Based on our survey of major pet insurance providers, pet insurance costs average $437 annually for cats and about $809 for dogs, making it the second most expensive state for both. However, your dog's breed and age, along with your coverage choice, can make prices vary widely.
How Much Is Pet Insurance in California?
Updated: December 29, 2025
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How Much Does Pet Insurance Cost in California on Average?
| Cat | $36 | $437 |
| Dog | $67 | $809 |
How We Determined These California Pet Insurance Cost Averages
Rates above represent an overall average of all pet insurance accident and illness plan coverage selections across all major providers in the U.S.A. for a 6-year-old Labrador Retriever (baseline breed and age for dog) and 7-year-old Ragdoll (baseline breed and age for cat). This was to ensure all pet insurers in the nation were represented in our averages due to varying plan structures.
Our guides below can help you better understand the best pet insurance in California across different situations:
What Factors Affect Pet Insurance Costs in California?
Below are the key factors affecting pet insurance costs in California and how influential they are. Click each factor to see pricing details.
Coverage level
Your deductible, annual limit and reimbursement rate choices have the biggest impact on pet insurance costs in California. Depending on your selections, your rates can vary widely anywhere from $294/yr to as high as $7,317/y.
Pet type and breed
Cats and dogs cost different amounts to insure, and your pet's breed makes a big difference too. Cats are usually cheaper to insure, with annual premiums from $238 to $917, while dogs cost $604 to $2,872 per year since they tend to have more health problems and pricier vet bills.
Pet age
Older pets cost more to insure since they're more likely to need medical care. Our research shows rates range from $491 to $2,819 per year, depending on your pet's age. The table below shows age-based pricing for cats specifically.
Location
Where you live affects your rates because of local vet costs and regional risks. California pet insurance runs about $170 more for dogs and $90 more for cats compared to the national average. Cities within California don't vary much though.
Your vet
When you get quotes, insurers often ask about your vet. Different vets charge different prices, which affects reimbursement amounts and ultimately impacts your premiums.
Average California Pet Insurance Costs by Coverage Level
Your pet insurance selections for annual limit, deductible, and reimbursement percentage are the most directly correlated with the price you receive for California pet insurance. It dictates exactly how much risk of paying a claim an insurer will take on for non-preexisting conditions, and as your pet coverage level increases, so will your companion's insurance rates.
To make clear how much each selection affects pricing we've broken down each component's range of premiums and generally how they work below (assuming a baseline of a $5,000 annual limit, $500 deductible, and 80% reimbursement for a dog):
- Annual Limit: This coverage component reflects the maximum any insurer will pay out during a covered claim and the lower it is the less it will cost to insure your pet. California pet insurance costs vary anywhere from $107/mo for a $2,000 limit to $133 for unlimited coverage on a dog and it is the least influential of the three components on prices.
- Deductible: Your deductible is your out-of-pocket costs similar to any other insurance policy and California pet health plan pricing can be as high as $142/mo for a $50 deductible and as low as $49/mo for a $1,000 deductible making it the middling factor in terms of premium influence. In other words, the more you promise to pay an insurer in the event of a claim, the lower prices will be.
- Reimbursement %: With California pet insurance prices ranging from $75/mo for 50% reimbursement and $299/mo for 100% reimbursement, this coverage component is the most influential towards pricing. It essentially details how much insurers will cover for a covered event when you make a claim, so it is the most directly tied to risk of payment.
Data filtered by:
$5,000
$500
80%
| Cat | $58 | $689 | 25% |
| Dog | $114 | $1,368 | 26% |
How We Determined California Pet Insurance Rates By Coverage
*All rates presented are for 6-year-old labrador retrievers (dog base) and 7-year-old ragdolls (cat base)
Average California Pet Insurance Cost by Breed
At the breed level, cats and dogs vary widely in pet insurance pricing in California mainly due to hereditary illness and condition risks, behavioral issues that can cause accidents, and issues in relation to their size and build. For example, a larger breed of dog in the state like a golden retriever would cost $153 per month on average for a standard plan while a smaller dog like a cockapoo has average pricing of $90 a month. Below you can filter for your breed in our data table to find pricing for your companion.
