Elegant Diva with a Complex Health Profile: What Siamese Cats Cost at the Vet
The modern Siamese is very slim, has a long body, a triangular head and large ears. These very breeding traits shape its health profile: narrow jaws lead to dental misalignments, the slender body type makes the musculoskeletal system vulnerable, and the genetic profile brings several breed-typical inherited conditions.
Musculoskeletal: 40.2% of all cases
Musculoskeletal is the most common category across all life stages: 42.4% in kittens, 41.5% in adults. Maximum payout €1,460, avg. €176 per case. Siamese cats are very active and jump a lot – stressing joints and spine. Important: Patellar luxation is covered after 18 months of waiting period; congenital forms are excluded.
Kitten Dental: The early cost shock
What becomes expensive only in adulthood for most cat breeds, begins for the Siamese already at kitten age. Kitten dental treatments cost avg. €1,370 per case – often due to:
- Retained milk teeth (deciduous teeth that fail to fall out)
- Misalignments due to the narrow jaw
- Bite anomaly corrections
Important limitation: Retained milk teeth are excluded as a congenital condition. Acquired dental conditions like FORL, gingivitis and periodontitis are covered after 12 months of waiting period. Early insurance is therefore particularly important: by the time the first serious acquired dental problems arise, the waiting period has long expired.
Dental costs remain high in adulthood and seniorhood: maximum payout €4,712 per case.
Gastrointestinal: The senior factor
In kittens, gastrointestinal diseases are not yet dominant, but the picture shifts with age:
- Kittens (0–1 year): still among the more frequent categories
- Adults (2–7 years): gastrointestinal avg. €452 per case – highest average value in this life stage
- Seniors (8+ years): gastrointestinal becomes the most frequent category (30%) at avg. €594 per case – often chronic internal problems
Other common conditions
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA): inherited eye disease leading to blindness. Note: Excluded as inherited condition. Acquired eye problems that are not PRA are covered.
- Amyloidosis (liver, kidney): deposition of amyloid proteins, typical for Siamese. Diagnostics via ultrasound and blood tests approx. €200–500. Acquired forms may be covered, hereditary amyloidosis is excluded.
- Mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS): rare metabolic disorder. Note: Excluded as a genetic condition.
- Feline asthma: more common in Siamese. Diagnostics and treatment approx. €200–600. Covered after 30 days.
- Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM): occurs in Siamese. Diagnosis via cardiac ultrasound approx. €150–400. Note: HCM is excluded as a genetic feline condition.
- Pica syndrome (behaviour): ingestion of non-digestible materials (wool, plastic). Consequences like gastrointestinal surgery are covered (14 days surgery waiting period).
- Dental diseases (FORL, gingivitis): cleaning approx. €150–350, extractions approx. €500–1,500. Covered after 12 months.
- Lymphomas and tumours: Siamese have elevated cancer rates in some breeding lines. Treatment costs €500–3,000 depending on course. Covered after 30 days.
The cost ranges listed above are based on the German Veterinary Fee Schedule (GOT 2022) and typical market prices in German veterinary practices. Actual costs may vary depending on the practice, the scope of treatment and the chosen GOT rate (1x to 4x). Sources are listed at the end of this page.
What Dalma Actually Reimburses for Siamese Cats: Data from 117 Claims
117 Siamese claims at Dalma (January 2024 – December 2025). Source: Dalma claims database, March 2026.
Our claims data shows how costs develop over life stages:
Kittens (0–1 year): Musculoskeletal dominates at 42.4%. Dental treatments cost avg. €1,370 per case – often retained milk teeth or misalignments.
Adults (2–7 years): Musculoskeletal remains the main topic at 41.5%. Gastrointestinal diseases reach avg. €452 – the most cost-intensive category in this phase.
Seniors (8+ years): Gastrointestinal diseases become the most frequent diagnosis at 30%. At avg. €594 per case, they are also financially most burdensome – often chronic courses.
