From what age does my cat count as a senior?
Unlike dogs, where the senior threshold depends heavily on breed and body size, cats age biologically very uniformly. A Maine Coon and a domestic shorthair go through the life stages in almost identical time windows. The classification of the American Animal Hospital Association and American Association of Feline Practitioners is the worldwide veterinary standard.
The six life stages of the cat
What this means: A 7-year-old cat is still easily insurable at Dalma and is only just at the start of the maturity phase. Indoor cats have a significantly higher life expectancy (14 to 20 years) than outdoor cats (10 to 13 years), because their accident and infection risk is lower.
Typical health topics in older cats
From the maturity phase onwards, the risk of chronic illnesses rises measurably. Unlike in the dog, where joint problems dominate, in cats the most common diagnoses are kidney, thyroid and dental conditions. Often several conditions occur at the same time, above all in the super-senior phase.
Chronic kidney disease (CNI)
Chronic kidney disease is the most common kidney condition in cats and one of the most common causes of death in senior cats. According to the German Federal Association for Animal Health, around 20% of all cats over 7 years are affected, about 50% of cats over 12 years and a third of those over 15. The disease progresses insidiously: clinical symptoms only show once 65 to 70% of the nephrons are destroyed. Diagnostics (blood count plus urine analysis) cost 80 to 150 euros, a renal diet and infusion therapies at an advanced stage 60 to 200 euros per month.
Tip: From the 7th year of life we recommend half-yearly kidney checks. These are included on a pro-rata basis in the Dalma preventive care budget (70 or 100 euros per year).
Thyroid overactivity (hyperthyroidism)
Hyperthyroidism is the most common hormonal condition in cats over 8 years. Typical symptoms are weight loss despite a ravenous appetite, restlessness and increased drinking. The disease often occurs together with CNI, which makes treatment more complex. Diagnostics (T4 blood test) cost 60 to 120 euros, medication with thiamazole 30 to 60 euros per month. With radioiodine therapy, the one-off costs lie between 1,500 and 3,000 euros.
FORL and other dental conditions
FORL (feline odontoclastic resorptive lesions) is the most common dental condition in cats. According to Allianz and AniCura, every second cat from the 5th year of life is affected, Persian and Siamese cats more often than other breeds. The condition begins inside the tooth and is only recognisable with the naked eye at a late stage. Dental X-rays under anaesthesia are recommended from the 5th year of life. Dalma covers FORL, gingivitis and periodontitis after a 12-month waiting period; a tooth extraction typically lies at 200 to 600 euros depending on the number of teeth.
Diabetes mellitus
Diabetes occurs in cats most frequently between the 7th and 10th year of life. Risk factors are excess weight, a purely indoor life with little exercise and carbohydrate-rich dry food. Insulin therapy costs 40 to 80 euros per month long-term, with blood sugar monitoring and a diabetes diet on top.
Tumours and cancers
The cancer risk in cats rises significantly from the 8th year of life. Mammary tumours are the most common type of cancer in unneutered female cats, followed by skin tumours and lymphomas. Surgical removal with histological examination costs 600 to 2,000 euros, chemotherapy over several months 2,000 to 6,000 euros.
Osteoarthritis and joint topics
Osteoarthritis is often overlooked in cats because they hide pain instinctively. Studies show that over 60% of all cats over 12 years have radiological signs of osteoarthritis, yet it is clinically recognised in fewer than 15%. Symptoms are fewer jumps, less grooming, aggression when touched. Treatment with painkillers and joint preparations costs 30 to 80 euros per month.
Our assessment: As cats get older, several chronic conditions often occur at the same time. Typical combinations are CNI plus hyperthyroidism, CNI plus a dental condition or diabetes plus excess weight. The annual treatment costs for multimorbid senior cats can quickly reach 1,500 to 3,500 euros.
Focus on the cuddles, we'll focus on the costs.
Which insurance is worthwhile for which cat age?
The answer depends on how old your cat is now and which risks you want to cover. The following table gives you direct orientation.
Tip: If your cat is just before its 9th birthday and you have not insured it yet, now is the last point. Later enrolment is no longer possible at Dalma.
The tariffs in detail
Dalma offers two tariff variants of the pet health insurance, which can be taken out individually or in combination. Both are individually selectable in reimbursement rate and annual benefit limit.
What this means: You can choose the surgery insurance as a basic safeguard or the health insurance with more comprehensive cover. Both variants can be combined. Reimbursement rate and annual benefit limit are freely selectable.
