Is Pet Dental Insurance Worth The Extra Cost?
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Brandon Frady
Licensed Insurance Agent
Brandon Frady has been a licensed insurance agent and insurance office manager since 2018. He has experience in ventures from retail to finance, working positions from cashier to management, but it wasn’t until Brandon started working in the insurance industry that he truly felt at home in his career. In his day-to-day interactions, he aims to live out his business philosophy in how he treats hi...
Licensed Insurance Agent
UPDATED: Mar 20, 2024
Pet Insurance U receives compensation from the third parties included on this site. This includes payment for clicks from our site to insurance providers’ sites and quote requests generated. Our rankings and reviews are not affected by payments from the insurance companies. The compensation we receive allows the site to be free and regularly updated. Our goal is to review every pet insurance provider, but not all companies are listed on the site.
And many of the companies we review do not pay us anything. We simply rate, compare and review their plan because we feel it will be valuable to you. Our reviews are guaranteed to be unbiased, professional and advertising compensation does not influence rankings.
We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about pet insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything pet insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by pet insurance experts.
UPDATED: Mar 20, 2024
Pet Insurance U receives compensation from the third parties included on this site. This includes payment for clicks from our site to insurance providers’ sites and quote requests generated. Our rankings and reviews are not affected by payments from the insurance companies. The compensation we receive allows the site to be free and regularly updated. Our goal is to review every pet insurance provider, but not all companies are listed on the site.
And many of the companies we review do not pay us anything. We simply rate, compare and review their plan because we feel it will be valuable to you. Our reviews are guaranteed to be unbiased, professional and advertising compensation does not influence rankings.
On This Page
No matter how old you are, you’ve probably heard that dental hygiene is important to your overall health. But have you thought about your dog or cat’s health, and how their dental care plays into their overall life expectancy?
If you have given little thought to Fido or Fluffy’s teeth until now, you’re not alone. The American Veterinary Medical Association estimates that 80% of dogs and 70% of cats have signs of dental disease as early as 3 years old.
What’s worse is the fact that the cost of pet dental health has continued to increase steadily over the years. Of course, there are ways to cushion the blow to your wallet the next time you go to the vet for your pet health checkup.
Purchasing pet insurance is a great way to offset the costs of owning a pet. The pet insurance company pays for a portion of covered vet visits, so you aren’t the only one footing the bill.
If you decide to purchase a pet insurance plan, does it cover dental cleaning and other dental care? you might think all pet insurance plans will include dental care.
That generally is not the case!
Just like dental care for humans, pet dental care insurance coverage is not part of a pet insurance plan. Some pet insurance companies do offer dental care insurance, but it is structured differently than normal pet insurance and at an additional cost.
The real question is whether it’s worth the cost of purch
asing dental insurance for your pets.
Table of Contents:
- Dental Issues In Pets
- Prevention Of Dental Disease
- Does Pet Insurance Cover Cleanings?
- How Does Pet Dental Insurance Work?
- Companies That Sell Dental Insurance
Dental Issues In Pets
Just as we need to take care of our teeth for our overall health, our pets are the same.
Both dogs and cats need regular teeth cleanings to keep their teeth clean, healthy, and to prevent dental disease.
Some of the common dental issues that can occur in dogs and cats are:
- Periodontal Disease
- Tooth Abscesses
- Swollen Gums
- Broken Teeth
- Plaque Buildup
- Misalignment of the teeth, affecting its bite
- Mouth cysts or tumors
Dental disease can even affect your dog or cat’s organs.
In fact, not only are dogs and cats prone to periodontal disease at a young age, but teeth that are left untreated can cause all types of diseases.
The bacteria build-up can infect the bloodstream and lead to kidney disease or organ failure. Plague and tartar can also build up under the gumline, causing infection of the tissue and jawbone.
And, of course, we never want that to happen!
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Prevention Of Dental Disease
The best way to keep our dogs and cats teeth clean is to try to brush them regularly.
While it seems easy to do, many dogs and cats won’t let us brush their teeth. Therefore, the best thing we can do is to make sure that our vets look at our pets’ teeth each vet visit.
A good vet will always look at your pets’ teeth to assess their condition and will schedule regular teeth cleaning if necessary. If they suspect something could be wrong, they may want to do x-rays to get a better look at your pet’s teeth and gums.
Teeth cleaning can get expensive as most pets are put under anesthesia. and a A normal teeth cleaning can range from $1,000 to $2,000.
And this is exactly why some pet owners want to purchase pet dental insurance.
Read more: Does pet insurance cover dental disease?
Related: 10 Things You Must Know Before You Buy Pet Insurance
Does Pet Insurance Cover Dental Cleanings?
Most pet insurance does not cover dental cleanings.
In fact, most pet insurance policies will only pay for dental work if it is related to an accident, injury, or illness.