Data filtered by:
Select
Select
| Affenpinscher | Dog | $124 | $1,486 |
| Afghan Hound | Dog | $146 | $1,748 |
| Airedale Terrier | Dog | $156 | $1,868 |
| Akita | Dog | $160 | $1,911 |
| Alaskan Husky | Dog | $128 | $1,531 |
| Alaskan Malamute | Dog | $150 | $1,797 |
| Alsatian | Dog | $169 | $2,024 |
| Alsation | Dog | $158 | $1,892 |
| American Bulldog | Dog | $208 | $2,499 |
| American Bully | Dog | $195 | $2,337 |
| American Eskimo | Dog | $109 | $1,303 |
| American Foxhound | Dog | $124 | $1,490 |
| American Hairless Terrier | Dog | $106 | $1,273 |
| American Staffordshire Terrier | Dog | $170 | $2,041 |
| Australian Cattle Dog | Dog | $120 | $1,442 |
| Australian Kelpie | Dog | $128 | $1,539 |
| Australian Shepherd | Dog | $103 | $1,232 |
| Australian Silky Terrier | Dog | $106 | $1,268 |
| Australian Terrier | Dog | $113 | $1,349 |
| Basenji | Dog | $108 | $1,294 |
| Basset Fauve de Bretagne | Dog | $141 | $1,683 |
| Basset Hound | Dog | $172 | $2,064 |
| Beagle | Dog | $128 | $1,538 |
| Bearded Collie | Dog | $119 | $1,424 |
| Belgian Shepherd Malinois | Dog | $143 | $1,714 |
| Bernese Mountain Dog | Dog | $280 | $3,358 |
| Bichon Frise | Dog | $114 | $1,369 |
| Bloodhound | Dog | $200 | $2,404 |
| Border Collie | Dog | $107 | $1,288 |
| Border Terrier | Dog | $113 | $1,353 |
| Borzoi | Dog | $173 | $2,069 |
| Boston Terrier | Dog | $122 | $1,458 |
| Boxer | Dog | $200 | $2,404 |
| Bracco Italiano | Dog | $141 | $1,696 |
| Briard | Dog | $151 | $1,806 |
| British Bulldog | Dog | $243 | $2,916 |
| Brussels Griffon | Dog | $118 | $1,411 |
| Bullmastiff | Dog | $279 | $3,349 |
| Bull Mastiff | Dog | $287 | $3,451 |
| Bull Terrier | Dog | $170 | $2,037 |
| Cairn Terrier | Dog | $120 | $1,435 |
| Cane Corso | Dog | $232 | $2,782 |
| Caucasian Shepherd Dog | Dog | $214 | $2,572 |
| Cavachon | Dog | $98 | $1,169 |
| Cavalier King Charles Spaniel | Dog | $129 | $1,542 |
| Cavapoo | Dog | $93 | $1,121 |
| Central Asian Shepherd Dog | Dog | $189 | $2,268 |
| Chihuahua | Dog | $80 | $961 |
| Chow Chow | Dog | $150 | $1,799 |
| Clumber Spaniel | Dog | $157 | $1,886 |
| Cockapoo | Dog | $90 | $1,088 |
| Cocker spaniel | Dog | $137 | $1,644 |
| Collie | Dog | $131 | $1,572 |
| Corgi | Dog | $147 | $1,769 |
| Coton De Tulear | Dog | $104 | $1,243 |
| Dachshund | Dog | $105 | $1,261 |
| Dalmatian | Dog | $168 | $2,019 |
| Dingo | Dog | $108 | $1,302 |
| Doberman Pincher | Dog | $197 | $2,363 |
| Doberman Pinscher | Dog | $274 | $3,289 |
| Dogue de Bordeaux | Dog | $283 | $3,397 |
| English Bulldog | Dog | $253 | $3,032 |
| English Foxhound | Dog | $120 | $1,443 |
| English Mastiff | Dog | $255 | $3,058 |
| English Pointer | Dog | $141 | $1,697 |
| English Setter | Dog | $138 | $1,659 |
| English Springer Spaniel | Dog | $129 | $1,546 |
| English Toy Terrier | Dog | $109 | $1,309 |
