50/ mo
    • San Francisco – $87.89/ mo
14. Boxer
    • Beverly Hills – $82.29/ mo
    • Fresno – $72.81/ mo
    • San Francisco – $88.23/ mo
15. Labradoodle
    • Beverly Hills – $26.66/ mo
    • Fresno – $45.85/ mo
    • San Francisco – $55.56/ mo

Cat Insurance Prices in California:

1. Mixed Breed
   • Beverly Hills – $25.50/ mo
   • Fresno – $22.54/ mo
   • San Francisco – $27.33/ mo
2. American Shorthair
   • Beverly Hills – $30.12/ mo
   • Fresno – $26.64/ mo
   • San Francisco – $32.29/ mo
3. Bengal
   • Beverly Hills – $30.12/ mo
   • Fresno – $26.64/ mo
   • San Francisco – $32.29/ mo
4. Bombay
   • Beverly Hills – $30.12/ mo
   • Fresno – $26.64/ mo
   • San Francisco – $32.29/ mo
5. British Shorthair
   • Beverly Hills – $30.12/ mo
   • Fresno – $26.64/ mo
   • San Francisco – $32.29/ mo
6. Exotic
   • Beverly Hills – $30.12/ mo
   • Fresno – $26.64/ mo
   • San Francisco – $32.29/ mo
7. Himalayan
   • Beverly Hills – $30.12/ mo
   • Fresno – $26.64/ mo
   • San Francisco – $32.29/ mo
8. Maine Coon
   • Beverly Hills – $31.78/ mo
   • Fresno – $28.10/ mo
   • San Francisco – $34.07/ mo
9. Persian
   • Beverly Hills – $31.78/ mo
   • Fresno – $28.10/ mo
   • San Francisco – $34.07/ mo
10. Ragdoll
    • Beverly Hills – $31.78/ mo
    • Fresno – $28.10/ mo
    • San Francisco – $34.07/ mo
11. Russian Blue
    • Beverly Hills – $30.12/ mo
    • Fresno – $26.64/ mo
    • San Francisco – $32.29/ mo
12. Scottish Fold
    • Beverly Hills – $31.78/ mo
    • Fresno – $28.10/ mo
    • San Francisco – $34.07/ mo
13. Siamese
    • Beverly Hills – $31.78/ mo
    • Fresno – $28.10/ mo
    • San Francisco – $34.07/ mo
14. Sphynx
    • Beverly Hills – $30.12/ mo
    • Fresno – $26.64/ mo
    • San Francisco – $32.29/ mo
15. Abyssinian
    • Beverly Hills – $30.12/ mo
    • Fresno – $26.64/ mo
    • San Francisco – $32.29/ mo

Not finding your specific pet breed? Lemonade pet insurance is our #1 recommendation for California and they’ll be able to give you a quick quote for your exact needs.

California Pet Insurance FAQs

What is pet insurance? Why is it helpful in California?

Register with an insurance company to best protect your pet with insurance and pay the monthly premiums to keep your policy active. If your furry friend gets in an accident or becomes ill, you must pay the vet bills upfront. After which, you can submit a claim to your insurer to be reimbursed. Keep in mind that insurance companies typically do not cover pre-existing conditions, which is why we suggest getting pet insurance while your animal is still a puppy or a kitten.

Pet insurance is helpful in California since veterinary costs are through the roof, especially for cancer treatments and other such therapies that can exceed $10,000. Uninsured pet owners risk putting their pets down if they can’t afford the necessary procedures or treatments. Insurance makes sure this is never an issue.

How old does my pet need to be to get insured?

The good news is that there is no age limit when it comes to pet insurance. Your pet needs to be at least 8-weeks-old for it to be insured. That said, younger animals tend to be cheaper to insure, which is another reason to get pet insurance before your little pal turns one year old.

Is it worth it getting pet insurance in CA?

As noted above, accidents and illnesses are inevitable parts of most pets’ lives, which leaves owners with piles of vet bills. Pet owners can spend upwards of $3,000 just for an emergency trip to the vet. You need to decide for yourself whether paying monthly insurance premiums offsets any potential high out-of-pocket bills in the future. California vets are some of the most expensive in the country–another reason to get pet insurance.

What does pet insurance include and exclude?

Pet insurance companies now have “wellness” packages that you can add to your policy to cover routine care such as annual physical exams, vaccinations, heartworm prevention, and more. Basic coverage varies between providers, but a good rule of thumb is that illnesses and accidents deemed “sudden and catastrophic” will be covered. Some such examples may include lacerations, broken bones, skin rashes, eye infections, and more. However, if your pet has a medical condition before (or when) you apply for pet insurance, this will be listed as a pre-existing condition and not covered by your policy.

Which is better: a higher or lower deductible?

This depends on your personal preference as well as your financial circumstances. A lower deductible results in higher monthly payments but lower out-of-pocket costs in an emergency. You can expect the opposite with higher deductibles in that you’ll have lower monthly payments but higher out-of-pocket costs in a crisis. Many providers have calculators on their websites you can use when requesting a quote. We have noticed most pet owners choose either a $250 or $500 deductible.

Are there restricted breeds for homeowners insurance in California?

As in most states, California has restricted dog breeds, which may vary between providers. These may include, but are not limited to:

• Akitas
• Bull Mastiffs
• Chow Chows
• Doberman Pinschers
• German Shepherds
• Great Danes
• Pit Bull Terriers
• Rottweilers
• Wolfhounds

Whether you have a dog or another type of animal, we recommend contacting your insurance provider to verify what your policy includes and excludes and if you will need a specific liability rider.

