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Does Pet Insurance Cover Behavioral Therapy?
By Susan Doktor MONEY RESEARCH COLLECTIVE
When we become pet owners, we imagine sharing our life with a happy-go-lucky, even-tempered companion. Sometimes it works out that way, but in other cases, pets may need some help to get there. Behavioral problems can surface in manifest in undesirable or unhealthy actions that can be destructive or (let’s face it) simply drive us crazy.
Pet owners can turn to veterinarians and pet behaviorists for help. Pet behavioral therapy can improve even the most egregious problems in certain cases. Luckily, those who carry pet insurance on their companions can increasingly enjoy reimbursement for part of the cost of behavioral therapy.
Here’s everything you need to know about pet behavioral therapy, when you should consider it and if your pet insurance covers it.
Table of Contents
- What is pet behavioral therapy?
- How does pet behavioral therapy work?
- Does pet insurance cover behavioral therapy?
- How do you know if your pet needs behavioral therapy?
- Where can you find a pet behaviorist?
- What is the average cost of behavioral therapy?
- Is pet insurance worth the cost?
- Pet insurance that covers behavioral therapy FAQs
What is pet behavioral therapy?
Behavioral therapy for animals is very similar to that for humans. It’s a means of treating a mental health disorder in your pet that leads to undesirable, destructive or dangerous behavior. It helps reduce those negative actions in your pet and strengthen positive ones.
Pet behavioral therapy goes beyond basic obedience training. It helps your pet learn how to act and respond to certain triggers appropriately. The most common manners addressed are aggression and anxiety. Through behavioral therapy, an animal behaviorist will help identify the cause of your pet’s actions and work to help improve them.
Behaviorists are different from animal trainers. Trainers often teach a pet to perform specific acts (like coming when called, walking nicely on a leash, or completing an agility course).
By contrast, pet behaviorists focus on problem-solving. Some professional trainers may have experience with behavioral issues. But Certified Applied Animal Behaviorists (CAAB) and Associate Certified Applied Animal Behaviorists (ACAAB) are specialists who have educational degrees in animal behavior studies for dogs, cats, and many other animals.
Behaviorists hone in on the emotions that trigger undesirable actions. They work on correcting existing actions such as aggression towards people or other animals, separation anxiety, peeing indoors and incessant barking.
How does pet behavioral therapy work?
Pet behavioral therapy can be conducted in a few different settings: group classes, private sessions or boarding. The method you use depends on your pet’s needs. Private lessons allow you one-on-one time with your behaviorist and may be better for your pet if they experience anxiety.
In a nutshell, specially trained behaviorists begin by observing your pet’s actions and asking you questions. They assess the problematic manners and when they occur so they can design a course of treatment. Behaviorists then work with you and adjust the plan as needed.
This treatment is often successful in improving habits but may not completely resolve the problem in all cases — experts caution that there’s no guarantee. Several variables can influence the success of this therapy. Consider how long the pet has exhibited behavior and any genetic problems. Pet parents must be committed to the process and have patience. Your vet and behaviorist can discuss your circumstances with you.
Does pet insurance cover behavioral therapy?
Some pet insurance plans may cover behavioral therapy and anxiety medication, but it largely depends on your plan, insurance company and your pet’s diagnosis. In many cases, companies only cover behavioral treatment conducted by a vet or certified behaviorist. (You wouldn’t, then, be able to get coverage for a regular trainer in this instance.)
Pet insurance policies vary in many ways — they come with different covered services and coverage limits, for example. One of the pitfalls of pet insurance coverage is that it often doesn’t include pre-existing conditions. Even if your policy covers behavioral therapy, it might not cover it if the condition was diagnosed before you purchased your policy.
We surveyed the policies of some of the largest pet insurance companies — including Spot Pet Insurance, ASPCA and Trupanion — and found that behavioral therapy or modification may be eligible for coverage under specific plans. If you have pet insurance or are considering it, do extensive research on eligibility and plan restrictions before making any decisions.
