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Banfield Pet Hospital purchased PetSmart’s clinics, PetSmart Veterinary Services back in the year 2000. They now operate out of more than 1,000 PetSmart locations nationwide providing veterinary care and services for pets.
Banfield offers veterinary care packages called Optimum Wellness Plans to help pet parents offset the cost of preventative care for dogs and cats. These wellness plans are not to be confused with pet insurance, as these are not technically insurance policies and do not offer the same scope of coverage.
In this article, we will take an extensive look into the Optimum Wellness Plans offered by Banfield through PetSmart and see how they compare against pet insurance policies.
We give PetSmart Pet Insurance a rating of 3.8 out of 5 stars.
PetSmart’s Banfield Pet Wellness Plan Review
- Unlimited office visits
- Covers preventative care services
- Personalized plans available
- Discounts for Banfield products and services
- Available across the United States
- No coverage for accidents or illnesses
- Services only covered at Banfield locations
- An annual contract is required
- Plans are expensive compared to wellness add-ons for pet insurance
- Customers feel pressured by staff upselling at appointments
Other Top Rated Pet Insurance Companies
About PetSmart’s Banfield Partner
PetSmart’s partner, Banfield Pet Hospital, operates out of PetSmart locations and offers veterinary services right there within the store. They also have Optimum Wellness Plans for pets that take care of preventative care services in full for either a monthly or yearly installment.
These wellness plans should not be confused with your typical pet insurance policy, as they differ greatly. With pet insurance, you either pay a monthly or yearly premium in conjunction with an established deductible, reimbursement percentage, and an annual limit for coverage.
Pet insurance policies can vary but typically cover accidents and illnesses, but some do offer additional wellness packages as an add-on service. With Banfield’s Optimum Wellness Plan, things like accidents and illnesses are not covered since these packages are for preventative care only. There are three different levels available for both dogs and cats.
Pricing & Plans (Updated in 2025)
Optimum Wellness Plans
| Company | Average Monthly Cost For Dogs | Average Monthly Cost For Cats | Learn More |
| Banfield Optimum | $59.95 | $49.95 | Get Quote |
| Spot | $38 | $17 | Get Quote |
| Lemonade | $46 | $27 | Get Quote |
| Embrace | $20 | $10 | Get Quote |
| Trupanion | $131 | $51 | Get Quote |
| Fetch | $35 | $20 | Get Quote |
| Healthy Paws | $49 | $19 | Get Quote |
* Prices vary depending on your pet’s age, breed, and location. Averages updated January 2024.
Base Policy
Banfield offers three different Optimum Wellness Plans so pet owners can choose which best suits their needs. These plans are available for both dogs and cats. They also have separate puppy and kitten packages for those 6 months old or younger. Customers pay a fixed price for services each month regardless of breed, age, and medical history.
Customizations
Banfield’s services do not offer the same type of flexible plan customizations found with your average pet insurance policy, which involves deductibles, reimbursement percentages, and annual limits. Here’s an extensive overview of the plans offered within Banfield’s wellness packages:
Dogs and Cats
Active Care
The Active Care Plan is the least expensive package offered by Banfield. It’s in place to cover all the basics of routine care.
- Office visits (unlimited)
- Vet chat (unlimited)
- Virtual visits (limited to 2/year)
- Pet Wellness one-on-one visit (limited to 1/year)
- Comprehensive physical exam (limited to 2/year)
- Vaccinations
- Diagnostic testing (limited to 1/year)
- Fecal exams (limited to 2/year)
- Deworming (limited to 2/year)
- Health certificates
- 10% discounts on Banfield products and services
Active Care Plus
The Active Care Plus Package includes everything in the Active Care plan but includes one professional dental cleaning per year, urine testing, and an increased discount on Banfield products and services.
- Office visits (unlimited)
- Vet chat (unlimited)
- Virtual visits (limited to 2/year)
- Pet Wellness one-on-one visit (limited to 1/year)
- Comprehensive physical exam (limited to 2/year)
- Vaccinations
- Diagnostic testing (limited to 1/year)
- Fecal exams (limited to 2/year)
- Deworming (limited to 2/year)
- Health certificates
- Professional dental cleaning (limited to 1/year)
- Urine testing
- 15% discount on Banfield products and services
Special Care
The Special Care package is for dogs and cats with more chronic issues who need a little extra TLC. This package includes everything that the Active Care Plus package includes, plus preventative X-rays, eye pressure tests, electrocardiograms, and an increase in the discount for Banfield products and services.
