Updated: October 29, 2025
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Pet insurance covers Apoquel if your dog develops allergies after the waiting period has passed.
Most insurers like ASPCA, Lemonade and Spot cover Apoquel in their standard accident and illness plans without requiring optional prescription medication add-ons.
Factor in your pet’s breed, age and location when deciding if you need pet insurance that covers Apoquel.
Apoquel is a prescription medicine that helps dogs get relief from itching and skin irritation caused by allergies. Vets often recommend it for allergic skin conditions.
Most pet insurance plans cover Apoquel if it’s prescribed for a new allergy that develops after the waiting period and isn’t a pre-existing issue. Once you’ve met your deductible, your insurance can reimburse about 60% to 90% of the cost, depending on your plan.
Accident and illness plans often cover Apoquel when your dog develops allergies after the policy begins. But if your dog showed allergy symptoms before you bought coverage, insurers will treat it as a pre-existing condition and won’t cover Apoquel for it.
Apoquel is usually covered under standard accident and illness plans if your dog develops allergies after the policy starts. In some cases, though, you might need to add a prescription medication option to get coverage, as shown in the table below.
AKC | ✓ | |
ASPCA | ✓ | |
Embrace | ✓ | |
Fetch | ✓ | |
Figo | ✓ | |
Healthy Paws | ✓ | |
Lemonade | ✓ | |
Liberty Mutual | ✓ | |
MetLife | ✓ | |
Nationwide | ✓ | |
Pets Best | ✓ | |
Prudent Pet | ✓ | |
Pumpkin | ✓ | |
Rainwalk | ✓ | |
Spot | ✓ | |
Trupanion | ✓ | |
Wagmo | ✓ (But only 50% of the cost after your deductible) | |
Coverage varies by state and by policy. Read your plan documents carefully to understand what’s included and what’s not.
Most pet insurance plans cover Apoquel if your dog develops allergies after the waiting period, which usually lasts about two weeks after you sign up. The need for this type of coverage depends on a few key factors, listed below.
Some dog breeds are more prone to allergies than others. Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, German Shepherds, Bulldogs and Pit Bulls commonly develop skin allergies that require Apoquel treatment.
Dogs can develop allergies at any age, but symptoms usually appear between the ages of one and three. Older pets may show new allergy symptoms as their immune systems change over time. Early coverage protects you from pre-existing condition exclusions if allergies develop later.
Pets in areas with high pollen counts, humidity or environmental allergens need Apoquel more often. Urban environments with pollution and rural areas with ragweed and grass allergies both trigger allergic reactions in dogs. Coastal regions with mold and mildew also increase allergy risks.
Apoquel costs between $80 and $100 for a 20-pill pack in the U.S., according to LifeRx Pharmacy. Pet insurance with Apoquel coverage reimburses 60% to 90% of medication costs after you meet your deductible, potentially saving you $864 to $3,240 annually.
Apoquel is usually covered when your dog develops allergies after the policy’s waiting period. Most insurers, including ASPCA, Lemonade and Spot, offer this coverage without needing a prescription medication add-on.
The need for this coverage depends on your pet’s breed, age and location, since some dogs are more prone to allergy issues that may require Apoquel.
We’ve rounded up some of the most common questions pet owners have about pet insurance that covers Apoquel, along with clear answers to guide you:
Pet insurance doesn’t cover Apoquel for pre-existing conditions. If your dog had allergy symptoms or was already diagnosed with allergies before your policy began or during the waiting period, those claims won’t be approved.
Pet insurance reimburses 60% to 90% of Apoquel costs after you meet your deductible. Your reimbursement rate depends on the plan you choose, with higher reimbursement rates costing more monthly but helping you save more on expensive medications.
Most pet insurers have a 14-day waiting period for illnesses before Apoquel coverage begins. Your policy starts on your effective date, but you can't file claims for allergies or prescription medications until the waiting period ends. Any allergy symptoms that appear during those first 14 days count as pre-existing conditions and won't be covered.
Apoquel is only FDA-approved for dogs, so it’s not covered for cats under pet insurance. Vets usually recommend other allergy medications for cats instead and most accident and illness plans cover those when prescribed for a new condition.
If your cat develops allergies, your insurance can help pay for vet-approved treatments like antihistamines or corticosteroids.
Breeds like Golden Retrievers, Labradors, German Shepherds, Bulldogs and Pit Bulls are more likely to develop allergies that may need Apoquel treatment. They often deal with skin issues such as atopic dermatitis and other allergic reactions.
Getting pet insurance before any symptoms show up can help make sure these conditions aren’t labeled as pre-existing later on.
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.
