Full of deep lakes, dense forests, valleys, bluffs, and rocky ridges — Minnesota is full of nature’s wonders. In fact, many Minnesotan pet parents love to bring their pet along on all sorts of nature adventures within the state or just enjoy their furry company on the couch.
Whether you’re taking a stroll in the Twin Cities with your pup or lounging on your patio with your cat in Duluth, different lifestyles come with different expenses, including veterinary bills. MetLife Pet knows that your pets are your family and when they’re not feeling their best, you want to get them the best care around. But vet bills can add up quickly and throw a wrench in your budget.
Read on to learn more about how pet insurance in Minnesota can help you protect your pet and your wallet.
Looking for Pet Insurance in Minnesota?
Why Pet Insurance May Be a Good Idea if You Live in Minnesota
According to MetLife’s Pet Parent Study, 84% of pet parents are facing increasing pet care costs and 54% are worried that pet care will be difficult to afford in the future. With a MetLife Pet Insurance policy, you can get reimbursed for expenses that are covered and approved, putting money back in your pocket so the best care is more affordable.
Certain factors may affect Minnesotan pets differently and impact how much care they need. Some breeds may be predisposed to certain health conditions. Frigid winters and blizzards in the north along with humid summers and tornadoes in the south can potentially pose a threat to pets that spend any amount of time outdoors.
Throw in the wildlife your pet may come across on a hike, the antifreeze in your garage, or parasites your pet can contract near the many waterfowl production areas, and the average Minnesota pet parent can have a lot of potential concerns for their pet’s well-being. You may find that it can be worth it to consider investing in pet insurance.
Why Choose a MetLife Pet Insurance Policy?
You have plenty of options to choose from when it comes to pet insurance providers, and likely feel your pet deserves the best care possible in the North Star State. The Pet Innovation Awards gave MetLife Pet their “Best Pet Insurance of the Year” award in 2024.1
Awards aside, here are some more reasons why pet parents may choose MetLife Pet coverage:
- We cover both dogs and cats of any breed and age.
- Your claim is processed and reimbursed typically within 10 days.3
- You can customize your coverage to fit your pet’s needs and your budget.
- There’s a short waiting period for illnesses and accidents coverage.4,5
- Covered expenses from any licensed veterinary provider in the U.S. are eligible for reimbursement, you don’t have to choose from a set of network providers.
- You can add up to three cats or dogs on a single policy with one shared annual deductible.6
How MetLife Pet Insurance Works in Minnesota
Head to the vet
Visit any licensed vet, specialist, or emergency clinic in Minnesota (or anywhere in the U.S.) to receive the care your pet needs.
Send MetLife Pet your Claim
Pay your veterinary bill and submit your claim to us, along with any required documents.
Get reimbursed fast
We’ll review your claim and process it in less than 2 weeks so you can be reimbursed for up to 100% of the covered expenses.2,3
MetLife Pet Insurance is Available in Minnesota. See What’s Covered
MetLife Pet offers both dog insurance and cat insurance with policies you can customize to fit your pet and your lifestyle. You can adjust your annual deductible, the number of pets covered on one policy, and your reimbursement rate to make the policy work for you.7,8 You can even add on a Preventative Care Plan to help cover parasite prevention and treatments — which may be important if you spend the warmer months outdoors with your pet.9
Add-ons and customizations aside, here’s what a MetLife Pet Insurance policy typically covers:
- Accidents and illnesses
- Diagnostic tests (like X-rays and ultrasounds)
- Emergency care and hospitalizations
- Exam fees
- Medications
- Surgeries
For a more detailed list, check out our coverage and exclusions page.
How Much Is Pet Insurance in MN?
If knowing the cost of pet insurance is holding you back from enrolling in a policy, let’s dig in. Policies start as low as $9 per month for a single cat and $15 per month for a single dog.10 The cost of your unique policy will depend on a few factors.
You may pay more for veterinary care if you live in a larger city like Minneapolis than if you live in a smaller rural area like Dalton. Meanwhile, your monthly premium may also be impacted if you decide to add more pets to your policy, adjust your deductible or reimbursement rate, or opt for add-on coverage.
Other factors that can affect your policy premium include your pet’s species, breed, sex,11 and age.
Claims We Paid in Minnesota
To give you an idea of the different kinds of claims we’ve covered in Minnesota, take a look at this list.12
- Over $1,565 paid — This helped pay for a 7-year-old mixed breed dog’s lymphoma exam in Saint Michael, MN.
- Almost $975 paid — This provided coverage for an exam for a British shorthair kitten with a heart murmur in Minneapolis, MN.
- Over $280 paid — This provided financial relief for a 2-year-old Golden retriever’s gastritis exam in Shakopee, MN.
