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This is an important subject: !Pet Dental Health Insurance! – and one of two pet topics stressed throughout the month of February.
Take a look at all the symptoms of periodontal disease in “How to Prevent Pet Periodontal Disease with USA-made products“. It has been noted that by age 3 eighty percent of our fur buds will have some form of periodontal disease if their pearly whites are not cared for properly.
USA-made Pet Dental Products
Currently, in an article named “Pet Dental Insurance: Coverage and Cost Guide 2024” by Market Watch Guides, it is reported that by age 2 eighty percent of cats and dogs develop gum disease. Hence, the importance of taking care of your fur babes teeth. There are several good USA-made pet dental products available to assist with your pet’s dental needs. And good new products are coming on the market as well.
One new dental product was mentioned in Pet Age recently by Skout’s Honor Pet Supply of California. This company provides USA-made and sourced dental wipes, drops, and a water additive to “…freshen your pet’s breath and breakdown and prevent tartar as an alternative to brushing”. Their dental products have been approved by the Veterinary Dental Health Council.
What better products to consider for your doggo or kitty to safeguard their health.
Pets’ Dental Insurance
Since most insurance companies do not include routine dental care, Market Watch Guides suggests you need to add a good wellness plan or ‘specialized add-on’ with your accident policy. This organization is a business partner of Dow Jones. They provide “reviews of consumer products and services to help readers make educated purchasing decisions”.
In their 2024 Pet dental coverage report Market Watch talks about pet dental insurance coverage as being divided into two categories: dental accidents and dental illnesses. Dental accidents are normally covered, ie, chipped tooth injury or accidental loss of a tooth. However, cavities and gum disease have limited coverage and conditions on care. Policies differ widely.
Seven insurance companies are recommended in the above mentioned report for various reasons explained below.
Lemonade
This pet insurance carrier is chosen as the most affordable. However, it is not available in all states, so be sure to check that out. Dental insurance is only available with two add-ons through the Preventative and Wellness Plan, and that plan covers routine dental cleanings, xrays, anesthesia, and teeth polishing. An additional add-on covers gum disease and tooth extraction. The monthly premium before these dental add-ons is $33 for dogs and $22 for cats.
Do also check out conditions applicable to dental insurance, ie, waiting periods, age requirements. And most, if not all, do not cover pre-existing conditions.
Fetch Pet Insurance
Fetch was chosen by Market Watch as the most comprehensive carrier. Their accident and illlness policy covers dental illnesses and injuries, reimbursement for gum disease care, prescription meds and supplements, emergency vet visits, surgeries and x-rays. This company has a monthly premium for the above listed of around $103 for cats and dogs.
What is NOT covered are pre-existing conditions, routine dental cleanings, and preventive care. And there is a waiting period you will need to check on.
Spot Pet Insurance
Market Watch chose this organization as offering the most customizable coverage. Spot’s standard accident and illness plan covers dental accidents and illnesses. The premium averages $85 monthly for dogs and $38 per month for cats. For routine dental cleanings you need to add a preventative plan. Their Gold Plan allows for $100 toward dental cleanings per year, and their Platinum Plan will give you $150 per year for dental cleanings.
ASPCA Pet Health Insurance
ASPCA was chosen by Market Watch as the best coverage for older pets. Under their standard accident and illness plan, dental disease and injury are covered. Preventative care, ie, dental cleanings, is only allowed through its preventative care add-on. Monthly premiums average $46 for dogs and $19 for cats for their standard plan.
Healthy Paws
Healthy Paws was selected as the most affordable unlimited coverage. They offer one comprehensive accident and illness policy with no annual payout limitations. It covers dental needs related to accidents and injuries, ie, tooth reconstruction and extraction. There are age and time conditions. They do not cover dental cleanings.
Figo
Figo was picked for its most flexible reimbursement rates. This company does cover dental illnesses and injuries under its standard plan. Routine dental cleanings are not included. They do have a Wellness add-on and a Vet Exam add-on. The standard policy runs on average $54 for dogs and $26 for cats
There are age and waiting period conditions.
Embrace
This is the Market Watch choice for the most savings. Embrace provides one plan that covers accidents and illnesses, including dental-related incidents like tooth repair, extractions, and treatment up to $1,000 per policy year for dental diseases. Monthly premium for dogs runs on average $73 monthly and $39 for cats.
Do check their age and waiting period conditions.
Petco & Nationwide
Pet Age and Forbes both reported on this new online co-branded pet insurance. This is available on petco.com where you can customize a policy to fit your pet’s needs and your budget.
Important Note: As of June 2024 Nationwide has issued a Non-Renew of their “Whole Pet with Wellness” policies.
Reimbursement ranges from 50 to 90 percent. Annual deduction options start at $100 and go up to $500. Coverage limits equal $500 to unlimited. And plans are available not only for cats and dogs but also birds, reptiles, and rodents.
Enrolled members will receive discounts and savings on vet services through Petco’s network of 280 plus Vetco Total Care hospitals and almost 1,450 weekly mobile Vetco vaccination clinics throughout the USA.
I did a preliminary quote for an 8 year-old kitty with unlimited coverage, 70 percent reimbursed, and a $500 yearly deductible for their standard accident and illness policy. The premium comes to $14.14. With Wellness added at $800 yearly benefit to include dental cleaning, the total yearly premium comes to $43.10.
So do check this company out by doing your own quote and compare to those organizations chosen by Market Watch above. One question I have is: what is the cost for a dental cleaning and how much of my annual allowance does that leave available for other wellness issues?
For additional importantl links on dental and pet health see Top tips...
Also check on full pet insurance policies in “Pet Insurance current reviews“.
Pet Food Recalls
A reminder to check your pet food for any recall information through our FDA.gov. There have been and continue to be recalls; most being voluntary recalls.
Funny Animal Videos
Since we are on the subject of teeth, see Big Geek Daddy’s video on Beavers -https://biggeekdad.com/2011/06/the-beavers/.
Next in line coming from the horse’s mouth - https://biggeekdad.com/2023/12/straight-from-the-horses-mouth/.
And, one last with the top 10 dog moments - https://biggeekdad.com/2022/08/top-10-dog-moments.
Thanks
It is great to have you stop at Pet Viewpoint. Come back next week and share your comments and suggestions for pet subjects you would like to learn more about…down on the left in the ‘comment’ section or on the ‘Contact’ page listed in the top right menu.