5 Useful Strategies for Keeping Your Pet Safe & Healthy in California

California is a beautiful place to live, but with the state’s frequent natural disasters and unpredictable weather, there is a lot to consider when keeping your pet safe and healthy.

1. Prepare an emergency bag

California is wrought with natural disasters, including earthquakes, fires, landslides, and floods, making it vital to have a “go” bag for your pet. This bag should include food, water, bowls, and medicine. If you have a dog, then a leash is also worth including. And if you have a cat, make sure you have an extra litter box and bag of litter that you can grab at a moment’s notice. You will also need to have your pet’s carrier or kennel in an easy-to-reach place and be sure to line it with a thick cushion or blanket to provide some comfort during a potentially stressful time. You may even want to place a pee-pad on top.

2. Keep your pet hydrated

Hot weather is not uncommon in California, but it is essential to keep your pet hydrated even in cooler months. Proper hydration is one of the biggest keys to pet health. By combining the following two approaches, you can ensure your pet gets the moisture its body needs. First, have a fresh bowl of water available at all times. Wash the bowl regularly with soap and warm water to keep bacteria at bay. The second is to add a couple of spoonfuls (small ones for smaller pets and larger ones for average to larger-sized dogs) of water to your pet’s food. This works well for canned, dry, cooked, or raw food, bringing out the flavors. Be careful not to drown the food, or your pet may turn its nose up at it!

3. Groom your pet regularly

With California’s heat, it is always a good idea to brush your pet multiple times a week, if not daily. This helps to prevent hairballs and potentially fatal intestinal blockages that ingested hair can cause. Be sure not to shave your dog or cat as their fur serves to regulate their body temperature, keeping them cool in the summer and warm in the colder months. Trimming their hair is fine, though. And bathing dogs is essential to their wellbeing. Be sure to use gentle soaps and shampoos, and keep them away from your dog’s eyes.

4. Treat your pet for fleas and ticks

Ticks are aplenty in California, with over 48 different species. Fleas are equally as bothersome. To save your pet the pain and suffering such parasites cause, be sure to get them a spot-on treatment and apply it to the back of your pet’s neck. Collars are also available but generally not as effective. Be sure to consult your vet first.

5. Vaccinate your pet for rabies

In California, the most common wildlife carriers of rabies are bats, raccoons, skunks, coyotes, foxes, and opossums, to name a few. Be sure that your pet is at least 4 months old before getting your pet vaccinated.

5 Unique Animal Rescue Shelters in California

If you’re looking for a new animal companion, we recommend adopting. Here are five dynamic and interesting animal shelters in California to help you start your search.

1. Living Free Animal Sanctuary in Mountain Center, CA

Living Free is a sanctuary for cats and dogs that face being euthanized by public shelters. All animals at LFAS live in safe housing that is entirely cage-free and allows animals the chance to live well–playing, relaxing, and enjoying their time with fellow furry friends and loving humans. They also run War Horse Creek, in which rescued wild mustangs are trained to be therapy partners for veterans transitioning back into civilian life.

2. Fallbrook Animal Sanctuary in Fallbrook, CA

FAS is a no-kill shelter for neglected, abused, abandoned, and surrendered dogs and cats. Their animals are provided with food, water, shelter, grooming, and flea/tick treatments. They are dewormed, spayed/neutered, and microchipped if age-appropriate.

3. Happy Tails Pet Sanctuary in Sacramento, CA

Happy Tails is a cage-free, no-kill sanctuary for homeless cats, dogs, turtles, rabbits, and more. All animals are examined by a vet, treated for fleas, and given the medical care they need. They are also spayed/neutered, tested for various illnesses, and vaccinated when old enough. While they accept different animals, most of their residents are cats and kittens.

4. L.A. Love & Leashes in Los Angeles, CA

This adoption center helps find homes for animals living in Los Angeles’ six city shelters. L.A. L&L offers a more serene environment for cats and dogs to engage with their potential new humans. The animals come to the center during the day and return to their respective city shelters at night. All animals come spayed or neutered, vaccinated, microchipped, and examined by a vet.

5. Second Chance Dog Rescue in San Diego, CA

SCDR rescues and finds homes for dogs from local shelters, people who need to surrender their dog, along with those from Baja California, Mexico. Dogs are not discriminated against based on age, ability, and breed. Whichever dogs SCDR can rescue, they do, and all are given the necessary medical care for rehabilitation. Since they do not have an official brick-and-mortar shelter, all dogs reside in loving foster homes until they find their forever homes.

Conclusion

Ultimately, choosing the best pet insurance in California is much easier than it may have seemed at first. We advise signing up for pet insurance when your pet is 8 weeks or older so that you can get the best prices with the fewest restrictions regarding pre-existing conditions. Nevertheless, getting pet insurance at any point in your little friend’s life is better than never because it can be helpful in catastrophic situations and support preventative care. In our comprehensive research, we found Lemonade pet insurance consistently performs the best and offers the lowest monthly premiums.

SwiftScore Ranking Methodology for California

We ranked the best pet insurance policies in California based on a variety of important factors including the following:

• Average monthly price for a 2-year-old Labrador Retriever with a $500 deductible located in California with a 90210 zip code
• Coverage and benefits
• Key policy details including accidents and illnesses, surgeries, annual check-ups, cancer treatment, lab tests, and more
• AM Best rating of the underwriter
• Reimbursement percentage
• Annual benefit amount
• Technology and user experience
• Ease of sign up
• Policy language clarity
• User reviews