Pet dental insurance: costs and coverage of 2024
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BLUEPRINT
Updated 5:58 p.m. UTC Jan. 30, 2024
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Key points
- Pet insurance accident and illness plans typically cover dental accidents and illnesses.
- Routine dental care is not usually covered by pet insurance unless you add a wellness plan.
- Aesthetic, cosmetic, endodontic and orthodontic dental services are not generally covered by any pet dental insurance.
- Besides pet insurance plans with dental coverage, pet owners may consider a dedicated savings fund, or financing options like CareCredit, to pay for dental care.
What does pet dental insurance cover?
Pet insurance typically covers your dog or cat’s dental accidents or illnesses, depending on the plan you choose. An accident-only plan will provide coverage for dental accidents, but not illnesses. If you buy a comprehensive pet insurance plan, it will cover both dental accidents and illnesses.
A policy with pet dental insurance will usually cover:
- Crowns.
- Damaged teeth.
- Deciduous (baby) and permanent tooth extractions.
- Dental malocclusion.
- Dentigerous cysts.
- Dentistry anesthesia.
- Gingivitis.
- Gum disease.
- Root canals.
- Stomatitis.
The type of dental procedures covered will ultimately depend on the pet insurance company and the plan you choose. For instance, AKC covers dental accidents, but not illnesses. Lemonade only covers dental illnesses if you purchase add-on coverage.
What isn’t covered by pet dental insurance?
Here are common exclusions found in pet dental insurance:
- Routine pet dental care such as teeth cleaning procedures
- Cosmetic, endodontic, or orthodontic services such as caps, implants and filings
- Pet pre-existing conditions that occurred before pet dental coverage began
Which pet insurance companies cover dental procedures?
Most pet insurance companies cover care for dental accidents and illnesses. The coverage limit and reimbursement amount can vary by company and insurance plan.
If you’re looking for a pet insurance plan that includes dental coverage for accidents and illnesses, consider one of these pet insurance companies:
- Embrace.
- Fetch.
- Figo.
- Healthy Paws.
- MetLife.
- Nationwide.
- Pets Best.
- Pumpkin.
- Spot Pet Insurance.
- Trupanion.
Looking for pet insurance? Best Pet Insurance
How much does pet dental insurance cost?
The average pet insurance claim for periodontal disease in dogs is $1,942, based on claims to C&F Insurance Agency between 2017 and 2020. And a study by the Journal of Veterinary Dentistry found that by age 2, 70% of cats and 80% of dogs have some degree of periodontal disease.
A standard pet insurance policy with dental coverage can also help you pay for accidents that may occur, such as a broken tooth caused by a rigorous game of fetch or a hard bite on a bone.
How much does dog or cat teeth cleaning cost?
The cost of a dog’s teeth cleaning are between $500 and $1,000. For cats, a teeth cleaning could cost anywhere from $100 to $400.
You may also need to pay for X-rays, anesthesia, antibiotics, pain medications or extractions. It’s not uncommon for dental cleanings to add up to between $1,000 and $3,000 for the complete bill of services.
How to find cheap pet dental insurance
Shop for a pet dental insurance plan
Buying pet insurance is one way to get affordable pet dental care. Although routine cleanings aren’t covered unless you have a wellness plan, pet insurance with dental coverage can help offset the cost of dental accidents and illnesses.
There are other ways you can improve the health of your pet’s teeth and make the cost of dental care more manageable.
Practice preventative dental care
One of the best ways to prevent dental disease in your pet is daily brushing. Using an enzymatic toothpaste is ideal, as it can break down bacteria and prevent tartar from forming.
Dental chews approved by the Veterinary Oral Health Council, or nutritional additives that have been proven to break down plaque with digestive enzymes, can also help to prevent dental disease. Work with your vet to find the right food, as diet can also impact dental health.
Look into financing options
Although pet insurance is one way to afford dental care for your pet, it’s not the only option.
Some veterinarians offer financing options, including:
- CareCredit.
- Scratchpay.
- VetBilling.
Create a savings account
There’s also the option of creating a savings account dedicated to your pet’s care. Even with pet insurance, you are still responsible for deductibles and coinsurance percentages. Having funds set aside can make checking out at the vet’s office easier.
Is pet dental insurance worth it?
Dental health is important, not just for humans, but also for our pets. Besides eating, pets use their teeth to play and pick up items, making them more prone to accidents. The cost of pet dental care can be expensive, especially if your pet has an accident or illness that affects its teeth.
Sedation, X-rays, antibiotics, medication and other costs associated with dental care can quickly add up. A pet insurance policy is one option to help lower your out-of-pocket expenses after an accident or illness.
While you can’t buy pet dental insurance as a stand-alone policy, most of the best pet insurance companies include dental insurance in their accident and illness plans. Having the right pet dental coverage in place can help offset the cost of any oral health emergencies or illnesses your pet may experience.
Common dental illnesses and injuries in dogs and cats
“The most common dental issues in dogs are periodontal (gum) disease and tooth fractures,” says Dr. Richard Walther, DVM, Veterinary Advisor at Pawlicy Advisor. “In cats, the most common issues are stomatitis and tooth resorption.”
Gingivitis is another common issue seen in pets, advises Sarah Wallace, Vice President of Telehealth at Galaxy Vets. She recommends talking with your dog’s veterinarian to determine the best hard bones and toys to avoid tooth fractures.
Your pet’s breed may also predispose them to dental issues. For example, brachycephalic and toy dog breeds can have unerupted teeth, says Dr. Paola Cuevas, veterinarian and behaviorist. The deciduous teeth may need to be removed to allow the unerupted teeth to come down. If not, the closely packed teeth will retain food particles and tartar.
Pet dental insurance FAQs
With 80% of dogs showing signs of periodontal disease by the age of 2, it may be worth buying dental insurance for your dog. Untreated dental disease could cause other health problems, increasing your vet bills over your dog’s lifetime. Comparing the out-of-pocket cost of veterinary care to the savings with pet insurance may help you determine if dental insurance for dogs is worth it.
You should speak with your vet to determine how often a dog should get a dental treat. All treats should be part of a well-balanced diet. If your dog doesn’t chew the treat, it may not offer much dental benefit. Dog chew toys, food and treats approved by the Veterinary Oral Health Council are the best choice for dental health.
Determining what is most important to you can help you find the best pet insurance with dental coverage. If the cost of pet insurance is most important, consider getting several quotes from different companies to find the cheapest option.
You may also want to consider out-of-pocket costs, not just the price of the insurance plan. Most insurance companies offer a single annual deductible to meet. However, State Farm and Trupanion have a per-condition deductible, which means you could be out of pocket more if your pet has different dental problems in the same plan year.
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