Updated: November 4, 2025
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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.
Pet allergies happen when your dog or cat’s immune system reacts too strongly to things like pollen, dust mites, certain foods, or flea bites. This often leads to itchy skin, ear infections, or stomach problems.
Pet insurance helps cover vet costs for allergy testing, medications, and special treatments, as long as the allergies develop after your policy's waiting period. You’ll usually pay the vet first, then file a claim to get reimbursed based on your plan’s terms.
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.
Most insurers offer pet insurance that cover allergies, as detailed in the table below.
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Coverage varies depending on your state and policy. Be sure to check your policy documents for the exact details and exclusions.
Compare the top pet insurance companies with allergy coverage to determine the best option for your pet:
Most insurers include allergy coverage after the waiting period. Think about the points below to determine whether pet insurance is worth it for allergies.
Some dog and cat breeds are more likely to develop allergies because of genetics. These include:
Getting pet insurance before symptoms appear helps protect you from future costs, especially for breeds that often need lifelong care.
Most pets start showing allergy symptoms between six months and three years old, but allergies can develop at any age. Pets enrolled while they’re young and symptom-free get the best coverage since pre-existing conditions aren’t included. Older pets may still develop new allergies, so keeping their coverage active remains important.
Your location plays a big role in your pet’s allergy risks and vet expenses. Humid climates, high-pollen areas and common allergens such as ragweed increase the chances of allergies. Pets in cities may react to dust and pollution, while those in rural areas encounter more outdoor allergens throughout the seasons.
According to CareCredit’s 2024 study, allergy testing costs about $281 for dogs and $243 for cats. Allergy shots can add around $78 per treatment for dogs. You might also need to budget for ongoing medications, special diets or even emergency vet visits if your pet has serious allergies.
Pet insurance can help by reimbursing 60% to 90% of covered costs after your deductible, which helps lower your out-of-pocket expenses over time.
Pet insurance covers allergies only if the symptoms appear after the waiting period and the condition isn’t pre-existing. Companies like ASPCA, MetLife and Pumpkin offer comprehensive plans that include prescription medication and food along with standard benefits. Before getting the best pet insurance, consider your pet’s breed, age and location to determine whether coverage is necessary.
Many pet owners have questions about how pet insurance covers allergies. These are some of the most common ones.
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.
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.
Pet insurance covers allergy testing (blood work and skin testing), prescription medications, allergy shots and specialized treatments when allergies aren't pre-existing. Some insurers may also include coverage for medicated shampoos, dietary supplements and alternative therapies like acupuncture for allergy-related conditions in their standard policies, so add-ons that increase pet insurance costs aren't needed.
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.
Most pets develop allergies between six months and three years old. Symptoms can appear at any age and senior pets can still develop new allergies throughout their lifetime. For the best and cheapest pet insurance 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!
He writes about economics and insurance, breaking down complex topics so people know what they're buying.