What happens from the 11th year of life? The Dalma benefit adjustment
From the 11th year of life of your cat, the reimbursement rate for illness falls each year by 5 percentage points from the originally chosen value.
Example calculation for a cat with a 100% reimbursement rate
What this means: For a vet bill of 1,000 euros for an illness, you still receive 900 euros reimbursed in the 12th year of life of your cat.
What makes Dalma special for older cats?
Several benefits are relevant precisely in the maturity and senior phase. The following points distinguish Dalma from the competition in this stage of life.
- Lifelong cover after enrolment: Dalma does not cancel your policy, not even after claims. A contractual waiver of termination applies from the 2nd insurance year.
- Behavioural therapy up to 5 hours per year: Vet-prescribed behavioural therapy is reimbursed in the health cover. Relevant for age-related behavioural changes such as house soiling, aggression or cognitive dysfunction.
- Alternative healing methods without limit: Acupuncture, homeopathy, chiropractic, osteopathy, laser therapy and magnetic field therapy are covered without limit in the health cover. Helpful for osteoarthritis, chronic pain and as support with CNI.
- Prosthesis subsidy up to 500 euros: Available once in both tariffs, for example after amputations.
- Emergency boarding up to 250 euros per year: If you yourself have to go to hospital for longer than 3 nights.
- Telemedicine via FirstVet: Unlimited access to video vets. Particularly valuable with older cats, because practice visits often cause a lot of stress.
- Preventive care budget of 70 or 100 euros: Included in the health cover from an annual benefit limit of 1,500 euros, with no waiting period from day one. Covers senior checks, dental cleaning and vaccinations on a pro-rata basis.
Focus on the cuddles, we'll focus on the costs.
What does cat insurance for older cats cost?
The premiums at Dalma vary depending on breed, chosen tariff, reimbursement rate and annual benefit limit. The following entry prices apply to average cats without a risk surcharge:
- Cat health insurance: from approx. 16 euros per month
- Surgery insurance: from approx. 8 euros per month
For pedigree cats with a higher illness risk (for example Maine Coon, British Shorthair or Persian), the premiums are correspondingly higher. The exact calculation depends on the entry age; the earlier you sign up, the cheaper the entry price.
Tip: You can get a concrete calculation for your cat in under 2 minutes via the Dalma quote calculator. The entry price is guaranteed once in the 1st insurance year; after that an annual adjustment applies in line with the T&Cs.
Dalma compared with other providers for older cats
The most important distinguishing features versus the competition in cover for older cats:
Our assessment: Dalma's entry window up to the 9th year of life is broader than at most competitors. Combined with the contractual waiver of termination and the transparent benefit adjustment, this gives the clearly most plannable framework for owners of cats in the maturity phase.
You will find further detailed comparisons on our comparison pages: Dalma vs. Petolo, Dalma vs. HanseMerkur, Dalma vs. Agila.
Frequently asked questions: cover by cat age
Which is the best cat insurance for older cats?
Which insurance suits your senior cat depends on three criteria. First: up to what age is a new policy possible? At Dalma up to the 9th year of life, at many competitors only up to the 7th or 8th. Second: is the insurance cancelled after claims? Not at Dalma; a contractual waiver of termination applies from the 2nd insurance year. Third: how transparent is the adjustment in old age? At Dalma, the reimbursement rate for illness falls from the 11th year of life by 5 percentage points per year.
What should I look for when choosing a cat insurance for my senior?
Look out for the following points: entry age (up to which birthday can you still sign up?), waiver of termination in the event of a claim, level and duration of the waiting periods, reimbursement rate and annual benefit limit, cover of the typical senior topics such as CNI and hyperthyroidism, and the logic of the age adjustment. Be careful with deductibles that rise with age; this is a hidden cost trap.
Which cat insurance is suitable for my senior Maine Coon?
Maine Coons are regarded as the dogs among cats and, because of their weight, need special protection for joints and the musculoskeletal system. At Dalma a health insurance with surgery cover and a sufficient annual benefit limit makes sense. Important: congenital and hereditary conditions such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) are excluded from cover at Dalma. Diagnostics and treatment of other acquired heart topics are, however, covered.
Which cat insurance is suitable for my senior British Shorthair?
British Shorthair cats are particularly prone to FORL and other dental conditions. At Dalma, FORL, gingivitis and periodontitis are covered in the comprehensive cover after a 12-month waiting period. Recommendation: sign up early, before the 5th year of life, so that the 12-month dental waiting period has elapsed before the typical onset of FORL.
