Living in luxury-packed Dubai can strain your wallet. The cost of living is undeniably high, given the lavish lifestyle the city offers. Unless you’re highly disciplined, it can be challenging to set aside money for unforeseen circumstances.
That’s why pet insurance can be a smart shield against surprise vet bills. However, it’s important to note that it also comes with a significant drawback, which we’ll discuss later in the blog.
Our blog breaks down everything you need to know to choose the perfect pet insurance in Dubai for your pet’s health and happiness. Keep reading!
Pet Insurance UAE: What’s Covered Vs What’s Not
When searching for the best pet insurance cover in Dubai, it’s essential to understand what benefits you’re truly getting. Not all policies offer the same protection, so knowing the difference between what’s covered and what’s excluded can save you from future surprises. To help you choose wisely, we’ve put together a simple comparison of the most common inclusions and exclusions.
| What’s Typically Covered by Pet Insurance | What’s Usually Not Covered by Pet Insurance |
| Covers emergency care for unexpected injuries like fractures or wounds. | Any pre-existing illness or injury your pet had before coverage began |
| Coverage for infections, chronic diseases, and unexpected sicknesses that arise after enrollment. | Routine and preventive care not covered including vaccination and annual health checkup unless you add a wellness plan |
| Costs related to surgeries, anesthesia, hospital stays, and aftercare. | Cosmetic procedures like ear cropping, tail docking, or declawing. |
| Prescribed drugs, antibiotics, and therapies needed for recovery. | Expenses related to pregnancy, giving birth, or fertility treatments. |
| Third-party liability if your pet injures someone or damages property | Behavioral therapy or training unless specifically included in an enhanced policy. |
| X-rays, MRIs, blood tests, and lab work | Claims arising from poor care, negligence, or mistreatment of the pet. |
5 Top Pet Insurance Dubai
Searching for an ideal pet insurance in Dubai can be overwhelming. To simplify your decision-making process, we’ve compiled a list of the top five pet insurance providers in the city, highlighting their offerings and unique features. Don’t forget, the best alternative to pet insurance is waiting for you at the end.
1. Moo Pet Insurance
MooPet Cover, recognized as the Favourite Pet Insurance Company at the 2024 Pet Industry Awards, is currently the only provider in the UAE and offers lifetime pet insurance covering all licensed veterinary clinics. There’s no annual deductible, and payments can be made in monthly installments.
Additional features include reimbursement for canceled travel if your pet requires emergency care, as well as coverage for boarding costs if you’re hospitalized. The plan also includes expenses for vet-prescribed dietary food and costs related to advertising and offering a reward if your pet goes missing. Customer support is available 24/7.
MooPet Cover also offers a Travel Extension add-on, which applies to both Lifetime and Time-Limited plans. This extension covers accidents and illnesses while your pet is abroad. The MooPet Benefits Program gives access to discounts at various pet-friendly businesses.
| Pets Covered | Cats and dogs |
| Contact | +971 4 422 9688 |
| Cost | • LifeTime Plan: Ongoing treatment and chronic conditions with coverage renewed each year across four plan options: Essential, Bronze, Silver, and Gold • Time-Limited Plan: Offers affordable options for treating new illnesses and injuries, with coverage lasting up to 12 months for each condition. • Accident-Only Plan: Coverage for unforeseen injuries, including fractures, poisoning, and wounds. |
| Important to Consider | UAE’s only lifetime pet insurance with no annual deductible and acceptance at all licensed vets in the UAE |
2. MetLife Pet Insurance
MetLife Pet Insurance offers broad medical coverage for pets, including exams, diagnostics, surgeries, emergency care, hospitalization, imaging such as CT scans, MRIs, and X-rays, blood tests, prescription medications, and physical therapy. Annual claim limits can go up to AED 30,000, and coverage percentages can be tailored from 50% to 100% of actual vet costs.
Plans are available on a yearly basis and can be paid either monthly or annually. Eligibility criteria include microchipping and specific age limits. Dogs must be between 6 months and 8 years old, while cats must be between 6 months and 10 years old. These requirements help ensure coverage is provided during the pet’s most insurable years.
In addition to medical benefits, policyholders receive various perks and discounts through MetLife’s membership. These include 15 percent off full-priced pet food at Petzone UAE, 20 percent off in-store grooming at Petzone locations in Umm Suqeim and Sheikh Zayed Road, and 15 percent off annual vaccinations and deworming in certain clinics.
| Pets Covered | • Dogs (6 months–8 years) with microchips • Cats (6 months–10 years) with microchips |
| Contact | petinsurance@metlife.ae |
| Cost | Premiums vary; AED 0- AED 9000, for example, a 2-year-old Siberian Husky’s plan with AED 20,000 coverage at 100% reimbursement has a monthly premium of AED 229 before VAT |
| Important to Consider | Customizable coverage percentages (50%–100%) and annual limits up to AED 30,000 |
3. Oslo Pet Insurance
Oslo Pet Insurance, founded by Emmanuel I. in Oslo, has been featured in Gulf News for its role in shaping pet insurance in the region. The company offers coverage designed to support pet owners during emergencies and unexpected events. A 5% multi-pet discount is available for households with more than one insured animal.
The policy includes coverage for emergency boarding if the owner is hospitalized, vacation cancellations due to pet illness or injury, and death from covered conditions. It also helps with advertising and offering a reward if a pet is lost due to theft or straying.
