Cats are cherished by South African pet owners for their independence, affection, & playful nature. Domestic cats can face health challenges like obesity or urinary tract infections. Cat insurance helps manage costly, unexpected vet bills & ongoing care. MediPet offers tailored pet insurance plans to keep your furry friend protected.
Personality & Characteristics of Domestic Longhair & Shorthair Cats
Every cat is unique—whether they’re a Domestic Shorthair or Longhair, their personality goes far beyond their coat.
Domestic Shorthairs are low-maintenance, but their temperaments vary from playful to relaxed. Domestic Longhairs may love cuddles or prefer independence, with grooming as part of the routine.
Whether they’re prowling at night or napping all day, life is full of surprises. Cat insurance helps you stay prepared—giving you peace of mind & your feline the care they deserve.
Average Sizes & Weight
Domestic Short Hair Cats:
23 to 35 cm
2.7 to 7.3 kg
Average Sizes & Weight
Domestic Long Hair Cats:
28 to 40 cm
3.5 to 8 kg
Breed Personality
Domestic Shorthairs & Longhairs can be curious, social, & playful—or calm, independent, & a little regal.
Both breeds often form strong bonds with their families & adapt well to different environments… including the neighbor’s home.
Breed Features
Domestic Shorthair cats have sleek, low-maintenance coats & are known for being excellent self-groomers—clean, tidy, & easy to care for.
Domestic Longhair cats have soft, flowing fur & often sport a luxurious, fluffy tail. Their coats require regular grooming to stay tangle-free & looking their best.
What To Look Out For
Domestic Longhair cats need regular grooming to prevent matting. Dental issues are common in cats, regular checkups & dental care are key.
Domestic Shorthair cats are generally low-maintenance but may be prone to skin allergies or sensitivities.
Reasons Why MediPet Is Perfect For Domestic Longhair & Domestic Shorthair Cats
Your cat’s health & comfort matter, whether they’re a plush-coated Domestic Longhair or a sleek Domestic Shorthair cat. MediPet offers South Africa’s most comprehensive pet insurance, designed to cover your feline needs.
MediPet premiums provide value & peace of mind for your fur-mily:
Accident & illness cover, including certain illnesses & breed-specific conditions such as heart conditions, orthopaedic disorders, or eye issues.
Annual limits of R62 000 or R75 000; the Essential & Ultimate360 cover treatments, surgeries & hospitalisation without any hidden exclusions.
Essential & Ultimate360 plans include a Holistic Wellness benefit for care such as rehab, acupuncture, & physiotherapy.
MediPet’s cover has no sub-limits, no triage restrictions, & no matrix limitations—just transparent, reliable cover when it counts most.
Ultimate360 plan has an exclusive dental care benefit, covering one procedure per year to help prevent long-term complications.
Accident & Illness Cover
Unexpected accidents & illnesses can happen at any time. MediPet’s Essential & Ultimate360 plans offer up to R62 000 – R75 000 in annual benefits, without sub-limits. Your feline friend gets the premium hospital & post-care they need, when it matters most with MediPet.
Holistic Wellness
Regular check-ups & preventative care are key to keeping your cat healthy. The Holistic Wellness benefit, available on our Essential & Ultimate360 plans, covers up to R5 000 each year to keep your cat feeling their best.
Dental Care
Did you know that 85% of cats 3 years & older already have some form of dental disease*. Cats are prone to dental conditions like gingivitis & tooth resorption. The Ultimate360 plan includes annual dental care, with no sub-limits – to keep your cat’s mouth healthy & pain-free.
Pre-Existing Condition Cover
Our unique LitePlus plan provides accident & illness cover for cats of all ages, including pre-existing cat conditions—after just a short 30-day waiting period. It’s affordable, inclusive protection designed to support your pet’s health at every stage of life.
Suitable Insurance Plans For Domestic Longhair & Shorthair Cats Compared
These curious & loveable cats have unique characteristics & potential risks, such as matting, obesity & urinary tract infections. These issues, combined with accidents or health conditions, make comprehensive pet insurance the right choice.
MediPet offers tailored premiums, covering vet visits, surgeries, & hospital stays, with no sub-limits or exclusions for pre-existing conditions. With MediPet, you ensure your cat receives the best health care, providing peace of mind through customisable plans & easy claim processes.
Essential Plan
Essential Plan For Cats
The Essential plan is a perfect fit for Domestic Longhair & Domestic Shorthair cats, offering comprehensive accident & illness cover tailored to their needs. These cats can be prone to breed-specific issues like urinary tract infections, obesity, & respiratory conditions. The plan includes cover for consultations, medication, surgery, diagnostics, & more—with no sub-limits or triage guidelines.
It also covers supplements, behavioural treatments, & holistic wellness, helping your cat stay healthy & supported throughout their life.
Cats can join Essential with no breed-specific pricing. You’ll receive R62 000 in annual benefits, ensuring your feline companion gets the care they deserve
for both everyday & unexpected health concerns.
Starting from R289 per month
You get R62 000 in benefits per year, without sub-limits.
