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Dental care for cats and dogs can be an expensive part of pet care. Dental cleanings — whether routine or for treating dental conditions — could cost up to $1,500 or more, especially if tooth extractions are needed.1 But there’s a way for you to save on these expenses for your fur babies.
Pet insurance that covers dental costs can be a great way to ensure your cat or dog gets the care they need while worrying less about the bill. MetLife Pet offers different kinds of dental coverage through our standard policy and our Preventive Care coverage. Learn how dental coverage works, what it covers, and why pet dental care is so important.
Yes, MetLife Pet Insurance can help you cover dog and cat dental expenses if they’re medically necessary and not pre-existing. Our pet insurance provides coverage for dental issues related to accidents, emergencies, illnesses, or diseases, and you could get up to 90% back on covered costs.2
Accidents and illnesses aside, does pet insurance cover dental cleanings? MetLife Pet’s optional Preventive Care can be added to your pet insurance plan to provide coverage for routine dental procedures up to your selected benefit limit.
But pet dental insurance coverage depends on the individual policy. In general, you’ll typically need an accident and illness plan for more robust dental coverage, as accident-only plans only cover dental injuries, not illnesses. Other providers may offer dental coverage through stand-alone plans or other wellness plan add-ons. Let’s take a look at some specifics around the dental coverage MetLife Pet offers based on our plans.
Some of the dental services and conditions that can be covered under MetLife Pet’s dog and cat insurance policies include:
It’s a good idea to check your specific policy for details on exact coverage.
Our optional Preventive Care plan includes coverage for dental services and procedures that can help keep your pet healthy. Some of these dental expenses could include:
How much money you can get back on routine dental care depends on which plan you choose. Check your policy for exact coverage details.
Common exclusions to pet insurance dental coverage include routine dental care, cosmetic procedures, and pre-existing conditions.
Unless you have optional coverage that includes routine dental cleanings and care, these expenses are usually excluded from regular insurance coverage. Again, accident-only insurance plans won’t cover expenses related to dental illnesses or conditions — only injuries. MetLife Pet currently doesn’t offer an accident-only policy.
Dental conditions that appeared or were diagnosed prior to enrolling your pet in their pet insurance policy, or during any waiting periods, will likely be deemed a pre-existing condition and also typically excluded from coverage. However, MetLife Pet can provide continued coverage of your pet’s already-covered dental conditions when you switch from another provider to a MetLife Pet policy through your employer.4
MetLife Pet’s accident and illness policy includes coverage for dental illnesses and injuries — it doesn’t cost extra. When you get your quote, the cost for dental coverage is included in your quoted price. If you add Preventive Care to your plan to help you cover routine dental care, the quoted price for the add-on plan will be added to your premium.
Not all providers include dental illnesses and injuries in their standard pet insurance plan — you may have to add that coverage to your plan.5 Be sure to know what coverage is included and what needs to be added for an additional cost before you enroll.
Dental care for pets can get expensive, but it can help keep them healthy and happy. Here are some pets and their families who got money back on important dental care:6
Pet insurance that covers dental expenses can be worth it because it can help provide access to necessary dental care that aids in maintaining your pet’s overall health. With the high cost of pet dental procedures, you could potentially save a lot of money over the course of your dog’s or cat’s life by getting reimbursed for covered costs.2
Knowing common dental conditions your pet may be up against could help you prepare for care and costs — whether it’s by enrolling them in a policy before dental issues arise for future coverage, or taking steps now to help keep their mouth healthy.
Some of the common dental problems that may affect dogs can include:7
Meanwhile, some of the more common dental problems that may affect cats can include:8
Treatment for some of these conditions could be plaque removal, surgery, root canal therapy, or extractions.7,8 With MetLife Pet, you can select a reimbursement option up to 90% on vet bills for treatments like these, along with the diagnostics required for vets to create your pet’s treatment plan.2
Just like your own dental health, your pet’s dental health is essential to a long and happy life. Poor dental health can result in dental disease, which could lead to other systemic issues — like heart, liver, and kidney disease. And by the time your pet turns 3 years old, they may already be showing signs of some form of periodontal disease.9
To help prevent and detect potential issues, it’s a good idea for pets to receive an oral exam every year and a professional dental cleaning approximately once every year or two. The frequency depends on the breed and size of your pet, so check with your vet for their recommendation.1
Getting money back on routine cleanings is easy; just add our optional Preventive Care coverage to your pet insurance policy. Depending on your specific limits, you could get yearly reimbursements for teeth cleanings alongside vaccines, parasite prevention, and routine exams.
In between cleanings, you can help keep your fur baby’s dental health in good condition by practicing regular brushing at home and using dental treats or other products for extra care. Make sure to use products approved by your vet.9
A pet insurance policy with MetLife Pet can help you save money on vet care if your pet experiences an accident or illness that affects their dental health. Plus, when you add on our Preventive Care plan, you can get coverage for teeth cleanings and associated routine dental care up to your selected limit.
You don’t have to choose between your budget and getting essential dental care for your pet’s health. Get a free quote today, and see how you can customize your policy to fit your pet’s dental insurance needs.
Sherry Jude began working as a veterinary technician in 2015 and has done a little bit of everything along the way, from canine and feline general medicine to emergency and specialty care to physical rehabilitation, poison control, and — most recently — pet insurance. She has a soft spot for senior pets, client education, and supporting animals during post-operative physical rehabilitation, wound care, and preventative medicine.
Sherry has a bachelor’s in Veterinary Medicine from Morehead State University.