Coverage begins after a short waiting period, that is, 14 days for illnesses and 5 days for accidents. Orthopedic conditions are covered after six months. Customers can choose from three annual deductibles (AED 500, 1,000, or 2,000), and reimbursement options range from 70% to 90% of actual vet bills. A simple online form with dropdowns allows users to quickly get a quote or file a claim.
| Pets Covered | Cats and dogs |
| Contact | • + 971 42480561 • support@osloinsurance.pet |
| Cost | • Vital – AED 20,000 annual benefits starting from AED 50 per month • Favorite – AED 35,000 annual benefits starting from AED 77/month • Optimum – AED 70,000 annual benefits starting from AED 89/month |
| Important to Consider | Annual deductible from AED 500 – AED 2000 and annual limits up to AED 70,000 |
4. Fidelity United – MyBuddy Pet Insurance
MyBuddy Pet Insurance by Fidelity United began operations in 1976 and currently operates five offices across the UAE. Over the years, it has supported more than 285,000 individuals. In 2022, the company received recognition as “The Best Pet Insurance Provider” by the InsureTek Golden Shield Excellence Award. A 24/7 multilingual helpline is available to assist customers at any time.
The product includes key coverage features such as veterinary expenses, death due to injury or illness, theft or straying, and third-party liability. Pets must be at least 8 weeks old at the start of their first policy. The upper age limit for enrolling new pets is 8 years for dogs and 10 years for cats. These guidelines ensure that pets are covered during the most common stages of their healthcare needs.
Policyholders also receive additional value through partner discounts at selected locations, available with membership. This added benefit allows pet owners to save on services and products while keeping their pets protected under the core insurance features.
| Pets Covered | • Dogs (8 weeks–8 years) • Cats (8 weeks–10 years) |
| Contact | customercare@fidelityunited.ae |
| Cost | • Silver Plan: Includes essential coverage for accidents and illnesses, such as tests and inpatient care. • Gold Plan: Builds on Silver by adding coverage for lost pet notices, recovery rewards, and third-party liability. • Platinum Plan: Offers the most comprehensive protection, with higher limits and all features from the Gold Plan. |
| Important to Consider | Offers flexible coverage levels with easy online enrollment and quick claims processing |
5. Salama Pet Takaful
Salama Pet Takaful has over 45 years of experience in the insurance industry and has received more than 50 awards over the past five years. It currently protects over 450,000 customers and provides AED 10 billion in total coverage. The company has been recognized by organizations such as International Business Magazine and the Emirates Labour Market Award, among others.
Insurance premiums are calculated based on the pet’s breed and age. If the pet is a mixed breed or the breed is unknown, the premium is based on age and weight. For pets aged 8 or above, customers are encouraged to contact the company directly for more information.
Salama Pet Takaful also offers optional benefit packages that enhance standard plans. These include Enhanced Pet Care and Enhanced Pet Care+, which add features like third-party liability protection, preventive care, and support for advertising and rewards if a pet goes missing. These add-ons allow pet owners to customize their coverage beyond basic medical protection.
| Pets Covered | Cats and Dogs (8 weeks – 7 years) |
| Contact | • From within UAE: 800-725262 (SALAMA) • For Overseas: +971 4 3577000 • info@salama.ae |
| Cost | Six levels of coverage based on veterinary limits: AED 5,000, AED 10,000, AED 15,000, AED 20,000, AED 25,000, and AED 30,000 per year |
| Important to Consider | Shariah-compliant Takaful solutions with a focus on affordability and essential coverage |
A Smarter, More Affordable Alternative to Traditional Pet Insurance
Catastrophic events involving pets often require immediate attention before the situation worsens. However, without sufficient savings, providing the best possible treatment quickly can be difficult, especially when you’re expected to pay the vet bill upfront without knowing if your insurance claim will be approved later. This is where Pet First Veterinary Clinic’s SmartPet Savings comes in. It is a wise choice that can make your veterinary visits more manageable and rewarding.
What is SmartPet Savings?
SmartPet Savings, a unique digital cashback rewards program, allows pet owners to earn credit automatically when booking appointments. SmartPet wellness plans offer up to 50 percent added value on vet bills, making routine and preventive care more cost-effective. Visits on Tuesdays and Wednesdays between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. earn 10 percent credit, while visits outside those hours earn 5 percent.
For those seeking maximum value and flexibility, the SmartPet Wellness Club provides several plan options. These plans offer instant credit that can be used without restrictions, adding convenience and savings to every vet visit. More details.
Unlike traditional insurance plans:
- No paperwork, approvals, or claims
- Full right on how you use balance
- Covers pre-existing conditions
- No need to pay monthly premiums
| Plan | You Pay | You Receive |
| Paw Start | AED 1000 | AED 1200 Credit |
| Paw Plus | AED 3,000 | AED 3,600 Credit |
| Paw Protect | AED 5,000 | AED 6500 Credit |
| Paw Elite | AED 10,000 | AED 15,000 Credit |
How to Pick the Best Pet Insurance Company for Your Pet?
To choose the right pet insurance company for your pet, you need to:
- Check Inclusions and Exclusions: Ensure basics like accidents, illnesses, surgeries, and medications are included. Always review what’s not covered to avoid surprises later.
- Compare Costs: Balance premiums with deductibles. Lower premiums usually mean higher out-of-pocket costs.
- Check Coverage Limits: Make sure the annual limit matches your pet’s potential care needs.
- Check Reimbursement Rates: Understand how much you’ll get back after paying the vet.
- Consider Additional Benefits: Consider add-ons like wellness care, travel coverage, or liability protection.
Final Thoughts
We hope this guide has helped you find the right protection for your pet. By now, you should have a clearer idea of which pet insurance plan offers the best value and coverage for your pet’s needs.
If you’re leaning toward more flexibility and upfront savings, consider exploring SMARTpet Savings. It is not an insurance product but a clinic-based rewards program that helps reduce your overall veterinary expenses. It also supports treatments that traditional insurance might not include.
