Check if Pet Insurance Covers Dental
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Does Pet Insurance Cover Dental?
Does pet insurance cover dental care in Canada? The short answer is yes, but with important limitations. Most accident and illness plans cover dental treatment caused by disease or injury. However, routine preventive care like cleanings typically requires a wellness add-on.
The distinction matters because dental disease is one of the most common health issues in pets. Professional dental cleaning in Canada costs between $400 and $1,500, depending on your location and the procedure’s complexity. Rates and terms may vary by financial institution.
Understanding what your policy covers before your pet develops periodontal disease or breaks a tooth can protect you from significant out-of-pocket expenses. Let’s break down exactly what Canadian pet insurance policies typically cover for dental care.
Three Types of Dental Coverage
Canadian pet insurance providers offer three distinct categories of dental coverage. Each serves a different purpose, and many policies combine multiple types depending on the plan tier you select.
Dental Illness Coverage
Dental illness coverage pays for treatment of conditions like periodontal disease, tooth infections, abscesses, and stomatitis. This is the most valuable type of dental coverage because these conditions are common and expensive to treat.
Most providers include dental illness coverage only in premium-tier plans. Some exclude it entirely from base policies. According to Spot’s 2025 claims data, pet owners submitted nearly 68,000 dental-related claims, with an average reimbursement of $653.
Dental Accident Coverage
Dental accident coverage is more common and easier to find than illness coverage. Most standard accident and illness plans cover dental injuries from specific events like falls, car accidents, or chewing hard objects.
This includes broken teeth, fractured molars, and oral injuries requiring immediate veterinary attention. The key requirement is that the injury must result from a specific, identifiable accident rather than gradual deterioration.
Wellness and Preventive Care
Routine dental cleanings, preventive exams, and at-home dental care products fall under wellness coverage. This is almost never included in base pet insurance plans. You must purchase it as a separate add-on or wellness rider.
Some Canadian providers like Pets Plus Us offer wellness add-ons that reimburse a set annual amount for cleanings and preventive care. While this increases your monthly premium, it can offset the cost of professional cleanings over time.
Covered Dental Procedures
The specific procedures covered depend on whether the dental issue arose from illness, accident, or requires preventive care. Here’s what Canadian pet insurance policies typically cover in each category.
| Dental Issue | Coverage Status | Example Scenarios |
|---|---|---|
| Broken teeth from accidents | Typically Covered | Hit by car, fell, chewed hard object |
| Periodontal disease treatment | Typically Covered | Gum disease requiring surgery |
| Tooth root abscess | Typically Covered | Infection requiring extraction |
| Oral tumours | Typically Covered | Cancer diagnosis and treatment |
| Routine cleanings | Wellness Add-On Only | Annual preventive care |
| Pre-existing conditions | Not Covered | Any dental issue noted before coverage starts |
According to Spot’s claims data, periodontal disease claims averaged $721, while fractured tooth claims averaged $717. These figures demonstrate why dental illness coverage provides meaningful financial protection for Canadian pet owners.
- Tooth extractions: Medically necessary extractions due to disease or severe damage are typically covered under illness plans
- Oral surgery: Surgical treatment for gum disease, abscesses, or tumours falls under standard illness coverage
- Diagnostic imaging: X-rays required to diagnose dental disease are covered as part of the diagnostic process
- Anesthesia costs: Anesthesia required for dental procedures is included in covered treatments
- Prescription medications: Antibiotics and pain medications prescribed after dental treatment are covered
What Dental Care Is Excluded
Understanding exclusions is just as important as knowing what’s covered. Canadian pet insurance policies consistently exclude certain types of dental care, regardless of the provider or plan tier you select.
- Pre-existing dental conditions: Any dental disease or issue noted in your pet’s veterinary records before coverage starts is permanently excluded
- Routine preventive cleanings: Annual dental cleanings without a wellness add-on are your responsibility
- Cosmetic procedures: Dental work performed for appearance rather than medical necessity is not covered
- At-home dental products: Toothbrushes, toothpaste, and mouthwash are excluded from standard coverage
- Elective procedures: Non-essential dental work or procedures not recommended by your veterinarian
Some providers require that your pet has received a veterinary dental exam within 12 months of filing a claim. Others mandate that you’ve followed all recommended preventive care. Read your policy’s product disclosure statement carefully to understand specific requirements.
Waiting Periods Explained
Canadian pet insurance policies impose waiting periods before dental coverage becomes active. These periods vary by coverage type and can significantly affect when you can file your first dental claim.
- Dental illness waiting periods: Most providers require a six-month waiting period before covering dental disease. This prevents pet owners from enrolling only after noticing dental problems.
- Accident waiting periods: Dental injuries from accidents typically have shorter waiting periods, often 14 days or less from your policy start date.
- Wellness coverage: Preventive care add-ons may activate immediately or require a short waiting period of 14 to 30 days.
The Canadian Veterinary Medical Association encourages pet owners to establish dental care routines early. Enrolling your pet in insurance as a puppy or kitten, before any dental issues develop, ensures the broadest possible coverage window.
