These pet insurance companies can help pay for vet costs related to new dental illnesses and injuries.
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Cassidy Horton is a contributing writer covering pet and home insurance. She holds an MBA and a bachelor's in public relations from Georgia Southern University, and she's worked with top finance brands like Forbes Advisor and Consumer Affairs. Cassidy first became interested in personal finance after paying off $18,000 in debt within 10 months of graduating college. She later went on to triple her salary in two years by ditching her 8-to-5 job to write for a living. Today, Cassidy is the founder of Money Hungry Freelancers, a platform dedicated to helping other freelancers build a strong financial foundation. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking around the Pacific Northwest and hunting down the best fried chicken in town. She is based in Seattle, Washington.
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The best companies for pet dental insurance at a glance
Left untreated, these diseases can lead to tooth loss, infections and even kidney and heart problems. That’s why it’s important to consider pet insurance that covers dental issues.
To find the best pet dental insurance plans, we looked for highly rated companies that cover a wide range of tooth problems, including periodontal disease, in their standard plans. (Some companies don’t cover dental illnesses, while others charge extra for the coverage.) We also chose insurers with optional wellness care plans, which can help you prevent dental issues through routine teeth cleaning for your pet.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account consumer complaint and customer satisfaction data.
ASPCA offers generous coverage and multiple plan options, including an accident-only policy.
Pay vet directlyThis indicates whether the company offers the option to pay a vet directly rather than reimbursing the policyholder after a claim.
No
Scope of coverageRatings are based on how many different scenarios a company covers.
Excellent
Ability to customize planRatings are based on how easy it is to modify how much you pay for a plan by adjusting your coverage limits.
Average
Pros
Covers horses in addition to cats and dogs.
Standard plans cover alternative therapies, behavioral issues and congenital conditions.
Policyholders can call a 24/7 vet helpline with questions about their pet’s health.
Cons
You must call, rather than get an online quote, if you’re interested in unlimited annual coverage.
Dental accidents and illnesses: ASPCA's Complete Coverage plan includes tooth extractions for dental accidents, plus treatment for a range of dental issues like gingivitis, stomatitis (inflammation of the mouth), periodontal disease, tooth abscesses and tumors. This plan also covers teeth cleanings prescribed for dental diseases. But it won’t pay for root canals, crowns or other endodontic or orthodontic procedures.
Routine care: ASPCA’s optional preventive care packages pay for routine dental cleanings and annual wellness exams to look for issues like periodontal disease.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account consumer complaint and customer satisfaction data.
Embrace has many ways to customize your plan, plus coverage for curable pre-existing conditions.
Pay vet directlyThis indicates whether the company offers the option to pay a vet directly rather than reimbursing the policyholder after a claim.
No
Scope of coverageRatings are based on how many different scenarios a company covers.
Good
Ability to customize planRatings are based on how easy it is to modify how much you pay for a plan by adjusting your coverage limits.
Excellent
Pros
Covers curable pre-existing conditions.
Many ways to customize your plan.
Orthopedic waiting period can be reduced with a vet exam.
Cons
Doesn't cover prescription food or supplements unless you buy a wellness plan.
Charges extra to cover prescription medicine.
May have a one-time enrollment fee.
Dental accidents and illnesses: Embrace's policies cover various dental conditions including broken teeth, extractions, gingivitis, stomatitis, and periodontal disease. They also cover root canals and crowns, which is uncommon in the industry. However, Embrace caps its dental coverage at $1,000 per policy year, which may not be enough for more expensive procedures.
Routine care: Embrace offers a Wellness Rewards plan you can purchase for an extra cost. Like many other wellness plans, it helps pay for routine dental care such as teeth cleaning and annual dental checkups. However, it covers extras that other companies generally don’t, such as toothbrushes and toothpaste, dental chews, and teeth brushing by groomers.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account consumer complaint and customer satisfaction data.
Fetch may be a good option for pet owners who want plenty of coverage and a high reimbursement amount.
