Table of Contents
Medically reviewed by Dr. Zac Pilossoph, DVM
The Average Cost of Veterinary Care in 2024
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Top 10 Conditions in Dogs – 2024
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For this annual report, we dove into Healthy Paws’ claims records to find out what the most common cat health conditions were and how much treatment costs on average so that pet parents would be aware when adopting a cat.
1. Gastritis – stomach issues
Average cost estimate: $1,500-$1,800
Makes up 27% of top ten claims for cats
Gastrointestinal (stomach) issues can be caused by a few primary conditions, including gut inflammation, ingesting an inedible object or toxic substance, parasites, infections, some types of cancer, and other serious illnesses. Keep an eye on what your cat eats; life-threatening emergencies happen when cats ingest strings, tape, other linear objects, and several household plants.
Symptoms may include:
- Prolonged vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Anorexia and weight loss
- Abdominal pain
- Bloating
- Constipation
- Dull coat
- Excessive thirst
Common treatments/diagnostics the Healthy Paws plan insures for gastrointestinal issues include:
- Diagnostic tools:
- Lab tests
- FIV and Leukemia testing
- X-rays
- Ultrasound
- Endoscopy
- Antibiotics
- Probiotics
- Parasitic treatments
- Stomach surgery
Ryder, a young orange cat, aka “trash cat,” loves to eat. This appetite caused him to consume a chunk of rubber, sending him to the emergency vet. The object was removed during surgery, but complications meant a three-day hospital stay. His pet parents were reimbursed $6,747 by Healthy Paws.
2. Urinary tract infections (UTIs) or Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD)
Average cost estimate: $1,050
Makes up 13% of top ten claims for cats
Cats are more prone than dogs to see the vet for urinary problems, which have similar symptoms like urinating small amounts frequently and having accidents outside the litter box regardless of the underlying cause. FLUTD describes a variety of conditions that affect the bladder and urethra of cats. Infections are more common in much older cats and those with underlying health problems like diabetes, while younger cats often develop an inflammatory condition called idiopathic cystitis or develop urinary bladder stones. The underlying cause is due to multiple factors: bladder and hormone abnormalities, environmental stressors, infections, and urinary stones or sand, which may obstruct the normal flow of urine.
Symptoms may include:
- Painful urination or straining to pee
- Bloody or cloudy urine
- Frequent trips to the litter box or urinating outside the box
- Constant licking of the genital area
- Lethargy
- Vomiting or diarrhea
- Hard or distended abdomen
- Poor appetite
- Low energy
- Decreased social interaction
Common treatments/diagnostics the Healthy Paws plan insures for UTIs and FLUTD include:
- Diagnostic tools:
- Lab tests (urinalysis)
- X-rays (to screen for blockages)
- Ultrasounds
- Urine culture
- Bloodwork
- Antibiotics
- Pain medication
- Laser therapy
- Surgery, including perineal urethrostomy (surgical bypass of the urethra, sometimes performed after chronic urinary blockages
- IV fluid therapy
- A urinary catheter
- Medications for pain and swelling.
- Hospitalization
Checkers the cat was straining to pass urine and his bladder was the size of a lemon. Checkers required emergency surgery to remove a blockage in his urinary tract and fully recovered. His pet parents were reimbursed $1,860.
3. Skin conditions
Average cost estimate: $200-$2,500
Makes up 10.4% of top ten claims for cats
Cats can be afflicted with a myriad of skin conditions, such as infections, parasites or allergies. The most common symptoms are itchiness, dry or flaky skin, hair loss, and over-grooming. A vet can identify a cause through diagnostic tests and start a treatment plan.
Symptoms may include:
• Scratching, itchy behavior
• Dry, flaky skin or dandruff
• Cuts, wounds, abscesses and sores
• Over-grooming
• Dull or dry coat as well as patchy spots, hair loss
• Folliculitis, acne and bumps
• Redness
Common treatments/diagnostics the Healthy Paws plan insures for skin conditions include:
- Diagnostic tools:
- Hair and skin cultures
- Impression smears
- Punch biopsies
- Allergy testing
- Antibiotics
- Parasitic treatments (fleas, mites, ringworm, parasites)
- Medicated shampoos and creams
- Antifungal treatments (yeast infection)
- Allergy shots
- Skin cancer treatment, including surgery
4. Heart conditions
Average cost estimate: $1,500
Makes up 9.4% of top ten claims for cats
Heart issues in cats can include hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, complications from blood clots, and heart valve issues. There is no cure for heart disease, but most heart conditions can be managed for a period with medications. It is important to know that early heart disease will not often show outward signs. A veterinarian can often detect heart changes much earlier in the disease process, making it crucial to have your cat evaluated annually.
Symptoms may include:
- Coughing or difficulty breathing
- Rapid breathing
- Weakness
- Lethargy
- Decreased appetite
- Weight loss
- Sudden paralysis of one or more legs (due to blood clots)
- Distended abdomen
- Trouble sleeping
Common treatments/diagnostics the Healthy Paws plan insures for heart conditions include:
- Diagnostic tools:
- Blood test
- Blood pressure monitoring
- Electrocardiogram (EKG)
- Echocardiogram
- X-rays
- Medications: Diuretics, drugs to relax blood vessels, drugs to help the heart muscle function more effectively, and anti-clotting medication.
