Accident-and-illness insurance covers the unexpected — but it almost never covers the routine costs you know are coming: annual exams, vaccines, flea and tick prevention, dental cleanings, and spay/neuter procedures. That’s where wellness plans come in. Offered either as standalone plans or as add-ons to a regular insurance policy, wellness plans reimburse a set amount toward routine and preventive care, usually with no waiting period. This guide covers the best wellness plan options in 2026 and how to decide whether one is worth adding to your budget.
Quick Answer: Best Pet Wellness Plans of 2026
| Company | Plan Type | Annual Limit Options | Approx. Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pumpkin | Standalone Wellness Club or add-on | Varies by tier | ~$20/mo (cats) | Available without a full insurance policy |
| Embrace | Wellness Rewards add-on | $250 / $450 / $650 | $15–$30/mo | Up to 100% reimbursement up to your selected limit |
| MetLife | Preventive 365 / Preventive 575 add-ons | $365 / $575 (incl. $100–$150 dental) | Varies | Dedicated dental cleaning sub-limits |
| Pets Best | Wellness add-on | Up to $535/year | Varies | Reimburses routine care up to annual cap |
| Nationwide | Bundled into comprehensive plan | Varies | Varies | One of few carriers bundling dental cleaning without separate add-on |
| Lemonade | Optional preventive care package | Varies (customizable) | ~$41/mo total for dogs (with wellness) | Customizable add-on alongside base policy |
Costs and limits vary by provider, pet species, age, and location. Always confirm current wellness plan details directly with the provider.
How We Evaluated These Plans
All of these services offered by the plans were noted along with any limitations on how much is reimbursed annually for them, whether the plan is available by itself or is only offered as a supplement to accident/illness coverage, and the estimated monthly premiums for the various policies.
What Wellness Plans Typically Cover
- Annual or bi-annual wellness exams
- Core vaccinations (rabies, distemper, etc.)
- Flea, tick, and heartworm prevention
- Routine bloodwork and fecal tests
- Spay/neuter procedures
- Microchipping
- Dental cleanings (on some plans, often with a separate sub-limit)
Most wellness plans reimburse a fixed dollar amount per item or service (a “benefit schedule”) up to your selected annual limit, rather than a percentage of the cost — though some, like Embrace’s Wellness Rewards, offer up to 100% reimbursement up to the annual limit you choose.
1. Pumpkin Wellness Club — Best Standalone Option
Pumpkin’s Wellness Club is notable for being available as a standalone plan, without requiring you to also purchase Pumpkin’s accident-and-illness insurance. This makes it a flexible option if you already have insurance elsewhere (or don’t want full insurance) but want help with routine costs like vaccinations, screenings, and exams. For cats, Pumpkin’s wellness coverage is among the most affordable, at around $20/month.
Pros:
- Can be purchased without a full insurance policy
- Affordable for cats specifically
- Covers vaccinations, screenings, and exams
Cons:
- Doesn’t cover accidents or illnesses — purely routine care
2. Embrace Wellness Rewards — Best for High Reimbursement Percentage
Embrace’s Wellness Rewards add-on can provide up to 100% reimbursement for eligible routine care expenses, up to your selected annual limit ($250, $450, or $650). At $15–$30/month depending on the tier, it can cover vaccinations, microchipping, spay/neuter, and routine dental cleanings.
Pros:
- Up to 100% reimbursement up to your chosen limit
- Three tiers let you match the plan to how much routine care your pet typically needs
- Includes dental cleaning reimbursement
Cons:
- Adds $15–$30/month on top of your base insurance premium
- Only available as an add-on to an Embrace policy
3. MetLife Preventive 365 / 575 — Best for Dedicated Dental Reimbursement
The Preventive 365 of MetLife provides up to $100 per year for dental cleaning, whereas the Preventive 575 covers $150 per year for the same procedure along with the provision of other items such as vaccinations.
Pros:
- Clear, dedicated dental cleaning sub-limit separate from other wellness items
- Two tiers to match your routine care budget
Cons:
- Add-on to a MetLife insurance policy, not standalone
4. Pets Best Wellness Add-On — Best for Higher Annual Caps
Pets Best offers a wellness add-on with reimbursement up to $535 per year, one of the higher caps among providers offering routine care add-ons.
Pros:
- Higher annual reimbursement cap than many competitors
- Available alongside Pets Best’s accident-and-illness plans in all 50 states, D.C., and Canada
Cons:
- Add-on only, not standalone
Is a Wellness Plan Worth It?
On average, an estimated cost for the wellness plan is about $25 per month, which translates to $300 per year. It will help determine whether it will be worth it by calculating the money spent yearly on basic services, such as the wellness check-up that ranges from $50-$250, vaccinations, prevention of fleas, ticks, and heartworms, and possibly teeth cleaning, ranging from $300-$700 per year. However, it is advisable that if the total money spent on all the above services can be comfortably met than the costs associated with the wellness plan plus its headroom annually, then it will be worth it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do wellness plans have waiting periods?
Most wellness plans have no waiting period, since they cover scheduled, routine care rather than unpredictable accidents or illnesses — you can typically use the benefits shortly after enrollment.
Can I get a wellness plan without buying pet insurance?
In most cases, wellness plans are add-ons to an accident-and-illness policy from the same provider. Pumpkin’s Wellness Club is a notable exception, available as a standalone plan.
Do wellness plans cover dental cleanings?
Some do. Embrace’s Wellness Rewards and MetLife’s Preventive 365/575 plans both include dedicated reimbursement for dental cleanings, while others may cover cleanings only as part of a broader routine care reimbursement pool.
How much does a wellness plan typically cost?
The average cost is around $25/month, though this varies by provider, the annual limit you select, and your pet’s species — cat wellness plans (e.g., Pumpkin at ~$20/month) are often cheaper than dog plans.
Our Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, veterinary, or insurance advice. We are not a licensed insurance agency, and nothing on this page should be taken as a guarantee of coverage, pricing, or claim outcomes. Pet insurance and wellness plan pricing, reimbursement rates, coverage limits, and exclusions vary by state, by pet, and change frequently — always review the official policy documents and get a personalized quote directly from the provider before purchasing a plan. We may earn a commission if you sign up for a plan through links on this page, at no additional cost to you. This does not influence our rankings or opinions, which are based on our independent research of publicly available plan information.
Last updated: June 2026.