Does Pet Insurance Cover Prescription Food or Supplements?

Sometimes, taking care of our pets’ health can include feeding them specially formulated prescription food or supplements. However, this kind of puppy chow and supplementation doesn’t come cheap, which may have you wondering: Is there any pet insurance that covers prescription food or supplements?

The short answer is yes! A standard dog insurance or cat insurance plan from MetLife Pet can reimburse you for the cost of specialty food and supplements — if they’ve been prescribed by your vet. Let’s take a closer look at pet insurance, prescription food, and other supplements your pet might need.

What Is Prescription Pet Food?

Nutrition can have a big impact on your pet’s health, which is why it’s so important to make sure they’re eating the right kinds of foods. But sometimes, a balanced diet isn’t enough. If your cat or dog is sick, you might be able to find special food that’s been formulated to help with their condition.

Prescription foods usually contain additional vitamins, minerals, and other compounds your pet may be lacking due to their illness, or that might be actively therapeutic.¹ You can think of these specialty diets as another type of medicine — an important part of your pet’s healthcare. But this can be a problem for pet owners on a tight budget, because these specialty foods don’t come cheap.²

How Much Does Prescription Food Cost?

Whether it’s for your dog or cat, prescription food tends to be more expensive than a regular bag of kibble or can of pâté. The average pet owner might spend around $576 – $2,088 per year on dog food or $240 – $1,980 per year on cat food.^2,3 Prescription pet food typically falls on the higher end of the spectrum. For example, prescription food for a medium-sized dog could cost over $1,640 per year.⁴ Costs can be even higher for a larger dog.

No pet parent wants to choose between their budget and their fur baby’s health. Unfortunately, pet insurance doesn’t always cover the cost of prescription foods. With a MetLife Pet accident and illness plan, you can rest easy knowing the cost of prescription food is typically included as a covered expense. The caveat is it has to be deemed medically necessary — i.e., prescribed by your vet. It’s also important that the food be prescribed after you already have an insurance policy for your pet. Otherwise, it may fall into the category of pre-existing conditions⁵ and might not be eligible for reimbursement.

When Might a Vet Prescribe Specialty Food?

There are many situations in which your vet may recommend prescription food for your cat or dog. These might include:¹

• Kidney disease: Both cat kidneys and dog kidneys can be vulnerable to disease, and both may be prescribed specialty foods to help. Kidney diets typically contain less sodium and phosphorus — to reduce the amount of work your pet’s kidneys need to do — and higher levels of specific vitamins and minerals to help support good kidney health.
• Food allergies: If your pet is sensitive to certain ingredients, your vet might recommend a novel protein diet. This type of food uses sources of protein that most cats and dogs haven’t been exposed to, such as alligator or duck, to avoid “tripping” their immune system and causing an allergic reaction.
• Arthritis: Senior pets often develop arthritis or other joint issues in their golden years. Fortunately, there are many types of prescription foods that help reduce inflammation and improve joint health.
• Obesity: If your pet is overweight and it’s affecting their health, your vet might recommend a lower-calorie diet. Prescription weight-loss food is usually reserved for pets whose weight puts them at risk of other conditions, such as heart disease, cruciate ligament injuries, and even cancer.⁶

Some of these foods may be available over the counter at a pet store. However, pet insurance usually won’t reimburse you for the cost unless your vet has deemed them medically necessary. Money aside, you should always consult your vet before switching your pet to a specialty diet. Make sure they’re getting food that’s right for them!

Does Pet Insurance Cover Supplements?

It’s possible your pet may need additional supplements that they’re lacking — even in prescription food. These could take the form of vitamins and minerals to support their joints, immune system, organ function, and other vital processes.⁷ It’s important to note these are different from medications — closer to a multivitamin than an antibiotic.

The price of supplements varies widely, but even a relatively small monthly cost can be a burden when you’re on a budget. When it comes to pet insurance, coverage also varies. Like with prescription food, supplements usually need to be recommended by your vet as medically necessary before an insurance plan will reimburse you for the cost.

MetLife Pet Could Help Cover the Cost of Your Pet’s Prescription Food and Supplements

A Preventive Care add-on from MetLife Pet could help you cover up to 90% of the cost for prescribed food and supplements.⁸ This optional plan is designed to help maintain your pet’s wellness by helping you afford the care that keeps them healthy rather than waiting for illness to strike. Get a free custom quote to see how much you could save while keeping your furry family happy and healthy.