Does Pet Insurance Cover Prescription Food?

Sometimes, taking care of our pets’ health can include feeding them specially formulated prescription food. However, this kind of puppy chow doesn’t come cheap, which may have you wondering: Is there any pet insurance that covers prescription food?

The short answer is yes! A standard dog insurance or cat insurance plan from MetLife Pet can reimburse you for the cost of specialty food — if it’s been prescribed by your vet. But the devil is in the details, so let’s take a closer look at pet insurance, prescription food, and other supplements your pet might need.

What Is Prescription Pet Food?

“You are what you eat” isn’t just a human truism — it applies to our pets as well! Nutrition can have a big impact on your pet’s health, which is why it’s so important to make sure they’re eating the right kinds of foods. But sometimes, a balanced diet isn’t enough. If your cat or dog is sick, you might be able to find special food that has been formulated to help with their condition.

These prescription foods usually contain additional vitamins, minerals, and other compounds your pet may be lacking due to their illness, or that might be actively therapeutic.¹ You can think of these specialty diets as another type of medicine — an important part of your pet’s healthcare. That can be a problem for pet owners on a tight budget, because these specialty foods don’t come cheap.²

How Much Does Prescription Food Cost?

Whether it’s for your dog or cat, prescription food tends to be more expensive than a regular bag of kibble or can of pâté. The average pet owner might spend $300 per year on regular dog food or $225 on regular cat food. But when it comes to prescription diets, you could spend as much as $100 per month.² If your pet needs a prescription diet for the rest of their life, that could mean an annual food cost of $1,200 or more.

No pet parent wants to choose between their budget and the health of their fur baby. Unfortunately, it’s often 50/50 as to whether pet insurance will cover the cost of prescription foods or not. With a MetLife Pet accident and illness plan, you can rest easy knowing that the cost of prescription food is typically included as a covered expense. The caveat is it has to be deemed medically necessary — i.e., prescribed by your vet. It’s also important that the food be prescribed after you already have an insurance policy for your pet. Otherwise, it may fall into the category of pre-existing conditions and might not be eligible for reimbursement.

When Might a Vet Prescribe Specialty Food?

There are many situations in which your vet may recommend prescription food for your cat or dog. These may include:¹

• Kidney disease: Both cat kidneys and dog kidneys can be vulnerable to disease, and both may be prescribed specialty foods to help. Kidney diets typically contain less sodium and phosphorus to reduce the amount of work your pet’s kidneys need to do, and higher levels of specific vitamins and minerals to help support good kidney health.
• Food allergies: If your pet is sensitive to certain ingredients, your vet might recommend a novel protein diet. This type of food uses sources of protein that most cats and dogs haven’t been exposed to, such as alligator or duck, to avoid “tripping” their immune system and causing an allergic reaction.
• Arthritis: Senior pets often develop arthritis in their golden years. Fortunately, there are many types of prescription foods developed to help reduce inflammation and improve joint health.
• Obesity: If your pet is overweight and it’s affecting their health, your vet might recommend a lower-calorie diet. Prescription weight-loss food is usually reserved for pets whose weight puts them at risk of other conditions, such as heart disease, cruciate ligament injuries, and even cancer.³

Some of these foods may be available over the counter at a pet store, but pet insurance usually won’t reimburse you for the cost unless your vet has deemed them medically necessary. Money aside, you should always consult with your vet before switching your pet to a specialty diet. Make sure they’re getting food that’s right for them!

Does Pet Insurance Cover Supplements?

It’s possible your pet may need additional supplements that they’re lacking — even in prescription food. These could take the form of vitamins and minerals to support their joints, immune system, organ function, and other vital processes.⁴ It’s important to note these are different from medications — closer to a multivitamin you might take than an antibiotic.

The price of supplements varies widely, but even a relatively small monthly cost can be a burden when you’re on a budget. When it comes to pet insurance, coverage also varies. Like with prescription food, supplements usually need to be recommended by your vet as medically necessary before an insurance plan will reimburse you for their cost.

A Preventive Care add-on from MetLife Pet could help you cover up to 90% of the cost for prescribed supplements and vitamins.⁵ This optional plan is designed to help maintain your pet’s wellness by helping you afford the care that keeps them healthy, rather than waiting for illness to strike. Learn more about what’s covered under MetLife Pet Insurance, and what’s not. You can also get a free custom quote to see how much you could save while keeping your furry family happy and healthy.