
If you're a pet owner, you know how expensive dental care for your furry friend can be. According to our research, the average cost of a dog's dental cleaning is around $75-$100, and for cats, it's around $50-$75.
Many pet insurance plans don't cover dental care, but some do. For example, PetPlan's premium plan covers dental care up to $1,500 per year. Trupanion's plan also covers dental care, with no annual limit.
Some pet insurance plans have specific requirements for dental care, such as requiring regular cleanings to be covered. For instance, Nationwide's pet insurance plan requires dental cleanings every 6 months to be eligible for coverage.
Pet Insurance Options
If you're looking for pet insurance options that cover dental care, you've got a few great choices. Some pet insurance companies, like Pet Insurance Review, offer optional wellness plans that reimburse for preventative dental care, including routine dental cleanings, pet toothbrushes and toothpaste, and dental chews.
These plans can be a game-changer for pet owners who want to prevent serious oral diseases down the line. According to The Animal Foundation, 70% of cats and 80% of dogs have signs of periodontal disease by age three, so being proactive with your pet's dental health is key.
Pet owners can choose from various levels of preventative dental care, with allowances ranging from $300 to $700 per policy year. Some popular pet insurance companies that offer preventative care plans include Pets Best and ASPCA, which cover non-routine dental treatment, including periodontal disease, tooth extractions, and trauma to the teeth, face, and jaw.
Guides
If you're considering pet insurance, it's essential to understand how it works. Your pet insurance coverage is based on a reimbursement model, where you pay for services upfront and then submit a claim to your insurance company for reimbursement.
To compare insurance policies, get quotes for your pet from a few different insurance companies. Make sure each quote has a similar deductible, coinsurance, and policy limit for the most accurate apples-to-apples comparison.
Pet insurance typically covers dental care related to accidents and illnesses, including conditions like gingivitis, stomatitis, and periodontal disease. However, some insurance providers, like Pets Best, require your pet to be free of dental disease at the time of enrollment to get coverage for non-routine dental treatment.
A preventative care plan, like the one offered by Pets Best, can help cover dental cleaning expenses and non-routine dental treatment. These plans often have allowances ranging from $300 to $700 per policy year, giving you flexibility in choosing the right level of preventative care for your pet.
Some insurance providers, such as Embrace Pet Insurance, cover routine wellness checks, including dental checkups, as part of their comprehensive coverage plan. This can give you peace of mind knowing you can provide the best possible care for your pet.
In-network vs. out-of-network providers isn't a concern with pet insurance, as you'll pay for services upfront and submit a claim for reimbursement. This can simplify the process and reduce stress when seeking veterinary care for your pet.
Here are some examples of dental conditions and treatments covered under a pet insurance policy:
- Gingivitis
- Stomatitis
- Periodontal disease
- Tooth abscesses
- Cancerous oral growths and tumors
- Fractured tooth
Trupanion
Trupanion is a pet insurance option that has some unique features. They don't offer a wellness care plan, which means they don't cover preventive care and teeth cleanings.
If you sign up your dog or cat before six months of age, Trupanion will cover baby root canals, tooth extractions, endodontic treatments, and developmental abnormalities.
Coverage Details
Pet dental insurance can cover a range of issues, including periodontal disease, tooth resorption, and traumatic dental injuries. According to a study in the Journal of Veterinary Dentistry, nearly 7 out of 10 cats experience resorptive lesions.
Fetch provides coverage for most dental treatments your vet recommends, including periodontal disease and tooth resorption. However, not all pet insurance providers offer similar coverage, so it's essential to research and compare policies.
Embrace's dental coverage includes issues like abscessed teeth, malocclusions, and gingivitis, with costs ranging from $200 to $1,000. They also offer a $1,000 dental coverage as a standard feature.
Preventative dental care is crucial for maintaining your pet's overall health. Embrace reimburses for preventative dental care through their optional pet wellness plans, including routine dental cleanings, pet toothbrushes and toothpaste, and dental chews.
Some pet insurance policies have annual, lifetime, or per-condition limits that place a ceiling on the maximum payout you can receive in reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses. The likelihood of these conditions occurring varies, with periodontal disease being very high, and abscessed teeth being high.
