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Best Pet Dental Insurance for 2024

Unlimited claims
No upper age limit
No credit checks
Multiple pet discounts

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Lemonade Pet Insurance review
KEY TAKEAWAYS
  • Based on our analysis, the best dental insurance for pets is offered by: Paw Protect, Lemonade, Pumpkin, Spot, Pets Best, Figo, Fetch, & Healthy Paws (skip ahead to view these plans).
  • Dental insurance for pets typically is made to cover routine care like oral exams, teeth cleanings, and dental care resulting from illnesses or injuries.
  • It’s important to note that most pet dental plans won’t cover orthodontic services, pre-existing conditions and cosmetic services. Some may also exclude routine cleanings, so it’s important to review the coverage before buying.
  • Most dental insurance for pets comes as an add-on to a traditional pet insurance policy. Therefore, you may have to opt for a comprehensive pet insurance plan as well.
  • Since coverage varies greatly by provider, we recommend using a comparison tool that allows you to filter by specific coverage, so you can easily find policies for your pet’s needs. You can also check out our detailed reviews of specific providers like Paw Protect Insurance, Spot Pet Insurance, and Lemonade Pet Insurance to help find the right policy for you.
SUMMARY

Pet dental insurance gives you extra peace of mind if your pet develops a dental illness or sustains a dental injury.

Although this type of insurance plan doesn’t pay for every expense under the sun, it does cover up to 100% of the cost of many common dental services. However, every insurance company offers different terms, so it’s important to compare multiple plans to find the best coverage for your pet.

You should also know that many insurance companies don’t sell stand-alone dental insurance policies, which means you’ll need to buy comprehensive service coverage with dental included. This is good news, however, because it will protect your animal from other illnesses and bring extra perks having no out-of-pocket vet payments.

To help you make sense of all the options on the market, we’ve put together this guide to cover:

  • An overview of dental insurance for pets & what it covers
  • A list of things that usually aren’t covered by pet dental insurance
  • How much you can expect to pay for dental coverage & routine procedures
  • Our verdict on whether it’s worth buying pet dental insurance.

Read on for this and more, including a list of our top pet dental insurance plans for 2024.
Best Preventative Care Add-On
COMPARE PLANS on Lemonade's secure website
4.8
Maximum annual coverage
$5,000 - $100,000
Reimbursement choices
70%, 80%, 90%
Deductible choices
$100, $250, $500
Pet Insurance by Category
Best pet insurance Cat insurance Cheap pet insurance Vet direct-pay insurance Pet dental insurance Pre-existing Condition Insurance No Waiting Period Paw Protect Review Spot Review Embrace Review Healthy Paws Review Pets Best Review Lemonade Review Pumpkin Review Fetch Review Figo Review CarePlus by Chewy Review
Pet dental insurance More
Pet Insurance by Category
Pet dental insurance More
Best pet insurance Cat insurance Cheap pet insurance Vet direct-pay insurance Pet dental insurance Pre-existing Condition Insurance No Waiting Period Paw Protect Review Spot Review Embrace Review Healthy Paws Review Pets Best Review Lemonade Review Pumpkin Review Fetch Review Figo Review CarePlus by Chewy Review

Our top picks for the best pet dental insurance

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Best Preventative Care Add-On

Lemonade Pet Insurance

 4.8
COMPARE PLANS on Lemonade's secure website
Maximum annual coverage
$5,000 - $100,000
Reimbursement choices
70%, 80%, 90%
Deductible choices
$100, $250, $500
Why We Like It

Editor's take

Lemonade insurance covers a variety of dental concerns like cleanings, x-rays, anesthesia, and tooth polishing through their Preventative+ plan, and offers coverage for gum disease treatment and tooth extraction through an add-on. We also love that Lemonade has a convenient phone app that allows you to manage your policy online.

With Lemonade’s accident and illness plan, there is a two-day waiting period for accidents and a 14-day waiting period for illnesses. Additionally, there is a six-month waiting period for cruciate ligament events.

