Sources &
Citations

Facts about Pet Insurance

Based on January 2017-2019 average claim price data for dogs & cats nationwide from C&F Insurance Agency, Inc. Sample provided to illustrate 90% reimbursement of the covered vet bill assuming standard $250 annual deductible has already been met.
Less than 1% of American dogs and cats are insured.
Dogs run hotter than humans .. their average temperature is between 101 and 102F
There are an estimated 80 million dogs in the USA, over 80% of which are spayed or neutered.
94.2 million is the total number of cats owned in the U.S.
89.7 million is the total number of dogs owned in the U.S.
CCL (cranial cruciate ligament rupture, dog’s ACL -tear or sprain of the anterior cruciate ligament-) TOTAL VET BILL $5,524.20
Intestinal Foreign Object TOTAL VET BILL $3,910.08
IVDD (intervertebral disk disease) TOTAL VET BILL $6,815.85
Diabetes TOTAL VET BILL $1,116.81
Did you know, in 1982, the famous TV dog Lassie received the first pet insurance policy in the United States
A pet receives emergency medical care  every 2 ½ seconds.
Every 6 seconds a pet parent is faced with a vet bill for more than $1,000
1 in 3 pets need emergency veterinary treatment every year.
1 in 3 dogs get cancer. Treatment can cost well over $10,000 and as much as $20,000
Why do cats meow?
To initiate play, petting, or to get you to talk to them.
Why do dogs lick people?
It's a sign of affection. Relieves stress. You just taste good.
Why do cats purr?
To show contentment or as a mechanism that helps them rest and repair.
Why do dogs pant?
It’s their way of cooling down when they are overheated. It’s also an important way  for them to oxygenate their blood.
Why do cats like boxes?
Because they like to hide and it gives them a cozy, safe and secure place to sleep.
Why do dogs howl?
To attract attention, to make contact with others and to announce their presence.
Over 50% of policy holders file a claim each year.
75% of pet owners make a claim during the first three years after enrollment.
35% of all pet insurance claims are for chronic conditions.
The most expensive health issue is heart disease, which can exceed $20,000.
A dog has 42 teeth requiring specific care
21% of pet owners spend over $5000 for emergency surgery on their pet.
Obesity is the number one health problem for dogs
Dogs under the age of one are 2.5x more likely to have an unexpected visit to the vet.
The average vet bill for a cat is more than $500 and more than $700 for a dog.
Treating stomach conditions (the most common serious illness for dogs and cats) can cost up to $6,500
2.82 million pets were insured at the end of 2019
Only 10% of the animals received by shelters have been spayed or nuetered
Approx. 25% of dog visits to the veterinarian are for problems with their skin or coat
Mixed breed dogs are the most insured pets in the US
45% of veterinarian-recommended treatment is restricted by cost
91% of U.S. pet owners consider their pets to be family members and 81% consider their pets as equal members of the family
Up to 10,000 cats and dogs die each year from exposure to Antifreeze
The average cost of hip replacement ranges from $5,600 to $6,000 for dogs
Dog Owners Rush to Get Pet Insurance with News of Coronavirus Outbreaks
63.4 million US households have a dog
The average number of visits to the vet per year is 2.7 for dog owners and 2.2 for cat owners
$4300 annual cost of having a dog
1.6 million dogs are adopted from shelters
Pet Owners spend $9,000 - $13,000 for medical treatments over their pets’ lifetime
Cats have 24 more bones in their body than humans (230 vs 206)
Did you know, even though US shelters take in more dogs than cats on average, two cats are euthanized for every dog.
Research shows that gingivitis, a bacterial infection, can lead to severe pain, bleeding, tooth loss and bone loss 
Only 15% of insured pets are cats.
A pet receives emergency medical care every 2 ½ seconds in the U.S. 
35% of all pet insurance claims are for chronic conditions
50% of policyholders file a claim each year
2,517,122 million insured pets were reported in the US at the end of 2019
Over half of all cats and dogs are overweight
Pit Bulls make up the largest percentage of dogs in shelters across the U.S
Dark-colored dogs are more susceptible to heatstroke than light-colored dogs
Siamese cats are one of the oldest breeds of domesticated cats
The 2016 State of Pet Health Report shows an upward trend in the prevalence of the disease, rising nearly 80% in dogs and 18% in cats over a 10-year period.