Comparison Table: Dalma vs. Petolo at a Glance
Focus on the cuddles, we'll focus on the costs.
Dalma and Petolo in Direct Comparison
At first glance, both providers seem similar: digital, up to the 4-times GOT rate, and telemedicine included. But on closer inspection, six decisive differences emerge – for dog owners just as much as for cat owners.
1. Package Logic: Flexibly Configurable or Fixed?
Petolo works with clearly named tiers (Comfort, Premium, Premium Plus). That can be straightforward. At the same time, a fixed tariff doesn't always match exactly what you actually need.
Dalma is set up considerably more flexibly. You choose between surgical insurance and health insurance and adjust the cost coverage rate (80% or 100%) as well as the annual maximum benefit (€1,500 to unlimited) individually. This applies equally to dogs and cats. If you insure multiple animals, you receive a 15% discount on the cheapest package.
2. No Waiting Period Sounds Strong. But the Benefit Cap in the First Year Is Just as Important.
Petolo scores clearly with cover without a general waiting period. Nevertheless, you should not only look at the start date: in the health insurance, benefits are capped at €500, €1,000, or €1,500 in the first year. For surgical cover, €1,000 or €1,500 applies.
Concrete example: Your dog needs a cruciate ligament operation in the 3rd insurance month costing €3,500.
- With Dalma: After a 14-day waiting period, the full annual maximum benefit is available – up to unlimited. The €3,500 would be covered.
- With Petolo: Depending on the tariff, a maximum of €500 to €1,500 is available in year 1. You bear the difference of up to €3,000 yourself.
Dalma communicates its waiting periods openly: 14 days for surgery, 30 days for medical treatments, 2 days for accidents. That initially sounds less spectacular than "from day 1." In practice, this clarity can be more helpful if consciously configurable cover matters more to you than an immediate start with staggered annual limits.
3. Video Consultation and Free Choice of Vet
With Dalma, every package includes unlimited access to FirstVet. Your chosen reimbursement rate remains unaffected – regardless of whether you use the video consultation before a vet visit or not.
With Petolo, the video consultation is also available without limit. In Comfort and Premium, you benefit from the maximum possible reimbursement amount after using the video consultation. In life-threatening emergencies, this requirement is waived. For some, that is fine. For others, Dalma's model feels more unrestricted, because the direct visit to the vet is not linked to a prior digital consultation.
4. Preventive Care, Dental Cover, and Everyday Life
A major advantage of Dalma is the preventive care budget without a waiting period. Depending on the package, €70 or €100 per year is available – for vaccinations, deworming, parasite treatments, health checks, prophylactic descaling, or castration.
In addition, medically necessary dental treatments (FORL, gingivitis, periodontitis) are automatically included in Dalma's health cover after a 12-month waiting period. This is particularly relevant for cat owners, as FORL is one of the most common and most expensive conditions in cats.
Petolo also offers sensible additional budgets: a health budget (€80–€120/year) and an SOS budget (€160–€240/year). In a direct comparison, Dalma often appears simpler and more transparent if preventive care and dental cover clearly included in the package matter to you.
5. Developmental Disorders: Full Benefit vs. Capped Contribution
HD, ED, or patellar luxation can quickly run to four-figure costs. With Dalma, these diagnoses fall under regular cover after the waiting period: Dalma pays within the full scope of the annual maximum benefit. Petolo contributes a maximum of €2,500 per diagnosis for developmental disorders. For a hip operation (€4,000–€6,000), you bear the difference yourself. On the topic of prostheses, both providers are equivalent: €500 once-only each.
6. Long-term Security and Contract
Dalma waives the extraordinary right to cancel following a settled claim from the 2nd contract year onwards. No equivalent advantage is highlighted on Petolo's product pages.
In addition, Dalma's health cover includes up to 5 hours of behavioural therapy per insurance year – a benefit not included in the standard scope of many providers.
Focus on the cuddles, we'll focus on the costs.
Who Does Each Provider Suit?
Dalma may be particularly well-suited to you if you:
- Value full reimbursement without preconditions (no link to video consultation)
- Want to use the full annual maximum benefit from the first day
- Want to flexibly configure your cover (reimbursement rate, annual maximum benefit)
- Value long-term security (cancellation waiver following a claim)
- Have a dog or cat at risk of joint conditions
- Find dental cover for your cat important (FORL, gingivitis automatically in the package)
- Want to insure multiple animals (15% multi-pet discount)
Petolo may be right for you if you:
- Need immediate cover without any waiting period
- Can work well with fixed tariff tiers
- Like using the video consultation as a fixed part of your pet care
If you place greater emphasis on flexibility, preventive care without a waiting period, unrestricted use of telemedicine, and plannable contract logic, Dalma can be the more coherent choice.
Focus on the cuddles, we'll focus on the costs.
Quick Test: Dalma or Petolo?
This decision aid does not replace individual advice, but gives you orientation.
Focus on the cuddles, we'll focus on the costs.
What Makes Dalma Special?
Dalma is a fully digital pet insurer with over 60,000 insured animals in Europe:
✓ Flexible tariff design: Reimbursement rate (80%/100%) and annual maximum benefit (€1,500 to unlimited) individually selectable.
✓ 48h reimbursement: Operational target: reimburse approved invoices within 48 hours.
✓ No link to video consultation: Go directly to the vet – reimbursement rate stays the same.
✓ Telemedicine included: Unlimited video consultations via FirstVet – voluntary and free of charge.
