Does Pet Insurance Cover Allergies? (2025 Guide)

Key Takeaways

Pet insurance covers allergy testing, treatments and medications when allergies develop after your policy's waiting period ends.

Some companies like ASPCA, MetLife and Pumpkin include allergy coverage with prescription medications and food in their standard plans.

Consider your pet's breed risk, age and local allergy triggers to determine if pet insurance that covers allergies makes sense for your financial situation.

How Does Pet Insurance Work for Allergies?

Pet allergies occur when your dog or cat's immune system overreacts to common substances like pollen, dust mites, certain foods or flea bites, causing symptoms ranging from itchy skin to digestive issues.

Pet insurance covers allergy-related veterinary expenses, including diagnostic tests, prescription medications and specialized treatments, when allergies develop after the waiting periods. You'll pay your vet upfront for allergy treatments, then file a claim with your insurer to receive reimbursement based on your policy's specific terms.

What Covers Allergies?

Accident and illness plans cover allergy-related treatments since allergies are considered medical conditions. These include diagnostic tests like blood work and skin testing, prescription medications and allergy shots. Most insurers won't cover allergies that existed before your policy started, so any symptoms or diagnoses your pet had during the waiting period or before enrollment become pre-existing conditions.

Who Has Allergy Coverage?

Most pet insurance companies cover allergies through their standard accident and illness plans when they're not pre-existing conditions. See how insurers provide allergy coverage below.


AKC	✓	✓
ASPCA	✓	✓	✓
Embrace	✓	✓
Fetch	✓	✓
Figo	✓	✓
Healthy Paws	✓	✓
Lemonade	✓	✓
Liberty Mutual	✓	✓
MetLife	✓	✓	✓
Nationwide	✓	✓	✓
Pets Best	✓
Prudent Pet	✓	✓
Pumpkin	✓	✓	✓
Rainwalk	✓	✓	✓
Spot	✓	✓	✓
Trupanion	✓	✓	✓
Wagmo	✓	✓

Coverage details also vary by state and individual policy terms. Always review your specific policy documents for exact coverage terms and exclusions.

Do You Need Allergy Coverage?

Most insurers provide comprehensive allergy coverage if symptoms appear after waiting periods pass. Your decision about getting pet insurance that covers allergies should consider the factors below.

1
Your pet’s breed
Certain dog and cat breeds face higher allergy risks due to genetic predisposition. Dogs prone to allergies include Golden Retrievers, Bulldogs, German Shepherds, Labrador Retrievers, French Bulldogs and Boxers, while cat breeds with increased allergy susceptibility are Siamese, Persian, Maine Coon and Devon Rex cats. Getting pet insurance before allergies develop ensures financial protection for these high-risk breeds that often require lifelong management.
2
Your pet’s age
Most pets develop allergies between 6 months and 3 years old, though symptoms can appear at any age. Young pets enrolled before showing symptoms have the best coverage opportunities since pre-existing conditions aren't covered. Senior pets can still develop new allergies, making continued coverage valuable throughout their lifetime.
3
Your location
Your geographic area impacts your pet's allergy exposure and local veterinary costs. High-pollen regions, humid climates and areas with specific allergens like ragweed increase allergy likelihood. Urban environments with pollution and dust can trigger respiratory allergies, while rural areas may expose pets to different seasonal allergens.
4
Your financial situation
Allergy testing runs $281 for dogs and $243 for cats, with allergy shots costing around $78 per treatment for dogs, based on CareCredit’s 2024 study. You may also face costs for ongoing medications, specialized diets and emergency visits if your pet has severe allergic reactions. Pet insurance reimburses 60% to 90% of covered costs minus your deductible, reducing your out-of-pocket expenses for lifelong allergy management.

Are Allergies Covered by Pet Insurance?: Bottom Line

Pet insurance provides coverage for allergies, but only when symptoms develop after your policy's waiting period ends and the condition isn't pre-existing. Companies like ASPCA, MetLife and Pumpkin offer comprehensive coverage that includes prescription medication and food alongside standard benefits. Consider your pet's breed, age and location to determine if you need pet insurance with allergy coverage.

Does Pet Insurance Cover Allergies?: FAQ

We’ve answered some frequently asked questions about pet insurance coverage for allergies:

Can I get coverage if my pet already has allergies?

If your pet already has diagnosed allergies or symptoms, most insurers won't cover treatments for those specific allergies as they're considered pre-existing conditions. However, your pet could still develop coverage for new, different allergies that appear after enrollment and waiting periods.

What counts as a pre-existing allergy condition?

A pre-existing allergy condition is any allergy symptom or diagnosis your pet had before your policy started or during the waiting period. This includes ongoing scratching, skin irritation, ear infections or digestive issues that could be allergy-related, even if allergies weren't officially diagnosed. If your vet treated any of these symptoms before coverage began, future allergy treatments related to the same triggers won't be covered.

What allergy treatments does pet insurance cover?

Pet insurance covers allergy testing (blood work and skin testing), prescription medications, allergy shots and specialized treatments when allergies aren't pre-existing. Some policies may also include coverage for medicated shampoos, dietary supplements and alternative therapies like acupuncture for allergy-related conditions.

Which dog and cat breeds need allergy coverage the most?

High-risk dog breeds that benefit most from allergy coverage include Golden Retrievers, Bulldogs, German Shepherds, Labrador Retrievers, French Bulldogs and Boxers due to genetic predisposition. For cats, Siamese, Persian, Maine Coon and Devon Rex breeds show increased allergy susceptibility. These breeds often require lifelong allergy management, making early insurance enrollment valuable.

When do pets usually develop allergies?

Most pets develop allergies between 6 months and 3 years old. Symptoms can appear at any age and senior pets can still develop new allergies throughout their lifetime. For the best coverage opportunities, enroll your pet during their first year before any allergy symptoms appear.

About Mark Fitzpatrick

Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. With over five years of experience analyzing the insurance market, he conducts original research and creates tailored content for all types of buyers. His insights have been featured in publications like CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.

Fitzpatrick holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!

Passionate about economics and insurance, he aims to promote transparency in financial topics and empower others to make confident money decisions.

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sources

CareCredit. "Veterinary Exam and Procedure Costs." Accessed September 29, 2025.

Does Pet Insurance Cover Allergies?