Insuring a kitten: first steps for new cat owners

The short answer

At Napo, you can take out kitten insurance once they’re older than four weeks. There’s no need to wait for their first vet visit, and arranging cover early means there’s less time for any potential new health issues to appear before your policy starts. Just remember that waiting periods and pre-existing condition exclusions still apply.

Your first few weeks with a new kitten

Bringing home a kitten is a lovely milestone. There’s a lot to look forward to, from getting to know their little personality to watching them explore their new home. There are also a few practical things to get sorted in those first few weeks.

From registering with a vet to thinking about kitten insurance, this new kitten checklist will help you get started and make sure you’ve got the important things covered.

When can you insure a kitten?

There isn’t one minimum age for kitten insurance that applies to every pet insurer in the UK. Each provider sets its own rules, and some won’t offer cover until a kitten is around eight weeks old.

Napo pet insurance provides lifetime cover for dogs and cats, and you can take out a kitten insurance policy once your kitten is older than four weeks. That means you don’t have to wait until they’re a few months old, or have had their first vet appointment. There’s no separate waiting period just because your cat is young. 

Instead, the usual policy waiting periods apply:

• Accidents: cover starts 24 hours from your policy start date

• Illnesses: cover for new conditions if signs or symptoms first appear after the first 10 days from your policy start date

If you’re switching from another insurer and your kitten has been insured continuously, with no gap in cover, waiting periods may be waived if you provide evidence of the previous cover. 

It’s worth checking your policy documents so you know exactly when your cover begins and what’s included.

Why insuring early makes a difference

One of the biggest reasons to think about insuring a kitten early is pre-existing conditions.

A pre-existing condition is an illness or injury your cat has shown signs or symptoms of, received treatment or medication for, or had vet advice about before your policy started. At Napo, this includes any signs or symptoms in the 24 months before your policy start date.

For example, if your kitten has already been seen by a vet for an ongoing tummy problem before you take out insurance, treatment for that same issue may not be covered by your policy later.

That doesn’t mean you need to worry about every little thing. It’s just that arranging cover before any health concerns arise gives you the best chance of having future, unrelated conditions covered, subject to your policy terms.

Insuring your kitten early isn’t a guarantee you’ll save money, but it can help you avoid a situation where a health issue appears before you’ve arranged cover and is then excluded as a pre-existing condition.

New kitten checklist: 5 things to sort out

Alongside exploring cat insurance, there are a few other things to tick off your new kitten checklist.

1. Register your kitten with a vet

Find a local vet practice and register your kitten, even if they seem perfectly well. It can be helpful to have a vet who knows your cat and their medical history if you ever need advice or treatment. 

You can also arrange an initial check-up and talk through any questions you have about settling them in.

2. Check your kitten’s vaccination history

If your kitten came from a breeder or rescue centre, ask for their vaccination records and any other health information. 

Your vet can look at what they’ve already had and advise you on what they may need next. Keep their records somewhere safe!

3. Check your kitten’s microchip details

Your kitten may already be microchipped, particularly if they’ve come from a rescue. Ask for the microchip number and make sure your contact details are registered correctly.

In England, cats must be microchipped and registered on a database by the time they’re 20 weeks old. Keeping your details up to date is just as important as having the chip fitted. For more info, check out the GOV.UK microchipping guidance.

4. Get the essentials ready

Make sure you’ve got the basics ready for your kitten’s arrival: food they’re used to, food and water bowls, a litter tray, a suitable cat carrier, toys, scratching posts and somewhere cosy to sleep. A safe, comfortable space will help your kitten settle into their new surroundings.

5. Think about ongoing costs

Alongside food and everyday essentials, remember to budget for routine vet visits, vaccinations, flea and worm treatments and other care. These everyday costs aren’t usually covered by pet insurance, so it’s worth factoring them into your plans.

What affects the cost of insuring a kitten?

There’s no single price for kitten insurance, as every pet has different needs. Your kitten insurance quote will depend on a few factors, including:

• Age: your kitten’s age when you take out the policy

• Breed: some breeds are more likely to develop certain health conditions, which can influence insurance costs

• Location: vet fees can vary depending on where you live

• Level of cover: the amount of vet fee cover you choose, along with your excess and any co-payment options, can make a difference to price

It all depends on what you’re comfortable paying towards unexpected vet bills and what you can afford each month. When choosing an insurance policy, it can be worth comparing the annual vet fee limit, excess and exclusions all together, rather than just looking at the monthly price alone.

The easiest way to find out how much kitten insurance would cost is to get a personalised quote using your kitten’s details. 

Main takeaway

Those first few weeks with a new kitten can feel like a bit of a whirlwind, but you don’t need to get everything perfect straight away. Start with the essentials, get to know your new companion and take things one step at a time. A little preparation now can help you feel more confident as you begin life together!

Frequently asked questions

At what age can I insure my kitten?

At Napo, your kitten needs to be older than four weeks for you to take out a policy. Other insurers may have different minimum ages, so check their eligibility rules and policy terms before buying.

Will my kitten’s breed affect what I pay?

It can do. Some breeds are more likely to develop particular health conditions, which may influence the cost of insurance. Your kitten’s breed is one of several factors used to calculate a quote.

Should I insure my kitten before or after their first vet visit?

You don’t need to wait for your cat’s first vet visit to arrange kitten insurance. In fact, taking out cover early can help reduce the chance of a condition being considered pre-existing by your insurer. 

If your kitten needs vet attention, don’t delay your appointment just because you haven’t sorted insurance yet - their health and wellbeing are always the priority.

Can I insure a rescue kitten with an unknown history?

Yes, you can still apply for cover even if you don’t know your kitten’s full medical history. But bear in mind that any information available about previous symptoms, treatment or vet advice may be relevant when a claim is assessed.

If you’re adopting a kitten, don’t forget to ask the rescue centre for any health records they have.

What’s covered from day one?

Your policy starts on the date shown in your documents, but waiting periods apply to some types of cover. 

At Napo, accidents are covered after the first 24 hours, while new illnesses are covered if signs or symptoms first appear after the first 10 days of your policy. Pre-existing conditions aren’t covered, so it’s important to understand the policy terms before you buy. Always speak with your insurer if you aren’t clear on what’s covered.