Behavioral therapy for pets is expensive, usually costing upwards of $100 per hour. Like other vet bills, your policy would cover a portion of that, depending on your deductible and coverage limits.
How do you know if your pet needs behavioral therapy?
Usually, the signs of behavioral issues are pretty obvious. Actions severe enough to bother you indicate that your pet may benefit from trying behavioral therapy. These warning signs include signs of aggression (including snarling, nipping or charging) and anxiety symptoms (like pacing, shivering, excessive barking and other actions that cause them to hurt themselves).
It’s best to consult your veterinarian about any questions or concerns about your pet. Your vet can help advise the best course of action for your pet’s health.
Where can you find a cat or dog behaviorist?
Your search for a behaviorist should begin with your licensed veterinarian. For one thing, by examining your pet, your vet can rule out that behavioral symptoms aren’t due to a physical condition. Additionally, most CAABs and ACAABs work solely through veterinary referrals.
If you are researching online before talking with your veterinarian, be wary of people that call themselves pet behaviorists. There aren’t any governing rules around using that title, so it’s best to get a referral from your vet who works with CAABs and ACAABs.
Veterinary behaviorists who have earned a DVM or VMD degree may also be able to help your pet. Animal trainers, by contrast, cannot offer your pet treatment with prescription medications, which are sometimes necessary to relieve behavioral issues.
What is the average cost of behavioral therapy?
The cost of behavioral therapy can vary depending on the therapy clinic you choose, the type of treatment and how long your pet needs the treatment. Sometimes the regimen is delivered in a group setting, but other pets may require private sessions or boarding.
Programs that involve boarding are the most expensive, followed by private sessions and group treatment. In addition, the cost can get pricey if your pet needs training for an extended time. Some behavioral issues can be addressed in as few as three sessions per se, while others may require treatment for up to a year.
Your behaviorist may charge you an hourly fee or quote you a price for an entire treatment plan. Hourly rates are highly variable. Money.com researched the hourly costs and found that prices can range from $50 to $600. Suppose this treatment happens to be eligible for pet insurance coverage under your policy. In that case, between 70% and 90% of behavioral therapy costs are typically covered.
CAABs and ACAABs often charge more for behavioral training than ordinary pet trainers. However, this is often warranted since these professionals have gone through extensive studying and schooling in animal behavior.
Is pet insurance worth the cost?
Whether or not pet insurance is worth buying varies by the animal, and on its owner’s philosophy of pet ownership. Premiums vary widely by age and breed. They also rise markedly when a pet is older — and so is more likely to get seriously ill.
A Money.com analysis suggests that insurance probably won’t pay off if your pet has a normal medical life. It may, however, prove to be financially worthwhile in the event your pet suffers a major accident or develops a serious condition.
If that happens, a policy may pay off if and when you take all measures to save your pet. It could spare you the full cost of, say, cancer treatment, which can run to four- or even five-figures.
Just be prepared to pay 10% to 30% of the treatment bills yourself (as your copayment). Most policies reimburse only between 70% and 90% of the treatment cost, after you pay the vet’s bill in full upfront — which is also usually a requirement.
Keep in mind, too, that the bills for an extended treatment might exceed the policy’s coverage limits for the year or the condition. That could leave you bearing the full cost of any overage.
Finally, your math on the possible payoff of a policy should consider the premiums you will pay into it. Over the years, our analysis revealed, these payments — if banked — would go a long way to covering the typical vet bills for an uninsured pet.
What pet insurance does and doesn’t cover
The most comprehensive pet insurance plans offer both accident and illness coverage and reimbursement for critical vet bills.
Here’s a quick rundown of what pet insurance may cover:
- Diagnostics, including blood tests, X-rays and more
- Hospitalization
- Surgery
- Prescription medication
- Physical therapy
- Cancer care
- Alternative care (including acupuncture and hydrotherapy)
- Treatment for chronic conditions
- Treatment for congenital conditions
Accident and illness plans don’t cover routine or preventive care, such as checkups, vaccinations, annual fecal tests or puppy deworming. Wellness coverage is often an add-on to basic pet insurance. Spaying and neutering may not be covered.