Here are some common dental issues covered by pet insurance:
Preventing Costly Problems
Preventing costly dental problems can be a significant concern for pet owners. Routine cleaning, which includes an examination, removal of plaque and tartar, and polishing, can cost between $150 to $350.
A basic wellness policy can provide hundreds of dollars in coverage for a monthly premium as low as $9.95. This makes preventative care a more affordable option in the long run.
Benefits
Having pet dental insurance can ensure that your pet's teeth are taken care of without the financial burden.
Dental care insurance for pets ensures that regular cleanings and check-ups are covered, which can help prevent more serious issues from arising.
You can expect to save money on costly procedures like extractions and root canals by catching problems early.
Preventive care is key, and pet dental insurance helps make it more accessible to pet owners.
Regular dental care can even help prevent conditions like periodontal disease, which can lead to painful symptoms and expensive treatments.
How to Choose Coverage
Choosing the right pet insurance for dental care can be overwhelming, but don't worry, I've got you covered. Consider the coverages offered by different providers, as some may only cover accidents and not illnesses, while others may have more comprehensive plans.
Most pet insurance providers offer comprehensive Accidents & Illness plans, but some may offer cheaper Accident-Only plans that limit coverage to unexpected injuries, including those that may happen to pets' teeth. Make sure your provider offers your preferred solution.
The cost of pet insurance varies widely based on your pet's type, breed, age, and where you live. The average cost of an accident-only pet insurance policy is $10.18 per month for cats and $16.70 for dogs. The average cost for a comprehensive policy is $32.25 per month for cats and $53.34 for dogs.
Consider the deductible, reimbursement level, and coverage maximum when choosing a pet insurance plan. A higher deductible may lower your premiums, but you'll pay more out-of-pocket before the insurance kicks in. Reimbursement levels range between 70% and 90% of the procedure costs, and coverage maximums can range from $500 to $10,000 or more.
Here's a breakdown of the key factors to consider:
By considering these factors and doing your research, you can find the best pet insurance for dental care that fits your budget and meets your pet's needs.
Pet Health and Wellness
According to The Animal Foundation, 70% of cats and 80% of dogs have signs of periodontal disease by age three. This highlights the importance of regular dental care for your pet.
Routine dental cleaning is a crucial part of maintaining your pet's oral health, and it's covered under our optional pet wellness plans. This can be done with or without anesthesia, and it's essential for preventing serious oral diseases.
Pet toothbrushes and toothpaste are also essential for maintaining your pet's dental health. Dental chews, annual dental checkups, teeth brushing by a groomer or veterinarian, and dietary dental supplements are all part of a comprehensive dental care plan.
The cost of preventative dental care can be significant, but with our Wellness Rewards program, you can choose the right level of coverage for your pet. Allowances range from $300 to $700 per policy year, giving you peace of mind and a healthier pet.
Some breeds are more prone to dental issues than others, including German Shepherds, Rottweilers, Akitas, Boxers, English Bulldogs, Great Danes, Pugs, and Corgis. If you have one of these breeds, it's especially important to prioritize their dental health.
Here are some examples of dental procedures that are covered under our pet insurance plans:
- Routine dental cleaning (with or without anesthesia)
- Pet toothbrushes & toothpaste
- Dental chews
- Annual dental checkups
- Teeth brushing by a groomer or veterinarian
- Dietary dental supplements
Frequently Asked Questions
Does pet insurance cover pre existing dental conditions?
Pet insurance typically excludes coverage for preexisting dental conditions. However, some policies may offer coverage for new dental issues that arise after the policy is purchased.
Is dog dental insurance worth it?
Dog dental insurance may be worth considering if your dog is prone to expensive dental issues, but it's essential to review policy details to understand what's covered. Coverage is typically limited to unexpected conditions, not preventable ones like periodontal disease.
Sources
- https://www.fetchpet.com/pet-insurance-coverage/dental
- https://www.trupanion.com/pet-insurance-faq/article/dental
- https://www.embracepetinsurance.com/coverage/dental-coverage
- https://www.pawlicy.com/blog/where-to-buy-pet-dental-insurance/
- https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/pet-insurance/pet-dental-insurance
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