Emergency Situations and Pet Insurance: What Every Pet Parent Should Know

By their nature, emergencies are unexpected. And if you share your life with a dog or cat, it's nearly certain that something unexpected, either big or small, will happen at some point. Whether it’s eating something they shouldn’t have, a sudden allergic reaction, or a late-night seizure, pet parents often find themselves facing stressful and potentially costly situations.

This guide breaks down what to expect, how to tell the difference between urgent care vs. emergency care, and how pet insurance for emergencies can help take financial stress off the table so you can focus on your pet’s health.

What counts as a pet emergency?

Veterinarian Dr. Natalie Marks explains in the “Understanding Emergency and Urgent Care for Pets” episode of our pet health podcast, Radio Trupanion, that emergency veterinary hospitals are built for two categories of cases:

• Life-threatening situations: difficulty breathing, severe bleeding, seizures that don’t stop, ingestion of toxins.
• Critical cases requiring specialized care: pets who need intensive monitoring, oxygen support, or emergency surgery.

Think of it this way: if your pet’s life is potentially at immediate risk or if round-the-clock care is necessary, then that’s an emergency clinic situation. And when in doubt, it's not worth risking your pet's life to find out.

Common pet emergency accidents & illnesses

What if my dog swallows a toy?

Foreign body ingestion, or FBI as it's often called, is one of the most common emergencies seen in young pets. In fact, in just 2025 as of the end of September, Trupanion has received more than 20,000 foreign body ingestion claims. It’s a painful, sometimes deadly, and costly condition that happens when a pet eats something they can’t pass through their gastrointestinal system without veterinary help. In many cases, surgery is required to remove the object, and without treatment, these blockages can be fatal.

• Average FBI claim cost (June 2025): $1,355
• Average emergency claim cost (June 2025): $1,186

Peaches’ story:

“I am not sure I can truly express how impressed I am with the service Trupanion provided. I was skeptical with pet insurance, as a lot of folks are. But all I can say is thank the heavens I decided to sign up last month. I was just approaching the 1 month mark when my pup Peaches decided she would eat a foreign object. I brought her to the vet, I told the tech in passing, I just signed up with Trupanion last month. She had surgery to remove the object, and by the time I picked her up at supper, I had received a text from Trupanion that $1,116 of my claim was covered. I was truly shocked considering I didn't even submit the invoice, it was all completed by my vet's office, with something I said in passing. So to say I was impressed is an understatement. Between the vet's office and Trupanion, I am one happy customer! Thanks again. And Peaches is recovering nicely.”

– Tonya, 5-star Trustpilot review

What should I do if my cat eats a toxic plant?

From lilies to grapes and chocolate to household medications, toxin ingestion can require hospitalization, antidotes, or even ventilator support. If you suspect your pet has eaten something toxic, take them to the veterinarian as quickly as possible. Common treatments your veterinarian may employ might include:

• Induced vomiting and activated charcoal
• IV fluids and blood monitoring
• Critical care hospitalization

Dobby’s story:

"We have 3 Canadian Sphynx girls who have all benefitted from the security that Trupanion provides.

First, Dobby, who jumped on and ate a dropped Tylenol tablet. Fortunately, I was aware that Tylenol (acetaminophen) is toxic for cats and that untreated, the small tablet would have been fatal. We made a quick call and quick trip at midnight to Niagara Emergency Veterinary Clinic. Treatment began within 45 minutes of ingestion and included inducing vomiting, blood work every few hours to evaluate liver function, IV and oral medication over a two-day stay, and then home with medication. Everything beyond the exam and kennel fees was covered at 90%. Dobby is fine and thriving.

Trupanion is speedy processing claims and I believe they truly care for our pets’ health and welfare. Whenever one of our girls needs treatment I always say, ‘thank goodness for Trupanion.’”

– Bobbie M., Member since 2007

Pet insurance can cover ER treatment for toxicities, allowing veterinarians to proceed quickly with life-saving care. Time is of the essence in these situations, so having a pet insurance plan that offers payment directly to the veterinarian can be a crucial safety net. That way, you can act fast, saving precious seconds in a life-or-death situation by spending less time weighing the cost of treatment options and move forward with the care your pet needs to survive.

• Average cost for toxin ingestion: $871
• Fastest claim processed by Trupanion directly to the vet: 1 second
• Instant Payments: Nearly half a million claims paid in just 1 second, and over 1 million paid in under 10 seconds
• Direct-to-Vet Support: More than $1.19 billion paid directly to practices
• About 85% of Trupanion’s Veterinary Portal claims are paid directly to veterinary practices, with two-thirds of all Portal payouts made in under a minute.

Urgent care vs. Emergency care: what’s the difference?

Emergency vet hospitals

• Open 24/7
• Typically staffed with critical care specialists
• Handle severe, life-threatening cases
• Can be equipped with advanced imaging, ventilators, and surgical suites

Urgent care clinics

• Similar to human “minute clinics”
• Manage non-critical issues that can’t wait: mild allergic reactions, diarrhea, small wounds
• Typically open evenings and weekends, but usually not overnight
• Can be lower cost compared to emergency hospitals

Pro tip: When in doubt, call your vet, an urgent care or ER clinic. They can help determine whether your pet needs to go to urgent care, wait for a regular appointment, or head to the ER immediately.

