Chronic Conditions Dominate this Year’s List of Most Common (and Expensive) Pet Health Problems

Chronic Conditions Dominate this Year's List of Most Common (and Expensive) Pet Health Problems

For the 15th year, Nationwide shares its most common pet insurance claims

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Every year, millions of pets visit the vet-but what's actually behind those unexpected appointments? Nationwide® analyzed the more than 3.3 million pet insurance claims submitted for dogs and cats from its more than one million insured pets to uncover the real health issues most likely to disrupt a family's routine and budget.

This year's findings highlight a trend many pet families may find surprising: most of the top conditions for both dogs and cats are chronic conditions. This means they don't just cause a one-time emergency, and they can become part of a long-term, expensive healthcare routine.

"Each year, these findings remind us just how much of our pets' health is shaped by ongoing, chronic conditions," said Dr. Emily Tincher, chief veterinary officer at Nationwide. "While not every illness can be prevented, pet families have real power when they understand their pet's unique risks and catch early changes in behavior or health. Our goal is to give pet parents the tools and knowledge they need to support their pets through every stage of life."

Dog Trends: Allergies top the list again and chronic issues dominate the top 10

• Skin allergies rank #1 again, for the 15^th year running.
• No movement in the top 9 conditions, signaling persistent, widespread health patterns among U.S. dogs.
• Seizures enter the top 10 for the first time but are very closely followed by kidney disease and cranial cruciate ligament tears.
• Chronic conditions make up 6 of the top 10 and may require long-lasting care and follow families for years, underscoring the importance of ongoing care and budgeting.

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Cat trends: Tummy troubles lead the pack again with chronic conditions climbing

• For the third consecutive year, digestive issues stay firmly in the top spot.
• The top six conditions remain unchanged from last year, showing consistent health patterns across the feline population.
• A striking 7 out of 10 conditions for cats are chronic, meaning long-term costs can far exceed a single visit.
• The bottom half of the list sees some reshuffling among inflammatory bowel disease (#7 in 2024), diabetes (#8 in 2024), and respiratory infection (#9 in 2024).

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While not every health issue can be prevented, pet parents can make a big difference by knowing what their pets are most at risk for and spotting symptoms early. To help families stay informed, Nationwide Pet HealthZone^® offers free, easy-to-use resources covering more than 100 dog breedsand 11 cat breeds- giving pet owners practical ways to support their pets' long-term health - giving pet owners practical ways to support their pets' longterm health.

With Nationwide pet health insurance, many veterinary expenses associated with the diagnosis and treatment of these common conditions are eligible for reimbursement based on the member's chosen coverage. It's important to obtain coverage before your pet begins experiencing any symptoms because pre-existing conditions are excluded. To explore options visit petinsurance.com.

¹These numbers were calculated by analyzing the 80^th percentile of costs Nationwide pet insurance policyholders reported January 1 - December 31, 2025 within the first 30 days after diagnosis for a given condition.
²These numbers were calculated by analyzing the 80^th percentile of costs Nationwide pet insurance policyholders reported January 1 - December 31, 2025 within the first year after diagnosis for a given condition.