Embrace Pet Insurance for Older Dogs with Dental Extraction Coverage: Expert Review 2026

We view our animals, particularly pets, as members of our family. They provide us with love, companionship and loyalty unconditionally. With time, however, their health care needs (including dental health) become increasingly difficult and expensive to manage.

Through many years of researching and reviewing pet insurance policies I can this is especially true when it comes to common health issues involving senior dogs’ teeth. Unfortunately, dental issues are often times overlooked by most pet parents and result in being one of their most costly expenses as well.

In addition to having an increased risk of developing gingivitis, periodontal disease, fractured teeth, painful infections, and require surgical procedures such as extraction (which can often cost thousands of dollars), many dog owners are unprepared to carry these costs. The most effective means of protecting all pets from these expensive dental health issues is Embrace Pet Insurance that has been specifically designed to cover older dogs and include coverage for dental extractions.

Why Dental Coverage Matters for Older Dogs

The gums and teeth of dogs are not merely cosmetic problems. Poor oral hygiene can also lead to physical issues, including heart disease, kidney failure, and septicemia (bacterial infection from bloodstream). I have witnessed through in-home consultations with veterinary doctors that minor tooth decay can rapidly worsen; I have a dog who recently developed periodontal disease and had to have several teeth extracted. The veterinarian did not have an insurance policy on this twelve-year-old Golden Retriever but would have had to spend $1,200 out-of-pocket. Thanks to Embrace’s policy, much of what they had to pay was reimbursed, preventing the owner from experiencing financial strain while allowing the dog to receive proper medical treatment.

According to my experience:

“I have heard many owners underestimate the importance of dental health in older dogs. By the time most owners start to notice issues with their dogs’ teeth (for instance, going without dental care for several years), it generally costs hundreds to thousands of dollars, depending on the severity of their condition and type of procedures required to fix them, without taking into account the stress it causes the dog.”

Embrace Pet Insurance is very helpful in providing coverage for dental extractions caused by injury or illness, making it an excellent value for older dogs with a history of dental disease.

Does Embrace Pet Insurance Cover Dental Extractions?

Embrace does include dental extractions under its policies; however, this will depend on whether or not the dental condition was present prior to the effective policy start date. Based on Embrace’s policy guidelines:

• An extraction resulting from an accident ( i.e. chewing a bone and breaking the tooth) is generally covered by Embrace.
• An extraction resulting from a disease (i.e. developing periodontal disease after the effective date) is also usually covered by Embrace.
• Pre-existing dental conditions are not covered by any pet insurance company.

For senior pets, this can be life changing. I have seen cases where a senior dog requires an extraction due to advanced periodontal disease and the pet owner is able to save between $700 and $1,000 for each extraction because of insurance coverage.

Real-life example:

A 13 year old Labrador needed to have 4 teeth extracted due to infection. Embrace’s claim reimbursed him 80% of a $1,050 veterinarian bill that he would have otherwise had to pay out of his own pocket.

Are Older Dogs Eligible?

Eligibility of dogs age based on the time of enrollment:

• All dogs 15 years and younger will have full coverage for accidents and illnesses (including dental procedures).
• All dogs older than 15 years will only have coverage for accidents; no coverage will be provided for either illness or dental diseases.
• The age restriction highlights the need to enroll older dogs while they are still healthy. If you wait too long, there could be restrictions on your coverage, especially for dental procedures that often affect older dogs.

My research supports this premise; “Timing is very important when insuring older dogs; early enrollment provides for the pre-existing nature of all age-related conditions.”

Combined Coverage: Dental + Senior Dog Insurance

Older dogs are at a greater risk for developing chronic diseases and for experiencing mobility and/or dental issues. An all-inclusive policy that covers both dental and wellness includes:

• Peace of Mind: An owner will not have to worry about the financial burden of an unexpected dental extraction.
• Preventative Care Options Available (such as “Wellness Rewards” provided by Embrace); will reimburse an owner for preventative teeth cleaning and routine dental check-ups.
• Pre-existing Conditions (such as: arthritis; diabetes; and heart disease) are typically covered under senior policies.

By using a combined coverage approach, you are assuring your dog receives a complete level of care without jeopardizing their teeth or overall well-being.

Cost Factors & Limitations

Older dog premiums are proportionately higher as there is a greater potential risk, based on:

• Age: older dogs have more expensive premiums due to increased potential for illness.
• Breed: large or high risk breeds usually have more expensive premiums.
• Geography: veterinary expenses vary by region and therefore premiums are affected by where you live.
• Coverage type: accident only vs. accident + illness.

