Does Pet Insurance Cover Anxiety Medication?

Many pet insurance plans do offer coverage for anxiety medications however, the what, when, where, why, and how of it all can get very tricky! Some plans will only cover anxiety medications for situational anxiety, such as a dog that is overly fearful of the vet and needs a sedative to complete the exam. While others may cover long-term use for dogs with generalized anxiety disorders, separation anxiety, or noise phobias. 

There may also be stipulations on the classification of a dog’s condition and who is the prescriber. If the reason your dog needs anxiety medication is classified as a behavioral condition and your plan does not include behavioral coverage, it may not be covered. 

On the other hand, if your plan does include behavioral coverage, anxiety medications may only be covered if prescribed by a veterinary behaviorist. Every plan has its own requirements on behavioral coverage. 

Of all the grey areas in anxiety medication coverage, there are a few certainties in what is not covered. Anxiety medications for pre-existing conditions are never covered. Any medication not prescribed by a licensed veterinarian is also not covered. So, if your trainer recommends an over-the-counter calming supplement or something of that nature, it will not be covered. 

Pet Insurance That Covers Anxiety Medication

While every insurance plan is different and some may still cover anxiety medications under certain conditions, the following are pet insurance plans that cover behavioral treatment. These plans cover all types of behavioral treatment, including anxiety medications. 

As with any insurance, changes in coverage may occur, exclusions apply, and deductibles and reimbursement rates vary by individual policy. Contact your insurance provider with any specific coverage questions. 

Insurance	Behavioral Coverage	Restrictions	Reimbursement
ASPCA	Covered under the Complete Coverage Plan, includes anxiety medications	Must be prescribed by a veterinarian No pre-existing conditions 14-day waiting period	70% to 90% depending on plan, once deductible is met
Embrace	Included in Emergency and Specialty Coverage, includes anxiety medications	Must be prescribed by a veterinarian or veterinary behaviorist No pre-existing conditions 14-day waiting period	70% to 90% depending on plan, once deductible is met
Fetch	One plan, includes behavioral treatment coverage, including anxiety medications	Must be prescribed by a veterinarian No pre-existing conditions 15-day waiting period	70% to 90% depending on plan, once deductible is met
Pets Best	Covered under the Accident and Illness Plan, includes anxiety medications	Must be prescribed by a veterinarian No pre-existing conditions 14-day waiting period	70% to 90% depending on plan, once deductible is met
Pumpkin	One plan, includes behavioral treatment coverage, covers anxiety medications	Must be prescribed by a veterinarian or certified animal behaviorist No pre-existing conditions 14-day waiting period	Up to 90% depending on plan, once deductible is met
Spot	Included in Accidents and Illnesses Coverage, covers anxiety medications	Must be prescribed by a Spot approved animal behavioristNo pre-existing conditions 14-day waiting period	70% to 90% depending on plan, once deductible is met
Trupanion	Covered only under the Recovery and Complementary Care Rider add-on, includes anxiety medications	Must be prescribed by a veterinarian or veterinary behaviorist No pre-existing conditions 30-day waiting period	Up to 90% depending on plan, once deductible is met

Types of Anxiety Medications for Dogs and Costs

There are many different types of medications that can be used to treat anxiety in dogs. Your veterinarian or veterinary behaviorist will likely do a behavioral and medical assessment of your dog before prescribing a specific medication. 

Here are some of the most common anxiety medications for dogs, what they treat, and their typical costs. While pet insurance does cover many of these medications, the extent will depend on your individual plan and factors like behavioral health coverage.