Hugo the cat was recovering from spinal disc surgery when it was discovered he had congestive heart failure, among several other conditions, all treatable. His pet parents were reimbursed $30,847.
5. Kidney disease
Average cost estimate: $1,300
Makes up 8% of top ten claims for cats
Chronic kidney disease is a common ailment in older cats. Acute kidney injury is a severe condition with a relatively sudden onset. Many kidney conditions may be managed with a special diet, medications, and fluid therapy.
Symptoms of a chronic condition may include:
- Increased thirst
- Increased urination
- Weight loss
- Decreased appetite
- Lethargy
- Vomiting
Symptoms of acute failure may include:
- Vomiting
- Bad breath
- Weakness
- Loss of coordination
Common treatments/diagnostics the Healthy Paws plan insures for kidney disease include:
- Diagnostic tools:
- Blood tests
- Urinalysis
- Ultrasound
- Blood pressure testing
- Fluid therapy (IV)
- Medications
- Lithotripsy (ultrasound shock waves to break apart kidney stones or bladder stones)
6. Infections
Average cost estimate: $300-$2,000
Makes up 7.5% of top ten claims for cats
Various types of infections can affect cats and their major organs. Infections can be transmitted by exposure to another animal with the condition, drinking or eating contaminated water, food, or soil, an insect bite, open wound, or an infected mother to her kittens.
- Fungal infections – Funguses (Aspergillosis, Candidiasis, valley fever, Cryptococcosis) live in the dirt and can infect cats when they eat or sniff contaminated soil. Fungal infections do not respond to antibiotics.
- Parasitic infections come from tick or flea bites and include hemoplasmosis, Babesia, Hepatozoonosis and Surra.
- Bacterial infections can affect the skin, eyes, ears, and major organs. They include Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, E coli, Salmonella and Clostridium.
Symptoms may include:
- Fever
- Lethargy
- Poor appetite
- Skin abscesses, lesions or inflammation
- Coughing and runny nose
- Red and runny eyes
- Constant vomiting
- Pain
- Lameness
Common treatments/diagnostics the Healthy Paws plan insures for infections include:
- Diagnostic tools:
- Blood tests (fungal panels, respiratory panels)
- Skin biopsies
- Ultrasound
- Minor surgery to remove infectious liquid
- Antibiotics
- Topical or pain medication
7. Diabetes
Average cost estimate: $1,600
Makes up 6.9% of top ten claims for cats
Cats commonly develop type II diabetes mellitus. Most diabetic cats are initially overweight, which leads to insulin resistance—a reduced ability of cells in the body to respond to insulin. Insulin resistance results in abnormally high blood sugar levels. Left untreated, diabetes can lead to weight loss, loss of appetite, vomiting, dehydration, coma and even death. Diabetes can be controlled with insulin injections, dietary management, and weight loss. Sometimes, Type II diabetes can be reversed and cats go into remission.
Symptoms may include:
- Excessive thirst and urination
- Vomiting
- Oily, dandruff-laden coat
- Lethargy
Common treatments/diagnostics the Healthy Paws plan insures for diabetes include:
- Diagnostic tools:
- Urine test for glucose or ketones
- Blood test to determine glucose levels
- Ultrasound
- Glucose monitoring
- Daily insulin
8. Cancer
Average cost estimate: $3,000-$5,000
Makes up 6.7% of top ten claims for cats
Cancer is caused by the rapid division of cells that often form masses or tumors in various parts of the cat. While it mainly occurs in older pets, it can happen at any age. It can be found in almost every part of the body, from the bones to the brain. It can be hard to detect early in cats as they tend to hide signs of discomfort. The earlier the cancer is caught, the better the chances of successful treatment.
Symptoms of cancer may include:
- Lumps or masses
- Lack of appetite or weight loss
- Difficulty urinating or defecating
- Fluid discharge or bad odors
- Limping or lameness
- Sores that do not heal
- Lethargy
Common treatments/diagnostics the Healthy Paws plan insures for cancer include:
- Diagnostic tools:
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan
- Computed Tomography (CT) scan
- Fine needle aspirate and cytology
- Bloodwork
- X-rays
- Ultrasound
- Cytology and/or biopsy of a mass
- Lymph node FNA cytology
- Radiation
- Chemotherapy
- Surgery
Rook, a black kitten, had a raised bump appear near his eye. It was diagnosed as a mast cell tumor — extremely rare in kittens. The tumor was removed with surgery, but within months, many more appeared. In all, Rook had four surgeries and eight tumors removed. He is doing fine now, and his pet parents were reimbursed $27,285.
9. Eye conditions
Average cost estimate: $700-$2,000
Makes up 6.6% of top ten claims for cats
Eye conditions affecting cats can include conjunctivitis, corneal ulcers and wounds, uveitis, retinal damage, and more. A veterinarian should check out all eye conditions immediately to reduce the chance of long-term damage. Treatment can vary widely depending on the underlying condition, from eye drops to surgery.
