Insurance & protection
Dental disease is one of the most common health issues affecting pets in Australia. In fact, around 70 – 80% of cats and dogs show signs of dental disease by the time they’re three.
And it’s not just about bad breath or yellow teeth. When dental problems are left untreated, they can cause ongoing pain, infection, bone loss, and even affect vital organs like the heart, kidneys and liver. The tricky part? Pets (especially cats) are very good at hiding pain, so dental disease is often more advanced than it first appears.
That’s where understanding pet dental insurance can really help. Knowing what support is available means you can make confident decisions about your pet’s care, without second-guessing yourself when they need help the most.
In this guide, we’ll unpack what pet dental insurance covers, what’s usually excluded, and what steps you can take to protect your pet’s teeth before any problems arise.
Table of contents
What dental illness means in pet insurance
In the pet insurance world, dental illness typically refers to a disease or condition that affects your pet’s teeth or gums, as long as it’s not caused by an injury.
This can include things like:
- Gingivitis (inflamed gums)
- Periodontal disease
- Tartar and plaque build-up
- Dental tumours or growths
Why untreated dental disease is dangerous
Dental disease doesn’t stand still. If it’s not treated, it gradually gets worse, often below the gum line, where you can’t see it.
What might start as mild gum redness or plaque can progress into painful infections, loose teeth and bone damage. And because many pets continue eating even when their mouths hurt, the problem is often far more serious than it looks from the outside.
Left untreated, dental disease can:
- Cause constant pain and discomfort
- Lead to tooth loss
- Allow bacteria to enter the bloodstream
- Increase the risk of heart, kidney, and liver disease
- Significantly affect your pet’s overall wellbeing
- Reduce your pet’s ability to eat and enjoy their meals, which may lead to weight loss and other health problems
The importance of pet dental insurance
Once you understand how serious dental disease can be, it’s easy to see why pet dental insurance can make a real difference.
Treating dental illness often involves:
- General anaesthesia
- Dental X-rays
- Professional cleaning
- Tooth extractions or treatment of infected teeth
These procedures are essential for your pet’s health, but they can also come with unexpected vet bills, especially when dental disease shows up suddenly or has progressed quietly over time.
Pet dental insurance doesn’t replace daily care or regular vet check-ups. But it can help ease financial responsibility when dental illness strikes, so decisions are guided by what’s best for your pet, not what’s most affordable in the moment.
What’s typically covered by pet dental insurance
If your pet insurance includes dental illness cover, it may help with the cost of treating eligible dental conditions, such as:
- Gingivitis and periodontal disease
- Dental infections or abscesses
- Medically necessary tooth extractions
- Diagnostic tests related to dental illness
Dental cover isn’t always included as standard in Australian pet insurance policies. It’s often an optional extra. Policies may also have a short waiting period before you can claim and set limits on how much you can claim for dental treatment each year. That’s why it’s always a good idea to check the insurer’s Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) before choosing cover, so you know exactly what’s included.
What’s not covered by pet dental insurance
While not all pet insurance policies are the same, most pet insurance policies generally don’t cover routine or elective dental care.
This may include:
- Routine dental cleaning and scaling
- Cosmetic or orthodontic dental work
- Crowns, caps, or crown amputations
- Fillings, implants, and root canals
- Dental procedures that aren’t medically necessary to treat a covered dental illness
These treatments are considered preventative or elective, rather than treatment for unexpected illness, which is why they’re normally excluded.
Caring for your pet’s teeth at home
While insurance can help when something goes wrong, everyday dental care is still your pet’s best defence against dental disease.
Simple habits can make a big difference, including:
- Brushing your pet’s teeth daily with pet-safe toothpaste (introduced gently)
- Booking regular annual vet check-ups, including dental assessments
- Feeding your pet vet-recommended diets
- Using dental chews and toys that help reduce plaque build-up
- Avoiding items that can cause dental injury, such as stones, cooked bones, or even tennis balls, which can wear down enamel surprisingly quickly
You might also see some groomers offering dental services. Groomers can help with basic tooth brushing, but they’re not trained or qualified to diagnose dental disease or perform dental procedures.
Any dental treatment, including cleaning below the gum line, dental X-rays or extractions, should only ever be performed under general anaesthesia by a veterinarian with the appropriate skills, tools, and equipment to carry out these procedures safely, helping to prevent pain and distress.
If you’re ever unsure about your pet’s oral health, your vet is always the right place to start.
Why consider RSPCA Pet Insurance for your pet’s dental needs
Dental disease is common, often painful, and sometimes unavoidable, even when you’re taking preventative steps at home.
With RSPCA Pet Insurance, you can choose to add dental illness cover to your pet’s policy, ensuring that they get the treatment they need if dental issues ever arise. Plus, when you insure your pet, you’re not only protecting them, you’re also helping the RSPCA care for vulnerable animals across Australia.
To learn more about how RSPCA Pet Insurance could support you and your pet, click here. Or, if you’re ready to take the next step, you can fetch a commitment-free pet insurance quote online.
Disclaimer
As with any insurance, terms, conditions and exclusions apply. Please read the Product Disclosure Statement to make sure this cover suits your needs.
References
[1] RSPCA Australia. Why is anaesthesia important for dog and cat dentistry. RSPCA Knowledgebase. Available from: https://kb.rspca.org.au/categories/companion-animals/pet-ownership/why-is-anaesthesia-important-for-dog-and-cat-dentistry
[2] RSPCA Australia. How should I take care of my cat or dog’s teeth. RSPCA Knowledgebase.
Available from: https://kb.rspca.org.au/categories/companion-animals/cats/caring-for-my-cat-or-dogs-teeth
[3] RSPCA Australia. What do I need to know about gum and mouth inflammation (gingivostomatitis) in cats. RSPCA Knowledgebase. Available from: https://kb.rspca.org.au/categories/companion-animals/cats/health-issues/what-do-i-need-to-know-about-gum-and-mouth-inflammation-gingivostomatitis-in-cats
[4] RSPCA Australia. The importance of dental health. Available from: https://www.rspca.org.au/latest-news/blog/importance-dental-health/
[5] RSPCA Pet Insurance. Product Disclosure Document. RSPCA Pet Insurance; 2026. Available from: https://www.rspcapetinsurance.org.au/product-disclosure-statement/
FAQs
Yes, dental care is covered by some pet insurance policies, and what’s included usually depends on the cover you’ve chosen. For instance, cover may apply when dental treatment is needed for dental illness, such as gingivitis or periodontal disease, but be excluded when it comes to routine dental cleaning and preventative care. It’s best to always check what’s included in your cover to avoid confusion.
Depending on your level of cover, pet insurance may help with the treatment of certain dental conditions affecting your pet’s teeth or gums. This can include dental disease, gum inflammation, infections, and other vet-diagnosed dental issues that aren’t caused by an accident, provided they meet the policy terms and aren’t pre-existing.
Dental treatment needs to be done under general anaesthesia so vets can safely and thoroughly examine your pet’s mouth, clean below the gum line, take dental X-rays, and treat problems without causing fear, stress, or pain.
In most cases, routine dental cleaning and scaling aren’t covered by pet insurance. These types of treatments fall under preventative or elective care, rather than treatment for unexpected illnesses.
With RSPCA Pet Insurance, dental illness cover can be added to your pet’s policy as an optional extra. When selected, it may help with the cost of treating eligible dental conditions, while also supporting the RSPCA’s wider animal welfare work. It’s protection with purpose, from the people who know animals.
As with any insurance, always check the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) to understand what is and isn’t covered, including any limits and exclusions.