Cost of Pet Dental Care
Understanding the actual cost of veterinary dental care in Canada helps you evaluate whether dental coverage makes financial sense for your situation. Prices vary significantly based on location, procedure complexity, and your pet’s specific needs.
| Procedure | Average Cost Range (CAD) |
|---|---|
| Basic dental cleaning | $400 – $800 |
| Cleaning with extractions | $800 – $1,500 |
| Single tooth extraction | $500 – $1,000 |
| Multiple extractions | $1,200 – $2,500 |
| Treatment for periodontal disease | $600 – $2,000 |
| Oral tumour removal | $1,500 – $4,000 |
Rates and terms may vary by financial institution and geographic location. Urban veterinary clinics in Toronto or Vancouver typically charge more than rural practices. Emergency dental procedures outside regular business hours also carry premium pricing.
A single dental procedure requiring anesthesia, cleaning, and extractions can easily exceed $1,500. For many Canadian pet owners, dental coverage that reimburses 70% to 90% of these costs provides meaningful financial relief.
Who Should Get Dental Coverage
Dental coverage isn’t equally valuable for every pet owner. Certain factors make dental insurance more beneficial, while others might find that setting aside savings provides better value.
- Small breed dog owners: Small breeds are prone to dental crowding and periodontal disease, making dental coverage particularly valuable
- Owners of young, healthy pets: Enrolling before dental issues develop avoids pre-existing condition exclusions and maximises coverage value
- Those seeking budget predictability: Monthly premiums with dental coverage provide more predictable expenses than unexpected $1,500 dental bills
- Owners prioritising prevention: Wellness add-ons that cover annual cleanings encourage regular preventive care
Before purchasing dental coverage, compare the annual cost of premiums plus wellness add-ons against your pet’s likely dental care expenses. For pets requiring annual professional cleanings, the math often favours insurance over time.
Maximising Your Dental Coverage
Getting full value from your pet insurance dental benefits requires proactive planning. The decisions you make at enrollment and the habits you build directly affect how much coverage you receive over your pet’s lifetime.
- Enrol early: Sign up when your pet is young, ideally before their first veterinary dental exam, to avoid pre-existing exclusions.
- Maintain documentation: Keep all veterinary dental records organised and accessible. Consistent preventive care proves you’ve met policy requirements.
- Brush at home: Daily tooth brushing with pet-safe toothpaste slows dental disease progression and reduces treatment needs.
- Request pre-authorisation: For planned dental procedures, call your insurer to confirm coverage before treatment begins.
The Canadian Veterinary Medical Association recommends establishing a home dental routine as early as possible. Even brushing three to four times per week makes a measurable difference in your pet’s oral health between professional cleanings.
Bottom Line
Canadian pet insurance does cover dental care, but the specifics depend on your policy type and coverage tier. Most accident and illness plans cover dental disease and injuries, while routine cleanings require a wellness add-on. With dental disease affecting the majority of pets and treatment costs ranging from $400 to $2,500, dental coverage provides real financial protection for Canadian pet owners.
Before selecting a policy, confirm whether dental illness is covered, understand the waiting periods, and evaluate whether a wellness add-on makes sense for your pet’s needs. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed about the latest pet insurance options and financial strategies for Canadian pet owners.
Does pet insurance cover dental – FAQ
Does pet insurance cover routine dental cleanings in Canada?
Most Canadian pet insurance policies do not cover routine dental cleanings under their standard accident and illness plans. You must purchase a separate wellness or preventive care add-on to receive reimbursement for annual cleanings. These add-ons typically cost an additional $10 to $25 per month.
What is the waiting period for dental coverage?
Most Canadian pet insurance providers impose a six-month waiting period before dental illness coverage becomes active. Dental injuries from accidents typically have shorter waiting periods of 14 days or less. Wellness coverage may activate immediately or require 14 to 30 days.
Are pre-existing dental conditions covered?
No, Canadian pet insurance policies universally exclude pre-existing dental conditions. If your veterinarian has noted tartar buildup, gum disease, or other dental issues in your pet’s medical records before coverage starts, those conditions will not be covered. This is why enrolling your pet while young and healthy is crucial.
How much does pet dental insurance cost in Canada?
Standard accident and illness plans with dental coverage typically cost $20 to $55 per month for cats and $40 to $90 per month for dogs. Adding a wellness rider for routine cleanings costs an additional $10 to $25 monthly. Actual premiums depend on your pet’s age, breed, and location.
Which Canadian pet insurance providers offer dental coverage?
Major Canadian providers including Pets Plus Us, Petsecure, and several national insurers offer dental coverage. Most include dental illness coverage in their comprehensive plans, while routine cleanings require a wellness add-on. Compare policies carefully, as coverage limits, waiting periods, and requirements vary significantly between providers.
Does pet insurance cover tooth extractions?
Yes, medically necessary tooth extractions are typically covered under accident and illness plans with dental coverage. This includes extractions required due to periodontal disease, abscesses, or broken teeth. However, the condition causing the need for extraction must not have existed before your coverage started.
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