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Mandy Sleight has over 15 years of insurance knowledge and expertise in auto, home, life, health, pet, supplemental benefits, and other insurance products. She’s a sought-after insurance expert, appearing in Bankrate.com, Moneygeek.com, U.S. News & World Report, Reviews.com, CNET, and other publications, and she's been writing for Compare.com since 2023.
Mandy uses her background and experience working for well-known insurance companies like State Farm and Nationwide Insurance to create engaging and easy-to-understand content that helps readers make smarter insurance choices that have a positive effect on their budgets and finances.
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Nick Versaw leads Compare.com's editorial department, where he and his team specialize in crafting helpful, easy-to-understand content about car insurance and other related topics. With nearly a decade of experience writing and editing insurance and personal finance articles, his work has helped readers discover substantial savings on necessary expenses, including insurance, transportation, health care, and more. As an award-winning writer, Nick has seen his work published in countless renowned publications, such as the Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, and U.S. News & World Report. He graduated with Latin honors from Virginia Commonwealth University, where he earned his Bachelor's Degree in Digital Journalism.
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Dental health is more important to your pet’s well-being than you might realize. Conditions like gum disease can be painful and expensive to treat, and they may lead to more serious health problems and costly vet bills.
Pet insurance can help manage rising dental vet care costs, but coverage depends on the procedure and type of plan. This guide breaks down pet dental coverage by procedure and policy type to help you decide if pet insurance is worth it.
Pet insurance typically covers dental injuries and illnesses that aren’t pre-existing.
Accident-only plans cover dental injuries but not illnesses.
Consider an optional wellness plan add-on if you want coverage for routine dental cleanings.
Pet insurance offers dental coverage if you have the right plan. And it often depends on whether the care is preventive or treatment-based. Accident and illness plans typically cover dental procedures, such as extractions due to trauma or disease, if they’re medically necessary. But these plans usually don’t cover routine cleanings unless you add a wellness plan.[1]
Here’s a breakdown of which dental treatments accident and illness pet insurance plans typically cover and exclude:
Covered  | Excluded |
|---|---|
| Tooth extractions due to disease or injury | Routine dental cleanings |
| Treatment for gingivitis, periodontitis, or abscesses | Cosmetic dental procedures like teeth whitening, caps, and implants |
| Emergency dental surgery | Checkups and routine exams for dental health |
| Root canals | Dental chews and treats |
| Jaw fractures | Water additives and pet toothpaste |
For preventive care like cleanings and routine exams, many pet owners add a wellness plan to ensure their pets maintain long-term dental health and prevent expensive issues from developing.
Comparing quotes could save you up to 57%.
Many of the best pet insurance companies cover dental care, but a few stand out from the rest. Here are our picks for the best pet insurers with dental health coverage.
Figo| User Reviews | NR |
|---|---|
| Our Rating Compare.com's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The objective formula used in these reviews weighs several important factors to consider when choosing financial products and services, including customer satisfaction ratings, ease of use, and a number of other components. | NR |
Figo offers multiple ways to customize your pet insurance policy, including unlimited annual coverage and a 100% reimbursement rate. You can also speak with a vet 24/7 to determine if your pet’s dental issue requires an in-person visit.
But you’ll have to buy additional “Powerup” coverage if you want coverage for routine checkups and dental cleanings. Figo’s pet insurance rates are also higher than average, according to our data.
Offers up to 100% reimbursement
Unlimited annual coverage available
Free 24/7 live vet access
Gum disease symptoms could be considered pre-existing
Older pets may need senior wellness testing
Many negative customer claim reviews
Fetch| User Reviews | NR |
|---|---|
| Our Rating Compare.com's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The objective formula used in these reviews weighs several important factors to consider when choosing financial products and services, including customer satisfaction ratings, ease of use, and a number of other components. | NR |
If you want accident and illness coverage for all your pet’s adult teeth and not just its canines, consider Fetch pet insurance. Although the company has a 15-day waiting period for accidents and illnesses, it covers exam fees, which many pet insurers don’t do.
But you’ll still need an optional wellness plan for annual checkups and routine dental cleanings.