For example, if your dog chews a ball and cracks his teeth, your pet insurance policy will usually cover that medical bill if you have a typical comprehensive pet insurance policy. But, the same pet insurance policy might not cover dental disease or any sort of dental care that is non-injury related.
In fact, Petplan is one of the few pet insurance providers that will cover periodontal disease and dental care in their standard policy as well as accident-related injuries.
How Does Pet Dental Insurance Work?
Pet dental insurance isn’t as straightforward as you might think. It works very differently than pet insurance and is usually part of a wellness package.
Wellness care or preventative care packages are an add-on package to a normal pet insurance policy.
Wellness pet insurance generally covers routine services such as:
- Vet Visits
- Spaying
- Neutering
- Preventative Services
- Vaccines
- Nail trimming
- Flea, tick, and heartworm medications
- Fecal a
nd urine testing
- Other coverages, determined by the company
But, here’s the catch.
Even if you purchase a wellness package, the amount that you can use towards dental care is usually a specific dollar amount. For example, some wellness packages will include a $100 allowance towards dental care, while others might have a $250 dental care allowance amount.
Though it’s better to have some benefit than none, these small allowances normally won’t cover even one vet visit or routine dental cleaning, much less a serious dental procedure.
It’s important to look at each pet insurance company and decide whether it’s worth the extra money for a wellness package that will only give you a certain dollar amount towards dental care.
Out of our top 10 pet insurance companies of 2020, only six offer dental care in their wellness packages.
We have broken it down for you.
Below is a list of the six companies who offer dental insurance, the average cost of the wellness plan, as well as the specific dollar amount towards dental care so you can decide if that amount of reimbursement is worth the additional cost.
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Pet Insurance Companies That Offer Dental Insurance
Nationwide Pet Insurance
Nationwide is one of the few pet insurance companies that offers an independent wellness package. With this wellness package, you can get can get reimbursed for some preventative care procedures, including vet visits and other preventative procedures.
However, Nationwide offers only one wellness plan that will cover dental cleaning. While the cost is more expensive than the other pet insurance companies we reviewed, Nationwide offers a generous reimbursement amount.
Nationwide’s Whole Pet with Wellness plan, which generally costs from $12 to $22 a month, gives you up to a $500 allowance on any routine or preventative care procedures. This is the most of all the companies we reviewed and all of it can be used toward cleaning if you choose.
For more information on Nationwide, read our full review.
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Embrace
Embrace Pet Insurance has three different wellness packages with specific allowance amounts that you can use on any routine procedure.
For example, if you choose the $250 reimbursement, you can get reimbursed for up to $250 for dental cleaning, grooming, or even vaccinations.
The three reimbursement levels are as follows and of course, depends on your pet, age, breed, and location:
Embrace’s $250 reimbursement wellness package costs about $19 a month.
Embrace’s $450 reimbursement wellness package costs about $35 a month.
Embrace’s $650 reimbursement allowance wellness costs about $52.09 a month.
Keep in mind that if you want to get your pet groomed and it costs $75, then you will only have $175 left for dental care if you choose that first $250 wellness package.
For more information about Embrace, read our full review.
Pets Best
Pets Best offers two wellness plans that act like most other wellness packages. Of the two plans offered, only the higher-end plan has a set amount for teeth cleaning or dental care.
Pets Best BestWellness plan gives you an allowance of $150 for dental care, including teeth cleaning. The BestWellness monthly cost averages $25 per month.
For more information on Pets Best read our full review.
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PetFirst
PetFirst’s has two different wellness programs, and each will pay a specific amount towards dental cleaning or care.
While each plan does not give you a lot towards dental cleaning, PetFirst does specify the exact dollar amount, so there are no surprises.
The two plans are the following:
- PetFirst’s Routine Care 250:
PetFirst’s Routine Care 250 gives you an allowance of up $50 that can be used for teeth cleaning or dental care annually. The Routine Care 250 plan costs about $18 a month.
- PetFirst’s Routine Care 400:
PetFirst’s Routine Care 400 gives you an allowance of $100 that can be used for teeth cleaning or dental care annually. This Routine Care 400 typically costs around $24 a month.
If you like the idea of a wellness plan and just want a little money towards dental care, then PetFirst might be a good fit.
For more information about Pet First, read our full review.
PetPremium
PetPremium offers two different wellness plans that give you a specific spending amount for teeth cleaning or dental care.
The two plans are broken down as follows:
- PetPremium’s Basic Preventative Care Plan – With this plan, you can get a $100 allowance towards dental care or teeth cleaning. The average monthly price is $10.
- PetPremium’s Prime Preventative Care Plan– With this plan, you can get a $175 allowance towards dental cleaning. The average monthly price is $25.
For more information about PetPremium, read our full review.
View Rates With Pet Premium Now!
ASPCA
ASPCA has three different wellness or preventative packages, which is more than the others we reviewed.