PROS

  • Surgery
  • Chronic Conditions
  • Emergency Vet Visits

CONS

  • Prescription Food
  • Pays Vet Directly

Best for No Out-of-Pocket Expenses

Paw Protect

 5.0
COMPARE PLANS via Petinsurer.com's secure website
Maximum annual coverage
$5,000 - Unlimited
Reimbursement choices
70%, 80%, 90%
Deductible choices
$100, $250, $500
Why We Like It

Editor's take

Paw Protect offers coverage for dental accidents, illnesses, and injury, including periodontal disease, broken teeth, abscesses, and more. They also offer a Wellness Rewards plan add on with $250, $450, or $650 in yearly coverage that can reimburse you for things like teeth cleanings and routine wellness care.

Paw Protect offers customers a $2,000 interest-free charge card that can be used to pay the vet directly, so you have no out-of-pocket expenses. Most other providers require you to pay upfront and be reimbursed.

Paw Protect insurance comes with 24/7 telemedicine coverage which allows you to speak to a vet in case you have an emergency and aren’t sure whether to take your animal in for a visit. It also offers considerable discounts if you have multiple pets (10% off) or are a military member (5% off).

Paw Protect accident and illness plan has a two-day waiting period for accidents and a 14-day waiting period for illnesses. There is a six-month waiting period for canine orthopedic conditions, which can be reduced to 14 days if you complete an orthopedic exam and waiver process.

PROS

  • Chronic Conditions
  • Prescription Medication
  • Pays Vet Directly

CONS

  • Boarding

Best for Same-Day Accident Coverage

MetLife Pet Insurance

 4.7
COMPARE PLANS on MetLife's secure website
Maximum annual coverage
$1,000-$10,000
Reimbursement choices
70%, 80%, 90%
Deductible choices
$50, $100, $250, $500
Why We Like It

Editor's take

MetLife may cover acute dental illnesses or accidents, such as periodontal disease and fractured teeth. They also offer a preventative care add-on that includes coverage for dental cleanings.

We love that MetLife has same-day accident coverage, which goes into effect at midnight on the day you buy a policy, a far shorter wait than many pet insurance companies require.

We also like how they offer a variety of discounts for pet parents, like multi-pet discounts, employer benefit discounts, first-responder discounts, health care worker discounts, and more. On top of that, your deductible has the potential to decrease each year you don’t file a claim!

If you have multiple pets, you can take advantage of Metlife’s family plan. The family plan lets you purchase one policy, with one deductible and annual limit, that can be shared between up to three pets.

With MetLife, you don’t need an initial exam to enroll your pet, there is no upper age limit, and many accidents and illnesses are covered as part of your insurance plan.

Accident coverage (and wellness coverage, if you choose to opt-in) goes into effect at midnight on the day you enroll your pet. Illness coverage requires a 14-day wait before coverage is effective. Many orthopedic conditions are also covered at the time that illness coverage kicks in.

PROS

  • Alternative Therapies
  • 24/7 Vet Chat
  • X-Rays & CT Scans

CONS

  • Microchipping
  • Pays Vet Directly
  • Boarding

Best for Discounts

Embrace Pet Insurance

 4.8
COMPARE PLANS via Petinsurer.com's secure website
Maximum annual coverage
$5,000 - Unlimited
Reimbursement choices
70%, 80%, 90%
Deductible choices
$100, $250, $500, $750, $1,000
Why We Like It

Editor's take

Embrace offers coverage for dental accidents and illnesses with their standard coverage plan, which includes things like tooth repair, extractions, and medically necessary treatment. They do not cover routine cleanings but offer a Wellness add on that can reimburse you for that, up to a chosen amount per year.

Embrace offers highly customizable plans and ample discounts to customers with multiple pets (10% off) or who are military members (5% off). Their plans can be tailored for up to unlimited coverage.

In case of an emergency, you’ll also get access to 24/7 virtual assistance via telemedicine calls which can help you diagnose if it’s necessary to rush to an in-person emergency vet. This feature alone could save you hundreds on vet bills, which is another reason we love Embrace.

