Important distinction: Banfield Optimum Wellness Plans (OWP) are not pet insurance. They are prepaid preventive care packages available exclusively at Banfield Pet Hospital locations (inside PetSmart stores). They cover routine wellness visits and preventive procedures — but they do not cover accidents, illnesses, emergencies, cancer treatment, surgery, or any unexpected veterinary costs.
Understanding this distinction matters: many pet owners believe they are "insured" because they have a Banfield plan. They are not. A Banfield OWP covers what you'd budget for anyway (vaccines, exams, heartworm testing). It does not protect against the $3,000–$10,000 bills that make pet insurance valuable.
What Is a Banfield Optimum Wellness Plan?
Banfield OWP is a monthly payment plan for a fixed set of preventive care services at Banfield hospitals. You pay monthly installments (typically $25–$60/month depending on species, age, and plan tier), and in exchange receive a defined list of services at no additional charge when you visit a Banfield location.
It works like a gym membership: you pay monthly whether you use it or not, and services are only available at Banfield locations. It is not insurance — there are no claims, no reimbursements, and no coverage for unexpected events.
Banfield OWP Plans and Pricing
| Plan Tier | Species | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost | Key Services |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Active Care | Dog | ~$30–$35/mo | ~$360–$420/yr | 2 wellness exams, core vaccines, fecal/heartworm test, flea/tick prevention (3 months) |
| Active Care Plus | Dog | ~$40–$50/mo | ~$480–$600/yr | Everything in Active Care + dental cleaning, additional vaccines, 6 months prevention |
| Special Care | Dog (senior) | ~$50–$60/mo | ~$600–$720/yr | Active Care Plus + additional blood panels, urinalysis for senior health monitoring |
| Active Care | Cat | ~$25–$30/mo | ~$300–$360/yr | 2 wellness exams, core vaccines, fecal test, FeLV/FIV test, flea prevention (3 months) |
| Active Care Plus | Cat | ~$35–$45/mo | ~$420–$540/yr | Active Care + dental cleaning, additional vaccines, 6 months prevention |
Prices vary by location and are subject to change. Contact your local Banfield hospital for exact current pricing.
What Banfield OWP Covers
- Comprehensive wellness examinations (2 per year)
- Core vaccines (rabies, DHPP for dogs / FVRCP for cats)
- Non-core vaccines depending on tier (Bordetella, leptospirosis, FeLV)
- Fecal examination (intestinal parasites)
- Heartworm test (dogs)
- FeLV/FIV test (cats)
- Flea and tick prevention (3–12 months depending on tier)
- Dental cleaning (prophylaxis) — Active Care Plus and above
- Blood panels and urinalysis — Special Care (senior) tier only
- Unlimited free office visits at Banfield locations (no per-visit exam fee)
What Banfield OWP Does NOT Cover
| Not Covered | Why It Matters | Typical Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Accidents and injuries | Broken bones, lacerations, trauma — full cost out of pocket | $500–$5,000+ |
| Illnesses | Infections, urinary disease, diabetes — not covered at all | $200–$3,000 per episode |
| Cancer | No coverage for diagnosis or treatment | $5,000–$12,000 |
| Surgery | CCL tear, IVDD, orthopedic procedures — full cost | $3,500–$7,000 |
| Emergency care | Emergency visits not covered by OWP | $500–$5,000 |
| Hereditary conditions | Hip dysplasia, IVDD, BOAS — no coverage | $3,000–$10,000 |
| Specialist referrals | Oncologist, neurologist, cardiologist — no coverage | $300–$800/visit |
| Care at non-Banfield clinics | OWP services only redeemable at Banfield locations | — |
Banfield vs. Pet Insurance: The Critical Difference
| Feature | Banfield OWP | Pet Insurance (A+I) |
|---|---|---|
| Covers wellness/preventive care | ✓ Yes | ✗ No (requires wellness add-on) |
| Covers accidents | ✗ No | ✓ Yes |
| Covers illnesses | ✗ No | ✓ Yes |
| Covers cancer | ✗ No | ✓ Yes |
| Covers emergency care | ✗ No | ✓ Yes |
| Covers surgery | ✗ No | ✓ Yes |
| Monthly cost | $25–$60/mo | $11–$70+/mo |
| Usable at any vet | ✗ Banfield only | ✓ Any licensed vet |
| Financial protection against large bills | ✗ None | ✓ Core purpose |
Should You Use Banfield OWP Alongside Pet Insurance?