Each of the three plans reimburses you a certain amount towards dental care or teeth cleaning.
The three plans are:
- ASPCA’s Basic Preventative Care –With this plan, you can get a $100 allowance for dental care or cleaning. The average monthly price is $10.
- ASPCA’s Standard Preventative Care – With this plan, you can get a $150 allowance for dental care or teeth cleaning. The average monthly price is $15 a month.
- ASPCA’s Prime Preventative Care – With this plan, you can get a $175 allowance towards dental cleaning. The average monthly price is $25 a month.
For more information about ASPCA, read our full review.
Pet Insurance Dental Plans – Summing It Up
So, there it is!
If you want to have some money that goes towards dental cleaning each year, you have some decent choices. If a wellness package is of interest to you, it might be worth the extra money each month.
However, only you can determine if the actual payout amount for pet dental insurance is worth the cost.
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Pet insurance is similar to other insurances but does have some major differences as compared to your health insurance. Below you will find a definitive list of frequently asked pet insurance questions to help in your decision.
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Insurance vs. Wellness Pet Insurance Plans
Is Pet Dental Insurance Worth the Extra Cost
Best Pet Insurance Plans with Shortest Waiting Periods
Pet Insurance Coverage Exclusions and Limits
Pet Insurance Benefit Limits Explained
How to Make a Claim on your Pet Insurance
Is my Pet too Old for Pet Insurance Coverage
Top Reasons to Purchase Pet Insurance
How much does Pet Insurance Cost
Pet Insurance for Multiple Pets
Pet Insurance that Covers Spaying and Neutering
Does Pet Insurance Cover Shots
Pet Insurance with Pre-Existing Conditions
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pet Dental Insurance Worth The Extra Cost?
Pet dental insurance can be worth the cost, especially considering the increasing expenses of pet dental health. Regular dental care is crucial for pets, as dental issues can impact their overall health and life expectancy. While many pet insurance plans do not automatically include dental coverage, some companies offer dental insurance as an add-on or as part of wellness packages.
What Dental Issues Can Pets Face?
Pets, like humans, can experience dental issues that impact their overall health. Common dental problems in dogs and cats include periodontal disease, plaque, tartar buildup, and infections. Dental issues left untreated can lead to more severe health conditions, affecting organs and potentially causing diseases.
How Can I Prevent Dental Disease in My Pet?
Regular teeth cleanings are essential for maintaining your pet’s oral health. While brushing your pet’s teeth is ideal, it may not always be feasible. Vets can play a crucial role by examining your pet’s teeth during checkups and recommending cleanings if necessary. Preventative measures can help avoid expensive dental procedures in the future.
Does Pet Insurance Cover Dental Cleanings?
Most standard pet insurance policies do not cover routine dental cleanings. Coverage typically applies to dental work related to accidents, injuries, or illnesses. Some pet insurance companies offer dental coverage as part of wellness packages, which are additional plans covering routine services like vaccinations and dental care.
How Does Pet Dental Insurance Work?
Pet dental insurance is often part of wellness packages, which are add-ons to regular pet insurance policies. These packages may include a specific allowance for dental care. However, it’s important to note that these allowances are usually limited, and the coverage may vary. Dental insurance for pets is not as straightforward as regular pet insurance and may have specific terms and conditions.
Which Pet Insurance Companies Offer Dental Insurance?
Several pet insurance companies offer dental insurance as part of wellness packages. Some notable companies include:
- Nationwide Pet Insurance: Offers a wellness plan with dental coverage, providing up to a $500 allowance on routine and preventative care.
- Embrace Pet Insurance: Offers wellness packages with varying reimbursement levels for dental care, ranging from $250 to $650.
- Pets Best: Provides a wellness plan called BestWellness, offering a $150 allowance for dental care.
- PetFirst: Offers two wellness plans with specific allowances for dental care, with annual limits ranging from $50 to $100.
- PetPremium: Offers two wellness plans with specific allowances for dental care, with annual limits ranging from $100 to $300.
- ASPCA: Provides three wellness packages with allowances for dental care, ranging from $100 to $300.
Is Pet Dental Insurance Worth the Cost?
The value of pet dental insurance depends on your pet’s specific needs, age, and overall health. While dental insurance may not cover all expenses, it can contribute to offsetting the costs of routine dental care. Assessing your pet’s dental health and considering the potential benefits and costs of dental insurance will help you make an informed decision.
Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap pet insurance rates.
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Brandon Frady
Licensed Insurance Agent
Brandon Frady has been a licensed insurance agent and insurance office manager since 2018. He has experience in ventures from retail to finance, working positions from cashier to management, but it wasn’t until Brandon started working in the insurance industry that he truly felt at home in his career. In his day-to-day interactions, he aims to live out his business philosophy in how he treats hi...
Licensed Insurance Agent
We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about pet insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything pet insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by pet insurance experts.