✓ Preventive care budget from day 1: Up to €100/year for vaccinations, deworming, descaling, castration.
✓ Dental cover included: FORL, gingivitis, periodontitis automatically in health cover after 12 months.
✓ Cancellation waiver: From the 2nd contract year, no cancellation right following a claim.
✓ Behavioural therapy: Up to 5h/year, vet-prescribed (health cover).
✓ Alternative therapies: Physiotherapy, osteopathy, acupuncture, homeopathy.
✓ Free choice of vet worldwide.
✓ 15% multi-pet discount for multiple animals.
✓ Approx. 4.6 stars on Trustpilot (3,800+ reviews).
To the full benefits overview
Focus on the cuddles, we'll focus on the costs.
Conclusion: Dalma or Petolo?
Petolo is a relevant provider in 2026 with modern tariffs, cover without a general waiting period, and now also separate surgical cover. Those are clear strengths. At the same time, you should factor in the benefit caps in the first insurance year and the logic of maximum possible reimbursement in Comfort and Premium.
Dalma is the more suitable choice for many pet owners when not only a fast start counts. The combination of flexible package design, immediately usable preventive care budget, included dental cover, transparent waiting period logic, unlimited telemedicine without a link to the reimbursement rate, and cancellation protection following a claim makes Dalma a compelling option – whether for a dog, a cat, or both.
Not yet sure which provider suits you best? In our comprehensive dog health insurance comparison and cat health insurance comparison, you'll find all relevant providers in a direct comparison – with benefits tables, price checks, and concrete recommendations.
Focus on the cuddles, we'll focus on the costs.
Frequently Asked Questions: Dalma vs. Petolo
Is Dalma or Petolo more affordable?
Petolo states entry prices from €34.90 (health insurance) and €10.90 (surgical cover). Dalma starts from approx. €4.99 (surgery) and €15.99 (health cover). A fair comparison should take into account not only the entry price but also cost coverage rate, benefit caps, and preventive care. For multiple animals, Dalma offers a 15% multi-pet discount.
Which pet health insurance has no waiting period?
Petolo offers cover without a general waiting period from day 1. With Dalma, defined waiting periods apply: 14 days (surgery), 30 days (illness), 2 days (accident). Dalma's preventive care budget is usable from day 1.
Why can Dalma be the more suitable choice despite a waiting period?
Because the decision doesn't depend only on the start date. Petolo caps benefits in year 1. Dalma offers the full annual maximum benefit without a cap after a short waiting period. Added to this are unrestricted reimbursement without a video consultation link and cancellation protection.
Do I have to use the video consultation with Petolo?
Not always. In Comfort and Premium, you benefit from the maximum possible reimbursement after using the video consultation. In life-threatening emergencies, this requirement is waived. With Dalma, the video consultation has no influence on the reimbursement rate.
Does Petolo also offer separate surgical cover?
Yes, as of March 2026, Petolo offers separate surgical cover in addition to health insurance in two tariffs (from €10.90 and €16.90) – for dogs and cats.
Is dental cover included with Dalma?
Yes. FORL, gingivitis, and periodontitis are automatically included in the health cover after a 12-month waiting period. Prophylactic descaling is covered via the preventive care budget. Particularly relevant for cats.
Is there cancellation protection with Dalma?
Yes. Dalma waives the extraordinary right to cancel following a settled claim from the 2nd contract year onwards.
How long does the benefit cap apply with Petolo?
In the health insurance, 12 months, thereafter unlimited. For surgical cover, also 12 months (€1,000 or €1,500 per tariff), from year 2 unlimited.
What happens with Dalma as my pet gets older?
From the 10th year of life, the coverage rate for illness decreases by 5% per year. An animal with 100% cover receives 90% in the 12th year of life. Accident cover remains unchanged. Dalma does not cancel due to age – lifelong cover.
How quickly does Dalma reimburse?
Operational commitment: 48 hours after approval. Submission fully digitally via the Dalma app.
Is there a multi-pet discount with Dalma?
Yes. 15% discount on the cheapest contract when insuring multiple animals. Particularly attractive for a dog and cat together.
Can I only take out surgical insurance with Dalma?
No, Dalma offers a pure surgical insurance, comprehensive health cover, and the option of liability insurance for dogs and cats.
Focus on the cuddles, we'll focus on the costs.
Sources and Further Links
Dalma
- dalma.co/en-de – Calculate your quote
- dalma.co/en-de/blog/dog-health-insurance-comparison
- dalma.co/en-de/blog/cat-health-insurance-comparison
- de.trustpilot.com/review/dalma.co
Petolo
- petolo.de – Homepage
- petolo.de/hundekrankenversicherung – Dog health insurance tariffs
- petolo.de/katzenkrankenversicherung – Cat health insurance tariffs
- petolo.de/hunde-op-versicherung – Dog surgical cover (new)
- petolo.de/katzen-op-versicherung – Cat surgical cover (new)
- support.petolo.de – Help centre (video consultation, reimbursement, cancellation)
- de.trustpilot.com/review/petolo.de
Note: This comparison refers to publicly communicated product information and documents from Petolo and Dalma. Contributions and benefits may vary depending on age, breed, health status, and package choice. As of: 11 March 2026.
Focus on the cuddles, we'll focus on the costs.
Focus on the cuddles, we'll focus on the costs.
Focus on the cuddles, we'll focus on the costs.
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