Knose vs Bow Wow Meow — which suits your cat?
By Catstuff Editorial · Updated 2026-05-13
Affiliate disclosure: Some links on this page earn us a commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products and services we'd use with our own cats.
Knose and Bow Wow Meow are the two most-Googled AU cat-insurance brands. They sit on opposite underwriters (Knose = PetSure, Bow Wow Meow = Hollard) which means the underlying cover wording is meaningfully different despite both being 'comprehensive cat insurance'. Here's the head-to-head.
Domestic shorthair or healthy mixed breed → Knose (cheaper, more customisable). Pedigree with hereditary risk (Maine Coon, Ragdoll, Persian, Sphynx, British Shorthair) → Bow Wow Meow (stronger hereditary cover for ~15% extra premium).
Knose (PetSure)
Customisable excess ($0–$500) and reimbursement (60–80%). PetSure underwriter — cheaper but stricter on breed-specific hereditary cover.
Best for: Domestic shorthairs, low-risk young adults, owners who want to tune cover.
Bow Wow Meow (Hollard)
Hollard underwriter has stronger hereditary cover. ~15% pricier than Knose but the cover difference matters most when you'd actually claim — i.e. on hereditary disease.
Best for: Maine Coon, Ragdoll, Persian, Sphynx, British Shorthair — any breed with documented hereditary risk.
Frequently asked questions
Is Knose or Bow Wow Meow cheaper for cat insurance?
Knose is consistently cheaper at the headline level (~$32/mo vs ~$38/mo for a healthy 1-year-old domestic shorthair). The premium gap narrows for older or pedigree cats. For a 5-year-old Ragdoll, the gap is often $4–8/mo.
Does Knose or Bow Wow Meow have better hereditary cover for cats?
Bow Wow Meow, materially. Hollard-underwritten policies are less strict than PetSure on breed-specific exclusions — Maine Coons get cardiac cover, Persians get PKD cover, Burmese diabetics aren't auto-excluded. For non-pedigree cats this distinction barely matters; for pedigrees it's the whole game.
Which is easier to claim with?
Both have app-based claims. Knose pays faster on average (3–5 business days; Bow Wow Meow 5–7). Both are well-rated by customers; neither is the source of consistent complaint.
Can I switch from Knose to Bow Wow Meow later if my cat develops a hereditary condition?
Yes, but the condition will be excluded as pre-existing by Bow Wow Meow. Switching insurers after diagnosis is rarely useful — pick the right policy on day one based on the cat's breed risk profile.
Related reading
Updated 2026-05-13 · Not veterinary or financial advice.