Dog Anxiety Medication	Commonly Prescribed For	Average Costs*
Alprazolam (brand name Xanax)	Situational anxiety Thunderstorm phobia	.07¢ to .25¢ per tablet
Amitriptyline (generic)	Separation anxiety  Generalized anxiety	$35 to $95 for 90-day supply
Buspirone (brand name BuSpar)	Generalized anxiety FearAggression	.10¢ to .30¢ per tablet
Clomipramine (brand name Clomicalm)	Situational anxiety Separation anxiety	$50 to $80 for 30 day supply
Dexmedetomidine (brand name Sileo)	Situational anxiety Noise aversions (storms, fireworks)	$30 per syringe (1 – 12 doses per syringe depending on dog’s weight)
Diazepam (brand name Valium)	Situational anxiety Panic disorders	.10¢ to .15¢ per tablet
Fluoxetine (brand names Reconcile/Prozac)	Separation anxiety Compulsions Aggression	$15 to $60 for 30-day supply
Lorazepam (brand name Ativan)	Situational anxiety Phobias	.06¢ to .10¢ per tablet
Paroxetine (brand name Paxil)	Generalized anxiety Fear Aggression Compulsions Noise aversions (storms, fireworks)	.18¢ to .25¢ per tablet
Sertraline (brand name Zoloft)	Generalized anxiety Separation anxiety Phobias	.11¢ to .26¢ per tablet

Anxiety in Dogs

Just like us humans, our dogs can experience a wide range of emotions, including fear, stress, and of course anxiety! Since our dog’s mental health can be just as important as their physical health it’s important to know the signs of anxiety in your pet and seek help when needed. 

We’ve all seen our dogs exhibit some form of fear, anxiety, or stress at one time or another. Maybe it was an off-leash dog charging towards them at the park that caused them to react aggressively, or the loud boom of fireworks on the 4th of July that sends them ducking for cover. Perhaps your pup is petrified of the vet and protests his yearly exam. Whatever the case may be, some dogs need a little extra help to deal with their fears and stressors. 

So what exactly is anxiety in dogs? Anxiety is the anticipation of unknown or imagined future dangers. It can manifest in many ways and have many causes. Some dogs may display outward aggression like growling or snapping, while others may be found shaking in the corner. Some anxieties are caused by known transgressions such as a rescue dog that was abused or neglected by a previous owner and some have no known cause. 

Signs of Anxiety in Dogs

If your dog is displaying signs of anxiety it’s important to contact your vet. Anxiety typically doesn’t go away on its own and will only worsen over time if left untreated. Your vet may start by doing a medical workup to ensure there is not an underlying illness that is causing your dog’s anxiety. Once that has been ruled out, they may suggest a medication and/or training plan or they refer you to a veterinary behaviorist for further treatment. 

Here are some of the most common signs of anxiety in dogs:

• Displays of aggression (growling, snapping, lunging, etc)
• Excessive barking/howling
• Pacing/restlessness
• Compulsive behaviors (incessant licking, chewing, digging, etc)
• Depressive behaviors (withdrawn, lack of interest, lack of appetite)
• Panting/drooling
• Destructive behavior
• Urinating/defecating in the house

Treatment for Anxiety in Dogs

Every anxiety case is different and your veterinarian and/or behaviorist may have various recommendations but most will involve a behavior modification plan. These plans will usually incorporate desensitization and counterconditioning techniques with or without anxiety medications to help your dog overcome their fears. 

While we all want our pets to feel better right away it’s important to understand that treating a dog with anxiety will likely take some time. It’s important to stick with the plan and work with your dog’s healthcare team to ensure the best outcome!

FAQs

How do I make a claim for anxiety medication for my dog?

If your insurance plan covers it, filing a claim for anxiety medication for your dog works pretty much the same way as any other medication. Most insurance companies have their own claims process for you to follow and will require documentation from your veterinarian. This will usually include a copy of your pet’s prescription, medical records indicating why it is needed, and a copy of your invoice. Some will also require a claim form that may or may not need to be signed by your veterinarian. 

How much of the cost of anxiety medication is covered by pet insurance?

Depending on your chosen level of coverage, you can expect between 70% to 90% of your pet’s approved medications to be covered. Reimbursement typically begins after your deductible has been reached. 

Are there limits on the amount of anxiety medication that can be covered by pet insurance?

Coverage limits are highly dependent on the individual plan. Some insurance plans may have caps on certain conditions. If your dog’s particular anxiety disorder is one of the conditions with a cap, over time, coverage for anything related to that condition including vet visits and medications would cease.