| Estrela Mountain Dog | Dog | $176 | $2,118 |
| Field Spaniel | Dog | $131 | $1,573 |
| Finnish Lapphund | Dog | $122 | $1,464 |
| Foxhound | Dog | $127 | $1,518 |
| Fox Terrier | Dog | $112 | $1,341 |
| French Bulldog | Dog | $225 | $2,699 |
| German Pinscher | Dog | $117 | $1,406 |
| German Shepherd | Dog | $147 | $1,763 |
| German Shorthaired Pointer | Dog | $133 | $1,594 |
| German Spitz | Dog | $127 | $1,521 |
| Goldendoodle | Dog | $113 | $1,350 |
| Golden Retriever | Dog | $153 | $1,834 |
| Gordon Setter | Dog | $172 | $2,061 |
| Great Dane | Dog | $255 | $3,058 |
| Great Pyrenees | Dog | $171 | $2,055 |
| Greyhound | Dog | $167 | $2,007 |
| Groodle | Dog | $102 | $1,227 |
| Harrier | Dog | $132 | $1,583 |
| Havanese | Dog | $93 | $1,123 |
| Hungarian Vizsla | Dog | $164 | $1,965 |
| Husky | Dog | $114 | $1,359 |
| Icelandic Sheepdog | Dog | $124 | $1,491 |
| Irish Setter | Dog | $149 | $1,785 |
| Irish Terrier | Dog | $122 | $1,467 |
| Italian Greyhound | Dog | $121 | $1,453 |
| Italian Spinone | Dog | $138 | $1,661 |
| Jack Russell Terrier | Dog | $90 | $1,089 |
| Japanese Chin | Dog | $106 | $1,269 |
| Japanese Spitz | Dog | $106 | $1,275 |
| Kangal Shepherd Dog | Dog | $231 | $2,772 |
| Keeshond | Dog | $133 | $1,599 |
| Komondor | Dog | $162 | $1,941 |
| Labradoodle | Dog | $113 | $1,348 |
| Labrador Retriever | Dog | $146 | $1,756 |
| Lhasa Apso | Dog | $104 | $1,250 |
| Lurcher | Dog | $170 | $2,048 |
| Maltese | Dog | $102 | $1,222 |
| Maltipoo | Dog | $84 | $1,017 |
| Miniature Bull Terrier | Dog | $170 | $2,047 |
| Miniature Dachshund | Dog | $111 | $1,331 |
| Miniature Fox Terrier | Dog | $118 | $1,410 |
| Miniature Pinscher | Dog | $105 | $1,253 |
| Miniature Poodle | Dog | $96 | $1,150 |
| Miniature Schnauzer | Dog | $113 | $1,351 |
| Morkie | Dog | $87 | $1,051 |
| Newfoundland | Dog | $243 | $2,916 |
| Norfolk Terrier | Dog | $119 | $1,424 |
| Norwegian Elkhound | Dog | $124 | $1,488 |
| Norwich Terrier | Dog | $116 | $1,391 |
| Olde English Bulldogge | Dog | $270 | $3,245 |
| Old English Buldogge | Dog | $217 | $2,605 |
| Old English Sheepdog | Dog | $158 | $1,892 |
| Papillon | Dog | $101 | $1,221 |
| Pekingese | Dog | $111 | $1,330 |
| Pembroke Welsh Corgi | Dog | $130 | $1,553 |
| Peruvian Hairless Dog | Dog | $112 | $1,345 |
| Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen | Dog | $165 | $1,978 |
| Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens | Dog | $124 | $1,487 |
| Pitbull | Dog | $162 | $1,940 |
| Pointer | Dog | $132 | $1,584 |
| Pomeranian | Dog | $106 | $1,267 |
| Portuguese Water Dog | Dog | $146 | $1,755 |
| Pug | Dog | $133 | $1,588 |
| Puggle | Dog | $96 | $1,151 |
| Puli | Dog | $137 | $1,645 |
| Rhodesian Ridgeback | Dog | $170 | $2,034 |
| Rottweiler | Dog | $252 | $3,028 |
| Rough Collie | Dog | $141 | $1,686 |
