Does pet insurance cover separation anxiety in dogs?

Yahoo

2 days ago

Separation anxiety is one of the most common behavioral issues in dogs, affecting up to 20% of pups. And it's more than just a little whining at the door. Dogs with separation anxiety can experience real distress that leads to destructive behavior, accidents in the house, and even self-harm.
Pet insurance might help cover anxiety-related treatment, but only in certain cases. Most policies won't cover separation anxiety if it's a preexisting condition. But if it's eligible for coverage, your vet typically needs to diagnose the condition and prescribe specific treatments, like behavioral therapy or medication.
Learn more: How does pet insurance work? A complete guide
What is separation anxiety in dogs?
Separation anxiety is a behavioral condition that shows up when you leave your dog alone and they become extremely distressed. While some pets may bark or pace when you head out the door, dogs with true separation anxiety often display intense, persistent symptoms that don't go away with time.
Separation anxiety in dogs typically stems from a fear of abandonment, past trauma, a new home environment, or sudden schedule changes — though it can also show up unexpectedly in pets that have never had issues before.
Genetics can also play a role. Certain breeds of dogs are more susceptible to separation anxiety, including French bulldogs, dachshunds, Labrador retrievers, and more.
If left untreated, separation anxiety can have a major impact on your dog's quality of life (and yours too). But with the right combination of training, support, and in some cases medication, most dogs can recover or manage symptoms long term.
Symptoms and signs of separation anxiety in dogs
Behaviors can vary, but here are some common signs your dog might have separation anxiety:
Excessive barking, whining, or howling when left home alone
Destructive chewing, digging, or scratching, especially near doors or windows
Attempts to escape confined spaces (like crates or rooms)
Pacing or restlessness before you leave or after you're gone
Accidents in the house, including urinating or defecating
Excessive drooling or salivating, panting, or trembling when alone
Coprophagia (eating their own excrement)
Don't rule out medical issues: Medical problems like urinary tract infections, gastrointestinal problems, or neurological conditions can sometimes mimic symptoms of separation anxiety in dogs. For example, your dog may start having accidents in the house because of a urinary tract infection. Or they may have excessive drooling and restlessness if there's a neurological issue. Your vet can help confirm a diagnosis and recommend the right treatment plan.
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How to treat separation anxiety in dogs
Many dogs with separation anxiety benefit from a combination of training, environmental changes, and medication. Here are some common treatment strategies:
Desensitization and counterconditioning. These house training techniques gradually teach your dog that being alone isn't scary. For example, you might start by leaving the house for a minute or two, then slowly build up to longer periods of time. You can pair departures with positive reinforcement, like puzzle toys or treats (even peanut butter!).
Environmental support. When you're gone, create a safe, calming space for your dog. This might include white noise, calming diffusers, or anxiety vests. Interactive toys and snuffle mats can also help redirect your dog's energy in healthy ways.
Professional training. For more severe cases, consider working with a certified separation anxiety trainer or veterinary behaviorist. Some pet insurance providers (like Embrace or MetLife with a preventive care add-on) may reimburse you for this kind of training if a vet prescribes it.
Medication. In moderate to severe cases, your vet may prescribe anti-anxiety medications or supplements to reduce distress while you work on training. These are often used short term, though some anxious dogs may need longer-term support.
What happens if it goes untreated?
Separation anxiety can show up in ways that feel heartbreaking and hard to manage — whining at the door, shredding the couch, skipping meals, or pacing for hours. Left untreated, this can affect how your dog feels and their health, and leave you emotionally spent.
Cost of separation anxiety treatment
You'll likely do a mix of trial and error to figure out what your pup responds to, so there's no one set price tag. But here's a theoretical ballpark look at what real-life treatment might involve:
Vet visits to rule things out: $70 to $174
Most treatment plans start with a vet exam to make sure there's no underlying medical condition behind your dog's behavior problems.
Professional training or behavior therapy: $600 to $900 per month
Working with a certified dog trainer or veterinary behaviorist can be a game changer, but it isn't cheap. Some pet insurance companies might reimburse part of the cost if it's prescribed as behavior modification therapy, but most do not.
Anti-anxiety prescription medication: $5 to $80+ per month
Medications like fluoxetine (Prozac) or sertraline (Zoloft) are commonly used to take the edge off severe anxiety. But the cost will depend on dosage, brand, your vet, and your location.
Calming aids and treats: $10 to $100+
Think puzzle feeders, pheromone sprays, thunder shirts, and calming chews. Some pet parents find them helpful, while others don't. Either way, you may find yourself experimenting to find out how your pet responds best.
Boarding or doggy day care: $40 per day
If your dog can't be left alone safely, day care or in-home help may be part of the short-term solution. You could even ask a family member or dog sitter if they're willing to help regularly.
All told, the cost of managing separation anxiety could balloon depending on how severe it is and what mix of treatments you try. That's where pet insurance could help.
Is anxiety covered by pet insurance?
It depends. Many pet insurance companies offer coverage for behavioral conditions, including separation anxiety, but only with the following conditions:
The anxiety is not preexisting (meaning symptoms didn't show up before your waiting period ended).
A licensed veterinarian prescribes the treatment.
Even then, coverage varies. Here's how a few pet insurance companies handle separation anxiety:
Note: Pet insurance companies that cover behavioral therapy and prescription medication will only do so if it's prescribed for a covered condition. If anxiety isn't covered for your dog because of preexisting conditions, you won't get reimbursed for expenses.
Learn more: The best pet insurance companies of 2025
Does pet insurance cover anxiety medication?
Yes, in many cases, pet insurance covers anxiety medication, as long as it's prescribed by a vet to treat a covered behavioral condition.
Many popular providers cover prescription medication, including Pets Best, MetLife, Spot, and ASPCA. You can add it to your Embrace plan for an extra fee.
Here's what that might look like in practice:
If your vet prescribes anxiety medication, like fluoxetine (Prozac) or sertraline (Zoloft), to treat separation anxiety, your pet insurance policy may reimburse a portion of the cost.
Over-the-counter calming supplements, sprays, or treats won't typically be covered — unless your vet writes a prescription and your policy explicitly includes OTC meds.
You may be able to use medications in combination with behavior training if your pet insurance plan covers both.
Again, preexisting conditions are a major limitation. If your dog's separation anxiety showed up before your policy's effective date or during the waiting period, you likely won't get coverage, even for meds.
Learn more: Your guide to what pet insurance covers
Separation anxiety in dogs FAQs
How much do pet anxiety meds cost?
Prescription medications for dog anxiety could cost between $5 and $80 or more per month, depending on the following:
The drug being prescribed
Dosage and frequency
Your dog's size and weight
Whether you buy generic or brand-name
Some examples:
Fluoxetine (Prozac): $6 for 60 capsules (20 mg per capsule)
Clomicalm (Clomipramine HCl): $82 for 30 tablets (80 mg per tablet)
Gabapentin (for situational anxiety): $10 for 120 capsules (100 mg per capsule)
What if my dog's separation anxiety is already diagnosed?
Your dog's separation anxiety may be considered preexisting if they showed signs or had it noted in their medical record before coverage began. That means you likely won't be reimbursed for treatment related to it — ever.
Some insurers (like Spot) cover curable, preexisting conditions after a 180-day symptom-free period, but anxiety could be considered a chronic, incurable condition and excluded long-term.
Are over-the-counter calming aids covered?
Usually not. Most pet insurance plans only reimburse for prescription medications. Supplements, calming chews, pheromone sprays, and thunder shirts may not be covered unless your policy explicitly includes OTC treatments and your vet writes a recommendation. But always check with your pet insurance company first.