Does Pet Insurance Cover Prescription Food?

Depending on the provider, pet insurance helps offset costly prescription food when a licensed veterinarian recommends it for covered conditions.

Find affordable pet insurance plans for your companion below.

By Mark Fitzpatrick

Edited by Lukas Velunta

Updated: August 26, 2025

Advertising & Editorial Disclosure

Key Takeaways

Pet insurance provides coverage for prescription food when your vet prescribes it to treat covered medical conditions.

Some companies like ASPCA, MetLife and Pumpkin offer prescription food coverage in their standard plans, while others such as Embrace and Figo cover prescribed diets at an additional cost, according to MoneyGeek's analysis of policy documents.

Consider your pet's breed and age, current health status and monthly food budget to determine if you need prescription food coverage.

How Does Pet Insurance Work for Prescription Food?

Pet insurance covers prescription food when your vet requires it to treat a covered condition like kidney disease, diabetes, or food allergies, so you won't pay full price when your pet needs specialized nutrition. It doesn't cover prescription food for pre-existing conditions or general weight management.

Just like other treatments, prescription food coverage follows your policy's deductible, reimbursement percentage, and annual limits. Your vet has to prescribe the specific diet as treatment, and you'll need their paperwork when filing your claim.

What Covers Prescription Food?

Prescription pet food is specially formulated diets that vets prescribe to manage specific health conditions like kidney disease, diabetes, food allergies or gastrointestinal issues. Accident and illness plans will cover it when medically necessary, though this varies by company.

Adding a wellness plan can give you extra coverage for prescription food used in preventive care, like weight management diets or senior nutrition formulas designed to prevent future health problems.

Who Has Prescription Food Coverage?

Some pet insurance companies cover prescription diets under standard accident and illness plans, while others only offer coverage through add-on wellness plans. Coverage varies by state and policy terms, so check your specific policy. Since states regulate pet insurance differently, coverage options might differ depending on where you live.


AKC	Yes, if it is the sole treatment of a covered condition.	No
ASPCA	Yes	No
Embrace	No	Yes
Fetch	No	No
Figo	No	Yes
Healthy Paws	No	No
Lemonade	No	No
Liberty Mutual	No	Yes
MetLife	Yes	No
Nationwide	Yes, but not over-the-counter therapeutic diets or life stages food.	No
Pets Best	No	No
Prudent Pet	Yes, if it's to treat bladder stones and crystals for a limited period of time.	No
Pumpkin	Yes	No
Rainwalk	Yes	No
Spot	Yes	No
Trupanion	Yes, it will cover 50% of the cost for up to 60 days.	No
Wagmo	No	No

Do You Need Prescription Food Coverage?

Prescription food coverage makes sense for some pets but isn't necessary for everyone. Here's what to think about when deciding if this coverage fits your pet's needs and budget.

1
Your pet's breed and age
Certain breeds like German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers and Persian cats are predisposed to conditions requiring prescription diets, such as hip dysplasia, heart disease or kidney problems. Senior pets over 7 years old also face higher risks of developing chronic conditions that may require prescription diets.
2
Your pet’s current health status
Healthy young pets with no family history of chronic conditions might not need prescription food coverage right away, but remember that pre-existing conditions won't be covered once they develop. Many pet owners get coverage as a safety net since conditions requiring prescription diets often show up suddenly.
3
Your financial situation
Specialty, premium, and prescription dog foods can cost up to $100 a month, according to PetPlace's data and our market analysis, much more than regular kibble that averages $20 to $60 monthly.
Without insurance coverage, you could spend about $1,200 yearly on prescription food alone for dogs with conditions like kidney disease or severe food allergies. Adding prescription food coverage usually costs an extra $10 to $30 monthly, making it worthwhile if your pet develops these conditions.

Pet Insurance Prescription Food: Bottom Line

Pet insurance can help cover the high costs of prescription diets when your vet prescribes them for covered conditions. Companies like ASPCA, MetLife and Pumpkin include this coverage in standard plans, while others require add-ons. Whether you need prescription food coverage depends on your pet's breed and age, current health and your food budget.

Pet Insurance That Covers Prescription Food: FAQ

Below are common questions we address to help clarify whether pet insurance covers prescription food:

Does pet insurance cover prescription food?

Some pet insurance policies cover prescription food when your vet prescribes special diets to treat covered medical conditions like kidney disease, diabetes or food allergies.

What pet insurance companies cover prescription food?

Prescription food coverage varies significantly by provider. Companies like ASPCA, MetLife and Pumpkin include prescription food in their standard plans, while others like Embrace and Figo require add-on wellness plans. The food must be medically necessary and prescribed after your policy is active to avoid pre-existing condition exclusions.

Will pet insurance cover prescription food for weight management?

Most pet insurance policies don't cover prescription food for general weight management or maintenance. But wellness plans can provide some coverage for weight management diets used in preventive care, like senior nutrition formulas designed to prevent future health problems. Check your policy for weight-related diet coverage.

How do I file a claim for prescription pet food?

To file a prescription food claim, you'll need your vet's documentation showing the prescribed diet is medically necessary for treating a covered condition. Submit your receipt for the food plus the prescription from your vet and medical records explaining the diagnosis. Most insurers process claims within three to five business days after getting all the paperwork.

Are there waiting periods for prescription food coverage?

Prescription food coverage follows your policy's standard waiting periods, usually 14 days for illnesses and longer for specific conditions. But here's what really matters: your pet's condition requiring prescription food must develop after your coverage starts. Pre-existing conditions requiring prescription diets won't be covered no matter how long you wait.

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

PetPlace. "Why Does Pet Food Cost So Much?: A Price Comparison." Accessed August 22, 2025.