Top 10 most common veterinary claims for dogs and cats

Some veterinary visits are truly unexpected—as highlighted by our annual Hambone Awards®—but most pet health conditions are quite common indeed.

“Often when people think about financially preparing for different conditions for their cat or for their dog, we tend to think about the catastrophic things—the really unexpected things,” says Dr. Emily Tincher, Chief Veterinary Officer at Nationwide. “This top 10 list for dogs and cats is proof that the everyday health issues have the most impact, especially as you’re planning financially to care for your pet.”

We analyzed our database of more than 1 million actively insured pets to identify the most common medical conditions affecting dogs and cats—and the financial impact these diagnoses can have on pet families. Here’s what we uncovered, and what pet parents can do to learn more about common conditions for their pet’s specific breed and age.

Top conditions and costs for Nationwide-insured dogs

The amounts shown below with each condition represent the cost of care within the first 30 days of diagnosis based on Nationwide claims data:

1. Skin allergies - Skin irritation and itchiness, a chronic condition. Veterinary bill: $265
2. Diarrhea/intestinal upset - Vomiting and/or diarrhea, often from eating something outside of the normal diet. Veterinary bill: $702
3. Ear infection - Infection, irritation, and painful itchiness of the ears. Veterinary bill: $304
4. Arthritis - Painful joint inflammation, causing decreased activity or playfulness, a chronic condition. Veterinary bill: $414
5. Trauma - Unexpected injury like an animal bite or after being hit by a car. Veterinary bill: $708
6. Dental disease - Gum disease and dental tartar that can cause tooth damage or loss. Veterinary bill: $1,284
7. Urinary tract infection - Infection, usually of the bladder, causing painful and frequent urination. Veterinary bill: $533
8. Heart disease - Disease of the heart muscle or valves, a chronic condition. Veterinary bill: $553
9. Liver disease - Disease affecting the liver causing GI upset and sometimes jaundice, a chronic condition. Veterinary bill: $499
10. Kidney failure - Loss of kidney function causing toxins to build up in the body, a chronic condition. Veterinary bill: $575

Top conditions and costs for Nationwide-insured cats

The amounts shown below with each condition represent the cost of care within the first 30 days of diagnosis based on Nationwide claims data:

1. Diarrhea/intestinal upset - Vomiting and/or diarrhea, often from eating something outside of the normal diet. Veterinary bill: $802
2. Urinary tract disease - Disorders affecting the urinary tract including infection or blockage. Veterinary bill: $943
3. Kidney failure - Loss of kidney function causing toxins to build up in the body, a chronic condition. Veterinary bill: $655
4. Dental disease - Gum disease and dental tartar that can cause tooth damage or loss. Veterinary bill: $1,517
5. Arthritis - Painful joint inflammation, causing decreased activity or playfulness, a chronic condition. Veterinary bill: $439
6. Hyperthyroidism - High thyroid hormone production causing weight loss and hyperactivity, a chronic condition. Veterinary bill: $511
7. Inflammatory bowel disease - Inflammation the stomach and intestines causing diarrhea or vomiting, a chronic condition. Veterinary bill: $828
8. Diabetes - Abnormal insulin causing high blood sugar and drinking/peeing excessively, a chronic condition. Veterinary bill: $850
9. Respiratory infection - Infection of the upper respiratory system or lungs. Veterinary bill: $534
10. Skin allergies - Skin irritation and itchiness, a chronic condition. Veterinary bill: $318

Chronic conditions

Chronic conditions represent 50% of dog and 60% of cat conditions listed. A chronic condition is defined as a health issue that lasts for an extended period, typically more than six months, that requires ongoing medical attention. These conditions cannot usually be cured but can be managed with appropriate treatments and lifestyle modifications.

“From itchy skin to upset stomachs, the most common health issues affecting pets are the ones veterinarians see every day,” says Dr. Tincher. “When a pet is diagnosed with a chronic condition, the financial impact can be just as worrying as the diagnosis itself. Many of these conditions require ongoing care, with costs increasing significantly over time. Understanding potential health risks and planning ahead can help pet parents navigate these challenges and ensure their pets receive the care they need.”

For example, skin allergies are the top condition in dogs for the 13th year in a row. The initial cost to get allergies under control might come in around $265, but the annual cost to manage this chronic dog condition adds up to $841.

“When we acknowledge that skin allergies are usually diagnosed for puppies around 6 months old to maybe a young adult around 3 years of age, even if the cost of care didn’t rise at all over the lifetime of your dog, that means pet families are likely to spend $8,000-$10,000 just to keep their dog comfortable and not itchy,” says Dr. Tincher.

Planning for your pet’s health

The first step in combating common conditions is knowing where to look. Different pet breeds, species and age groups will tend to experience different conditions. The Nationwide Pet HealthZone® offers insight to top pet health conditions, including symptoms to watch for, preventive measures and more. Pet parents can also build a free health report customized to their pet’s breed and age.

Get started at thepethealthzone.com.