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Pet Owners Face Vet Bill of Over £1,000 for Common Illnesses – Here’s How to SAVE

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Pet Owners Face Vet Bill of Over £1,000 for Common Illnesses – Here’s How to SAVE

Pet owners are facing vet bills of over £1,000 for common illnesses and treatments, according to new data from Tesco Insurance.

Lumps, lameness in dogs and dental disease in pets are among the most common ailments affecting pets across the UK.

Treatment costs can skyrocket very quickly, with some of the most common claims running into the hundreds and in some cases, thousands per vet visit.

The figures come to light as the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) announced a £21 cap on vet prescription fees in a move to make billing more transparent and fair.

Top 10 Insurance Claims for Dogs

Over the past, Foreign Body was the most costly common condition claimed for by pet owners, setting them back £1,034.50 on average, according to Tesco Insurance.

Lameness was the second most expensive claim at £828.32, while vomiting and diarrhoea were the third most costly at £691.22 on average per claim.

The table below shows the most common claims for dogs:

Condition Average Claim Cost
Foreign Body £1,034.50
Lameness £828.32
Vomiting £695.48
Vomiting and Diarrhoea £691.22
Epilepsy/Seizures £646.50
Miscellaneous Lump £524.01
Allergies £371.97
Arthritis/Degenerative Joint Disease £353.59
Otitis (inflammation or infection of the ear) £299.74
Dental Disease £241.26

Top 10 Insurance Claims for Cats

For cats, road traffic accidents were the most expensive claim at £938.18 on average, while inappetence was the second most costly condition at £733.87.

Weight loss was the third most expensive condition at £639.58 on average.

The table below shows the most common claims for cats.

Condition Average Claim Cost
Road Traffic Accident £938.18
Inappetence (loss or lack of appetite) £733.87
Weight Loss £639.58
Vomiting £608.30
Lameness £516.05
Hyperthyroidism £483.56
Skin Wound £369.06
Arthritis/Degenerative Joint Disease £280.43
Cat Bite Abscess £252.57
Dental Disease £246.54

How to save on vet bills

Register with a vet: signing up to a vet helps avoid being charged an unregistered client fee, which can be around £100.

Seek a second opinion: getting another opinion about the best treatment for your pet can help ensure you’re paying for the right level of care.

Consider online prescriptions: pet medication can be cheaper online, so be sure to shop around to find the best price and cut costs.

Think about pet insurance: pet insurance can be handy if your pet needs costly treatment. But the right type of policy or whether you need one at all depends on your pet’s age and health. Comparing pet insurance policies could help you find out whether it’s the most cost-effective way to manage your pet’s treatments.

Brean Horne
Brean Horne Personal Finance Writer

Keeping on top of your finances can feel overwhelming, especially with the pressures of everyday life.

But with the right help, you can make the best decisions with your money to build stability and thrive.

As a personal finance writer with almost a decade of experience, I’m dedicated to helping you navigate the (often) confusing world of money management and financial planning.

My goal is to empower you with accessible tools, tips and insights so that you can take steps to improve your financial wellbeing and build the life you truly desire.

Whether you’re creating your first budget or planning for a major life goal, I’m here to help you cut through the noise and make mindful, well-informed choices with your money.

Throughout my career, I’ve covered the latest news affecting your finances and consumer rights at publications including Forbes Advisor, NerdWallet and Which?. I’ve also delved into the nuts and bolts of financial products and services to help you understand how they work and whether they’re right for you.

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Here at Investing Insiders, I’ll keep delving into the finer details of personal finance to uncover the key information you need to financially flourish.

Some of the places I’ve been quoted in the press include:
Seven tips to save cash but still have plenty of fun this Christmas | The Mirror
5 things you didn’t realise were affecting your credit score | MoneyWeek
Five things to tell your child about the cost of living | ABC Magazine
How to cope if you’re concerned for your financial future right now | Metro

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