Pay vet directlyThis indicates whether the company offers the option to pay a vet directly rather than reimbursing the policyholder after a claim.
No
Scope of coverageRatings are based on how many different scenarios a company covers.
Excellent
Ability to customize planRatings are based on how easy it is to modify how much you pay for a plan by adjusting your coverage limits.
Average
Pros
Covers dental injuries and diseases, alternative treatment options and sick exam fees.
Pays up to $1,000 per year for virtual vet visits.
Can waive the waiting period for knee injuries with a veterinarian exam within the first 30 days of the policy.
Cons
No accident-only plan available.
Doesn’t cover prescription food.
May charge a one-time enrollment fee.
Dental accidents and illnesses: The Fetch accident and illness plan covers issues affecting the gums and every tooth, not just canines or molars. The coverage includes periodontal disease, tumors in the mouth and oral traumas.
Routine care: Fetch has three optional wellness plans to choose from, with annual dental cleaning allowances ranging from $175 to $250. The more comprehensive (and expensive) the plan you get, the more other services it’ll cover, including vaccinations, microchipping and behavioral exams.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account consumer complaint and customer satisfaction data.
MetLife sells customizable plans for dogs, cats and even other animals in some states.
Pay vet directlyThis indicates whether the company offers the option to pay a vet directly rather than reimbursing the policyholder after a claim.
No
Scope of coverageRatings are based on how many different scenarios a company covers.
Excellent
Ability to customize planRatings are based on how easy it is to modify how much you pay for a plan by adjusting your coverage limits.
Excellent
Pros
Deductible goes down each year you don't make a claim in some states.
Accident coverage starts right away, with no waiting period.
Includes coverage for holistic and alternative care.
Cons
No option to have the company pay your vet directly.
Dental accidents and illnesses: A standard MetLife plan covers treatment for periodontal disease, which may include cleaning if your vet recommends it as a treatment. MetLife also covers fractured teeth and other dental injuries, plus endodontic and orthodontic procedures — which many other companies don’t cover. MetLife won’t pay to fix cosmetic issues.
Routine care: If you buy your MetLife wellness plan online, you can get $100 to $150 per year toward dental cleaning. Alternatively, you can call to get a plan that may pay more toward the procedure, subject to your annual deductible and coverage limit.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account consumer complaint and customer satisfaction data.
Pumpkin offers a comprehensive accident and illness plan that covers dental illnesses and some pre-existing conditions.
Pay vet directlyThis indicates whether the company offers the option to pay a vet directly rather than reimbursing the policyholder after a claim.
No
Scope of coverageRatings are based on how many different scenarios a company covers.
Excellent
Ability to customize planRatings are based on how easy it is to modify how much you pay for a plan by adjusting your coverage limits.
Average
Pros
10% discount for each additional pet you insure.
No maximum age limit for enrollment.
14-day waiting period for cruciate ligament injuries and hip dysplasia, which is shorter than many other plans.
Cons
No coverage for herbal supplements.
No mobile app.
Dental accidents and illnesses: Pumpkin’s accident and illness plan covers tooth extractions due to periodontal disease, fractures or unerupted teeth, among other issues. It will also pay for cleanings if prescribed for a covered illness. Like many insurers, however, Pumpkin won’t cover aesthetic, endodontic or orthodontic procedures, including root canals.
Routine care: Pumpkin has two different types of wellness coverage: Preventive Essentials, which is an add-on to the company’s accident and illness policies, and Wellness Club, a standalone option. Of these, only Wellness Club Premium plans offer coverage for routine dental cleaning — up to $150 per year.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account consumer complaint and customer satisfaction data.
Spot offers a wide range of coverage choices for pet owners but won’t pay your vet directly.
Pay vet directlyThis indicates whether the company offers the option to pay a vet directly rather than reimbursing the policyholder after a claim.
No
Scope of coverageRatings are based on how many different scenarios a company covers.
