Does pet insurance cover dental care?
By Raúl Vaquerizo · Published · Editorial policy
It depends on the policy. Accident and illness policies can pay for dental illness and injury, such as periodontal disease treatment, extractions or a broken tooth, but how much they cover varies a lot between insurers. Routine cleanings are preventive care, which is what optional wellness plans are for. Dental cover is one of the sections worth reading before you buy, especially for small dog breeds and older cats.
Why dental matters
Dental disease is one of the most common problems vets see:
- Dogs: in a VetCompass study of 22,333 dogs in UK primary care, 12.52% were diagnosed with periodontal disease in a single year.
- Cats: periodontal disease had a one-year prevalence of 15.2% and was the most common specific diagnosis in cats in UK primary care.
- Claims: dental disease ranks among the most common conditions in NAPHIA’s 2025 list for cats.
Treatment typically means a cleaning and extractions under anesthesia. MoneyGeek puts the average vet cost range for periodontal disease at $394 to $2,628 for both dogs and cats.
Which breeds are most at risk
Compared with crossbred dogs, the breeds with the highest odds of periodontal disease were the Toy Poodle (3.97 times), Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (2.39), Yorkshire Terrier (2.16) and Chihuahua (2.09), followed by the Miniature Dachshund, Bichon Frise, Cocker Spaniel and Miniature Schnauzer. Brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds as a group had 1.25 times the odds of mesocephalic breeds. Some breeds were less likely to be diagnosed, including German Shepherds (0.25) and French Bulldogs (0.43).
Among cats, Siamese (18.7%) and Maine Coons (16.7%) had the highest prevalence of the breeds studied, while Ragdolls and Bengals had lower odds than crossbred cats. Age was the strongest predictor for cats.
See breed pages for the full picture: Yorkshire Terrier, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Chihuahua, Siamese, Maine Coon.
Insurance vs wellness plans
- Accident and illness insurance pays for treating disease and injury. Whether that includes periodontal disease, and up to what amount, depends on the policy. Some insurers include dental illness in the base plan; others limit it or require an add-on.
- Wellness plans pay for routine care such as checkups, vaccines and, in some plans, cleanings. Under the NAIC Pet Insurance Model Act, a separate wellness program must not be marketed as insurance, its cost must be separate and identifiable, and buying it cannot be a condition of buying insurance. Wellness benefits written into the insurance policy itself count as insurance.
In the quote data we use, adding a wellness plan raised the average accident and illness premium from $61 to $92 a month for dogs and from $32 to $61 for cats. Compare that with what your vet charges for the routine care it would cover.
What a dental claim might pay
On a $1,500 dental bill for periodontal disease, a policy with a $500 deductible and 80% reimbursement would pay $800 and you would pay $700, assuming dental illness is covered and it is your first claim of the year. With a $250 deductible and 90% reimbursement it would pay $1,125. Try other numbers in the payout calculator.
What to check in a policy
- Is dental illness covered in the base plan, and is there a separate dental limit?
- Are extractions covered, and only for disease or also for injury?
- Does the insurer require a recent dental exam or cleaning to keep dental illness covered?
- Are existing dental problems noted in the record? They can be excluded as pre-existing.
- Would a wellness add-on cost more than paying for routine cleanings yourself?
Related
Estimates only, not a quote. Not financial or veterinary advice. We are not an insurer, agent or broker. Prices come from public data and change by insurer, ZIP code, policy options and your pet's medical history. Always read the policy and ask your veterinarian about your pet's health. Full disclaimer.