Ultimate360 Plan
Ultimate360 Plan For Cats
For Domestic Longhair & Domestic Shorthair Cats, the Ultimate360 plan is MediPet’s most comprehensive option, offering premium cover with exclusive benefits such as dental care, prescription food, & a cremation benefit.
With up to R75 000 in annual benefits, this plan covers vet consultations, surgery, diagnostics, holistic wellness treatments, & post-hospital care, ensuring your cat receives the highest standard of veterinary support. It also includes exclusive benefits like dental care & prescription food to support ongoing health & recovery.
Cats joining the Ultimate360 plan gain access to the most extensive, no-compromise cover available.
Starting from R399 per month
You get R75 000 in benefits per year, without sub-limits.
What Pet Owners Love About MediPet Pet Insurance
Members continue to have positive experiences with MediPet, praising the seamless process & reliable cover. As Sarah-Jane Buss shares, “It’s an absolute PAWsome experience dealing with MediPet. After nearly 10 years, I would choose MediPet every time to protect our fur babies.”
Durieta Tager adds, “A pet insurer that actually pays out. Always such a pleasure to contact MediPet. Well worth it, thank you!
This endorsement does not constitute financial advice.
Frequently Asked Questions About Domestic Longhair & Domestic Shorthair Cats
How Much Is Pet Insurance For Cats?
MediPet offers 5 pet insurance for cats depending on the level of cover you choose. MediPet provides premium insurance options tailored to suit your cat’s needs & your budget.
- The Essential plan is ideal for comprehensive accident & illness cover, providing R62 000 in annual benefits with no sub-limits. Premiums start from R289 per month.
- The Ultimate360 plan offers the most inclusive protection, with R75 000 in annual cover, plus exclusive benefits like dental care, holistic wellness, post-hospital care, & prescription food. Premiums start from R399 per month.
- The Lite plan is a more budget-conscious option, offering R40 000 in annual cover for pets of all ages, starting from R149 per month.
- The LitePlus plan also offers R40 000 in annual cover but is specially designed for older pets with pre-existing conditions. Premiums start from R879 per month.
MediPet’s pet insurance plans give you the flexibility to choose the right level of cover for your cat—whether you’re looking for essential protection or premium, all-inclusive care.
Join MediPet today & give your cat the cover they deserve.
What Common Health Conditions Do Domestic Longhair & Domestic Shorthair Cats Usually Face?
Both breeds may face vet bills from urinary issues, dental conditions, obesity, & respiratory conditions—especially in indoor household environments. Older cats often develop pre-existing conditions like kidney disease or hyperthyroidism. A hospital plan helps cover long-term care. MediPet’s comprehensive plans cover hospitalisation & long-term care, helping you manage costs while ensuring your cat gets the care they need.
Does MediPet Cover Routine Care For My Cats?
Yes, routine care can be added to your cat’s general cover with MediPet. Routine Supreme costs R195 per month, offering cover of R3 300 per year with a savings of R960 per year. Routine In-Between costs R130 per month, for annual cover of R2 200 per year, with a built-in savings of R640 per year. Lastly, Routine Lean costs only R65 per month, for R1 100 cover per year & R320 savings per year.
This benefit covers cat preventative care such as vaccinations, tick/flea & deworming treatments, microchipping, sterilisation, grooming & nail-clipping.
Why Is Dental Care, A Benefit Of The Ultimate360 Plan, Important For Longhair & Shorthair Cats?
Poor dental hygiene can lead to long-term pain & discomfort for your cat—but many owners don’t realise it, as cats are experts at hiding pain. Dental disease is common in cats, especially as they age. It can be mistaken for normal ageing, but untreated infections in the mouth may allow bacteria into the bloodstream, potentially affecting the kidneys, heart, lungs, & liver.
The Ultimate360 plan includes annual dental care to help prevent these issues—because a healthy mouth means a healthier, happier cat.
Are Adopted, Rescue or Re-homed Domestic Longhair & Shorthair Cats Welcome?
Absolutely! At MediPet, we wholeheartedly support the adoption & re-homing of cats, & we’re proud to offer cover for adopted, rescue, or rehomed cats. If your cat was rescued or adopted in the last 6 months & is over 18 months old with no prior vet history, your pet will have a maximum of R3 000 towards illnesses for the first 6 months (claims due to an accident will not have this temporary limit applied). We’ll gladly provide cover under our Essential or Ultimate360 plans.
Whether you’ve welcomed your new cat into your family from a shelter or through a rescue organisation, we’re here to offer the same care & cat insurance support to ensure they stay healthy & safe.
Join MediPet today & give your rescued or adopted cat the insurance they deserve, so you can focus on enjoying your new family member.
Can I Still Join MediPet If My Cat’s Vaccinations Are Not Up To Date?
Yes, you can still apply. However, if your cat’s vaccinations are not kept up to date according to your vet’s vaccination protocol, any vaccinatable diseases & related complications will be excluded from cover. Keeping your cat’s vaccinations current is key to their health.
Join MediPet today to get the right cover for your cat’s needs, & ensure their vaccinations are always up to date for full protection.
For more frequently asked questions, visit our FAQ page.
