Should I buy pet insurance for an indoor cat?

Yes, pet insurance is worth considering for an indoor cat. Keeping a cat indoors lowers some risks, but it does not eliminate the chance of expensive medical problems.

Key risks for indoor cats

• Illnesses and chronic conditions: Indoor cats can still develop serious problems such as kidney disease, diabetes, hyperthyroidism, cancer, and feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD). Even without outdoor exposure, some of these conditions can lead to costly diagnostics, treatment, or emergency care.
• In-home accidents: Indoor cats may swallow string, hair ties, dental floss, or other household items, and some houseplants — especially lilies — are toxic.
• Premiums may vary by many factors: Insurance pricing is often driven more by things like breed, age, location, and the coverage you choose than by whether a cat stays indoors.

When insurance may be a weaker fit

If your cat is older and already has multiple diagnosed conditions, insurance may be less helpful because pre-existing conditions are usually excluded. In that case, a dedicated savings fund can make more sense.

Bottom line: for a healthy indoor cat, insurance can be a good way to protect against surprise vet bills, especially if you want help covering emergencies or major illnesses.