Top 10 Dog and Cat Health Issues

Pets Best, a leading U.S. pet health insurance agency, was founded by a veterinarian in 2005 with a mission to save pets. Since then, Pets Best has paid nearly $150 million in pet insurance claims to pet parents across the U.S. In reviewing 11 years’ worth of claims data, Pets Best has determined the 10 most common dog and cat health issues, based on the most common claims received.

Top 10 Dog Health Issues

1. Environmental Allergies (Atopy) – 9.7 percent
2. Ear Infections (Otitis) – 5 percent
3. Cancer (all types) – 4.2 percent
4. Osteoarthritis – 3.3 percent
5. Mass – 2.7 percent
6. Cruciate Ligament Injury – 2.5 percent
7. Gastrointestinal Condition – 2.3 percent
8. Hypothyroidism – 2.2 percent
9. Pyoderma – 1.9 percent
10. Lameness – 1.7 percent

Environmental allergies (also known as Atopy in veterinary medicine), are the number one claim Pets Best receives for dogs. They account for nearly 10 percent of all the pet insurance claims for dogs. Environmental allergies can be seasonal in nature but they can also be chronic, requiring on-going treatment such as a daily medication. Of these environmental allergy claims Pets Best has received, one of the largest claims paid was for $4,936. The sixth most common claim is for Cruciate ligament injuries, accounting for 2.5 percent of all pet insurance claims for dogs, which often require costly surgeries. For Cruciate ligament claims Pets Best received, one of the largest claims paid was for $6,542.

Top 10 Cat Health Issues

1. Chronic Kidney Failure (Renal Failure) – 9.3 percent
2. Hyperthyroidism – 7.1 percent
3. Cancer (all types) – 6.6 percent
4. Diabetes Mellitus – 4 percent
5. Allergies (all types) – 2.6 percent
6. Inflammatory Bowel Disease – 2.5 percent
7. Gastrointestinal Condition 2.3 percent
8. Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD) – 2.1 percent
9. Urinary Tract Infection – 2 percent
10. Ear Infections (Otitis) – 1.8 percent

Kidney (renal) failure is the most common claim for cats. It accounts for over 9 percent of all the pet insurance claims for cats that Pets Best receives. Kidney failure is a chronic disease, so ongoing treatment can become expensive; one of the largest claims paid was for $5,909. Considering there are thousands of health issues that pet insurance can cover, a health issue ranking in the top 10 most common is definitely worth noting. Pet insurance covers future health issues that occur after the policy is in effect, so it's important for pet parents to get their dog or cat enrolled on a pet insurance plan as soon as possible. Learn more: What else does pet insurance cover?  Start My Pet Insurance Quote Photos: Boston, a black Labrador retriever dog, has been a Pets Best member since 2008. Scotch, an American shorthair cat, has been a Pets Best member since 2012. Pets Best claims data referenced is from September 2005 through May 1, 2016.