Focus on the cuddles, we'll focus on the costs.
Surgery Insurance or Full Cover: Which Plan Suits the Siamese?
1. Surgery insurance for Siamese
Covers costs for surgical procedures e.g. dental restorations, tumours or gastrointestinal surgery. Dalma includes:
- Surgical procedures for illness or accident
- Pre-op diagnostics up to 30 days before surgery
- Post-op clinic stays up to 30 days after surgery
- Medication, bandages and aftercare
- Physiotherapy and alternative treatments up to 30 days post-op
- Dental surgery after waiting period
- Emergency accommodation up to €250 per year
2. Cat health insurance (full cover) for Siamese
Covers diagnostics, treatments, medication and preventive care. 80–100% reimbursement, annual limit from €1500 to unlimited. Includes:
- Diagnostics and medical examinations
- Prescribed medication and treatments
- Unlimited physiotherapy
- Alternative treatments such as homeopathy or acupuncture
- Behavioural therapy up to 5 hours per year
- Telemedicine via FirstVet
- Preventive care budget for vaccinations, dental care, deworming (from €1,500 annual limit)
Assessment: Full cover is particularly worthwhile for Siamese cats because chronic gastrointestinal diseases, asthma treatments and long-term diagnostics are central cost drivers – treatments only covered by health insurance with full cover.
What Does Siamese Insurance Cost at Dalma?
- Cat health insurance: from approx. €16 per month
- Surgery insurance: from approx. €8 per month
As of April 2026. Dalma offers 15% discount when insuring multiple pets. Neutering/spaying claimed via the preventive care budget.
From age 10, the reimbursement rate for illnesses decreases by 5% annually. Accident reimbursement remains unchanged.
Waiting Periods for Siamese
- 2 days for accidents
- 14 days for surgeries
- 30 days for medical treatments
- 12 months for FORL, gingivitis and periodontitis
- 12 months for HD/ED
- 18 months for patellar luxation
Pre-existing conditions are excluded. Preventive care budget is available from day 1.
What Is Not Covered for Siamese Cats
Siamese cats have a relatively high number of breed-typical inherited conditions, excluded as congenital or genetic diseases:
- PRA (Progressive Retinal Atrophy) – inherited retinal disease, common in Siamese
- Hereditary amyloidosis – protein deposits in liver and kidneys, typical for Siamese
- MPS (Mucopolysaccharidosis) – rare metabolic disorder
- Gangliosidosis – rare neurological inherited disease
- HCM (Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy) – as a genetic feline condition
- PKD (Polycystic Kidney Disease)
- Persistent deciduous teeth – particularly common in Siamese
- Congenital eye diseases (nystagmus)
- Epilepsy
- Osteoarthritis
- Diseases preventable by vaccination (cat flu, feline distemper, leukaemia, rabies)
Acquired heart, kidney, eye and joint problems are covered after the waiting period. Acquired FORL and dental diseases are also covered after 12 months of waiting period.
Focus on the cuddles, we'll focus on the costs.
Claims Process at Dalma
100% digital. Upload invoice via app, 8-day deadline. Reimbursement target 48 hours (contractually up to 5 working days). Up to 4x GOT rate including emergency surcharges. Free choice of vet worldwide. Telemedicine via FirstVet free and unlimited. Neutering and spaying can be claimed via preventive care budget.
Siamese Insurance: Who Benefits Most
Insure very early: For the Siamese, early insurance is particularly valuable because expensive dental problems can occur as early as kitten age (avg. €1,370 per case). Even though retained milk teeth are excluded as congenital, you benefit later from the expired 12-month waiting period for acquired dental diseases.
Plan for long insurance duration: With 18–20 years life expectancy, insurance is particularly worthwhile for the Siamese – the senior gastrointestinal phase at avg. €594 per case is a real burden.