With Embrace’s accident and illness plan you’ll have a two-day waiting period for accidents and a 14-day waiting period for illnesses. There is a six-month waiting period for canine orthopedic conditions, which can be reduced to 14 days if you complete an orthopedic exam and waiver process.

PROS

  • Surgery
  • Chronic Conditions
  • Hereditary and Congenital Conditions

CONS

  • Pays Vet Directly

Best Coverage Without an Add-On

Pumpkin Pet Insurance

 4.2
COMPARE PLANS via Petinsurer.com's secure website
Maximum annual coverage
$10,000 - Unlimited
Reimbursement choices
90%
Deductible choices
$100, $250, $500, $1,000
Why We Like It

Editor's take

Pumpkin insurance covers various dental issues related to accidents, injury, or illness but does not cover routine or preventive dental care. They do not offer an add-on to cover routine dental care.

Where other companies let you choose low reimbursement levels, Pumpkin ensures you get 90% back from covered claims and has no maximum age of enrollment. As an added benefit, owners with multiple pets get a 10% discount on policies. When it comes to coverage, what is offered as add-ons from other companies comes standard at Pumpkin.

Pumpkin has a standard accident & illness plan that covers exam fees, dental illnesses, behavioral issues, hereditary & congenital conditions, rehab therapies, and end-of-life services. You can also customize your plan with an optional add-on for preventative care, but this does not include coverage for dental cleanings.

With Pumpkin’s accident & illness plan, there is a 14-day waiting period. While this is longer than some other providers, Pumpkin has no extended waiting period for hip dysplasia or knee injuries making it a great option for animals prone to joint issues. On the downside, their add-on plan for preventive care doesn’t have a lot of coverage.

PROS

  • Multi-pet Discount
  • Dental Disease
  • Hereditary and Congenital Conditions

CONS

  • Breed Specific Issues
  • Boarding
  • Pays Vet Directly

Best for Paying the Vet Directly

Pets Best Insurance

 4.6
COMPARE PLANS on Pets Best's secure website
Maximum annual coverage
$5,000 - Unlimited
Reimbursement choices
70%, 80%, 90%
Deductible choices
$50, $100, $200, $250, $500, $1,000
Why We Like It

Editor's take

Pets Best standard plan offers coverage for dental accidents like broken teeth or related illnesses like abscesses. They also offer a BestWellness add on plan that covers up to $150/year in dental cleanings and more.

Pets Best offers competitively priced plans with a wide range of deductible options. There is no age limit for sign-ups, meaning you can purchase coverage for your pet later in life. You’ll also get unlimited access to a 24/7 emergency vet hotline for quick consultations at all hours of the day.

Pets Best offers multiple plans including an Accident-only plan, as well as 3 tiers called Essential, Plus, and Elite.

We like that Pets Best can pay the vet directly for you. Simply download the reimbursement release form from their website, have your vet’s office sign and agree to receive payment directly from the provider, and Pet’s Best will handle the rest.

With Pets Best you can expect a waiting period of 3 days for accidents, 14 days for illnesses, and 6 months for cruciate ligament conditions. When choosing, note that exam fees are not included in the Essential plan, which is why we recommend opting for a higher-tier plan, such as the Elite plan, with a wellness add-on.

PROS

  • Surgery
  • 24/7 Vet Chat
  • Exam Fees

CONS

  • Alternative Therapies
  • Breed Specific Issues
  • Prescription Food

Best for 100% Reimbursement

Figo Pet Insurance

 4.6
COMPARE PLANS via Petinsurer.com's secure website
Maximum annual coverage
$5,000 - Unlimited
Reimbursement choices
70%, 80%, 90%, 100%
Deductible choices
$100, $200, $500, $750, $1,000, $1,500
Why We Like It

Editor's take

Figo covers dental accidents, injuries, and illnesses, like medically necessary repair of broken teeth, root canals, or tooth abscesses. They also offer a Wellness add-on that can cover routine care like dental cleanings and much more.

Figo is known for its fast claim processing which is a huge benefit to its customers. Figo is also one of the few providers that offer 100% reimbursement (on plans with deductibles of $500+).