- $185 paid — This helped pay for a deciduous tooth removal for a Portuguese water dog puppy in Hamel, MN.
- $80 paid — This helped cover a routine vaccination for a 1-year-old Siberian husky in Eden Prairie, MN.
Notable claim in the Land of 10,000 Lakes
Kittens can be extra mischievous, and this was certainly true for domestic long-hair cat Kaiko. One day she got into something she wasn’t supposed to and started showing signs of poisoning. Kaiko was rushed to the vet and treated, but this unexpected vet visit cost her owners over $880. Luckily, they were able to get their entire claim reimbursed through their cat insurance policy. Kaiko is back to her usual kitty mischief, under the watchful eye of her owners.12
Pet Injuries and Illnesses Typically Found in Minnesota
Just like humans, some pet illnesses and injuries require a trip to the doctor. Living near a lake or wetland can pose different threats than living in a city or near a dense forest. Here are some things you may deal with in the North Star State13:
- Pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers: Some people love having well maintained yards, which could mean using lawn chemicals. These chemicals can be toxic to dogs and cats whether they eat the grass, dig in the dirt and lick their paws, or play with toys that have been in contact with the grass. Their curiosity may also lead them to getting into the chemical containers if not stored out of reach.
- Antifreeze: Harsh Minnesota winters are no joke, and antifreeze and de-icers may be widely used. However, they can be extremely toxic to pets. Pets may come across the container if it’s not stored out of reach and try to drink or eat it. They can also come into contact with it by walking outside onto spills and then licking their fur.
- Dog parks: It feels like there are just as many dog parks as there are lakes in Minnesota. While they’re great for socializing and exercising, dog parks can come with risks like injuries from playing too rough with other dogs or getting parasites from their infected playmates.
- Parasites: Dog parks aren’t the only place your pet can contract parasites like hookworms, heartworm, ticks, and fleas. Dogs and cats alike could contract parasites from spending time outdoors. Parasites tend to like warm, humid conditions but can also be found in dry grassy fields.
- Blastomycosis: If you live near areas with moist soil and decomposing organic material (like wetlands and forested areas), blastomyces fungal spores may be exposed in the soil. The median number of Minnesota animal blastomycosis cases in the last 5 years is 181 per year.14 If the spores are inhaled by pets, they can cause lethargy, sores on the skin or eyes, coughing, and loss of appetite.15 In some cases, it can be fatal.
Plants in Minnesota That Can Be Poisonous to Pets
Cats and dogs that spend any time outdoors will likely run into different kinds of plants. You may know to steer clear of plants like poison ivy, sumac, and oak but there are other common Minnesota plants pet parents should be aware of that can be poisonous to their pets.
An animal hospital in Blaine, MN put together a detailed list of common plants (including some house plants) to avoid.16 Here are a few of them:
- Autumn crocus
- Buckthorn
- Certain wild mushrooms
- Lilies
- Milkweed
- Pokeweed
- Snowdrop
- Tulips
If your pet seems to be showing signs of poisoning, you may need to contact your vet, an animal hospital, or the animal poison control hotline as soon as you can to get help.
Popular Dog Breeds in the North Star State
Curious about which dog breeds Minnesotans deem the most popular? Coming in at number one, the trusty Labrador retriever is the most popular dog breed in Minnesota.17 Here’s a list of the top three breeds across the state and some potential health conditions pet parents should be aware of:
- Labrador retriever: Super loveable and loyal, these playful pups may be prone to hip dysplasia, cancer, obesity, and heart disease.
- Golden retriever: Intelligent with puppy energy that goes on for years, golden retrievers may be prone to hypothyroidism, hot spots, hip dysplasia, and blood clotting disorders.
- German shepherd: Service-oriented, affectionate and super loyal, these pups may be prone to dermatitis, colitis, upper respiratory infections, and growths.
Adoptable Dogs and Cats in Minnesota
Ready to find your family adventure dog or lakeside cabin cat? PetFinder can showcase plenty of dogs and cats ready for adoption in Minnesota. Save a life, gain a new best friend, and make space in shelters for new rescues. It’s a win all around.
Adoption shelters in MN
Looking for other adoption options? Animal shelters in Minnesota are ready to help! Check out some of them below, and stop by to see the dogs and cats ready for their forever home.
Anoka, Minnesota
845 Meadow Ln N, Golden Valley, MN 55422
Consider Insuring Your Minnesotan Pets
Whether your pup spends their days paddling around with you on the lake or your cat spends every Sunday with you lounging in the living room, a pet insurance policy may be able to help you care for them. Start by getting a free quote to see how a MetLife Pet Insurance policy can help you save on pet care for your beloved furry friend.
We Can Help Cover Vet Bills
While You Focus on Your Pet’s Care