Many pet owners use both: a Banfield OWP to cover routine preventive care at a predictable monthly cost, plus a separate accident and illness pet insurance policy to cover unexpected events. This combination works if:
- You already use Banfield as your primary vet and make at least 2 wellness visits per year
- The dental cleaning inclusion in Active Care Plus makes the plan cost-effective (dental cleaning alone: $200–$600)
- The unlimited free office visits at Banfield reduce your per-visit costs for minor concerns
Cost comparison for combined approach:
- Banfield Active Care Plus (dog): ~$45/month
- Lemonade or Spot A+I (dog, standard settings): ~$22–$26/month
- Total combined: ~$67–$71/month for full preventive + emergency/illness coverage
Compare this against a Nationwide Whole Pet with Wellness plan (~$65–$80/month) — the combined Banfield + Spot/Lemonade approach is often similar in cost with better claims flexibility (pet insurance works at any vet, not just Banfield).
Banfield OWP Contract Terms
Banfield OWP is a 12-month contract. Key terms to understand:
- Monthly auto-pay: You are billed monthly for the full plan year
- Cancellation: If you cancel mid-year, Banfield charges for services already rendered at retail price — which may exceed what you paid in monthly installments
- If your pet dies: Banfield has a provision waiving the remaining balance in documented cases of pet death
- Auto-renewal: Plans auto-renew annually — cancel before renewal date if not continuing
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Predictable monthly cost for routine care | NOT insurance — no emergency/illness protection |
| Unlimited free office visits at Banfield | Only usable at Banfield locations (inside PetSmart) |
| Dental cleaning included (Plus tier) | 12-month contract with cancellation penalties |
| Good for multi-visit households (frequent minor concerns) | More expensive than building equivalent wellness add-on separately |
| No claims process for covered services | No financial protection against large unexpected bills |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Banfield pet insurance?
No — Banfield Optimum Wellness Plans (OWP) are not pet insurance. They are prepaid preventive care packages covering routine wellness visits and preventive procedures at Banfield hospitals. They do not cover accidents, illnesses, surgery, cancer treatment, or any emergency care. Owners with only a Banfield plan have no financial protection against unexpected veterinary bills.
How much is a Banfield Wellness Plan per month?
Banfield OWP costs approximately $25–$35/month for cats and $30–$60/month for dogs, depending on the tier (Active Care, Active Care Plus, Special Care for seniors) and your location. Prices vary by Banfield hospital and are not published nationally — visit your local Banfield or their website for current pricing in your area.
Is a Banfield Wellness Plan worth it?
For regular Banfield customers who make 2+ wellness visits per year: the Active Care Plus plan often breaks even or saves money when dental cleaning is included (cleaning value: $200–$600). For pet owners who don't regularly use Banfield or who go to independent vets, the plan provides little value — a wellness add-on through Embrace, Pets Best, or ASPCA (usable at any vet) is a more flexible alternative.
Can I use a Banfield plan with pet insurance?
Yes — Banfield OWP and pet insurance cover different things and can be used together. Banfield OWP covers routine preventive care at Banfield locations; pet insurance covers unexpected accidents and illnesses at any licensed vet. Many owners use both. The main consideration is whether the combined monthly cost ($45–$70/month) delivers better value than a single all-in-one wellness plan from Nationwide or a lower-cost A+I plan with a wellness add-on.