PetRadioiodine therapy is widely considered the best treatment for hyperthyroidism in cats: a single injection of radioactive iodine destroys the overactive thyroid tissue while sparing the rest, and most cats are cured. The trade-offs are an upfront cost and a few days of mandatory hospitalization in a licensed facility. Here's the Canadian cost picture and the insurance timing that matters.
What it costs in Canada
| Scenario | Typical cost (CAD) |
|---|---|
| Pre-treatment consult + records review | Moderate — included at most centres |
| Radioiodine (I-131) injection | The core of the cost — dose-dependent |
| Required hospitalization (a few days, isolation) | Included in the all-in price |
| Pre-treatment bloodwork / thyroid panel | Moderate, sometimes separate |
| Additional tests or medication while hospitalized | Variable — possible add-on |
| Daily medication (the cheaper alternative) | Lower per month — but lifelong, with monitoring |
| Managing kidney disease unmasked by treatment | Variable — common in senior cats |
The all-in price covers the dose and the few days of isolation hospitalization that radiation-safety rules require. The reason many owners choose it despite the upfront cost: it can be a one-and-done cure, ending the recurring expense of daily methimazole and the regular bloodwork that medication demands for life. For a cat with years ahead, that often works out cheaper overall.
With insurance vs paying out of pocket
| Scenario | You pay | Insurer pays |
|---|---|---|
| No insurance | The full all-in cost of the treatment and hospitalization | $0 |
| Comprehensive policy (diagnosed after enrolment) | Annual deductible + your reimbursement share | Reimburses 70–90% of the radioiodine treatment after deductible |
| Comprehensive policy (hyperthyroidism pre-existing) | Full cost of treatment | $0 — pre-existing exclusion |
| Wellness add-on only | Full cost — it's treatment for an illness, not preventive care | $0 from wellness portion |
Radioiodine therapy cost by Canadian city
Radioiodine (I-131) is unlike any other treatment here: it uses a radioactive isotope, so it can only be given at a licensed radioiodine facility — and there are only a handful across Canada. Your cat also stays hospitalised there for several days (a regulatory requirement, until radiation levels fall). The all-in price varies little between centres; the real geographic cost is the travel to one and back. Use this as general guidance, not a quote.
| Access | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Near a licensed I-131 centre near vet colleges and specialty centres serving Toronto/Guelph, Montreal, Calgary, Vancouver, Saskatoon | Treatment available; your cat stays several days for the mandatory post-treatment hospitalisation |
| Elsewhere in Canada | No local option — your vet refers you, and you travel to the nearest centre for a drop-off and a later pick-up |
Because the mandatory boarding is built into the price and the facilities are so few, plan the trip: book ahead, confirm the centre's referral process with your vet, and budget for one drop-off and one pick-up journey on top of the treatment fee.
Take this to your appointment
The ranges above are national estimates, not a quote. Print this and fill in your own clinic’s numbers — the gap between the two is the conversation worth having.
| Scenario | Typical cost (CAD) | Your clinic’s quote | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-treatment consult + records review | Moderate — included at most centres | ||
| Radioiodine (I-131) injection | The core of the cost — dose-dependent | ||
| Required hospitalization (a few days, isolation) | Included in the all-in price | ||
| Pre-treatment bloodwork / thyroid panel | Moderate, sometimes separate | ||
| Additional tests or medication while hospitalized | Variable — possible add-on | ||
| Daily medication (the cheaper alternative) | Lower per month — but lifelong, with monitoring | ||
| Managing kidney disease unmasked by treatment | Variable — common in senior cats |
What to ask before you agree
These are billing and planning questions, not medical ones. Treatment decisions belong with your veterinarian.
Considering insurance?
Hyperthyroidism is one of the most common conditions in senior cats — and once it's diagnosed, no new policy will cover it or the radioiodine cure. The way to keep this covered is to insure your cat while it's still middle-aged and healthy. Compare Canadian insurers before your cat reaches the high-risk senior years.
Frequently asked questions
Does radioiodine therapy cost vary by city in Canada?
Is radioiodine therapy for cats covered by insurance in Canada?
Why does radioiodine cost more than the pills?
Does radioiodine actually cure hyperthyroidism?
Is radioiodine worth it versus lifelong medication?
Related conditions & costs
Cite this page — free to reference with attribution and a link:
PetAssured Editorial Team. "How much does radioiodine therapy for cats cost in Canada?" PetAssured.ca, updated July 5, 2026. https://petassured.ca/vet-costs/radioiodine-therapy-cats/
Figures are estimates compiled from public pricing — not quotes. This page's sources are listed above; the site-wide bibliography is at our sources. Journalists and researchers: get in touch for a regional angle or a bilingual quote.