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Hey, insurance detective.
We adopted our first dog earlier this year and she is a little more than a handful to be kind. She seems to have separation anxiety, which has led to her chewing on furniture and shoes, barking, and making her next-door neighbor very unhappy. I’ll probably need to hire a behavioral therapist, but I’m worried it will be cost-prohibitive. Will my pet insurance pay for it?
—Woof I’m tired
Dear Woof Weary
Congratulations on your first dog! I think it’s a fun time for your family, even if it comes with some stress. It may be worth talking to your veterinarian about behavioral therapy. Some pet insurance companies will cover behavioral therapy if prescribed by your veterinarian.
“Anxiety is in the top 10 claims at Embrace,” says Rachel Hinder, director of claims for Embrace Pet Insurance. “Many pet owners seek behavioral therapy for their pets to address issues such as anxiety, fear, aggression, and destructive behavior.”
Hinder said pet anxiety claims often range between $100 and $300. If your pet is prescribed an anti-anxiety medication, it is usually used for the pet’s lifetime.
Create a forever home for your dog to grow up in
“Inexperienced or first-time pet owners should consider seeking behavioral counseling from a board-certified veterinarian,” says Texas veterinarian Jonathan Gonzalez. Gonzalez adds that behavioral counseling is essential to give your pet the best chance of growing into a well-adjusted family member.
Signs of behavioral problems include biting, growling at other people or pets, guarding over resources, noise anxiety, and urinating in the house, according to Thrive Pet Healthcare in the New York City area. said Dr. Ali Mason, Regional Director of. Mason recommends consulting your veterinarian. If necessary, your veterinarian can refer your dog to a behavioral therapist.
“It’s serious for a puppy to growl at you,” Mason says. “And sometimes it may look funny and cute, but it’s not. Early intervention is necessary because it can grow into a large dog that bites.”
“It’s a good idea to ask your veterinarian if the observed behavior is typical or indicative of an underlying health problem,” says Gonzalez. He recommends providing your veterinarian with a video of the behavior. Videos can help provide context and provide valuable insight for individual consultation.
When choosing a pet behavioral therapist, Gonzalez says you want to make sure they use humane training methods. He recommends arranging a meeting with a trainer and visiting a training facility before joining a training program.
Don’t stress: Find a pet insurance plan that covers behavioral therapy
Mason recommends that people purchasing pet insurance prioritize companies that include behavioral therapy. That’s because unexpected behavioral problems can arise, leading to unexpected costs, Mason said. This may include veterinary fees such as medications and associated laboratory work.
“Managing behavioral issues can be expensive and requires consistent, ongoing sessions, sometimes over an extended period of time,” Gonzalez says. She added that pet insurance should generally be a top consideration early in a pet’s life, and finding insurance that covers behavioral therapy is important.
Some good pet insurance companies include behavioral therapy in their basic coverage, including AKC, Embrace, Figo, and Healthy Paws. Other insurance companies, such as Lemonade, offer optional coverage for behavioral therapy for an additional fee.
“By covering these costs, pet owners are more likely to seek the help their pets need to live happy, healthy lives,” Hinder says. “The field of behavioral science in veterinary medicine is growing every year. There are more treatment options than ever for pets with behavioral problems.”