Figo has lots of plan options to suit all types of budgets. It offers several pre-set accident & illness plans but also allows you to customize your plan based on your desired coverage limits, deductible, and reimbursement level. You can also opt for add-ons that offer continued wellness coverage and reimbursement for vet exam fees. All plans come with 24/7 vet assistance text-chat, however, video/phone telehealth consultations are also available as part of the wellness add-on.

With Figo, there is a 1-day waiting period for accidents and injuries and 14 days for illnesses.

For dogs, there is also a 6-month waiting period for orthopedic conditions. However, this can be waived if you get an orthopedic exam within the first 30 days of your policy and your pet is deemed healthy.

PROS

  • Chronic Conditions
  • Dental Disease
  • Breed Specific Issues

CONS

  • Prescription Food
  • Microchipping
  • Pays Vet Directly

Best for Senior Pets

Spot Pet Insurance

 4.9
COMPARE PLANS via Petinsurer.com's secure website
Maximum annual coverage
$2,500 - Unlimited
Reimbursement choices
70%, 80%, 90%
Deductible choices
$100, $250, $500, $750, $1,000
Why We Like It

Editor's take

Spot’s standard plan covers dental accidents and related illnesses but does not cover things like routine cleanings. However, they do offer Gold and Platinum plans that offer up to a certain amount of coverage for dental cleanings yearly.

Spot offers a wide range of annual coverage and deductible options to suit all budgets and is one of a few providers that offer a discount for owners with multiple pets (10%). They also tend to cover more things than other providers such as advanced care and alternative therapies.

They cover exam fees (for covered conditions) with their basic accident and illness plan, and there is no maximum enrollment age, meaning elderly pets can get coverage at any time.

Spot has a 14-day waiting period for accidents, illnesses, and ligament/knee conditions.

PROS

  • Multi-pet Discount
  • Dental Disease
  • Chronic Conditions

CONS

  • Boarding
  • Pays Vet Directly

Best for Extensive Perks

Fetch by The Dodo

 4.6
COMPARE PLANS via Petinsurer.com's secure website
Maximum annual coverage
$5,000 - $15,000
Reimbursement choices
70%, 80%, 90%
Deductible choices
$300, $500, $700
Why We Like It

Editor's take

Fetch covers a variety of dental issues with their standard accident-and-illness plan, including extractions, periodontal disease, endodontic treatments, x-rays, and more. They do not cover pre-existing dental conditions, routine dental cleanings, or preventive dental care and don’t offer a wellness add-on or plan option.

Fetch has a waiting period of 15 days for accidents & illness and a 6-month waiting period for injuries for knee & hip injuries. However, this can be waived if you get an orthopedic exam within the first 30 days of your policy and your pet is deemed healthy with no pre-existing orthopedic conditions.

PROS

  • Emergency Vet Visits
  • Dental Disease
  • Allergies

CONS

  • 24/7 Vet Chat
  • Prescription Food
  • Pays Vet Directly

Best for a High Coverage Limit

Healthy Paws Pet Insurance

 4.8
COMPARE PLANS via Petinsurer.com's secure website
Maximum annual coverage
Unlimited
Reimbursement choices
50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%
Deductible choices
$50, $100, $250, $500, $750, $1,000
Why We Like It

Editor's take

Healthy Paws covers dental accidents and injuries like necessary tooth extraction but does not cover elective procedures, dental illness like periodontal disease, pre-existing dental conditions, or dental cleanings and does not offer an add-on for them either.

Healthy Paws has excellent customer reviews and is one of the few providers on the market that can pay the vet for you directly. This is a huge draw for many pet owners as it means next to no out-of-pocket costs to you. The only caveat is that you must call and request a simple authorization before the vet treats your pet. Otherwise, you can pay and be reimbursed.

With the Healthy Paws accident and illness plan there’s a 15-day waiting period for accidents and illness and a 12-month waiting period for conditions linked to hip dysplasia or if your pet is under the age of six. These are some of the longest waiting periods in the industry, which could be a deal-breaker for some people.