Symptoms may include:
- Blindness
- Redness
- Discharge or watery eyes
- Itchiness Symptoms
- Crustiness
- Squinting
- Pawing at the eye or face
- Dry eye, sometimes expressed by excessively blinking and swollen eyes (or eyelids)
- Decreased appetite due to eye and facial pain
Common treatments/diagnostics the Healthy Paws plan insures for eye conditions include:
- Diagnostic tools:
- Schirmer tear test
- Intraocular pressure test
- Fluorescein stain
- Advanced ophthalmoscopy
- For eye infection: antibiotic ointment
- Pain-relieving eye drops
- Antiviral medicines (to treat feline herpes)
- Cataract surgery
- Glaucoma drops and surgery
- Enucleation (eye removal)
10. Ear infections (otitis externa)
Average cost estimate: $100-$175 for simple cases
Makes up 5% of top ten claims for cats
Outer ear infections can be painful and annoying, but if they persist to the middle or inner ear, they can lead to neurological damage and deafness. Recurrent bacterial or fungal ear infections often have underlying causes, such as allergies, yeast, bacteria, abnormal ear anatomy, or ear canal tumors. Chronic ear infections can lead to a painful “aural hematoma”, when blood vessels in the ear flap burst causing it to fill with bloody fluid.
Symptoms may include:
- Head shaking
- Scratching at the ear
- Offensive odor in the ear
- Redness or scabbing inside the ear
- Ear is hot to the touch
- Ear is painful/sensitive
- Excess wax, buildup, or crusting in the ear
Common treatments/diagnostics the Healthy Paws plan insures for ear infections include:
- Diagnostics tools:
- Ear culture and sensitivity test
- CT scans
- Ear cytology
- Ear cleaning to flush out debris
- Antibiotics
- Anti-inflammatories
- Antifungal treatments
- Pain medication
- Surgery (required for some conditions and end-stage chronic ear inflammation)
Claim of Fame
Rocky, domestic shorthair, seven years old
Total claims: $152,638
Healthy Paws reimbursed: $121,610
Coverage: Reimbursement based on covered treatments using an 80 percent reimbursement level and a $250 annual deductible.
Rocky, a cat, had a rough year, developing several conditions that required expensive vet care. It started in July, when he stopped eating, acted lethargic and limped. His pet parent took him to the vet where they ran a number of diagnostic tests and eventually determined he had a cancerous mass in his abdomen that had spread to his organs. He required a surgery where the doctors make an incision in the chest wall to access the organs inside the chest. During the surgery, doctors discovered he had nerve paralysis, fluid around the lungs, and eye ulcers. After the surgery, he was hospitalized on oxygen and supportive care including blood transfusions, anti-nauseants, antibiotics, and other medications to treat the other conditions. While on the ventilator, he developed pneumonia, which also needed treatment. Rocky survived all his medical emergencies and is still recovering at home, being fed through a feeding tube, said his pet parent.
*Based on Healthy Paws Pet Insurance claims data between January 1, 2024 – December 12, 2024
**Estimated costs from CareCredit, myaccessvetcare, Preventive Vet, Great Pet Care, and Healthy Paws claims data.
The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your veterinarian or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical diagnosis, condition, or treatment options.
For full coverage details and exclusions, see a sample policy.
The claim scenarios described here are intended to show the types of situations that may result in claims. These scenarios should not be compared to any other claim. Whether or to what extent a particular loss is covered depends on the facts and circumstances of the loss, the terms and conditions of the policy as issued and applicable law. Facts may have been changed to protect privacy of the parties involved.
Insureds providing testimonials in this report have not received compensation for their statements.
Plan coverage varies based on the age of the pet at enrollment and the deductible and reimbursement levels chosen at enrollment. Exclusions and restrictions apply. All descriptions or highlights of the insurance being provided are for general information purposes only, do not address state-specific notice or other requirements and do not amend, alter or modify the actual terms or conditions of an insurance policy. Please refer to the terms and conditions of the policy, which set forth the scope of insurance being provided and address relevant state requirements.
Healthy Paws, a Chubb Company, is the marketing name used to refer to the pet insurance products underwritten and provided by ACE American Insurance Company, Westchester Fire Insurance Company, Indemnity Insurance Company of North America, ACE Property and Casualty Insurance Company and Atlantic Employers Insurance Company and one or more of their U.S. based Chubb underwriting company affiliates. Chubb is the marketing name used to refer to subsidiaries of Chubb Limited providing insurance and related services. For a list of these subsidiaries, please visit our website at www.chubb.com. This communication contains product summaries only. Coverage is subject to the language of the policies as actually issued. These pet insurance products are offered through Chubb Insurance Solutions Agency, Inc. (CISA) (California license no. 0D12120). Surplus lines insurance sold only through licensed surplus lines producers. Chubb, 202 Hall’s Mill Road, Whitehouse Station, NJ 08889-1600.
