Cover for conditions without signs, symptoms, treatment, medication or advice for two or more years before your policy start date
Pet Insurance Provider Of The Year 2026
Pet insurance for older dogs
Just when your dog reaches an age where they need pet insurance more than ever, all of a sudden it can be trickier to come by. Many insurers sadly won’t cover older dogs because they know they’re more likely to need medical care. But we don’t think that’s fair.
At ManyPets, we love pets of all ages, so there’s no upper age limit on our dog insurance. We offer up to £20,000 of Lifetime vet fee cover for all dogs on our Complete Care plan, and we’ll also cover pre-existing conditions without signs, symptoms, treatment, medication or advice for two or more years before your policy start date.
There are just a couple of things to bear in mind. When your dog turns seven, you’ll need to pay a 20% co-payment fee per claim after you’ve paid your excess.
Co-payments are a fixed percentage you will pay for your pet's treatment. We calculate this percentage from your vet bill minus the excess.
Like fixed excesses, co-payments help to make the insurance price more affordable. Our excess and co-payment guide explains more.
When is a dog considered old?
Well, it depends. Although your dog may still bounce around like a pup, dogs can generally be classed as senior canine citizens when they reach the ripe old age of seven or eight. It’s a little higher for smaller breeds, who on average have longer lifespans, and can be slightly less for giant breeds who age more quickly.
But whenever it is that your older dog starts taking life at a slower pace, you'll find a plan that suits you both at ManyPets.
Why pick ManyPets dog insurance?
We don’t put limits on our pet insurance for older dogs. Alongside up to £20,000 of vet fee cover, you can still get your paws on all of these extras.
Pre-existing conditions
All our plans cover pre-existing conditions that ended more than two years before your policy start date. Read our handbook for the full details.
Dental treatment
Cover for dental illness and accidents up to the vet fee limit with our Standard Care and Complete Care plans, as long as your dog has had a dental check-up within the last twelve months, and you've followed any dental treatment recommended by a vet within six months. Essential Care also includes dental accidents up to £1k.
Third party liability
All of our plans inlcude cover if someone takes legal action against you and your dog.
Access to Handpicked Perks
We always want to care for your older dog’s health and wellbeing, even when you don’t need to claim. That’s why we provide access to handpicked Perks, including two months free flea, tick and worming treatment, up to 30% off food, and much more. Terms apply*
Behaviour cover
Our Complete Care plan covers vet-referred behaviour treatment if your pet needs it after an accident or illness.
Complementary treatments
If your older dog is referred by a vet for hydrotherapy or another complementary therapy, you have cover within your vet fee limit. The level ranges from £500 to £3,000 depending on your plan.
Spread the cost
You can pay for your older dog insurance plan monthly at no extra cost.
MoneyBack optional extra
Get 20% of your premium back if you haven't needed to make a claim in your policy year. Available on most of our plans.
We don’t put limits on our pet insurance for older dogs. Alongside up to £20,000 of vet fee cover, you can still get your paws on all of these extras.
Pre-existing conditions
All our plans cover pre-existing conditions that ended more than two years before your policy start date. Read our handbook for the full details.
Dental treatment
Cover for dental illness and accidents up to the vet fee limit with our Standard Care and Complete Care plans, as long as your dog has had a dental check-up within the last twelve months, and you've followed any dental treatment recommended by a vet within six months. Essential Care also includes dental accidents up to £1k.
Third party liability
All of our plans inlcude cover if someone takes legal action against you and your dog.
Access to Handpicked Perks
We always want to care for your older dog’s health and wellbeing, even when you don’t need to claim. That’s why we provide access to handpicked Perks, including two months free flea, tick and worming treatment, up to 30% off food, and much more. Terms apply*
Behaviour cover
Our Complete Care plan covers vet-referred behaviour treatment if your pet needs it after an accident or illness.
Complementary treatments
If your older dog is referred by a vet for hydrotherapy or another complementary therapy, you have cover within your vet fee limit. The level ranges from £500 to £3,000 depending on your plan.
Spread the cost
You can pay for your older dog insurance plan monthly at no extra cost.
MoneyBack optional extra
Get 20% of your premium back if you haven't needed to make a claim in your policy year. Available on most of our plans.