Covers all adult teeth
Includes coverage for exam visits
No upper enrollment age limit
Caps annual payouts at $15,000
Higher-than-average pet insurance premiums
Fewer deductible options than competitors
Pets Best| User Reviews | NR |
|---|---|
| Our Rating Compare.com's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The objective formula used in these reviews weighs several important factors to consider when choosing financial products and services, including customer satisfaction ratings, ease of use, and a number of other components. | NR |
Our data shows Pets Best has some of the cheapest average pet insurance rates for multiple pet breeds, including German shepherds, pit bulls, and French bulldogs. The company offers VetDirect Pay, so you won’t have to pay up front and wait for reimbursement if your vet completes a release form.
A Pets Best accident and illness policy covers conditions like impacted teeth, dentigerous cysts, and improperly developed tooth enamel if you insure your pet before it turns 6 months old. But the insurer’s optional wellness plan reimburses only up to $150 annually for dental cleanings.
Affordable average rates
Can pay vets directly
Covers prescription medications
Some conditions require early life enrollment
$150 maximum reimbursement for cleanings
14-day illness waiting period
Lemonade Insurance| AM Best AM Best analyzes an insurer’s financials, operating performance, business profile, and other factors to generate an opinion-based rating of a company’s financial and credit strength. Ratings range from A++ (exceptional) to D (poor). | NR |
|---|---|
| Our Rating Compare.com's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The objective formula used in these reviews weighs several important factors to consider when choosing financial products and services, including customer satisfaction ratings, ease of use, and a number of other components. | NR |
A basic accident and illness plan covers accidents, but Lemonade will cover dental illnesses only if you buy a dental illness add-on. That said, it’s one of the few pet insurance companies that cover cavities and crowns. You’ll also need a vet visit fee add-on if you want your policy to cover annual checkups and a preventive care package for routine cleanings.
Multiple add-ons available
Preventive care add-on covers annual cleaning
Covers cavities
Requires additional coverage for dental illnesses
$1,000 annual cap on dental illnesses
Doesn’t cover orthodontics
Embrace| User Reviews | NR |
|---|---|
| Our Rating Compare.com's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The objective formula used in these reviews weighs several important factors to consider when choosing financial products and services, including customer satisfaction ratings, ease of use, and a number of other components. | NR |
If your pet has good oral health and you’re mainly concerned with routine care, Embrace pet insurance may be a good fit. Though its wellness plan costs extra, you can get up to $700 in annual coverage for yearly exams, routine dental cleanings, and in-home dental products, such as dental chews, pet toothbrushes, toothpaste, and dietary supplements.
Generous wellness plan benefits
Covers in-home dental care products
Wellness plan includes brand discounts
$1,000 annual dental coverage limit
Above-average rates
Senior pets can only get accident-only coverage
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Though pet dental insurance typically covers the following dental procedures, it varies by policy. Read your policy carefully to determine if it covers a specific procedure.
Pet insurance companies usually consider dental cleanings to be preventive care, which a standard insurance policy doesn’t cover. That’s why most pet insurers offer an optional wellness plan, which typically covers routine care like teeth cleanings.
The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) recommends dental exams at least once a year.[2] But depending on your pet’s age, breed, diet, and home care, it may need more or less frequent exams.
Dental cleanings can cost as little as $150 to more than $1,000. Pet wellness plans may limit dental cleaning coverage to once per year and cap reimbursement. For example, Embrace covers only up to $700 per year for preventive care, including dental cleanings.
If your pet needs a tooth extracted due to injury or disease, pet insurance may cover it since it’s medically necessary. But preventive extractions, like retained baby teeth, may not be medically necessary unless they cause health issues.
Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that builds up on the teeth and gums. If not removed, it can lead to gingivitis, pain, periodontitis, and tooth loss.[3] Periodontal disease is common among cats and dogs, with 70% to 80% showing signs of dental disease by 3 years of age.[4]
Some pet insurance illness plans cover periodontal treatment, but only if your pet shows symptoms and it’s not pre-existing. Annual vet exams can catch dental issues early and keep your pet eligible for coverage, which can help prevent future health problems and higher vet bills.
Accident and illness plans usually cover dental accidents and injuries that aren’t pre-existing, such as:
Tooth resorption
Tooth root abscesses
Fractured or broken tooth repair
Jaw and maxillofacial injuries
Gum disease
Oral tumors
Dental care costs for your pet can vary significantly by location, type of veterinarian and practice, your pet’s age and overall health, and the procedure.