Which insurance is worthwhile for a 7-year-old cat?
At 7 years, your cat is at the start of the maturity phase. At Dalma you can insure it without any problem. It is precisely now that half-yearly preventive checks (blood count, urine analysis, dental status) are advisable, because chronic topics such as CNI often develop insidiously. Mind the waiting periods: 14 days for operations, 30 days for illness, 12 months for teeth.
Which insurance is worthwhile for an 8-year-old cat?
At 8 years, your cat is in the maturity phase; the risk of hyperthyroidism and CNI begins to rise significantly. At Dalma a new policy is still possible. Important: if an insidious pre-existing condition already exists, the 30-day waiting period for illness applies. When in doubt, clarify with the vet whether prior findings already exist.
Which insurance is worthwhile for a 9-year-old cat?
At 9 years, it is the last possible point for a new policy at Dalma. After that, enrolment in the pet health insurance is no longer possible. If your cat is insured now, the cover continues for life, with a benefit adjustment from the 11th year of life.
Which insurance is worthwhile for a 10-year-old cat?
At 10 years, a new policy is no longer possible at Dalma. If your cat is already insured, it continues to receive the full reimbursement rate. Note: around 50% of all cats over 12 years develop chronic kidney disease. Without insurance, we recommend self-funding with a monthly nest egg and telemedicine to keep costs under control.
Which insurance is worthwhile for an 11-year-old cat?
At 11 years, a new policy is no longer possible at Dalma. Existing policyholders receive the benefit adjustment for the first time in this year: the reimbursement rate for illness falls by 5 percentage points (for example from 100 to 95%).
Which insurance is worthwhile for a 12-year-old cat?
For a 12-year-old cat, a new policy is no longer realistically possible at any German provider. Existing policyholders at Dalma receive a reduced reimbursement rate of 90% of the original value at this age (5 pp per year since the 11th year of life).
Which insurance is worthwhile for a 13-year-old cat?
At 13 years, your cat is in advanced senior age. Existing policyholders at Dalma receive a reimbursement rate of 85% of the original value for illness at this age. Particularly valuable at this age: free telemedicine via FirstVet, because cats increasingly find practice visits stressful.
Which insurance is worthwhile for a 14-year-old cat?
At 14 years, your cat is at the transition to the super-senior phase. Existing policyholders at Dalma receive a reimbursement rate of 80% of the original value for illness. Typical topics: multiple chronic conditions, a focus on quality of life, care intensifies.
Which insurance is worthwhile for a 15-year-old cat?
At 15 years, your cat is a super-senior. About a third of all cats at this age have chronic kidney disease. Existing policyholders at Dalma receive a reimbursement rate of 75% of the original value for illness.
Up to what age is a new policy possible at Dalma?
The pet health insurance (surgery and health insurance) can be taken out for cats that are older than 2 months and younger than 9 years. After enrolment, the cover applies for life.
What does lifelong cover at Dalma mean in concrete terms?
Once your cat is insured with Dalma, the cover continues with no age limit. We do not cancel your policy, not even after claims (contractual waiver of termination from the 2nd insurance year). You can cancel monthly from your side.
How high are vet costs for older cats on average?
According to evaluations from vet practices, the annual treatment costs for a cat over 8 years lie on average between 600 and 2,000 euros, depending on breed and pre-existing conditions. For multimorbid senior cats (CNI plus hyperthyroidism plus a dental condition), the costs can reach 2,500 to 3,500 euros per year.
Sources and further information
Dalma product documents
- Dalma quote calculator and policy sign-up
- Dalma NI document on the insurance conditions
- Dalma Table of Guarantees on the benefits
Veterinary sources
- German Federal Association for Animal Health: age-related diseases in cats
- AniCura: kidney insufficiency in cats
- Dr. Hölter: thyroid overactivity in cats
- American Animal Hospital Association and AAFP: Feline Life Stage Guidelines
Further Dalma content
Sources and further information
Dalma product documents
- Dalma quote calculator and policy sign-up
- Dalma NI document on the insurance conditions
- Dalma Table of Guarantees on the benefits
Veterinary sources
- German Federal Association for Animal Health: age-related diseases in cats
- AniCura: kidney insufficiency in cats
- Dr. Hölter: thyroid overactivity in cats
- American Animal Hospital Association and AAFP: Feline Life Stage Guidelines
