back
Insurances
Insurances
Insurances
Service
Service
Service
About wau-miau
About wau-miau
About wau-miau
Calculate premium
Search
close
Submit invoice Emergency
Search for insurance, information and more.
Animals

Dog insurance

In Switzerland, dog owners have to pay vet bills themselves – there is no compulsory basic insurance for dogs. wau-miau dog insurance covers 90 per cent of the costs in the event of illness or accident, with no limits and free choice of vet. All from just CHF 7.05 per month*.
Calculate premium
A dog photographed from above.

Go to

Advantages | Benefits | What’s not covered? | Examples of costs | Submitting an invoice | Frequently asked questions | Information/downloads

Your most important benefits

The unique insurance and service package for your dog
A choice of products based entirely on your needs
Four packages, ranging from Basic to Exclusive: you only pay for the services you actually need.
Health and accident insurance for the whole year
The policy covers veterinary treatment for illness and accidents—365 days a year for the rest of your pet’s life.
Comprehensive benefits for alternative and complementary medicine
Osteopathy, acupuncture, and physical therapy are all covered from the Optima package onwards.
Exclusive cover
Euthanasia, special feed on prescription and our lost & found service are included in the Optima and Exclusive packages.
Unlimited sums insured
No annual cap on basic benefits such as veterinary treatments and surgical procedures.
Free choice of deductible
Choose between CHF 250, CHF 500, and CHF 1,000 to determine the amount of your bonus.

How much does dog insurance cost in Switzerland?

Premiums for wau-miau dog insurance start at just CHF 7.05 per month* for our Basic package. What you actually pay depends on three factors: the package you choose, how old your dog, what breed your dog is and the deductible you select. Your premium will be invoiced once a year.

An overview of our four packages

Monthly premiums
Basic
Clever
Optima
Exclusive
Calculate premium Calculate premium Calculate premium Calculate premium
Overview of benefits
Sum insured
Deductible: CHF 250.–, CHF 500.– or CHF 1'000.–
Assumption of costs
Basic benefits
Veterinary treatments and medicines
Diagnostic tests and radiological examinations
Surgical procedures
Food and accommodation costs
Emergency surcharges
Additional benefits
Transport
Rehabilitation
Complementary/alternative medicine
Prevention
Dental medicine
Chemo and radiation therapy
Hereditary/breed diseases
Euthanasia (putting an animal to sleep), Special feed on prescription, Lost & found service to help locate a missing animal
PocDoc® first aid kit
Intuitive PocDoc® first aid app
Telephone and video consultations via PocDoc®
Monthly premiums
Basic

unlimited

freely selectable

90% of the costs (after deducting the chosen excess)

CHF 7.05 and over
Calculate premium

* Figures in CHF. Premiums are invoiced once a year. You can find more information on premium development under “Further information and downloads”.

Clever

unlimited

freely selectable

90% of the costs (after deducting the chosen excess)

max. CHF 300.– per calendar year

max. CHF 300.– per calendar year

max. CHF 300.– per calendar year

max. CHF 300.– per calendar year

max. CHF 300.– per calendar year

CHF 13.90 and over
Calculate premium

* Figures in CHF. Premiums are invoiced once a year. You can find more information on premium development under “Further information and downloads”.

Optima

unlimited

freely selectable

90% of the costs (after deducting the chosen excess)

max. CHF 500.– per calendar year

max. CHF 500.– per calendar year

max. CHF 500.– per calendar year

max. CHF 500.– per calendar year

max. CHF 500.– per calendar year

max. 5'000.– per calendar year

max. CHF 5'000.– per calendar year

max. CHF 500.– per calendar year (for all benefits together)

CHF 22.75 and over
Calculate premium

* Figures in CHF. Premiums are invoiced once a year. You can find more information on premium development under “Further information and downloads”.