Some pet insurance companies also exclude hip dysplasia and other conditions. Most have a pre-existing conditions clause: they won’t cover any condition your pet has been treated for in the past year or so. While nearly all plans offer some coverage for prescription medicines, they often don’t cover nutritional supplements, even if a licensed veterinarian recommends them.
Pet insurance plans come with waiting periods, as well. You generally can’t file a claim immediately upon purchasing a pet insurance policy.
Pet insurance that covers behavioral therapy FAQs
Does pet insurance pay for a behavioral therapy program?
Veterinarians have long recognized destructive, unmanageable pet behavior as a problem that benefits from treatment. But pet insurance companies have only recently begun to offer coverage.
Before purchasing any pet insurance policy, dig deep to discover what is and isn't covered. Some policies have per-condition limits and will only pay out a defined amount to reimburse you for the cost of behavioral therapy. You may run into difficulties if your pet's behavioral problems are longstanding.
They may deny coverage under your policy's pre-existing conditions exclusions. And bear in mind that pet insurance companies will only cover treatment that a vet has ordered. Minor behavioral issues, such as the occasional accident in the house, usually won't warrant a therapy prescription.
What's the difference between a dog trainer and a dog behaviorist?
The main difference between dog trainers and behaviorists is their education and training. Dog trainers run the gamut from those who teach your dog basic obedience and manners to those who train them to compete in dog shows. They typically focus on teaching dogs to do new things — not usually to stop them from repeating bad behaviors. It's not necessary to earn a degree to become an animal trainer, though they are highly qualified to help you train your dog in specific ways.
In contrast, dog behaviorists (including Certified Applied Animal Behaviorists (CAABs) and Associate Certified Applied Animal Behaviorists (ACAABs)) are specialized in behavioral issues your dog exhibits. CAABs have a doctoral degree and ACAABs have a master's degree. These professionals have completed formal academic training in animal behavior and may complete a two-year residency program in animal behavior.
Dog trainers and dog behaviorists have different roles and specialties. The one you choose depends on your dog's training and treatment needs.
How long does behavioral therapy take?
How long behavioral therapy takes depends on your pet's situation and treatment plan. You should plan on committing to the entire course of treatment your behaviorist recommends. Some problems can be improved in just a few sessions, but others might require months (or even years) of treatment.
How effective is behavioral therapy in pets?
The effectiveness of behavioral therapy depends on the pet and the problem. You can certainly ask a professional pet behaviorist for a prognosis to inquire how likely it is that they can address your pet's problem and how soon you can expect to see improvements. The behaviorist will usually ask you questions before making a prediction, including:
- How long has the problem persisted?
- How flexible can you be in the way you interact with your pet?
- How much can you do to eliminate the factors that trigger your pet's bad behavior?
- Does your pet generally respond well to positive reinforcement, like affection, toys, and treats?
- Can you commit to an entire course of treatment?
Your behaviorist will also consider the role genetics plays in your pet's problem before estimating how long it will take to correct negative actions.
Summary of our guide to pet insurance and behavioral therapy
If your pet’s behavior has become dangerous to itself, other animals, and people, it may be worth considering pet behavioral therapy. This treatment involves working with a pet behaviorist to help adjust the negative behavior of your dog, cat or other animal. Animal behavioral therapy is generally expensive. But it may be the best course to helping your pet overcome behavioral issues.
Pet insurance may cover behavioral therapy or treatment. However, you should research multiple policies if you are considering insurance to cover your pet’s behavioral therapy treatment.
Not all insurers offer this coverage, and some may only have it as an add-on for which you must pay extra. Additionally, as mentioned before, your policy may not cover your pet’s treatment if it was diagnosed by a vet before the activation of your policy. Conduct extensive research before purchasing a plan to ensure you get the coverage you want.