PROS

  • Surgery
  • Alternative Therapies
  • Cancer Treatment

CONS

  • Dental Disease
  • Breed Specific Issues
  • Behavioral issues

Best for Comprehensive Dental Coverage

Animalia Pet Insurance

4.4
COMPARE PLANS via Animalia's secure website
Maximum annual coverage
$5,000 - $25,000
Reimbursement choices
70%, 80%, 90%
Deductible choices
$200, $350, $500
Why We Like It

Editor's take

Animalia is a great choice when it comes to pet dental insurance. This pet insurance covers dental issues caused by accidents or illness without any additional cost. However, if you’re looking for even more dental and orthodontic coverage for things like root canals or crowns, they offer a comprehensive dental add-on package to supplement your base plan.

PROS

  • Dental Disease
  • Exam Fees
  • Prescription Food

CONS

  • Accident-Only Coverage
  • Wellness Coverage
  • Pays Vet Directly

Does pet insurance cover dental care?

Pet insurance does not necessarily cover dental care. In fact, most pet insurance companies don’t offer stand-alone dental coverage.

At most, a standard pet insurance plan may cover the following:

Before you purchase a pet insurance plan, review the policy documents carefully. They spell out exactly what’s covered and excluded, thus making it easier for you to select a plan that covers dental issues.

What’s covered under pet dental insurance?

Every pet insurance policy differs slightly, but your plan may cover the following dental services:

For a closer look at what covered beyond dental care, check out our guide on what pet insurance covers.

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What isn’t covered under dental pet coverage?

Pet insurance companies exclude many services from their policies, so shop around before you commit to a plan.

Your pet insurance policy may not cover the following dental problems:

How much does pet dental insurance cost?

Pet dental insurance is typically sold as part of an accident-and-illness or accident-only pet insurance policy.

The table below displays the average monthly premiums for these types of pet insurance.

Type A&I monthly AO monthly
Dog Insurance $53.34 $16.70
Cat Insurance $32.25 $10.18

This information is based on data provided by the North American Pet Health Insurance Association (NAPHIA).

The final cost of your premium will depend on multiple factors, such as your pet’s breed and age.

For more information on how much you can expect to pay, check out our complete guide on what pet insurance costs.

How much does pet dental treatment cost?

Pet dental care is costly, especially if you don’t have insurance to pick up part of the tab.

If your pet develops dental issues, especially if they’re severe, you’ll likely have ongoing medical and dental expenses to cover.

How much you spend on your pet’s dental treatment depends on these factors:

For example, it costs much more to treat an advanced dental illness than it does to get routine dental care. Costs also vary based on where you live, as some cities have higher costs of living than others.

These are the estimated out-of-pocket costs for some of the most common pet dental health services:

Treatment Estimated Cost
Dental cleanings $50 to $300
Dental cleaning with periodontal disease $519 to 768
Dental X-rays $150 to $300
Anesthesia $300 to $500
Oral examination $50 to $100
Oral surgery $400 to $1,000

How to save money on pet dental care

In addition to getting pet dental insurance, these are some other ways you can save money on your pet’s dental care:

1

Make sure your pet has regular dental cleanings and other routine veterinary services.

If your pet doesn’t see a vet regularly, you may not notice signs of dental illness before it becomes severe. When a disease gets worse, it’s more difficult to treat, making it more expensive to get the care your pet needs.

 See More See Less
2

Seek treatment for dental injuries as soon as they occur.

If you take a wait-and-see approach, the injury may get worse instead of getting better. For example, if your dog sustains an injury to its gums, the tissue could become infected. Your best bet is to treat the injury before dangerous bacteria invade the delicate tissue.

 See More See Less
3

Consider financing options to help you cover the cost of treatment.

CareCredit is one of the most popular, as it’s designed specifically for medical and dental expenses. The company regularly extends special financing offers, such as no interest for 6 months on charges of $200 or more, making it a little easier to treat a dental disease without emptying your bank account.

 See More See Less
4

Set aside money in a savings account.

It’s helpful to earmark some of the money in your savings account for pet dental cleanings and treatment for a wide range of dental problems. Even if you can only spare $25 per month, that’s still $300 per year that you can use to pay for your pet’s dental care.