Exclusive

unlimited

freely selectable

90% of the costs (after deducting the chosen excess)

max. CHF 500.– per calendar year

max. CHF 500.– per calendar year

max. CHF 500.– per calendar year

max. CHF 500.– per calendar year

max. CHF 500.– per calendar year

max. CHF 5'000.– per calendar year

max. CHF 5'000.– per calendar year

max. CHF 500.– per calendar year (for all benefits together)

Telemedicine unlimited, max. 5 video consultations per
calendar year

CHF 32.50 and over
Calculate premium

* Figures in CHF. Premiums are invoiced once a year. You can find more information on premium development under “Further information and downloads”.

What factors affect the premium?

Your dog’s age
Because healthcare costs with age, your dog will move up to the next age group on its third, fifth, seventh, ninth, and eleventh year of birth. The full breakdown can be found in the price list for dogs.
Dog price list
Selected deductible
A higher deductible lowers your premium but increases the amount you have to pay out of your own pocket if you need to make a claim.
Selected package
Depending on your choice of package, basic care, emergency surcharges, hereditary and breed-specific conditions and telemedicine are covered. You can find out more here:
Benefits

What is not covered?

Transparency is an important part of everything we do. The following are some of the things which are not covered by wau-miau dog insurance:
  • Pre-existing conditions and medical complaints that existed before the commencement of the insurance term
  • Medical treatment during the qualifying period (10 days for accidents, 30 days for illnesses, 90 days for hereditary and breed-specific conditions)

Additional exclusions are listed in the General Conditions of Insurance (GCI) under 2.4 Exclusions.

How much does a visit to the vet with your dog cost?

Vet fees are not regulated by the state in Switzerland. Each practice sets its own prices, and there are significant differences between regions and clinics. Even a single surgical procedure or a chronic illness can cost several thousand francs and you don’t have insurance, you’ll have to foot the bill yourself.

Examples of costs

Chihuahua
Pablo, 3 years old
Clever package, annual deductible of CHF 500.–
Pablo, a chihuahua, developed a soft swelling under his jaw in the space of just a few days. At first, he was still eating normally, but he began to show increasing difficulty swallowing. The vet was able to diagnose a salivary gland cyst (sialocele) using fine-needle aspiration and an ultrasound. Since the cyst kept filling with saliva, the affected salivary gland was surgically removed. After the surgery, Pablo was given pain medication and antibiotics and made a full recovery. Amount covered by wau-miau: CHF 3,155. The annual premium of CHF 491.40 paid off.
Bulldoge
Malia, 2 years old
Optima package, annual deductible of CHF 500.–
Malia, a French Bulldog, suddenly began experiencing severe pain while playing and could no longer move her hind legs properly. She was taken straight to the vet, where an MRI scan revealed an acute spinal disc herniation. Due to the severity of Malia’s injury, she needed surgery to relieve the pressure on the nerves. Since slipped discs are very common in French Bulldogs, the treatment Malia received —once the qualifying period had passed—were billed as “breed-specific conditions”. Amount covered by wau-miau: CHF 4,870. The annual premium of CHF 782.40 paid off.
Mischlinghund
Akira, 2 years old
Exclusive package, annual deductible of CHF 250.–
Akira, a mixed-breed dog, was on holiday in Finland with her family when she was attacked by several other dogs. She sustained numerous bite wounds all over her body. Due to the severity of her injuries, she also developed sepsis (blood poisoning), which meant her condition was initially critical and it remained unclear whether she would survive. Akira had to undergo emergency surgery in Finland and was hospitalised for several days under veterinary care. After returning to Switzerland, she continued to receive treatment and follow-up care from her vet. Thanks to the prompt medical care and intensive treatment Akira received, she was able to make a full recovery from the attack. Amount covered by wau-miau: CHF 9,147.80. The annual premium of CHF 1,034.40 paid off.

Your dog is sick or has been in an accident – what should you do?

01
Contact a vet
You’re free to choose your own vet. All practising vets and therapists who hold a federal diploma or an equivalent qualification and are members of the Swiss Veterinary Society (SVS) are recognised.
02
Treatment and invoices
Take your dog in for treatment and pay the invoice yourself for now.
03
Submitting an invoice
Upload the paid invoice using the “Submit Invoice” form. We will reimburse you for 90 percent of the covered costs, minus your deductible, and send the amount straight o your bank account.
Submitting an invoice

Frequently asked questions about dog insurance

How much does dog insurance cost in Switzerland?