Just like humans, it’s more likely your dog will have health problems as they age. And as many insurers exclude pre-existing conditions from their cover, this can make it even trickier to find the right insurance.
We don’t think that’s right. That’s why all of our plans cover conditions without signs, symptoms, treatment, advice or medication for two or more years before your policy start date.
But what if your older dog has a more recent problem? Well, that’s where you can turn to our Standard Care Pre-existing plan. It provides cover for dogs who’ve had a condition within the last two years, as long as they’ve been free from signs, symptoms, treatment, medication or advice for that issue for three months before your policy start date.
Dental health can be a real problem for older dogs, as they’re more likely to experience issues as they get older. We have cover for dental illness and accidents up to the vet fee limit with our Standard Care and Complete Care plans, as long as your dog’s had a dental check-up within the last twelve months, and you’ve followed any dental treatment recommended by a vet within six months.
All of our plans include cover for dental accidents (up to £1k on Essential Care).
Ever wished you had a vet in your contacts? Now you do. As a member of our pack, you have access to unlimited, 24/7 video vet calls, at no extra cost. Available weekends, evenings, whenever you need.
It’s perfect for when you’re not sure if a vet visit is needed. Like when your older dog has a sudden change in appetite. Or if you find an odd skin growth. Whether it’s an out-of-hours accident or a minor illness, speedy vet help is only ever a few taps away.
All the questions you’ve ever wanted to ask about older dog insurance.
Can I get pet insurance for my older dog?
Yes. We don't put an upper age limit on any of our plans. The only requirement is that your dog is over four weeks old.
Is there an age limit for older dog insurance?
No, we don't have an upper age limit on any of our plans. But you’ll need to keep in mind that insurance will change as they get older. For example, from age seven, you'll pay a 20% co-payment on claims.
How do I choose the best insurance for an older dog?
It depends on you and your dog’s needs.
Generally, we’d recommend looking for a plan with no upper age limit, since some insurers can stop offering new cover to senior pets.
Check whether pre-existing conditions are covered, how the excess and co-payment work, and whether dental illness is included rather than just dental accidents, since dental problems can become more common as dogs age.
How much is pet insurance for older dogs?
Cost depends on your dog's:
Age
Breed
Pre-existing conditions
The plan you choose
Where you live
Cover for older dogs is usually more expensive than for younger dogs, and once they reach a certain age, you may need to pay a co-payment and a minimum excess on any claims you make. At ManyPets, we charge excess just once per policy year if you need to claim, not per condition.
With us, you’ll need to pay 20% towards any claims from your renewal date after your dog’s seventh birthday. Co-payments can help keep costs down, and our co-payment guide explains how it works.
The most accurate way to find your dog's price is to get a quote.
Why is pet insurance for older dogs more expensive?
Pet insurance for older dogs is nearly always more expensive than it is for younger pets. That's because, like humans, dogs are much more likely to need medical care as they age. Insurers will expect you to claim more, so this is reflected in their prices.
Does dog insurance cover euthanasia for older dogs?
Farewell cover is included as a result of an accident if your pet is over nine on our Complete Care, Standard Care and Standard Care pre-existing plans.
What if my older dog has existing medical conditions?
It covers conditions that showed signs, symptoms or needed treatment, medication or advice within the last two years, as long as that condition has been free from these for at least three months before your policy starts.
Cover is up to £1,500 for pre-existing conditions, within an overall £7,000 vet fee limit.
Is pet insurance for older dogs worth it?
Older dogs are more likely to need care, especially for ongoing conditions, which makes cover more expensive.
When deciding if it's worth it, balance the monthly premium against your ability to pay for large, unexpected vet bills.
Is dental cover included in my older dog insurance?
Yes. Our Standard Care and Complete Care plans cover dental illness and accidents up to your vet fee limit, as long as your dog's had a dental check-up in the last 12 months and you've followed any vet-recommended treatment within six months.
Our Essential Care plan covers dental accidents only, up to £1,000.
Are vaccinations covered for older dogs?
No. Vaccinations are classed as routine, preventative treatment, so they aren't covered by dog insurance at any age.
Read our guides to some of the UK's favourite dog breeds, including common health conditions, personality traits, the cost of treatment and pet insurance.
Dog insurance isn’t the only cost of owning an older dog. From out-of-hours vets, to common medical conditions, check out our guides on the costs of dog ownership.