Every cat has a one-of-a-kind personality. Whether your feline friend is cuddly, curious, or fiercely independent, they’re a big part of the family! But even the healthiest domestic cats can face health challenges like obesity, kidney disease, or urinary tract infections. Cat insurance cover helps manage costly, unexpected vet bills & ongoing care. MediPet offers unmatched pet insurance plans to keep your furry feline friend protected.
Personality & Characteristics of Domestic Longhair & Shorthair Cats
Every cat is unique. Whether Shorthair or Longhair, their personality goes far beyond their coat.
Domestic Shorthairs are low-maintenance, meaning they typically need less grooming thanks to their short, easy-care fur, & their temperaments vary from playful to relaxed.
Domestic Longhairs may love cuddles or prefer independence, with grooming as a key part of their routine. Whether they’re prowling at night or napping all day, life is full of surprises. Cat insurance cover helps you stay ready, giving you peace of mind & your feline the care they deserve.
Average Sizes & Weight
Domestic Shorthair Cats:
23 to 35 cm
2.7 to 7.3 kg
Average Sizes & Weight
Domestic Longhair Cats:
28 to 40 cm
3.5 to 8 kg
Domestic Shorthairs & Longhairs can be curious, social, & lively or calm, independent, & a little regal. Cats can form strong bonds with their families & adapt well to different environments…including the neighbour’s home.
Playfulness
Needs Attention
Intelligence
Vocality
Domestic Shorthair cats have sleek, low-maintenance coats & are known for being excellent self-groomers, making them 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.
Domestic Longhair
Shedding Level
Coat Grooming Frequency
Domestic Shorthairs
Shedding Level
Self-Grooming Frequency
Temperament Level
We couldn’t say for sure. Truth is, no two domestic cats are the same!
Coat Type
Wiry
Rough
Curly
Hairless
Corded
Wavy
Smooth
Double
Silky
Domestic Longhair cats need regular grooming to prevent matting. Dental conditions are common in all cats. Regular checkups & dental care is key. Domestic Shorthair cats are generally low-maintenance but may be prone to skin allergies.
Endocrine & Metabolic Disorders
Hyperthyroidism – A common endocrine disorder, especially in older cats, which affects metabolism & leads to increased thyroid hormone production.
Symptoms: Increased appetite with weight loss, hyperactivity, vomiting, increased thirst.
Oral Health
Dental Disease – Dental disease, including periodontal disease, affects cats’ gums & teeth. It can lead to infections & tooth loss if not managed. If there are infections in the mouth it can allow bacteria into the body via the blood stream, & cause illness elsewhere.
Symptoms: Bad breath, difficulty eating, lethargy, loss of appetite, excessive drooling.
Different Types Of Cancer
Cancer – Cats can develop cancers like lymphoma, squamous cell carcinoma, & mast cell tumors. These may affect organs, skin, or the lymphatic system & can be serious if not caught early. Early diagnosis & treatment improve outcomes & quality of life.
Symptoms: Weight loss, lumps, lethargy, appetite changes, breathing issues, persistent sores.
Urinary Health
Urinary Tract Issues – Conditions such as urinary tract infections (UTIs) or blockages are common, especially in male cats.
Symptoms: Frequent urination, straining to urinate, blood in the urine, & crying while urinating.
Kidney Disease
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) – This is particularly common in older cats, & can affect their ability to filter waste from the blood.
Symptoms: Increased thirst & urination, weight loss, poor appetite, vomiting, lethargy, dehydration.
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 cover, designed to protect your feline.
MediPet premiums reflect their genuine, comprehensive cover, so you can have complete peace of mind for your fur-mily:
The Essential & Ultimate360 plans provide annual maxes of R62 000 & R75 000 to cover treatments, surgeries & hospitalisation without any hidden exclusions.
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
Domestics cats can face unexpected illnesses such as urinary tract infections, dental disease, or accidents like a fall during a curious exploration. MediPet’s Essential & Ultimate360 plans cover both, offering R62 000 & R75 000 yearly benefits with no sub-limits. Protect your feline friend with premium care when it matters most.
Holistic Wellness
The holistic wellness benefit, available on our Essential & Ultimate360 plans, covers up to R5 000 each year to keep your cat feeling their best, for example, acupuncture, physiotherapy, homeopathy & more.
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.
Suitable Pet Insurance Plans For Domestic Longhair & Shorthair Cats Compared
These curious & loveable domestic cats have unique characteristics & potential risks, such as fur matting, obesity, & urinary tract infections. These issues, combined with the likelihood of accidents or health conditions, make comprehensive pet insurance cover the right choice.
MediPet offers comprehensive pet insurance plans, covering vet visits, surgeries, & hospital stays, with no sub-limits. With MediPet, you ensure your cat receives the best health care, providing peace of mind through vet-designed 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 suited to their needs. These cats can be prone to health conditions like kidney disease, cancer & obesity. The plan includes cover for consultations, medication, surgery, diagnostics, & more—with no sub-limits or triage guidelines.
It also covers hospitalisation, post-hospital care, supplements, behavioural treatments, & holistic wellness, helping your cat stay healthy & supported throughout their life.
All cats that join Essential receive R62 000 in annual benefits, ensuring your feline companion gets the care they deserve for 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, sterilisation & 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. Did you know that more than half of cats over the age of 3 suffer from some form of dental disease?*
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 Cover
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, “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 plans for cats depending on the level of cover you choose. MediPet provides premium pet insurance cover options 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 pets of all ages 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 comprehensive care.
Join MediPet today & give your cat the cover they deserve.
What Common Health Conditions Do Domestic Longhair & Domestic Shorthair Cats Usually Face?
These cats may face the same health conditions regardless of being an indoor household environment or the outdoors. They can face the same health conditions, from urinary tract infections, blocked bladders, blood disorders, dental conditions, obesity, constipation, & respiratory conditions, or an accident from a fall. Older cats often develop more severe health conditions like kidney disease or hyperthyroidism, & need supplements. MediPet’s comprehensive plans cover hospitalisation & post-operative care, helping you manage costs while ensuring your cat gets the care they need.
Does MediPet Cover Routine Care For My Cat?
Yes, this benefit covers cat preventative care such as vaccinations, tick/flea & deworming treatments, microchipping, sterilisation, grooming & nail-clipping.
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 an 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.
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 if left 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. 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.
Join MediPet today & give your cat the pet insurance cover 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.
Source: *Catster, May 2025