- Office visits (unlimited)
- Vet chat (unlimited)
- Virtual visits (limited to 2/year)
- Pet Wellness one-on-one visit (limited to 1/year)
- Comprehensive physical exam (limited to 2/year)
- Vaccinations
- Diagnostic testing (limited to 1/year)
- Fecal exams (limited to 2/year)
- Deworming (limited to 2/year)
- Health certificates
- Professional dental cleaning (limited to 1/year)
- Urine testing
- Preventative X-rays (limited to 3 views)
- Eye pressure test (limited to 2/year)
- Electrocardiograms (dogs only, limited to 2/year)
- Additional diagnostics (cats only, limited to 1/year)
- 20% discount on Banfield products and services
Puppies and Kittens
Banfield’s Optimum Wellness Plans also feature packages for the little ones. Preventative care within the first six months is a bit different, which is why the puppy and kitten packages are offered. They feature the Early Care plan and the Early Care Plus plan.
The only difference between the two is that the Early Care Plus Plan will cover spay or neuter surgery and offers a 15% discount on Banfield products and services compared to the 10% discount for the Early Care plan. Once your puppy or kitten reaches six months of age, they will be eligible for the dog and cat packages.
- Office visits (unlimited)
- Vet chat (unlimited)
- Virtual visits (limited to 2/year)
- Pet Wellness one-on-one visit (limited to 1/year)
- Comprehensive physical exam (limited to 2/year)
- Vaccinations
- Diagnostic testing (limited to 1/year)
- Fecal exams (limited to 3/year)
- Deworming (limited to 4/year)
- Health certificates
- Spay or Neuter (Early Care Plus only)
- Discount on Banfield products and services
- Wisdom Panel Canine DNA Test (puppies only)
Parasite Control Add-On
Parasite prevention is another important aspect of preventative care. While parasite-preventative medication is not included in any wellness plans, it’s an optional add-on that can be included in your monthly or yearly plan cost.
Banfield Price Comparison for Dogs
Pet insurance companies will base a dog’s insurance policy prices on their size, breed, age, location, and the agreed-upon coverage plan. Banfield’s wellness plans do not base their prices on anything other than the chosen package and your geographical location.
Here’s an example of the monthly cost comparison for a young Great Dane in Fort Worth, Texas, compared to the monthly cost of a senior French Bulldog in the same location:
| Great Dane | French Bulldog | |
| Male or Female | Male | Female |
| Age | 1 | 9 |
| Location | Fort Worth, TX | Fort Worth, TX |
| Reimbursement Level | None | None |
| Annual Deductible | None | None |
| Annual Max | None | None |
| Price per Month for the Active Care plan | $35.95 | $35.95 |
Banfield Price Comparison Dogs vs Cats
Pricing for Banfield’s wellness plans is dependent on your location. Unlike pet insurance, they do not base their prices on breed, medical history, or age unless your pet is eligible for puppy or kitten packages.
| Banfield Optimum Wellness Plan | Monthly Cost for Dogs | Monthly Cost for Puppies | Monthly Cost for Cats | Monthly Cost for Kittens |
| Active Care | $35.95/month | $39.95/month (Early Care) | $27.95 | $36.95/month (Early Care) |
| Active Care Plus | $46.95/month | $49.95/month (Early Care Plus) | $41.95 | $43.95 (Early Care Plus) |
| Special Care | $59.95/month | Not Available | $49.95 | Not Available |
Deductibles & Claims
One of the upsides to having a wellness plan through Banfield is that you don’t have to worry about meeting a deductible or submitting any claims. This service operates much differently than your average pet insurance policy. With Banfield, you will either pay a monthly or yearly installment for your pet’s care and will face no upfront costs for the services you receive that fall within that scope.
What Do Banfield’s Optimum Wellness Plans Cover?
Banfield’s Optimum Wellness Plans cover a wide variety of preventive care services. Specific limitations and extra services are dependent on which package you choose and the age of your dog or cat. While we have covered the specifics in detail above, here’s a comprehensive list that includes all the available services covered by the company and a list of what will not be covered.