The table below shows average out-of-pocket costs for different dental procedures for dogs and cats.
Procedure | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Oral exam | $50–$100 |
| Cleaning | $150–$750 |
| Anesthesia | $300–$500 |
| Extraction | $50–$1,000 |
| X-rays | $150–$300 |
| Periodontal treatment | $700–$1,150 |
| Root canal | $1,500–$6,000 |
Costs can add up fast, especially if your pet needs specialized care. A routine cleaning may cost around only $400 from a general vet, but you could pay between $1,000 and $2,000 with a board-certified veterinary dentist.
Staying ahead of dental issues with at-home care and annual vet checkups is key to keeping your pet’s mouth healthy. Signs of a potential dental issue include bad breath, broken or discolored teeth, bleeding gums, mouth swelling, and behavior changes like abnormal chewing or drooling.[5]
If you leave it untreated, a minor dental problem can worsen and lead to more serious (and costly) complications. Pet dental insurance can help you manage these expenses, making it easier to address issues early, before they become painful and expensive.
See quotes from top insurers in minutes.
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Dental insurance is worth it for many pet owners, particularly people with senior pets and breeds prone to dental disease.
Pet dental insurance can help you avoid large, unexpected costs. Without coverage, routine cleanings can cost $150 to more than $700, while advanced procedures like extractions and root canals can run into the thousands.
As pets age, untreated oral issues can worsen, leading to infections, tooth loss, and more serious health complications like heart or kidney disease. Dental insurance helps pet owners manage these risks affordably. It’s especially valuable for owners committed to preventive care and long-term wellness, since many wellness plans offer reimbursement for annual cleanings.
Dental insurance can provide peace of mind and help ensure your pet stays healthy and pain-free for longer.
Understanding how pet dental insurance works can help you determine if you should buy coverage for your furry companion. Here are answers to the most common questions people ask about getting dental insurance for their pet.
Dog dental insurance costs vary by pet insurance plan and company. Your ZIP code, dog’s age, its breed, and the vet you go to can affect how much you pay. A pet insurance policy typically covers dental injuries and illnesses, but you’ll likely need a wellness plan add-on to cover routine cleanings.
Fetch offers some of the best pet insurance for dental health, based on our research. It covers all your pet’s teeth (not just the canines) for dental injuries and illnesses, including periodontal disease, up to your policy limit. You can also include an optional wellness plan that will cover up to $735 annually for routine care, such as dental cleanings.
Vet dental care costs can vary significantly depending on your pet’s health, the type of procedure and veterinarian, and your location. The national average cost of dental cleanings is $376 for dogs and $314 for cats. But it can cost $700 to more than $1,500 if your pet has dental disease.
It depends on your state, your pet’s age, and whether it has any pre-existing signs and symptoms of dental disease. For example, Pets Best may cover extractions for deciduous or impacted teeth, dentigerous cysts, and enamel hypoplasia, but only if you enroll your pet in an accident and illness plan before it turns 6 months old.
Pet insurance usually covers tooth extractions, but only if they’re due to an injury or illness and not a pre-existing condition. Dental extractions for any other reason usually fall under wellness plan coverage, not a pet insurance policy.
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Mandy Sleight has over 15 years of insurance knowledge and expertise in auto, home, life, health, pet, supplemental benefits, and other insurance products. She’s a sought-after insurance expert, appearing in Bankrate.com, Moneygeek.com, U.S. News & World Report, Reviews.com, CNET, and other publications, and she's been writing for Compare.com since 2023.
Mandy uses her background and experience working for well-known insurance companies like State Farm and Nationwide Insurance to create engaging and easy-to-understand content that helps readers make smarter insurance choices that have a positive effect on their budgets and finances.
Nick Versaw leads Compare.com's editorial department, where he and his team specialize in crafting helpful, easy-to-understand content about car insurance and other related topics. With nearly a decade of experience writing and editing insurance and personal finance articles, his work has helped readers discover substantial savings on necessary expenses, including insurance, transportation, health care, and more. As an award-winning writer, Nick has seen his work published in countless renowned publications, such as the Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, and U.S. News & World Report. He graduated with Latin honors from Virginia Commonwealth University, where he earned his Bachelor's Degree in Digital Journalism.
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