Most pet parents will spare no penny taking care of a pet, but those pennies can really stack up — especially when medical costs enter the picture.
Insurance company Nationwide recently calculated just how much medical care for cats and dogs can cost. The company analyzed the costs of more than 1 million insured pets in its database from 2024, as reported by Nationwide pet insurance policyholders.
“Understanding potential health risks and planning ahead can help pet parents navigate these challenges and ensure their pets receive the care they need,” says Nationwide Chief Veterinary Officer Emily Tincher.
Following are the most common conditions for dogs and cats, and how much they can set you back, according to Nationwide.
Conditions that most commonly send dogs to the vet
The top diagnosis dogs receive doesn’t change dramatically. The No. 1 condition has held that spot for 13 years. Some bills can run quite high. Here are the top most common conditions and how much they cost on average within the first 30 days of diagnosis:
- Skin allergies: $265
- Diarrhea/intestinal upset: $702
- Ear infection: $304
- Arthritis: $414
- Trauma: $708
- Dental disease: $1,284
- Urinary tract infection: $533
- Heart disease: $553
- Liver disease: $499
- Kidney failure: $575
Half of these conditions are chronic and require long-term care, which leads to spending that extends beyond the initial diagnosis.
Tincher says, “When a pet is diagnosed with a chronic condition, the financial impact can be just as worrying as the diagnosis itself. Many of these conditions require ongoing care, with costs increasing significantly over time.”
Conditions that most commonly send cats to the vet
The No. 1 common condition cats experience is holding that spot for the second year in a row. Here are the top conditions that send cats to the vet, along with the average cost within 30 days of the diagnosis:
- Diarrhea/intestinal upset: $802
- Urinary tract disease: $943
- Kidney failure: $655
- Dental disease: $1,517
- Arthritis: $439
- Hyperthyroidism: $511
- Inflammatory bowel disease: $828
- Diabetes: $850
- Respiratory infection: $534
- Skin allergies: $318
While the top six haven’t changed since 2023, the bottom four have shifted around in commonality.
Of the top 10 conditions that send cats to the vet, six are chronic conditions, which come with increased cost over time.
To learn more about the financial responsibilities of maintaining a dog or cat in your home, read “Here’s How Much It Really Costs to Own a Dog or Cat in 2025.”
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