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Pet Health Across America: The Most Common Pet Ailments by State

Apr 21, 2025
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From allergies to arthritis, pets across the US deal with a range of health issues, but some conditions are more common in certain states than others. Using search trends and survey data, we identified the top pet ailments nationwide and how much owners are spending on treatment. We also looked at how pet insurance plays a role in covering these conditions, helping owners manage unexpected vet bills.

Key Takeaways

  • From January 2024 to January 2025, Cushing's disease was the most searched-for dog ailment in the US (over 3.2 million searches). The most searched cat ailment during the same period was parasites (over 1.9 million searches).
  • Cat-related bird flu searches rose by 4,031% in the last year, while dog-related bird flu searches increased by 3,971%.
  • Based on search volume per capita over the last year, Seattle, Washington, is the most concerned about dog-related bird flu, while Atlanta, Georgia, is the most concerned about cat-related bird flu.
  • In the past year, dog owners spent an average of $465 on treating their dog's illnesses or ailments, while cat owners spent an average of $400.

The Most Searched Pet Ailments in the US

Pet health concerns vary across the country, with certain illnesses and conditions generating more searches in some states than others. By analyzing Google search trends from January 2024 to January 2025, we identified the most common ailments pet owners researched, revealing regional differences in health concerns for both dogs and cats.

Among dog-related searches overall, Cushing's disease was the most searched ailment nationwide, with 3,219,400 searches, followed by parvovirus (2,217,400) and cancer (2,194,840).1 For cat owners, parasite-related issues topped the list with 1,901,620 searches, followed by feline leukemia virus (1,497,800) and feline immunodeficiency virus (929,660).

Regional trends illustrate how certain states are more concerned with specific pet health issues than others. For example, 16 states from the northeast to the midwest searched for Lyme disease in dogs more than the national average.2 Mississippi led searches for parvovirus, looking it up 87% more than the national average, while Tennessee showed a heightened focus on Cushing's disease (16% more).

Similar patterns emerged for cat health concerns, with 11 states searching for feline lower urinary tract disease more than the national average. Iowa showed the highest concern for cat-related parasites, searching 27% more than the national average.3 Ohio led in searches for feline leukemia virus (21% above average), while Georgia focused more on feline immunodeficiency virus (18% above average).

Concerns about bird flu in pets have skyrocketed in the past year, with more pet owners searching for information on how the virus could affect their dogs and cats.4 As awareness grows, search trends reveal a dramatic increase in interest.

Top 10 Cities Searching for Dog-Related Bird Flu (per 100,000 residents)

  1. Seattle, Washington
  2. Portland, Oregon
  3. Minneapolis, Minnesota
  4. Scottsdale, Arizona
  5. Orlando, Florida
  6. St. Paul, Minnesota
  7. Boise, Idaho
  8. St. Louis, Missouri
  9. Honolulu, Hawaii
  10. Glendale, Arizona

Top 10 Cities Searching for Cat-Related Bird Flu (per 100,000 residents)

  1. Atlanta, Georgia
  2. Seattle, Washington
  3. Minneapolis, Minnesota
  4. St. Louis, Missouri
  5. Cleveland, Ohio
  6. Orlando, Florida
  7. Portland, Oregon
  8. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
  9. Cincinnati, Ohio
  10. Denver, Colorado

The Most Common Pet Ailments Owners Face

Our survey revealed that pet owners across the country deal with a wide range of health issues affecting their dogs and cats, from allergies to chronic conditions like arthritis. Many invest in veterinary care and pet insurance, though not all are certain about what their coverage includes.

Among dog owners, allergies (39%), ear infections (30%), and arthritis (19%) were the most common ailments reported.5 Treating these conditions came at a cost — on average, dog owners spent $465 over the past year managing their pet's health. While 35% of dog owners had pet insurance, 33% were unsure what illnesses or ailments their policy covered. For those treating hip dysplasia, 34% of insured dog owners received partial or full coverage for treatment.

Cat owners faced similar challenges, with allergies (28%), ear infections (21%), and parasites (18%) being the most frequently reported issues.6

The average annual cost of treatment for cats was slightly lower than for dogs, at $400 per year.7 However, fewer cat owners had insurance — just 25% reported having coverage. Among those insured, 41% were unsure what their policy covered, and 22% of insured cat owners treating their cats for arthritis received partial or full coverage for care.

Understanding and Managing Pet Health

Pets across the US face a variety of health issues, with some conditions more common in certain regions than others. Many owners spend hundreds each year on treatments, yet not all are aware of what pet insurance covers.8 Understanding common ailments and their costs can help pet owners plan for care, and having the right coverage can make managing these health challenges easier and more affordable.

Methodology

For the first half of this study, we leveraged Google Trends search data to analyze the total search volume for dog and cat-related illnesses and ailments. The search volume was collected from January 2024 to January 2025 at a state level. For the second half of this study, we surveyed 1,227 pet owners, including 691 dog owners and 536 cat owners, on February 12, 2025 to understand their experiences and spending regarding their pets' illnesses and ailments.

About MetLife

MetLife Pet Insurance offers comprehensive, customizable coverage options to help pet owners manage the costs of veterinary care. With plans that fit various budgets and needs, pet insurance can provide peace of mind and financial security so your furry family can receive the care they deserve.

Fair Use Statement

Feel free to share these findings for noncommercial purposes, but include a link to this page.