Does Pet Insurance Cover Anxiety Treatment in Dogs?

Kari Steere
Licensed Insurance Producer - Pawlicy Advisor

Anxiety in dogs can be as complex and challenging as it is in humans, and sometimes, medication is necessary to help manage it. The health condition may manifest in several ways, from persistent barking and restlessness to destructive behaviors and aggression.

Dog anxiety triggers can be as varied as the symptoms, ranging from separation anxiety to phobias of loud noises or new environments. As our understanding of canine mental health grows, so does the recognition that these are genuine issues that require professional attention.

This brings us to an important question: does pet insurance cover anxiety treatment for dogs?

Questions to Chew On:

Here's what you'll learn after reading this article:

What should I look for in a pet insurance policy regarding anxiety medication coverage?
Can I get coverage for anxiety medication if my dog already has anxiety issues?
How do I find out if my current pet insurance plan covers anxiety medication?

The Good News: Many Pet Insurance Plans Cover Anxiety Medication For Dogs

The silver lining for concerned pet owners is that many pet insurance companies acknowledge the need for medical intervention in cases of canine anxiety.

This recognition has led to a range of policies that cover expenses related to the diagnosis and treatment of anxiety in dogs designed to alleviate the symptoms. Medications like Trazodone for dogs, for example, can help pets lead more balanced, comfortable lives and may be essential for managing their condition.

Behavioral Modification Therapy: An Emerging Trend in Coverage

In addition to drug therapy, some pet insurance companies have begun to cover behavioral modification therapy for dogs with anxiety . This type of treatment involves working with a certified animal behaviorist or a veterinary behaviorist which, without pet insurance, may cost up to $500 for a consultation alone.

Through a combination of training, counterconditioning, and gradual desensitization, behavioral modification can significantly improve a dog's quality of life by teaching it how to respond to stressful situations, objects, or people in a more positive way.

Behavioral modification therapy aims to change a dog's emotional response by addressing the underlying causes of anxiety
Kaelee Nelson, Dog Behaviorist

Note: Obedience training differs from behavioral modification . It uses positive and negative reinforcement, also known as operant conditioning, to teach dogs to perform certain behaviors or "tricks" on cue. Unlike behavioral modification, obedience training requires a handler to be present and involved to make a dog behave as desired by giving it commands to obey.

Alone, this type of training is not considered an effective medical treatment for anxiety, though it can be recommended as part of a behavioral modification program — in which case, it may be covered by some insurance providers.

Alternative Therapies and Holistic Care

When searching for a long-term solution to anxiety, some pet parents may find alternative therapies like acupuncture for dogs to be more feasible than working with an expensive veterinary behaviorist.

Other holistic vets may recommend homeopathic therapies like CBD or essential oils to soothe dogs' nerves instead of sedating them with medication when you have to leave the house.

Fortunately, several pet insurance plans will cover alternative and holistic therapies as eligible anxiety treatments for dogs. Companies like Embrace and Fetch offer this benefit included with their standard policy, whereas others may offer it as an add-on benefit that you can select for an additional monthly fee.

Compare Pet Insurance Coverage For Anxiety Treatments

Take a look at the chart below to compare pet insurance coverage for anxiety in dogs provided by some of the most popular plans on the market.

	Prescription Medication	Behavioral Modification	Obedience Training	Alternative Therapies	Holistic Care	Pre-Existing Conditions
Lemonade	✔	Add-On	❌	Add-On	❌	❌
Pets Best	Add-On	❌	❌	❌	❌	❌
ASPCA	✔	✔	❌	✔	❌	❌
Embrace	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	❌
MetLife	✔	Add-On	❌	✔	✔	❌
Pumpkin	✔	✔	❌	Add-On	❌	❌
Figo	✔	Add-On	❌	Add-On	Add-On	❌
Prudent Pet	✔	✔	❌	✔	✔	❌
Fetch	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	❌

Avoid Unexpected Surprises by Understanding Coverage Limits

Each pet insurance policy comes with its own set of rules and coverage limits. Understanding the intricacies of your policy is essential, especially when it comes to behavioral conditions such as anxiety in dogs.

Unlike straightforward surgical procedures, coverage for behavioral conditions like canine anxiety often falls into a grey area, leaving many dog owners confused.

To avoid unpleasant surprises when filing a claim down the road, it's important to know that there's often a distinction between basic policies and those that cover costs relating to prescription medication and behavioral therapy.

Comprehensive Coverage is Key

Pet insurance coverage for anxiety in dogs typically falls under plans described as "comprehensive." These are more extensive policies that encompass a broader spectrum of care beyond just accidents.

If your policy is limited to "Accident-Only" coverage, it's unlikely that your dog's anxiety treatment will be covered. Double-check your policy details to confirm which type of plan you have before racking up behavioral vet bills you assume will be covered.

Pet owners who are concerned about a wide spectrum of potential health issues their pets may experience throughout their lives should be sure to enroll in comprehensive coverage.

Select a Pet Insurance Plan

Factors That Impact How Much You Get Repaid For Pets' Anxiety Treatments

Pre-existing Conditions

One of the most common barriers to coverage is the issue of pre-existing conditions. If your tail-wagger has shown signs of anxiety before you've secured an insurance policy, you might hit a roadblock known as the "pre-existing condition" clause.

Many insurers will not cover treatments for conditions that were apparent before the policy began, highlighting the importance of enrolling early in your dog's life before any signs of anxiety are documented.

Payout Limits

Payout limits may also apply per incident, per year, or per lifetime of your pet, and may impact the amount of coverage available for a dog's anxiety treatment. You'll need to know whether your provider has a cap on benefits for behavioral conditions separate from the standard policy.

Waiting periods

Additionally, all providers enforce pet insurance waiting period before coverage for behavioral conditions becomes active. Owners should be aware of these timelines to avoid surprises when seeking treatment.

Deductible Amounts

Lastly, keep in mind that your pet insurance provider won't start reimbursing your eligible veterinary expenses — including those for anxiety treatments — until your deductible is met, which is typically set per annual policy term

Final Thoughts

If you're wondering, "Does pet insurance covers anxiety in dogs?", the answer is embedded with nuances. While coverage is available, it varies by provider and may depend on the type of treatment.

You can only get reimbursed for a pet's anxiety expenses — such as prescription medication, behavioral modification, obedience training, alternative therapies like acupuncture or massage, and homeopathy — if you enroll in a plan with comprehensive coverage before symptoms of the condition are documented.

As always, thorough research and a clear understanding of your policy's details are paramount in ensuring that your furry companion gets the best possible care for their mental well-being and overall health.

Pawlicy Advisor makes it easy to compare plans side-by-side in terms that are easy to understand, so you know exactly what's covered and what's not. Get real, instant quotes from the most popular pet insurance companies at once and enroll within a matter of minutes.

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Kari Steere
Licensed Insurance Producer - Pawlicy Advisor

Kari Steere is a licensed P&C insurance agent in all 50 states and has focused entirely on pet insurance since 2019. As an animal lover with a rescued Terrier named Barry, when she's not helping pet owners find the perfect plan on Pawlicy Advisor, she runs a ranch in Oregon and rehabilitates any animals that come across her path.