| Saint Bernard | Dog | $269 | $3,228 |
| Saluki | Dog | $143 | $1,715 |
| Samoyed | Dog | $136 | $1,628 |
| Schnoodle | Dog | $98 | $1,176 |
| Scottish Deerhound | Dog | $206 | $2,465 |
| Scottish Terrier | Dog | $141 | $1,689 |
| Shar Pei | Dog | $219 | $2,628 |
| Shetland Sheepdog | Dog | $109 | $1,307 |
| Shiba Inu | Dog | $97 | $1,166 |
| Shih Tzu | Dog | $88 | $1,053 |
| Siberian Husky | Dog | $118 | $1,416 |
| Smooth Collie | Dog | $135 | $1,617 |
| Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier | Dog | $133 | $1,590 |
| Staffordshire Bull Terrier | Dog | $146 | $1,753 |
| Standard Poodle | Dog | $141 | $1,685 |
| Standard Schnauzer | Dog | $126 | $1,509 |
| Tibetan Mastiff | Dog | $240 | $2,875 |
| Tibetan Terrier | Dog | $134 | $1,613 |
| Toy Poodle | Dog | $100 | $1,194 |
| Vizsla | Dog | $142 | $1,711 |
| Weimaraner | Dog | $173 | $2,077 |
| Welsh Corgi Cardigan | Dog | $126 | $1,511 |
| Welsh Corgi Pembroke | Dog | $130 | $1,553 |
| Welsh Springer Spaniel | Dog | $114 | $1,376 |
| Welsh Terrier | Dog | $130 | $1,565 |
| West Highland White Terrier | Dog | $113 | $1,352 |
| Whippet | Dog | $122 | $1,469 |
| Wire Fox Terrier | Dog | $123 | $1,479 |
| Yorkshire terrier | Dog | $97 | $1,161 |
| Abyssinian | Cat | $93 | $1,109 |
| Australian Mist | Cat | $85 | $1,023 |
| Balinese | Cat | $85 | $1,018 |
| Bengal | Cat | $80 | $958 |
| Birman | Cat | $76 | $909 |
| Bombay | Cat | $68 | $818 |
| British Longhair | Cat | $68 | $820 |
| British Shorthair | Cat | $83 | $994 |
| Burmese | Cat | $78 | $932 |
| Chinchilla | Cat | $77 | $923 |
| Cornish Rex | Cat | $83 | $993 |
| Devon Rex | Cat | $77 | $927 |
| Domestic Shorthair | Cat | $68 | $812 |
| Exotic Shorthair | Cat | $93 | $1,108 |
| Himalayan | Cat | $79 | $946 |
| Maine Coon | Cat | $89 | $1,071 |
| Munchkin | Cat | $77 | $930 |
| Norwegian Forest cat | Cat | $74 | $893 |
| Persian | Cat | $83 | $996 |
| Ragdoll | Cat | $70 | $841 |
| Russian Blue | Cat | $71 | $849 |
| Savannah | Cat | $84 | $1,009 |
| Scottish Fold | Cat | $79 | $951 |
| Serengeti | Cat | $79 | $946 |
| Siamese | Cat | $70 | $836 |
| Siberian | Cat | $84 | $1,003 |
| Snowshoe | Cat | $80 | $965 |
| Sphynx | Cat | $89 | $1,066 |
| Tonkinese | Cat | $76 | $907 |
How We Determined California Pet Insurance Costs By Breed
*These rates apply to policies with 80% reimbursement, a $5,000 annual limit and a $500 deductible.
Average California Pet Insurance Cost by Age
Just like how health insurance pricing goes up over time as we age the same is true for pet insurance and any other pre-existing conditions, health information or hereditary disposition will be taken into account. We found that in California, pricing for pet health policies Prices range from $285 to $2,819 per year. Filter the table below to see costs for your pet's age in the state.