Full cover instead of OP-only: Asthma, chronic gastrointestinal diseases and diagnostics are often outpatient – only full cover applies here.
Less value: If your Siamese already has HCM, PRA or amyloidosis diagnoses before contract start. These are excluded as congenital/inherited conditions.
A calculation: A Siamese with one kitten dental restoration (avg. €1,370), two gastrointestinal treatments in adulthood (avg. €452 each) and an asthma diagnosis (approx. €300) quickly reaches €2,500–€3,000 in covered costs.
Frequently Asked Questions About Siamese Insurance
Is cat health insurance worthwhile for Siamese cats?
Yes, particularly so. Our 117 claims show that dental treatments at avg. €1,370 per case can occur as early as kitten age. Over the long lifetime (18–20 years), costs for gastrointestinal treatments and diagnostics add up considerably.
Are retained milk teeth covered for Siamese cats?
No. Retained milk teeth are considered a congenital condition and are excluded. Acquired dental conditions like FORL, gingivitis and periodontitis are covered after 12 months of waiting period.
Is HCM covered for Siamese cats?
No. Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) is classified as a genetic feline condition and is excluded at Dalma – as with all insurers. Acquired heart conditions that are not HCM may be covered.
Are PRA and amyloidosis covered for Siamese cats?
Hereditary PRA and hereditary amyloidosis are excluded as inherited conditions. Acquired eye problems and non-hereditary forms may be covered.
How old does a Siamese cat get?
Siamese cats are among the longest-living pedigree cats. Life expectancy is 18 to 20 years; some animals even reach 25 years.
Is feline asthma covered for Siamese cats?
Yes. Acquired feline asthma is covered after 30 days of waiting period. Diagnostics and treatment costs are covered according to the chosen plan.
Are gastrointestinal diseases covered for Siamese cats?
Yes. Conditions such as gastritis, diarrhoea, pancreatitis and chronic intestinal diseases are covered after 30 days of waiting period. In seniors, these become the most frequent diagnosis at 30%.
Is there a deductible at Dalma for cats?
No. Dalma has no deductible. Depending on the plan, 80–100% of eligible costs are reimbursed.
Can I insure my Siamese cat as an adult?
Yes. Insurance can be taken out at Dalma up to an age of under 9 years. Pre-existing conditions are excluded.
Does my Siamese cat stay insured after an expensive treatment?
Yes. Dalma waives the right to cancel after a claim.
Sources and Further Information
The veterinary costs mentioned in this article are reference values. Actual costs are governed by the German Veterinary Fee Schedule (GOT) and may vary depending on the practice, the scope of treatment and the chosen GOT rate (1x to 4x).
Official sources on the German Veterinary Fee Schedule (GOT 2022):
- Full text of the GOT 2022: gesetze-im-internet.de/got_2022
- German Veterinary Association (BTK): bundestieraerztekammer.de – official body with information on GOT, emergency service and billing
- German Federal Ministry of Agriculture (BMLEH): bmleh.de/DE/themen/tiere/got.html – background on the 2022 GOT amendment
Claims data:
The claims data used in this article is based on 117 Siamese illness cases from the Dalma claims database between January 2024 and December 2025.
Sources and Further Information
The veterinary costs mentioned in this article are reference values. Actual costs are governed by the German Veterinary Fee Schedule (GOT) and may vary depending on the practice, the scope of treatment and the chosen GOT rate (1x to 4x).
Official sources on the German Veterinary Fee Schedule (GOT 2022):
- Full text of the GOT 2022: gesetze-im-internet.de/got_2022
- German Veterinary Association (BTK): bundestieraerztekammer.de – official body with information on GOT, emergency service and billing
- German Federal Ministry of Agriculture (BMLEH): bmleh.de/DE/themen/tiere/got.html – background on the 2022 GOT amendment
Claims data:
The claims data used in this article is based on 117 Siamese illness cases from the Dalma claims database between January 2024 and December 2025.
