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! MetLife Pet’s dog insurance and cat insurance plans can help you cover costs for vet-prescribed food and supplements. Let’s take a closer look at how this coverage works along with prescription food and other supplements your pet might need.

Pet Insurance Prescription Food Coverage With MetLife Pet

Through MetLife Pet’s accident and illness plan, you can typically get coverage for prescription pet food (aka a veterinary diet or therapeutic diet food) that a vet prescribes to treat a coverable condition. With our customizable plans, you could select up to a 90% reimbursement option.¹

This coverage isn’t always included in every pet insurance plan. Some providers may not offer it at all, and others may have optional coverage you can add to your policy. You might also find that specific types of food are excluded — like regular, non-prescription diet food — even if it’s prescribed by a vet.² Check your policy for exact coverage details.

Does Pet Insurance Cover Supplements?

Similar to prescription food, supplements and vitamins prescribed by your vet to treat an eligible condition can be covered by MetLife Pet. These could be products that help support a pet’s joints, immune system, organ function, and other vital processes.³ Treatment plans that include other types of holistic care can be covered by MetLife Pet, as well. It’s important to note that supplements and vitamins are different from prescribed medications, as they’re not a medical drug.

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, vets might prescribe food that’s been specially 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. The food is often put through extensive quality and safety testing — and given to pets under the supervision of a vet — to ensure it’s helping treat or manage the condition it’s designed for.³

How Much Does Prescription Food Cost?

Therapeutic diets can be a challenge for pet owners on a tight budget, because these specialty foods can often be more expensive than commercial pet kibble.¹ Pet owners might spend around $785 – $2,635 per year on dog food or $225 – $1,920 per year on cat food.^4,5 Prescription pet food can fall on the higher end of the spectrum. For example, prescription food for a medium-sized dog could cost over $1,640 per year.⁶ Costs can be even higher for a larger dog.

No pet parent wants to choose between their budget and their fur baby’s health. A MetLife Pet policy includes coverage for veterinary diet food and can help you save money on this ongoing cost.

When Might a Vet Prescribe a Therapeutic Diet?

There are many situations in which your vet may recommend prescription food for your cat or dog. These could include:³

• 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, many types of prescription foods can help reduce inflammation and improve joint health.
• Obesity: If your pet is overweight and it’s affecting their health, your vet might recommend a special 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.
• Bladder stones: A veterinary diet can help dogs and cats with bladder stones by dissolving existing stones during treatment or reducing the risk of developing new stones.

All of the above could be covered conditions you can get reimbursements¹ on — including the prescription food — as long as it’s diagnosed after your policy’s waiting period is over. Otherwise, it may fall into the category of pre-existing conditions and generally not eligible for reimbursement.¹

Consult your vet before switching your pet to a specialty diet, especially because you’ll need a prescription. Follow their guidance when transitioning to the new food and continuing your pet’s feeding schedule.

Get Coverage for Pet Prescription Food and Supplements

Pet insurance that covers prescription food can help you stay on budget and say yes to treatment that supports your dog’s or cat’s overall well-being. With MetLife Pet, this coverage is built into your pet’s insurance plan. We also have an optional Preventive Care plan that can help you save on other types of ongoing costs like vaccines, annual exams, and parasite prevention. Plan for future pet needs and get a free, custom quote today.