We asked Dr. Stephanie Liff, a vet with over 15 years of experience, about pet dental insurance and she said the following:
“Dental care is imperative in pets, and so any policy that will help to make this care less of a financial issue is beneficial. Also, dental injuries and accidents are quite common – with some publications even citing that 26% of dogs will encounter carnassial slab fractures in their life, making coverage imperative for these expensive accidents.” - Dr. Liff, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
Dr. Liff recommends opting for a plan that will cover accidents and injuries for pet dental issues, at a minimum. Optional wellness plans can also cover routine dental care like cleanings, extractions, and more.
Below, you can see a list of our top recommended plans for the best pet dental insurance.
Yes, pet insurance can cover dental care, but it depends on the type of policy you choose. Here’s a breakdown of what’s typically included with pet insurance that covers dental:
The best pet insurance policies usually include some sort of dental coverage. However, policies can vary widely depending on the provider. It’s essential to review the policy documents to know exactly what’s included and excluded when it comes to dental treatment.
For more details on what pet insurance covers, check out our complete guide.
Editor's take
Lemonade insurance covers a variety of dental concerns like cleanings, x-rays, anesthesia, and tooth polishing through their Preventative+ plan, and offers coverage for gum disease treatment and tooth extraction through an add-on. We also love that Lemonade has a convenient app that allows you to manage your policy online.
With Lemonade’s accident and illness plan, there is no waiting period for accidents, a 14-day waiting period for illnesses, and a 30-day waiting period for orthopedic conditions in most states.
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Editor's take
MetLife may cover acute dental illnesses or accidents, such as periodontal disease and fractured teeth. They also offer a preventative care add-on that includes coverage for dental cleanings.
We love that MetLife has same-day accident coverage, which goes into effect at midnight on the day you buy a policy, a far shorter wait than many pet insurance companies require.
We also like how they offer a variety of discounts for pet parents, like multi-pet discounts, employer benefit discounts, first-responder discounts, health care worker discounts, and more. On top of that, your deductible has the potential to decrease each year you don’t file a claim!
If you have multiple pets, you can take advantage of Metlife’s family plan. The family plan lets you purchase one policy, with one deductible and annual limit, that can be shared between up to three pets.
With MetLife, you don’t need an initial exam to enroll your pet, there is no upper age limit, and many accidents and illnesses are covered as part of your insurance plan.
Accident coverage (and wellness coverage, if you choose to opt-in) goes into effect at midnight on the day you enroll your pet. Illness coverage requires a 14-day wait before coverage is effective. Many orthopedic conditions are also covered at the time that illness coverage kicks in.
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Editor's take
Paw Protect offers coverage for dental accidents, illnesses, and injury, including periodontal disease, broken teeth, abscesses, and more. They also offer a Wellness Rewards plan add on with $250, $450, or $650 in yearly coverage that can reimburse you for things like teeth cleanings and routine wellness care.
Paw Protect offers customers a $2,000 interest-free charge card that can be used to pay the vet directly, so you have no out-of-pocket expenses. Most other providers require you to pay upfront and be reimbursed.
Paw Protect insurance comes with 24/7 telemedicine coverage which allows you to speak to a vet in case you have an emergency and aren’t sure whether to take your animal in for a visit. It also offers considerable discounts if you have multiple pets (10% off) or are a military member (5% off).
Paw Protect accident and illness plan has a two-day waiting period for accidents and a 14-day waiting period for illnesses. There is a six-month waiting period for canine orthopedic conditions, which can be reduced to 14 days if you complete an orthopedic exam and waiver process.
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Editor's take
Healthy Paws covers dental accidents and injuries like necessary tooth extraction but does not cover elective procedures, dental illness like periodontal disease, pre-existing dental conditions, or dental cleanings and does not offer an add-on for them either.
Healthy Paws has excellent customer reviews and is one of the few providers on the market that can pay the vet for you directly. This is a huge draw for many pet owners as it means next to no out-of-pocket costs to you. The only caveat is that you must call and request a simple authorization before the vet treats your pet. Otherwise, you can pay and be reimbursed.
With the Healthy Paws accident and illness plan there’s a 15-day waiting period for accidents and illness and a 12-month waiting period for conditions linked to hip dysplasia or if your pet is under the age of six. These are some of the longest waiting periods in the industry, which could be a deal-breaker for some people.
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Editor's take
Embrace offers coverage for dental accidents and illnesses with their standard coverage plan, which includes things like tooth repair, extractions, and medically necessary treatment. They do not cover routine cleanings but offer a Wellness add on that can reimburse you for that, up to a chosen amount per year.
Embrace offers highly customizable plans and ample discounts to customers with multiple pets (10% off) or who are military members (5% off). Their plans can be tailored for up to unlimited coverage.
In case of an emergency, you’ll also get access to 24/7 virtual assistance via telemedicine calls which can help you diagnose if it’s necessary to rush to an in-person emergency vet. This feature alone could save you hundreds on vet bills, which is another reason we love Embrace.
With Embrace’s accident and illness plan you’ll have a two-day waiting period for accidents and a 14-day waiting period for illnesses. There is a six-month waiting period for canine orthopedic conditions, which can be reduced to 14 days if you complete an orthopedic exam and waiver process.
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Editor's take
Pumpkin insurance covers various dental issues related to accidents, injury, or illness but does not cover routine or preventive dental care. They do not offer an add-on to cover routine dental care.
Where other companies let you choose low reimbursement levels, Pumpkin ensures you get 90% back from covered claims and has no maximum age of enrollment. As an added benefit, owners with multiple pets get a 10% discount on policies. When it comes to coverage, what is offered as add-ons from other companies comes standard at Pumpkin.