Excellent
Ability to customize planRatings are based on how easy it is to modify how much you pay for a plan by adjusting your coverage limits.
Excellent
Pros
Covers things some insurers don’t, such as prescription food and behavioral modification.
Covers some pre-existing conditions if they have been cured and treatment-free for 180 days.
Unlimited annual coverage option available.
Cons
App receives middling reviews for both Apple iOS and Android.
No live chat option for support.
Dental accidents and illnesses: Spot's accident and illness plans include treatments for dental diseases and infections, as well as tooth extractions resulting from dental accidents. If your pet needs a cleaning to treat a covered illness, Spot will pay for that, too. However, Spot doesn’t cover aesthetic, cosmetic, endodontic or orthodontic procedures such as root canals or crowns.
Routine care: Both of Spot’s optional preventive care plans, Gold and Platinum, can help pay for routine dental cleanings. Depending on which plan you choose, you can get $100 to $150 toward your vet bill.
Dental expenses generally fall under two different types of pet insurance coverage: accidents and illnesses, and routine care.
Dental accidents and illnesses
Standard pet insurance plans are designed to cover unexpected accidents or illnesses. If your pet breaks a tooth or develops dental disease, traditional accident and illness policies may pay for tooth extractions, jaw fracture repairs, root canals or other treatment.
But coverage for dental illnesses can vary quite a bit between providers. Some insurers like Lemonade cover dental illnesses only if you purchase an optional add-on, while others like AKC and Healthy Paws exclude periodontal disease entirely.
Also, not all plans cover procedures like root canals. Read the fine print to understand exactly which dental treatments are covered or excluded. Coverage may differ based on when you enrolled your pet, where you live and the specifics of your policy. If dental illness coverage is a priority for you, confirm the details before enrolling.
Routine dental care
Standard pet insurance policies generally don’t pay for routine dental care such as teeth cleanings and checkups. To cover these, consider a wellness add-on. These plans can help manage costs for regular dental upkeep, preventing bigger problems down the line. However, not all pet insurance companies offer wellness coverage.
Keep in mind that wellness plans typically offer a set amount of money per year toward dental cleanings, such as $100 or $150. This allowance may not be enough to cover the entire cost of a cleaning.
🤓Nerdy Tip
Most policies have a waiting period before dental coverage for accidents and illnesses becomes effective. Some plans may also have annual reimbursement limits for dental care.
Standard pet insurance policies generally won’t cover these dental treatments and procedures:
Routine teeth cleaning.
Cosmetic procedures like caps, crowns or orthodontic treatments.
Pre-existing dental diseases or injuries that were present before your policy's effective date.
Some companies may cover periodontal disease or other dental issues only if you meet certain conditions, such as getting your pet an annual dental exam.
🤓Nerdy Tip
While most accident and illness plans don’t pay for routine teeth cleanings, they might be covered if your vet prescribes a cleaning as a treatment for dental disease.
Caring for your furry friend’s teeth can get expensive. Getting one or more teeth extracted can cost upwards of $500, with complicated cases totaling $2,500 or more.
Meanwhile, a routine dental cleaning costs an average of $376 for dogs and $314 for cats, according to a 2023 survey from CareCredit.
How to find pet insurance that covers dental problems
Each pet insurer covers dental care a little differently. Before you buy a policy, make sure you understand what is and isn’t covered. Many providers have sample policies available to read online. Here are a few questions to look into:
Does the plan cover dental illnesses, including periodontal disease?
Does the plan include treatment for all teeth, or just certain ones such as canines?
Is there an annual limit on dental coverage?
How long is the waiting period before dental coverage takes effect?
If you’re considering a wellness plan, how much of a benefit is available for routine dental cleanings?
Are there certain things you need to do to make sure your pet stays eligible for dental coverage, such as getting them an annual exam?
Choosing pet insurance with good dental coverage, combined with home care such as tooth brushing, can help you keep your pet healthy for years to come.
