Pet Insurance and dental care – What you need to know
Our pets can suffer from dental problems, just as we do… build-up of plaque, cracked or broken teeth, gum disease, root infections and many more. And they feel the same pain and discomfort from these conditions, although they may not show it – or complain – as much as we do.
Sometimes we are not even aware they are suffering from a dental problem, because they are very good at masking their pain.
The bottom line is, it’s best not to overlook your pet’s dental care, not only to prevent pain and suffering for them, but also because if left untreated, dental issues can develop into more serious health problems.
Read our article How to brush your dog’s teeth
The cost of dental care for pets
Unfortunately, treatment costs for pet dental care can be costly – sometimes even more than what the same procedure would cost for us. One of the reasons why this is the case is that many dental procedures for pets have to be done under anaesthetic. Our pets are not generally very cooperative when it comes to sitting still and opening their mouths…
Veterinarians determine the cost of their services, and fees for dental procedures for pets can vary greatly between practices.
The cost of dental illness treatment by age
Petsure claims data from 2022 reveals how the cost of pet dental treatments increases year on year, corresponding to the age of the pet:
Age |
Cats |
Dogs |
| 0 | $432 | $264 |
| 1 | $680 | $463 |
| 2 | $680 | $553 |
| 3 | $833 | $611 |
| 4 | $833 | $674 |
| 5+ | $833 | $778 |
The health cost of not getting proper dental care for pets
Untreated dental issues can have serious health consequences. Bleeding gums, a foul odour, tooth loss and difficulty chewing may result. A buid-up of plaque can lead to gum infection and inflammation, which are not only painful, they also increase the risk of other diseases which are susceptible to oral bacteria, including heart, liver and kidney disease.
You can help to reduce the chance of dental disease by proactively managing your pet’s dental care. Home teeth-brushing along with annual dental checks and professional teeth cleaning when recommended by your vet, are the key components.
Read our article Dog dental care – what you need to know
Does pet insurance cover dental care?
Dental cover is generally excluded from most standard pet insurance policies. This helps to reduce the cost of policies for those that do not want dental cover.
However, some high-end policies include dental, and some pet insurers offer dental cover as an optional add-on, which will increase the premium cost.
Policies that include dental cover may have waiting periods and various terms and conditions around the specific dental procedures they will cover. For example, teeth cleaning, which is considered as preventative routine care than the treatment of an illness, is not usually covered.
Note that there may be a limit or cap on the total amount that these policies will pay annually for dental illness.
Which dental conditions are covered by pet insurance with dental care?
It’s important to read the policy’s Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) to be clear about what is, and what isn’t, covered.
Dental conditions that are covered must generally be listed in the policy’s PDS as a specified dental condition. These may include gingivitis, abcesses, and removal of teeth where medically necessary, for e.g., infection, retained baby teeth, cavities or fractures.
Note that waiting periods, annual limits and various exclusions may apply.
Read our article Maintaining your pets’ dental hygiene
Does pet insurance cover accidental dental damage?
If your pet accidentally damages an otherwise healthy tooth, it may be considered as a traumatic tooth fracture. Being an accidental injury, this condition should be claimable under most general pet insurance policies, i.e. those without specified dental cover.
For further advice, contact your pet insurance provider.
Is paying extra for dental cover worth it?
Including dental cover in your pet’s health insurance plan can certainly be worthwhile. Bow Wow Meow is one of the leading pet insurers in Australia to offer dental cover as part of our pet insurance plans. Our Ultimate Care plan includes dental illness cover of up to $1,000 per year. If you are keen on cover for dental cleaning, we recommend adding on our optional Routine Care cover to your policy. You can claim up to $50 per year for your pet’s teeth cleaning.
In conclusion
Our pets can’t tell us when they have toothache or other dental problems, which means it’s super important for owners to proactively manage their dental care. However, problems can develop despite our best efforts, and that’s where pet insurance with dental cover can be really beneficial.
Unfortunately, dental treatments come at a high cost, meaning that premiums for pet insurance with dental care will inevitably be higher. In the long run, it’s a financial decision that may work out in your favour, while saving your pet from a lot of pain and suffering.
Consider pet insurance to help protect you and your dog should an unexpected trip to the vet occur.
- Find out more about our pet insurance options for dogs
