Nationwide, a leading provider of pet insurance, has conducted an analysis of its database to identify the most common medical conditions that prompt veterinary visits. The company's database comprises more than 1.2 million insured pets, and the study was aimed at helping pet owners understand and prepare for the costs associated with these common conditions.

Dr. Jules Benson, Nationwide's Chief Veterinary Officer and Vice President of Pet Health, emphasized the importance of considering everyday health issues when thinking about pet protection. "When we talk about protecting pets, our minds often go to worst-case scenarios like broken bones or cancer," he said. "Common conditions like skin allergies and heart disease can result in costs for visits, tests and medications that add up quickly, and often require lifelong care."

In 2023 alone, Nationwide members filed over 1.5 million individual claims related to the top ten medical conditions affecting dogs and cats. For the twelfth consecutive year, skin allergies were identified as the most common health issue for dogs with more than 410,500 individual claims received in 2023. This represented a significant increase from the previous year when around 373,000 claims were made.

For cats, diarrhea/intestinal upset topped the list with over 25,000 individual claims in 2023. Conditions such as gastrointestinal disease, arthritis and dental disease were found to be common among both dogs and cats.

The study also provided insights into treatment costs within the first thirty days of diagnosis for various conditions. For instance, treating skin allergies in dogs cost an average of $240 while dealing with diarrhea/intestinal upset in cats could cost around $747.

Nationwide offers coverage for many veterinary expenses associated with these common conditions based on a member’s chosen plan. The company encourages pet parents to learn more about these diseases by visiting their Pet HealthZone website.