Covered vs. not covered at the emergency room: what pet insurance usually handles

Pet insurance coverage can vary greatly between providers, which is why it’s so important to find comprehensive coverage and understand what you’re signing up for. At Trupanion, we're proud to offer some of the most robust coverage around, including those unexpected accidents and injuries that require a trip to the emergency room. To learn more about what’s covered and what’s not covered at Trupanion, you can explore our website or call our award-winning customer care center any time, 24/7/365 at 855.210.8749.

Emergency services often covered with pet insurance

• Surgeries (like foreign body removal)
• Hospitalization and ICU care
• Toxin ingestion treatments
• Advanced imaging (MRI, CT scans)

What’s not usually covered

• Pre-existing conditions diagnosed before enrollment
• Routine visits or vaccinations
• Elective procedures (like spay/neuter or cosmetic surgery)

The cost of emergency care

Pet parents can often underestimate the cost of veterinary emergencies.

• Average emergency invoice in 2025: $1,201
• Threshold at which many families can no longer afford treatment: ~$1,500
• Highest single emergency claim Trupanion’s paid this year (2025): $53,660

With nearly 1 in 2 puppies needing unexpected care before age one, pet insurance helps provide critical financial protection in the moments you need it most.

Yogi’s story:

“I got my puppy, Yogi, at 12 weeks old. I took him to his first vet appointment, and all went well. I was given a puppy welcome pack with brochures, including a 30-day trial for Trupanion Pet Insurance.

My previous dog, Boo-Boo, had spinal surgery. A year later, he slipped on the rug, tore his ACL and needed surgery. Unfortunately, I didn’t have insurance, and both surgeries cost over $10K. I promised myself my next dog would have pet insurance.

So, back to Yogi—I saw the trial offer. I had researched companies but hadn’t decided yet. Since it was a trial, I just clicked the link, and that was it! It was that easy to join.

Less than 24 hours later, Yogi had a seizure. We rushed to the emergency room. The receptionist asked if I had insurance—"OMG, I think I do!" I said. "Last night, I signed up for this 30-day Trupanion trial!" I checked my emails, and sure enough, I was a customer. The receptionist gave my info to Trupanion, and they covered 90% of the bill.

It’s that simple. Yogi was in and out of the hospital four to five times that week due to seizures. Because I had Trupanion, I was able to do all the bloodwork, an MRI, a spinal tap— everything needed to figure out why. It was thousands of dollars, and without Trupanion, I wouldn’t have answers.

For the rest of Yogi’s life, he’ll be on seizure meds—two pills, twice a day—$130 a month. But thanks to Trupanion, I pay $13.

Trust me, Trupanion is a lifesaver—literally. Vet care is expensive, and so many animals suffer because owners can’t afford treatment. But you don’t have to worry. Our dogs are family, and they deserve the best care. With Trupanion, they’ll get it.”

– Christa C., Member since 2024

Why emergency coverage matters

Without pet insurance coverage, families may choose to delay care, which can lead to worse outcomes for their pet and higher bills. With pet insurance for emergencies:

• You can say “yes” to recommended treatments with less hesitation.
• Coverage is accepted at most emergency and urgent care hospitals.
• With Trupanion’s exclusive VetDirect Pay™ solution, claims can even be paid directly to the hospital, helping to remove the stress of high upfront costs.

Without pet insurance to help protect their pocketbook, families can often face the devastating decision of economic euthanasia: ending a pet’s life for financial reasons even though viable treatment options are available. With pet insurance on your side, it’s much easier for treatment decisions to be guided by what your heart—and your vet—wants for your pet instead of what's in your wallet.

As Dr. Marks puts it: “With insurance, families can focus on what their heart wants for their pet, not what their budget allows.”

FAQs: emergency situations and pet insurance

Does pet insurance cover ER visits?

Coverage may include diagnostics, hospitalization, and surgery, but may not include the fee for the visit itself. Not all policies are built the same, so be sure that you understand your coverage and if you have any questions about Trupanion’s policy, our award-winning contact center is available to answer questions 24/7/365.

How much does an emergency vet visit cost?

According to Trupanion’s invoice data from 2025, emergency costs average about $1,201, but they can vary greatly depending on the hospital and the condition. For example, foreign body ingestion invoices average $1,472, while toxicity ingestion invoices average $839, but both of these treatment costs can vary by region.

How fast does pet insurance pay for emergencies?

Most providers reimburse the pet parent anywhere from a few hours to a few weeks after they’ve submitted their claim. Trupanion is the only pet insurance provider that can pay the vet directly at checkout, which dramatically speeds up this process. Typical timelines for Trupanion are 5-minutes for VetDirect Pay™ to 24-hours for reimbursed claims.

Is there a penalty for going to the emergency vet?

No! We understand that many other pet insurance companies operate this way, but at Trupanion, we understand that pets sometimes need care beyond their regular veterinarian.

If you visit an emergency hospital, you can still use your coverage on all eligible conditions and treatments. Exceptions may include emergency exam fees, as well as other things that are not typically covered by Trupanion.

Can I use urgent care for after-hours needs?

Yes, urgent care works great for non-life-threatening but time-sensitive cases like minor wounds, allergic reactions, or ear infections, and they are often open later than your regular vet. However, many urgent care clinics are not open 24–hours so it’s a good idea to be aware of your local options for veterinary care and know where to go in varying degrees of need.

The bottom line

Emergency situations with pets are unpredictable, but by planning ahead, you can prepare for them. By making sure you have pet insurance for emergencies, you’ll be prepared for anything from a swallowed penny to a late-night seizure. The right coverage helps make sure that financial limitations won't get in the way of lifesaving care for your furry loved one.