8 Illness Claims with the Largest Changes in Pet Insurance Claim Costs (2023-2024)

Why Do Claim Costs Increase?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the cost of veterinary services rose 7.6% between May of 2023 and May of 2024 (“Table 2. Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U): U. S. City Average, by Detailed Expenditure Category”). Increasing costs for medical supplies, tests, and pharmaceuticals can all affect how much veterinary clinics charge for their services. In recent years, veterinarians have also highlighted the role of corporations in purchasing veterinary clinics and hospitals and how this can play a role in increasing prices (Kohler).

Pet parents with pet insurance submit their itemized vet bills with their insurance claims, meaning increases or decreases can affect the cost of their claims. Cases with more complex conditions or treatments, the use of new diagnostic tools or procedures, or an increase in chronic or recurring health issues can all play a role in treatment costs and by extension claim averages. Geographical differences or inflation can also influence the cost of vet care and have a role in the discussion of claim averages.

In analyzing internal data from Spot Pet Insurance, certain trends in the average claim costs for common illnesses have emerged. This article will present five conditions that experienced increases in their average claim costs, and three illnesses with decreases in average claim costs between Jan. 2023 and Oct. 2024.

Conditions with an Increase in Average Claim Costs

1. Behavioral Conditions: Spot pet insurance plans can cover the cost of behavioral therapies meant to treat behavioral conditions like anxiety or aggression in pets when prescribed by a vet.

Certain breeds can be predisposed to developing these behavioral conditions. For example, breeds like Rottweilers and Dobermans are genetically predisposed to be more reactive, but any dog can become aggressive(Willis). Other breeds are predisposed to anxious behavior, examples include Border Collies, Labrador Retrievers, German Shepherds, and Australian Shepherds (Dugal).

Between 2023 and 2024, the average claim cost for behavioral conditions has increased by 22%^*.

2. Otitis: Otitis is an ear infection that causes inflammation of the outer, middle, or inner ear (Wag). Breeds with large, floppy ears like cocker spaniels, miniature poodles, and Old English Sheepdogs are more prone to Otitis, but any breed can develop an ear infection (Weir).

The average claim cost for Otitis increased by 16% between 2023 and 2024^*.

3. Periodontal Disease: Also known as gum disease, this condition affects 80 – 90% of dogs over the age of 3 (Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine). Signs and symptoms of gum disease include bad breath, trouble chewing food, bleeding gums, or pawing at the mouth (“Periodontal Disease in Dogs”).

Small, brachycephalic breeds like Pugs, Shih Tzus, Lhasa Apsos, and Boston terriers can be more likely to experience gum disease because their squished facial structures can also cause teeth crowding (Hinds). This in turn makes it more difficult to properly clean their teeth, increasing their risk for periodontal disease (Hinds).

Over the last year, the average claim cost for this periodontal disease has increased by 16%^*.

4. Upper Respiratory Infections: While there are various types of upper respiratory infections, according to the American Kennel Club, kennel cough, caused by the bacteria Bordetella bronchiseptica and viruses like adenovirus type 1 and influenza are most common. Most dogs will experience a ‘goose honk’ cough, but nasal discharge and foamy saliva are also caused by upper respiratory infections (Johnstone et al.).

According to the Humane Society Veterinary Medical Alliance, 17% of deaths in breeds with extreme brachycephalic conformation were caused by upper respiratory infections. In comparison, 0% of deaths for all other breeds were due to these infections (The Humane Society of the United States).

The average claim cost for upper respiratory infections increased by 14% from 2023 to 2024^*.

5. Conjunctivitis: More commonly known as pink eye, this eye infection can have a variety of causes including bacteria, allergies, viruses, tumors, and more (Barnes et al.). Symptoms include excessive blinking or squinting, clear or colored discharge from the eye, swelling or puffiness around the eye, or pawing at the eyes (“Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye) in Dogs”). Retrievers, hounds, Pugs, Poodles, Cocker Spaniels, and Pekingese are prone to pink eye (“Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye) in Dogs”).

Average claims costs for conjunctivitis increased by 12% between 2023 and 2024^*.

Why Do Claim Costs Decrease?

There can be multiple reasons why average claims costs for a condition may decrease.

Conditions with a Decrease in Average Claim Costs

1. Arthritis: Arthritis is a chronic degenerative joint disease common in dogs that leads to a loss of cartilage and causes pain and inflammation (Cohen). While the condition occurs in senior pets it is also common in pets experiencing obesity or other orthopedic conditions. Arthritis cannot be cured, but there are multiple strategies available for managing the condition (Cohen). Larger breeds like the Great Dane, Saint Bernard, Boxer, and Rottweiler can be prone to this condition (“Simon Veterinary Surgical”).

Over the last year, the average claim cost for arthritis has decreased by 15%^*.

2. Gastrointestinal Issues: Gastrointestinal issues include a variety of symptoms including vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, gas, abdominal pain, a lack of appetite, and more (“Digestive Issues in Dogs: Causes, Prevention, and Treatment”). These issues are common in dogs, and most will experience a few instances throughout their lives.

The average claim costs for gastrointestinal issues have decreased by 30% from 2023 – 2024^*.

3. Kidney Disease: The term “kidney disease” describes a state where the body is unable to filter waste from blood efficiently (Gibeault et al.). This waste can then build up in the blood causing pets to experience nausea, loss of appetite, blood and protein in their urine, bad breath, and weight loss. Bacteria, trauma, cancer, genetics, or kidney stones, can all cause kidney disease (Gibeault et al.). Certain breeds prone to chronic kidney disease include the Basenji, Bernese Mountain Dog, Bull Terrier, Cairn Terrier, American and English Cocker Spaniels, and West Highland Terriers (Kearley).

Average claims costs for kidney disease have decreased by 36% from 2023 to 2024^*.

Conclusion

While veterinary costs continue to rise due to inflation, medical advancements, and other external factors, this increase is not reflected in all illness claims. While average claim costs for behavioral conditions, otitis, periodontal disease, upper respiratory infections, and conjunctivitis have increased, average claim costs for arthritis, gastrointestinal issues, and kidney disease have experienced significant decreases. Understanding these trends can help pet parents make informed decisions about their pet’s healthcare and insurance coverage. With veterinary costs continuing to increase, enrolling in pet insurance can help provide pet parents with additional financial support and peace of mind, helping them provide the best care for their pets.