Does Pet Insurance Cover Grooming?

In the world of pet insurance, providers typically do not offer coverage for grooming. Most of the plans focus on covering unexpected accidents, emergencies and some medical conditions. But having a furry friend requires much more than just taking care of potential health emergencies. Let’s discuss this more in detail.

Vaccinations, routine medical check-ups, spaying or neutering, diet, toys, walks, beds, bowls, leashes, litter bags, and many other things are involved with taking care of a pet. While the list may seem a little long, the loyalty that a pet can offer helps make it all worth it.

Nowadays, pet insurance is available to help cover the eligible expenses. But, there are some expenses which providers may not cover. Does pet insurance cover grooming? Continue reading to learn more.

How Does Pet Insurance Work?

Pet insurance is primarily designed to help cover eligible vet costs for new, unexpected accidents and illnesses. The way it usually works is that you pay a premium monthly or annually for your pet’s policy. At the time of an unexpected veterinary expense, you would pay the vet and then submit a claim for reimbursement of the covered conditions. Upon approval of the claim, you can get reimbursed based on the parameters of your plan.

There are 3 major types of insurance plans –

Does Insurance Cover Grooming?

Before we answer, we need to understand what pet grooming is and what it includes.

Grooming typically includes all the aesthetic parts of the pet. Things like -

Brushing the coat – This is an important part of grooming because it not only makes your pet look neat but also helps remove mats and dead or damaged hair to make room for new ones. It also helps distribute natural oils, get rid of dead skin, remove excess grease that can block the pores or cause irritation, and help improve blood circulation.

Bathing – Bathing schedules and requirement may vary from breed to breed irrespective for a dog or a cat. It will depend on the type of coat and hair. The shampoo to be used needs to be based on the requirement for the same. It helps remove all the dust and dirt the pet has gathered from the surroundings. And will also include tasks like cleaning the anal gland and removing ticks and fleas.

Trimming – Trimming is as important as brushing. The more the hair, the more the chance of more dirt sticking to it, more ticks and fleas settling in. And in case you are into pet shows then trimming becomes more important as it includes shaving or clipping the coat.

Nail Trimming – Long nails may look good at times but they come at a cost of a higher risk of injury to your pet and bigger scratches for you and your furniture. Another implication of long nails is difficulty for the pet to run.

Dental hygiene – Doctors recommend brushing our teeth twice a day. It may not be needed in the same frequency for pets but is equally important. It prevents tooth decay and infection. There are special pet toothpastes also available out there.

These 5 services are typically a part of the standard grooming routine. You can carry out most at home, but it is recommended to go to a professional once in a while to get a thorough grooming service for your pet. Grooming is not just for looks and is directly related to the physical health of your pet.¹

Is Grooming Included in Pet Insurance?

Usually, the answer is no. Grooming is considered a routine cosmetic procedure. Not to say that grooming is not important, but since it is a routine service, you should be able to plan and budget for it well in advance. However, pet insurance may be able to help if your dog accidentally swallows the shampoo bottle and unexpected veterinary bills occur from this.

What Does Pet Insurance Cover?

Most pet insurance plans cover accidental injuries, illnesses, hospitalization, and emergencies. With Spot plans, the list is a little longer than some others. Apart from all these, some of our plans can also cover the eligible costs of–

Vet exam fees

Microchip implantation

Behavioral issues

Skin, eye, and ear infections

Hereditary conditions

Dental illness

Hip dysplasia

Cancer and growths

Orthopedic conditions

Virtual vet visits

Alternative therapies like acupuncture

Advanced care

And much more…

We Offer Wellness Coverage Add-Ons at Spot

While it is not pet insurance, wellness coverage is often offered as an optional add-on to pet insurance plans for an extra cost. At Spot, these add-ons can help cover the eligible costs of routine care including vaccinations, flea and tick prevention, and regular check-ups. Wellness coverage can be a good way to help your pet stay on track with routine care procedures.

Conclusion

Does pet insurance cover grooming? Grooming is important for our pets, and not just for looking good but also for being healthy. Pet insurance typically does not cover grooming as it is a routine expense and can be planned and budgeted for. So, coverage or not, make sure your pet can receive the best grooming possible. Who doesn’t like to live and play with a clean and tidy pet? You could learn more about our dog insurance plans and cat insurance plans on our website.

Spot Pet Insurance gives pet parents the opportunity to customize a plan that will match the needs of their pet and their budget. Pet parents can choose their annual deductible, reimbursement rate, and annual limit from a range of options including a plan with unlimited annual limits with no per-incident or lifetime caps. Spot offers both accident-only and accident and illness plans, and pet parents can add a preventive care add-on for an additional fee. Preventive care coverage can cover the eligible costs of routine wellness exams, vaccinations, dental cleanings, and more. Coverage for spay and neutering procedures is available with Spot’s Platinum wellness coverage in addition to other routine veterinary services. To learn more about Spot Plans or to get a free quote, click here.