- Office visits
- Vet Chat™
- Virtual Visits
- Pet Wellness One-on-One visits
- Comprehensive physical exams
- Vaccinations
- Diagnostic testing
- Fecal exams
- Deworming
- Unlimited interstate health certificates
- Professional dental cleaning
- Urine testing
- Preventive x-rays
- Eye pressure test
- Electrocardiograms
- Discounts on most other Banfield products and services
- Accident coverage
- Illness coverage
- Emergency care
- Services related to accidents or illnesses
- Care received outside of Banfield Pet Hospital
- Prescription medication
- Supplements
- Alternative therapies
- Behavioral issues
Pre-Existing Conditions
The Banfield Optimum Wellness Plans do not cover any specific coverage for pre-existing conditions since the plans are designed specifically for preventative and routine care services, but office visits for both new and existing health concerns are included. Treatment for any pre-existing condition will not be covered in a wellness plan but it’s important to note that no pet insurance providers offer coverage for pre-existing conditions, either.
Waiting Periods
Unlike pet insurance policies, Banfield’s Optimum Wellness Plans do not have a waiting period for care. Once your pet is enrolled under your chosen package, they are immediately eligible for all the services covered by your plan.
Reviews From Customers
Customers offer mixed reviews regarding Banfield’s wellness plans. While it’s convenient to pay a monthly fee upfront without having to worry about any other costs for preventative care, there are costs associated with any injuries or illnesses.
Some people feel they would be better off paying upfront for costs rather than committing to a full year of monthly payments, while others are grateful to have a wellness plan, especially for puppies and kittens that have more extensive preventative care needs within the first several months of life.
Certain customers felt pressured during appointments, and the staff tried to upsell their various products and services, so they rarely escaped appointments free of charge.
The biggest complaint among customers was the 12-month commitment to pricing and an expensive fee if you wish to cancel early. There were instances where pets had passed away and Banfield insisted they either wait until the 12-month plan is completed or pay the associated fee, which was highly frowned upon by many.
FAQ
What Are the Main Differences Between an Optimum Wellness Plan and Pet Insurance?
Pet Insurance takes a more reactive approach to cover accidents and illnesses that occur unexpectedly and could pop up at any time. Wellness plans offer a more proactive approach and focus on preventative medicine. Here’s a quick comparison between Banfield’s wellness plans and traditional pet insurance:
- Includes office visits for new and existing pet health concerns
- Single base price regardless of breed, age, or medical history
- Fixed pricing for certain packages
- No deductibles, claims, reimbursements, or annual coverage limits
- No coverage for accidents, illnesses, or emergency services
- The plan is only effective for care at Banfield Pet Hospital
- Coverage for accidents and illnesses
- Involves deductibles, reimbursement percentages, and annual limits
- Customization options for coverage
- Occasional wellness plans as add-ons only
- Premiums vary depending on the pet’s breed, age, and medical history
- Only provides reimbursement once the deductible is met
- Covers most (if not all) veterinary clinics in the USA
How Is Payment Collected for Optimum Wellness Plans?
There is an enrollment fee when setting up a Banfield Optimum Wellness Plan. In addition to the enrollment fee, you can either choose to pay for the full year upfront, or you can set up a 12-month payment plan.
If you pay for a full year in advance, you will need to re-enroll each year without an enrollment fee if done within 90 days of the plan lapsing. If you pay monthly for the 12 months, you will automatically be re-enrolled each year with no additional re-enrollment fees.
Are There Any Multiple Pet or Other Discounts?
There is only a discount on each additional pet’s enrollment fee, not on their plan costs. As for other discounts, no others are available except for the discount percentages on certain products and services offered by Banfield.
Our Verdict
While Banfield does not offer traditional pet insurance or any type of accident or illness coverage, they do have comprehensive wellness plans that can help offset the cost of preventative veterinary care. There are some mixed reviews among consumers and there’s no shortage of bad reviews, but we do like the variety of choices and services offered, especially for kittens and puppies that have more preventative care needs during those first 6 months.
PangoVet acknowledges that it is not licensed as an insurance agent, and therefore will not offer any insurance advice, nor recommend a particular coverage, policy, or insurance company.