Data filtered by:
Select
Select
| Under 1 | Cat | $24 | $285 |
| Under 1 | Dog | $41 | $497 |
| 1 | Cat | $26 | $311 |
| 1 | Dog | $45 | $541 |
| 2 | Cat | $28 | $333 |
| 2 | Dog | $50 | $596 |
| 3 | Cat | $30 | $364 |
| 3 | Dog | $55 | $655 |
| 4 | Cat | $33 | $398 |
| 4 | Dog | $60 | $717 |
| 5 | Cat | $36 | $432 |
| 5 | Dog | $65 | $779 |
| 6 | Cat | $39 | $468 |
| 6 | Dog | $92 | $1,103 |
| 7 | Cat | $54 | $648 |
| 7 | Dog | $77 | $925 |
| 8 | Cat | $46 | $551 |
| 8 | Dog | $85 | $1,025 |
| 9 | Cat | $51 | $607 |
| 9 | Dog | $96 | $1,149 |
| 10 | Cat | $56 | $675 |
| 10 | Dog | $108 | $1,296 |
| 11 | Cat | $63 | $756 |
| 11 | Dog | $122 | $1,470 |
| 12 | Cat | $71 | $850 |
| 12 | Dog | $132 | $1,585 |
| 13 | Cat | $76 | $914 |
| 13 | Dog | $146 | $1,752 |
| 14 | Cat | $85 | $1,017 |
| 14 | Dog | $156 | $1,871 |
| 15 | Cat | $94 | $1,123 |
| 15 | Dog | $173 | $2,071 |
| 16 | Cat | $104 | $1,240 |
| 16 | Dog | $183 | $2,198 |
| 17 | Cat | $105 | $1,264 |
| 17 | Dog | $200 | $2,395 |
| 18 | Cat | $116 | $1,394 |
| 18 | Dog | $215 | $2,578 |
| 19 | Cat | $127 | $1,519 |
| 19 | Dog | $223 | $2,677 |
| 20 | Cat | $137 | $1,642 |
| 20 | Dog | $235 | $2,819 |
How We Determined California Pet Insurance Costs By Age
*These rates apply to policies with 80% reimbursement, a $5,000 annual limit and a $500 deductible for a Ragdoll (cat) and a Labrador Retriever (dog). Some age brackets may show slight premium decreases due to insurer risk modeling adjustments and sample size variations in our data collection. Overall trends still show increasing premiums with age.
Average California Pet Insurance Cost by City
Your city barely affects pet insurance rates in California: just a few dollars difference per year. Below are costs for some of California's biggest cities.
Data filtered by:
Cat
| Long Beach | Cat | $436 | $36 |
| Los Angeles | Cat | $438 | $37 |
| Oakland | Cat | $436 | $36 |
| Sacramento | Cat | $434 | $36 |
| San Diego | Cat | $438 | $37 |
| San Francisco | Cat | $439 | $37 |
| San Jose | Cat | $436 | $36 |
How We Determined California Pet Insurance Costs By City
*These rates apply to policies with 80% reimbursement, a $5,000 annual limit and a $500 deductible for a Ragdoll (cat) and a Labrador Retriever (dog).
How to Get the Best Cheap Pet Insurance in California
To help you get pet insurance for the lowest price, we've created a simple step-by-step guide below.
- 1Decide on coverage beforehand
Before purchasing pet insurance, determine how much coverage you need that's both pet- and budget-friendly. Evaluate how much you can afford, then find out the common health and behavioral problems for your pet's breed, plus vet costs for your primary veterinarian and area.
- 2Research costs and take advantage of discounts
Make sure to understand the average costs for your pet and coverage level so you'll know the best deal for your situation. Pet insurance doesn't offer as many discounts as other insurance, but check for multi-pet and bundling savings where available. See if there are also pet insurance low-income programs for which you qualify.
- 3Look into company reputations and coverage details
Read customer opinions on online forums to get a true account about different pet insurance companies, keeping a close eye on reviews about their claims processes. Also, look at coverage options and waiting periods to make sure you won't be surprised when you need to file a claim.
- 4Compare plenty of pet insurance quotes
Gather quotes from several companies using the same coverage options to make sure you're getting accurate comparisons. Most insurers offer quick online quotes for dogs and cats, though you'll need to call if you have an exotic pet.
- 5Review Policy Details
Read the policy details thoroughly, including coverage exclusions and renewal terms. Make sure you also understand the waiting periods for accident and illness coverage and pre-existing condition clauses, if there are any.
Average Pet Insurance Cost in California: Bottom Line
Pet insurance in California isn't cheap. It's more expensive because vet bills are higher here. Expect to pay around $36 monthly for cats and $67 for dogs, though your actual costs depend on your pet's breed, age and coverage choice.
Want better rates? First, determine what coverage you actually need, then shop around. Get quotes from several insurers before you commit.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. He has analyzed the insurance market for over five years, conducting original research for insurance shoppers. His insights have been featured in CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.
Fitzpatrick holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!
He writes about economics and insurance, breaking down complex topics so people know what they're buying.