Pumpkin has a standard accident & illness plan that covers exam fees, dental illnesses, behavioral issues, hereditary & congenital conditions, rehab therapies, and end-of-life services. You can also customize your plan with an optional add-on for preventative care, but this does not include coverage for dental cleanings.
With Pumpkin’s accident & illness plan, there is a 14-day waiting period. While this is longer than some other providers, Pumpkin has no extended waiting period for hip dysplasia or knee injuries making it a great option for animals prone to joint issues. On the downside, their add-on plan for preventive care doesn’t have a lot of coverage.
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Pet insurance companies often exclude specific dental services from their coverage. It’s essential to compare policies before choosing one.
Here’s a list of common exclusions under pet insurance that covers dental issues:
Insurance companies can deny coverage for non-essential procedures, so it’s crucial to read the terms and conditions before purchasing a plan.
Pet dental insurance is typically sold as part of an accident-and-illness or accident-only pet insurance policy.
The table below displays the average monthly premiums for these types of pet insurance.
Type | Accident & Illness | Accident-only |
---|---|---|
Dog Insurance | $53.34 | $16.70 |
Cat Insurance | $32.25 | $10.18 |
This information is based on data provided by the North American Pet Health Insurance Association (NAPHIA).
The final cost of your premium will depend on multiple factors, such as your pet’s breed and age.
For more information on how much you can expect to pay, check out our complete guide on what pet insurance costs.
Pet dental care is costly, especially if you don’t have insurance to pick up part of the tab.
If your pet develops dental issues, especially if they’re severe, you’ll likely have ongoing medical and dental expenses to cover.
How much you spend on your pet’s dental treatment depends on these factors:
For example, it costs much more to treat an advanced dental illness than it does to get routine dental care. Costs also vary based on where you live, as some cities have higher costs of living than others.
These are the estimated out-of-pocket costs for some of the most common pet dental health services:
Treatment | Estimated Cost |
---|---|
Dental cleanings | $50 to $300 |
Dental cleaning with periodontal disease | $519 to 768 |
Dental X-rays | $150 to $300 |
Anesthesia | $300 to $500 |
Oral examination | $50 to $100 |
Oral surgery | $400 to $1,000 |
For a more comprehensive review on how much you can expect to pay and ways to save money, check out our complete guide on dog dental cleaning costs.
In addition to getting pet dental insurance, these are some other ways you can save money on your pet’s dental care:
If your pet doesn’t see a vet regularly, you may not notice signs of dental illness before it becomes severe. When a disease gets worse, it’s more difficult to treat, making it more expensive to get the care your pet needs.
If you take a wait-and-see approach, the issue may get worse instead of getting better. For example, if your dog sustains an injury to its gums, the tissue could become infected. Your best bet is to treat the problem before dangerous bacteria invade the delicate tissue.
CareCredit is one of the most popular, as it’s designed specifically for medical and dental expenses. The company regularly extends special financing offers, such as no interest for 6 months on charges of $200 or more, making it a little easier to treat a dental disease without emptying your bank account.
It’s helpful to earmark some of the money in your savings account for pet dental cleanings and treatment for a wide range of dental problems. Even if you can only spare $25 per month, that’s still $300 per year that you can use to pay for your pet’s dental care.
By combining these strategies with an affordable pet insurance plan, you can ensure your pet’s dental health is in top shape without straining your budget.
Check out our full guide on how to choose pet insurance for more info.
Pet dental insurance can be a valuable investment. Dental disease is one of the most common health problems in dogs and cats. It’s so common that it affects up to 89% of all dogs over the age of 3 and up to 90% of all cats over the age of 4, and it can be expensive to treat. Without coverage, the costs of procedures like extractions, root canals, or oral surgeries can add up quickly and cost thousands of dollars. Pet insurance that covers dental ensures you’re not faced with large out-of-pocket expenses if your pet requires treatment.
Another reason pet dental insurance is worth considering is that dental health is closely tied to overall health. Poor dental care can lead to serious issues, such as infections that spread to other organs. With dental coverage, you can stay proactive about your pet’s dental health, helping prevent more significant health problems down the road.
However, it’s essential to weigh the cost of the policy against the potential benefits. If your pet is young and healthy, you may not need extensive coverage right away. On the other hand, it’s important to remember that pet insurance will always be cheaper to get when your pet is young and healthy, and you won’t run the risk of them developing pre-existing conditions.
Ultimately, pet dental insurance can provide peace of mind, knowing that you’re financially prepared to handle any dental issues that arise. For more information on the benefits and drawbacks related to pet insurance plans, explore our comprehensive guide on whether pet insurance is worth it.
It’s extremely rare for an insurance company to offer a stand-alone dental insurance policy for pets. That doesn’t mean it’s impossible, but you’ll likely have to look for a general pet insurance plan that covers dental services.
Some pet insurance policies cover routine dental cleanings for cats and dogs. During a routine cleaning, a veterinarian removes plaque and tartar buildup, which helps with preventing dental problems like gum disease. The vet also looks for signs of oral cancer, mouth ulcers, unerupted teeth and other issues that could turn into major problems later on.
Many pet insurance plans cover tooth extractions, but you need to read the terms of your policy to determine if there are any exclusions. For example, some plans only cover extractions related to dental accidents.
In insurance lingo, a waiting period is the time between when you purchase your policy and when you can start using the benefits. Some plans have shorter waiting periods than others. For example, MetLife’s accident and wellness coverage begins on the date your policy goes into effect.
Pet insurance companies generally don’t cover any dental work related to a preexisting condition. If your pet develops a dental condition before you have insurance in place, your policy probably won’t cover it.