6 Shocking Pet Health Statistics

Though we love our pets dearly, accidents happen. Check out these 6 shocking pet health stats you may need to know as a pet owner.

1. Vet Bills can be Expensive

According to NBC, every 6 seconds a pet owner is faced with a vet bill of more than $1,000!  That's a big number- but it can be mitigated with the right pet insurance policy.¹  Check out how affordable MetLife Pet Insurance ² really is.

2. Cost of Pet Health Care Triples Cost of Food Each Year

According to the American Pet Products Association’s National Pet Owners Survey, pet owners spend over 3 times more on routine and surgical vet visits than they do on food.  

3. Need for Emergency Medical Care Happens Often

It’s hard to believe, but a pet receives emergency medical care every 2.5 seconds in the U.S. In fact, 1-in-3 pets need emergency veterinary treatment every year! ¹  These statistics are a sad part of owning a pet, and can put a tremendous strain on pet parents’ budgets.   

4. 95% of Americans Consider Pets to be Family members 

According to a survey by Nielsen , over 95% of those surveyed indicated they consider their pets to be part of the family.  This re-in forces a notion we know to be true: Americans love our pets!

5. Pet Ownership is Rising at a Drastic Rate

The first US pet ownership study was conducted over 30 years ago; it showed 56% of US households owned a pet. Today, that rate is 67%.  This figure is roughly equivalent to 84.9 million American households.²

6. Pet Insurance Sales in North America are Growing.  Quickly.

 According to the North American Pet Health Insurance Association (NAPHIA,) the U.S. pet health insurance sector yielded gross written premiums of nearly $2 billion in 2020. This figure represents a near 28% rise from $1.56 billion in 2019. Meanwhile, it is reported that the pet insurance market rose at an average annual growth rate of nearly 24% from 2016 to 2020. A figure that has continued through 2021.³

Common Pet Health Problems 

Emergency care isn’t the only surprise expense for your pet’s health.  According to Pet Life Today, both dogs and cats have a few top issues that rank highest (see full infographic here.)  

Some of the the most common health problems for dogs are: skin allergies, ear infections, non-cancerous skin mass, skin infections and arthritis. Some of the most common health problems for cats are: bladder/urinary tract disease, dental disease, chronic kidney disease, vomiting and excessive thyroid hormone. ⁴

Consider Investing in Pet Insurance

Looking for more ways to keep your pets happy and healthy? Consider investing in a pet insurance policy with MetLife Pet Insurance.¹  We offer dog insurance and cat insurance policies for your furry family members.  Get your free quote today.