Does pet insurance cover dental treatment?

But does your dog insurance or cat insurance cover this? Protection for dental treatment isn’t as common in pet insurance policies as you might think.

This is why you should check all of your pet’s policy terms and exclusions before you commit. (Although - plot spoiler - Agria pet insurance does include this.)

How likely is my pet to need dental treatment?

Poor dental health and gum disease are common in cats and dogs. So common, in fact, that the British Veterinary Dental Association states that most over three years old have gum disease requiring treatment.

The Royal Veterinary College says that periodontal disease affects over 70% of adult cats and 87% of adult dogs. This is the leading cause of dental disease and early tooth loss in cats and dogs.

With such serious implications in store for pets with untreated oral health problems, understanding the importance of pets' dental care is crucial. Besides having dental checks at every preventative care vet appointment, learning how to spot problems and carry out effective teeth cleaning is essential.

But when a problem is identified, how many insurance policies will cover treatment? Surprisingly few, it turns out.

Does my dog’s pet insurance cover dental treatment?

Toothache is terrible, and that’s no different for dogs. But while many insurers will cover dental injuries - resulting from an accident, for instance - frequently they don’t cover dental disease or illness.

What’s different about dog dental insurance from Agria Pet Insurance is that dental treatment for disease and illness is covered - as well as injury. This is more common in lifetime pet insurance policies than other types. Plus it’s covered in all of our dog insurance policies, regardless of which level you take out.

And there’s no limit on cover for dentistry, providing treatment costs fall within the annual vets’ fees limit (up to £20,000 for our most comprehensive cover). So it won’t be long until your four-legged friend is happy again.

Cleaning your dog’s teeth

Having an insurance policy that covers pet dental treatment is great for when things go wrong… But there’s plenty you can do as an owner to help look after your pet’s teeth. In particular teeth cleaning, as good oral hygiene will reduce the likelihood of them needing treatment.

●       Dental bites or chews. Encourage your dog to chew on something appropriate to help keep the surfaces of their teeth clean. Dental cleaning is even more important if your dog is on a soft food diet.

●       Teeth cleaning. Start this as young as possible so your dog gets used to it, and reward them afterwards.

NEVER use human toothpaste with a dog. It’s toxic and can be fatal. Always use toothpaste that's made specifically for dogs.

Does my cat’s pet insurance cover dental treatment?

Again, many cat insurance policies will cover dental injuries, but treatment for dental illness or disease may be excluded.

Agria’s lifetime cat insurance policies all cover dental treatment for illness or disease, no matter what level of cover you take out. Provided the terms and conditions are met, any amount of dental treatment required is covered up to the vets’ fees limit of your policy.

Are there any exclusions?

There are exclusions for routine check-ups, crowns and root canal procedures, and elective treatments (in other words, non-necessary treatments you take at your own risk). But otherwise dental treatment is fully covered for both dogs and cats.

What else does pet insurance cover?

Find out more about what pet insurance policies typically cover and what they don’t.

Think your pet might need dental treatment? Speak to a vet for free

As an Agria Pet Insurance customer, you can speak to a vet completely free whenever you have a question or concern about your pet’s health. Simply download the Agria app for free 24/7 video calls - giving you expert advice to help keep your pet happy and healthy.

Find out more about the Agria app here.