Nationwide Reveals Top Pet Insurance Claims for 14th Consecutive Year

Nationwide Shares Insights on Common Pet Health Issues

COLUMBUS, Ohio, March 19, 2025 – Regular veterinary visits are a fundamental part of responsible pet ownership. Nationwide®, a leading pet insurance provider, has released its annual analysis of the most frequent pet insurance claims, offering valuable insights into the health concerns affecting dogs and cats across the country.

“From skin irritations to digestive upset, the health issues most commonly affecting pets are the ones veterinarians see every day,” stated Dr. Emily Tincher, Chief Veterinary Officer at Nationwide. “The financial implications of a chronic condition can be just as concerning as the diagnosis itself, as many of these conditions require ongoing care, with costs potentially increasing considerably over time. Being aware of the potential health risks and planning in advance can help pet owners successfully navigate these challenges and ensure their pets receive the care they need.”

Key Findings for Canine Companions

For the 13th consecutive year, skin allergies remain the most prevalent health concern for dogs covered by Nationwide pet insurance.

The top eight conditions reported during 2023-2024 remained unchanged. However, a new condition, kidney failure, has now appeared on the list.

Respiratory infection dropped out of the top 10, having been ranked ninth in 2023, although it remains in the top 15. Notably, cruciate tears, seizures, and respiratory infections are closely ranked, with kidney failure edging slightly above the others.

Below is a list of the top conditions for Nationwide-insured dogs, along with the costs generally reported within the first 30 days after diagnosis:

• 1. Skin allergies: $265
• 2. Gastroenteritis: $702
• 3. Otitis externa: $304
• 4. Osteoarthritis: $414
• 5. Trauma: $708
• 6. Dental disease: $1,284
• 7. Urinary tract infection: $533
• 8. Valvular heart disease: $553
• 9. Liver disease: $499
• 10. Kidney failure: $575

It’s worth noting that five of the top ten dog conditions are chronic, meaning they require long-term care. Reported full-year costs for these chronic conditions are:

• Skin allergies: $841
• Arthritis: $1,093
• Heart disease: $1,203
• Liver disease: $770
• Kidney failure: $992

Cat Health: Top Conditions

For the second year running, gastrointestinal upset or diarrhea leads the list of most common health issues in cats.

The top six conditions remained consistent with last year’s reports, but there was some shifting in the rankings of the bottom four: respiratory infection, diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, and skin allergies. Below are the top conditions for Nationwide-insured cats, with costs reported for the first 30 days after diagnosis:

• 1. Gastroenteritis: $802
• 2. Urinary tract disease: $943
• 3. Kidney failure: $655
• 4. Dental disease: $1,517
• 5. Osteoarthritis: $439
• 6. Hyperthyroid disease: $511
• 7. Inflammatory bowel disease: $828
• 8. Diabetes mellitus: $850
• 9. Respiratory infection: $534
• 10. Skin allergies: $318

Six of the top ten conditions for cats are chronic, which means they can lead to ongoing costs. Full-year costs reported for these conditions are:

• Kidney disease: $1,201
• Arthritis: $1,274
• Hyperthyroidism: $1,145
• Inflammatory bowel disease: $1,464
• Diabetes: $2,240
• Skin allergies: $592

While not all health issues can be prevented, pet owners can take steps to minimize risks, recognize early symptoms, and help reduce the severity of conditions through proper care and preventative medicine. Pet owners can find additional information about pet diseases and conditions by visiting the Nationwide Pet HealthZone®, a free resource covering over 100 dog breeds and 11 cat breeds.

Nationwide pet health insurance offers reimbursement for qualified expenses incurred for the diagnosis and treatment of many commonly occurring conditions. To find out more about coverage options and plans, visit petinsurance.com.

*These numbers were calculated by analyzing the 80th percentile of costs Nationwide pet insurance policyholders reported within the first 30 days after diagnosis for a given condition.

*These numbers were calculated by analyzing the 80th percentile of costs Nationwide pet insurance policyholders reported within the first year after diagnosis for a given condition