US pet insurance enrollment increased 9% in 2025, but more than 95% of cats and dogs remain uninsured
A new North American Pet Health Insurance Association report highlights a persistent insurance gap as veterinary costs rise, with common conditions such as gastrointestinal issues, ear infections, and skin disease driving many claims.
The number of insured pets in the United States rose 9% year over year in 2025, yet more than 95% of the country’s dogs and cats still have no coverage, according to the North American Pet Health Insurance Association’s (NAPHIA’s) 2026 State of the Industry Report.1
The number of insured pets in the United States rose 9% year over year in 2025, yet more than 95% of the country’s dogs and cats still have no coverage, according to the North American Pet Health Insurance Association’s (NAPHIA’s) 2026 State of the Industry Report.1
An insurance gap persists even as veterinary care becomes more expensive. A 2025 report from Rover, a pet care marketplace, estimated lifetime care at approximately $34,000 for a dog reaching 10 years of age and $32,000 for a cat reaching 16 years.2 Meanwhile, in a 2021 estimate, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals put first-year costs at approximately $3200 for a dog and $1900 for a cat, with recurring annual costs of approximately $1400 and $1150 thereafter.3 Preventive medication for heartworm, fleas, and ticks alone runs about $185 a year for a dog and $140 for a cat, and routine vaccinations and wellness visits add approximately $225 and $160, respectively.3
Many of the most common insurance claims involve common conditions seen in veterinary practice. According to the NAPHIA report, for dogs, the 10 most common included the following:
1. Gastrointestinal (GI) issues
2. Otitis/ear infections
3. Skin conditions
4. Anxiety/behavioral or neurological issues
5. Allergies
6. Growths/masses
7. Eye and vision disorders
8. Diarrhea
9. Urinary tract infections
10. Musculoskeletal issues
For cats, the 10 most common included the following:
1. GI issues
2. Dental disease
3. Urinary tract infections
4. Anxiety/behavioral or neurological issues
5. Respiratory issues
6. Kidney disease
7. Otitis/ear infections
8. Endocrinology (hyperthyroidism)
9. Vomiting
10. Arthritis/osteoarthritis
Unexpected emergencies can drive costs much higher. Emergency Vets USA, a veterinary information site, estimates emergency surgery for conditions such as bloat, foreign-body ingestion, or being hit by a car at $1500 to $5000, depending on the animal’s size. A 3- to 5-day hospitalization for conditions such as kidney failure or parvovirus can cost another $1500 to $3500.4
For the more than 95% of pets without insurance, those costs fall entirely on the owner.
Individual claims run much higher. The largest single US dog claim in the NAPHIA report totaled $66,600 for a 3-year-old Bernese mountain dog in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, treated for an undiagnosed chronic illness.1 The largest feline claim was $51,600 for a 4-year-old American shorthair in Los Angeles, California, treated for cancer.1
Premium growth is outpacing growth in the insured pet population, suggesting policies are becoming more expensive even as more owners enroll. US gross written premium reached approximately $5.68 billion at the end of 2025, a 19.7% increase over 2024, whereas the number of insured pets rose 9%.1
In a statement accompanying the report, NAPHIA said the findings underscore how many pet owners remain without financial protection for veterinary care. “Our industry’s growth is a highly positive sign, but it also highlights the vast number of pet families who are still vulnerable to difficult medical and financial decisions,” said Sammi-Jo Nevin, president of NAPHIA.5 “While headline-making emergencies occur, our data show it’s the common issues like ear infections and skin conditions that make coverage so essential. Our collective mandate is to continue educating the public on both the accessibility and the necessity of this protection in modern, conscientious pet ownership.”
References
- State of the industry report: 2026 highlights. NAPHIA. June 21, 2026. Accessed July 28, 2026. https://naphia.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/NAPHIA_SOI2026_Report_HIGHLIGHTS_26-06-24.pdf
- Marquit M. Is pet insurance worth it? Wall Street Journal. Updated April 27, 2026. Accessed June 24, 2026. https://www.wsj.com/buyside/personal-finance/pet-insurance/is-pet-insurance-worth-it
- Cutting pet care costs. American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Accessed July 28, 2026. https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/general-pet-care/cutting-pet-care-costs
- Average cost of emergency vet visits. Emergency Vets USA. Accessed July 28, 2026. https://emergencyvetsusa.com/average-cost-of-emergency-vet-visits/
- North American pet insurance adoption continues to grow as 7.6 million pet parents seek peace of mind. News release. NAPHIA. June 24, 2026. Accessed July 28, 2026. https://tinyurl.com/4zse6m96
Fonte: dvm360