Limitations to note:

Dental issues pre-existing are not covered.

• Average annual dental expense coverage cap is between $1,000-$2,500 depending on company, so extensive extractions and oral surgeries may not be covered at all.
• Dogs aged 15+ usually have no coverage for illness or age-related dental disease; only accident coverage.
• Despite these limitations, the cost savings from dental extraction of older dogs due to fancier dog food is still significant.

Alternatives can be explored if Embrace will not provide complete coverage.

Alternatives if Embrace Doesn’t Fully Cover

If Embrace’s dental coverage doesn’t meet your needs, consider:

• Add-on for wellness rewards for reimbursement of preventive dental care.
• Consider other insurers such as Healthy Paws, ASPCA and Nationwide, who provide different levels of reimbursement for DVM costs associated with dental and senior dogs.
• Establish a pet savings fund or consider financing options at the veterinarian’s office to help cover unexpected dental care costs on a monthly basis.

In my experience, “The most comprehensive method of providing financial coverage for a senior dog is through the use of an insurance policy and a small emergency fund.”

Pros & Cons of Embrace Pet Insurance for Older Dogs

Pros:

• Dental extractions are covered if the extraction is for illness or an accident.
• Dogs under 15 can get full accident and illness coverage.
• An add-on for preventive care can be added with the Wellness Rewards add-on.
• Saves pet owners from financial hardship when procedures are expensive.

Cons:

• Senior dogs are much more expensive than standard dog health insurance premiums.
• If your pet has a cap on annual dental care, it may not cover extensive repairs.
• Pre-existing conditions cannot be covered.
• Dogs over 15 are limited in coverage and will not be able to get full dental coverage.

Example Quote:

“Investing in dental coverage for your senior dogs can save thousands over the dog’s golden years. Preventive care is cheaper than emergency surgery.”

Common Mistakes Pet Owners Make

• Not signing your pet up soon enough; especially for older dogs you may miss out on maximum coverage.
• Ignoring dental health; having a yearly dental evaluation is an important part of the care of your pet.
• Thinking that coverage is automatic; add-ons such as preventative care Wellness Rewards may need to be purchased.
• Not going over the fine print; it is critical to review your limits for annual conditions, exclusions, and waiting periods.

FAQ’s

Does Embrace pet insurance cover dog dental extractions?

Yes, for illness or accident-related extractions that are not pre-existing. Annual cap is $1,000, with additional coverage possible via Wellness Rewards add-on.

Are pre-existing dental problems covered?

No, any dental issues present before policy start are excluded.

Can older dogs get coverage from Embrace?

Dogs under 15 can get full accident and illness coverage. Dogs 15+ are eligible for accident-only coverage.

If my dog is 15+, can dental extractions be covered?

No, at age 15+ dental disease is excluded. Only accident-related injuries are covered.

How much dental coverage does Embrace provide?

Up to $1,000 per year for dental illness or extractions, depending on the plan.

Is there an option to cover routine cleanings or preventive dental care?

Yes, through the Wellness Rewards add-on, which reimburses preventive dental visits and cleanings.

What should I do before choosing a plan for a senior dog?

Review age limits, annual caps, exclusions, and optional wellness add-ons to ensure full coverage for expected dental needs.

Conclusion

Your older dog’s oral health is an essential factor in your dog’s overall health. From my experience, when there are no dental benefits for older dogs, there’s a higher likelihood of pain and emotional and financial distress due to the need for painful surgeries or high bills.

Embrace Pet Insurance provides a solution to the above problem by covering dental extractions and age-related illnesses for dogs up to age 15, and additionally offers optional Wellness Rewards for preventative care. By providing both preventative and emergency coverage, you ensure that your dog can enjoy their golden years healthy, happy and pain-free.

“Investing in senior dog insurance today will help to save thousands of dollars on unexpected veterinary bills and help improve your dog’s quality of life.”

• American Veterinary Medical Association – Dental Health for Dogs
• ASPCA – Dog Care & Preventive Health
• American Veterinary Dental College – Canine Oral Health Resources

About the Author 📚

M. Nouman is a dedicated pet insurance researcher with over 7 years of experience helping U.S. pet parents find affordable, trusted coverage. Working closely with veterinary professionals, Nouman ensures that every article on PetCoverUSA is accurate, reliable, and backed by real data.