At wau-miau, dog insurance premiums start at just CHF 7.05 per month for the Basic package. The actual premium depends on the package you choose, how old your dog is and the deductible you select (CHF 250, CHF 500 or CHF 1,000). Your premium will be invoiced once a year.

How do I cancel my dog insurance?

The insurance policy is automatically renewed for one year unless it is cancelled at least three months before it expires.

Are pre-existing conditions covered?

No. Illnesses, accidents, disabilities, congenital defects, deformities, hereditary diseases, breed-specific conditions, skeletal disorders andthe consequences thereof which occurred or were foreseeable before the commencement of the insurance term, during the qualifying period or in the event of a change to the contract (see Section 1.3 B of the General Conditions of Insurance (GCI) are not covered.

Is there a qualifying period for dog insurance?

Yes, wau-miau has three qualifying periods starting from the commencement of the insurance term: 10 days for accidents, 30 days in the event of an illness, 90 days in the event for hereditary and/or breed-specific conditions.

How old does my dog need to be before I can insure it?

Your dog can be insured with wau-miau from three months of age, provided it is healthy. Once covered, your pet can remain insured for the rest of its life.

Does it make sense for me to take out dog insurance?

Dog insurance is particularly worthwhile because there is no compulsory basic insurance for pets: In Switzerland, pet owners are responsible for covering veterinary costs in full themselves. Even a single surgical procedure or a chronic illness can cost several thousand francs.

Can I choose my own vet?

Yes, at wau-miau, you are free to choose your own vet. Practising vets with a federal diploma who are members of the Swiss Veterinary Society (SVS) and therapists with an equivalent qualification are recognised.

How much does wau-miau pay towards vet bills?

wau-miau covers 90 percent of the costs minus the selected deductible. The insured amount is unlimited for all packages.

Will my premium go up as my dog gets older?

Yes. Your dog will move up to the next age group when it reaches its third, fifth, seventh, ninth, and eleventh year of birth. The premium schedule is listed in full in the price list for dogs.

Is dog insurance compulsory in Switzerland?

No. There is no legal obligation to insure dogs in Switzerland – neither for medical expenses and treatment costs nor for liability coverage. Whether you choose to insure your cat is entirely up to you.

Insure your dog – from just CHF 7.05 per month*.

Calculate your personalised premium in just a few minutes.

Calculate your premium
Further information and downloads

VALIDITY

If your pet is in good health and over 3 months old, we shall be pleased to include it in the policy. Once covered, your pet can remain insured for the rest of its life. wau-miau pet insurance is automatically renewed for a further year unless cancelled at least 3 months before expiry.

CHOICE OF VET

With wau-miau a free choice of vet is guaranteed. ERV recognizes practising vets with a federal diploma or therapists with an equivalent qualification. In addition, they need to belong to the following societies/associations:

Vets
Membership of the “Swiss Veterinary Society” (SVS)

Therapists
No special recognition required

LEGAL INFORMATION

Maximum sums insured and premiums in Swiss francs. All premiums include federal stamp duty. As at June 2026. We reserve the right to make changes to benefits and premiums.

The General Conditions of Insurance (GCI) E473-06.26 apply.

PREMIUM DEVELOPMENT

Due to rising healthcare costs in old age, the premium adjusts over the years. The premium is adjusted to the next highest age group when your pet reaches its third, fifth, seventh, ninth and eleventh birthday. An overview of premiums for dogs can be found here.

WAITING PERIOD

The waiting period is the period of time after the commencement of insurance during which no benefits are paid. The wau-miau policy has the following waiting periods:

  1. Accidents: 10 days after commencement of insurance
  2. Illness: 30 days after commencement of insurance
  3. Hereditary and/or breed-specific illnesses: 90 days after commencement of insurance

Further information on waiting periods can be found in our GCI.
 

General Conditions of Insurance GCI E473
Prospectus
Benefit description
Premium development dogs
Read more