 See More See Less

By combining these strategies with an affordable pet insurance plan, you can ensure your pet’s dental health is in top shape without straining your budget.

Which companies cover dental in their pet insurance?

Some pet insurance companies that include coverage for dental issues in their policies are:

How other providers offer dental coverage

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Spot Pet Insurance Paw Protect
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Compare Coverage
Accident & Illness Coverage
Available
Available
Accident-Only Coverage
Available
Not Available
Surgery
Covered
Covered
Hereditary and Congenital Conditions
Covered
Covered
Chronic Conditions
Covered
Covered
Dental Disease
Covered
Covered
Allergies
Covered
Covered
Cancer Treatment
Covered
Covered
Physical Therapy
Covered
Covered
Alternative Therapies
Covered
Covered
Behavioral issues
Covered
Covered
Breed Specific Issues
Covered
Covered
Emergency Vet Visits
Covered
Covered
Telehealth Visits
Covered
Covered
24/7 Vet Chat
Covered
Covered
Specialist Visits
Covered
Covered
Exam Fees
Covered
Covered
Blood Tests
Covered
Covered
Laboratory Testing
Covered
Covered
X-Rays & CT Scans
Covered
Covered
Wellness Coverage
Add On
Add On
Prescription Medication
Covered
Covered
Prescription Food
Covered
Add On
Microchipping
Covered
Add On
Boarding
Not covered
Not covered
Euthanasia
Covered
Covered
Max Enrollment Age
No Max
14 years
Accident Waiting Period
14 days
2 days
Illness Waiting Period
14 days
14 days
Orthopedic Waiting Period
14 days
6 months

Is pet dental insurance worth it?

A pet dental insurance policy with add-ons designed for your unique circumstances is well worth the cost.

This is because dental disease is one of the most common health problems in dogs and cats. It’s so common that it affects up to 89% of all dogs over the age of 3 and up to 90% of all cats over the age of 4.

Left untreated, dental illnesses can cause serious health problems, such as systemic infections. Therefore, dental care is an important part of any pet’s overall well-being.

For more information on the benefits and drawbacks related to pet insurance plans, explore our comprehensive guide on whether pet insurance is worth it.

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Pet dental insurance FAQs

Does pet dental insurance exist by itself?

It’s extremely rare for an insurance company to offer a stand-alone dental insurance policy for pets. That doesn’t mean it’s impossible, but you’ll likely have to look for a general pet insurance plan that covers dental services.

Does pet insurance cover teeth cleaning?

Some pet insurance policies cover routine dental cleanings for cats and dogs. During a routine cleaning, a veterinarian removes plaque and tartar buildup, which helps with preventing dental problems like gum disease. The vet also looks for signs of oral cancer, mouth ulcers, unerupted teeth and other issues that could turn into major problems later on.

Does pet insurance cover tooth extractions?

Many pet insurance plans cover tooth extractions, but you need to read the terms of your policy to determine if there are any exclusions. For example, some plans only cover extractions related to dental accidents.

Does pet dental insurance have any waiting periods?

In insurance lingo, a waiting period is the time between when you purchase your policy and when you can start using the benefits. Some plans have shorter waiting periods than others. For example, MetLife’s accident and wellness coverage begins on the date your policy goes into effect.

Is dental work covered as a preexisting condition?

Pet insurance companies generally don’t cover any dental work related to a preexisting condition. If your pet develops a dental condition before you have insurance in place, your policy probably won’t cover it.

Sarah Stasik
Sarah Stasik Personal Finance

Sarah Stasik is well versed in personal finance thanks to her previous role as a Revenue Cycle Manager for a Fortune 500 healthcare company. Using her inside knowledge and expertise, Sarah often covers topics ranging from insurance and the economics of private healthcare to personal finance and small business management.

Over the past 12 years, Sarah has contributed to numerous publications in the personal and small business finance sector, including content on budgeting, bankruptcy, small business accounting, and financial tech. Her writing focuses on making complex or seemingly daunting financial topics more accessible and providing helpful, relevant resources for readers.

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