The following data is based on claims made by common dog types (breeds and mixed breeds) which are insured with RSPCA Pet Insurance.
Please keep in mind this information is not based on weighted figures and does not indicate a particular dog type may be more prone to a particular injury or not. As we may insure more of a particular dog type this may be the reason, they have more of these claims.
Every dog’s individual needs and lifestyle will vary. In fact, getting to know your pet’s unique qualities can be one of the most exciting parts of your ownership experience.
Top 10 claims to treat arthritis by dog type
The following figures show the number of arthritis claims with RSPCA Pet Insurance by dog type (top 10). Keep in mind that canine arthritis usually increases with age but can also be caused by injuries, genetics, or other underlying conditions.
2. Maltese Cross
333 cases
3. Golden Retriever
321 cases
4. German Shepherd
252 cases
5. Kelpie Cross
248 cases
6. Border Collie
222 cases
7. Border Collie Cross
214 cases
8. Staffordshire Bull Terrier
172 cases
9. Staffordshire Bull Terrier Cross
136 cases
10. Labrador Retriever
127 cases
Top 10 claims to treat fleas, ticks or worms by dog type
Fleas, ticks and worms can affect dogs of all types depending on their lifestyle and environment. These figures show the number of claims to treat fleas, ticks and worms, through RSPCA Pet Insurance by dog type (top 10).
1. Maltese Cross
855 cases
3. Staffordshire Bull Terrier
452 cases
5. Golden Retriever
357 cases
6. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
332 cases
7. German Shepherd
326 cases
8. French Bulldog
270 cases
9. Kelpie Cross
268 cases
10. Border Collie
259 cases
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Top 10 claims for heartworm treatment by dog type
This data shows the number of claims to treat the infection of heartworms by dog type (top 10).
1. Maltese Cross
855 cases
3. Staffordshire Bull Terrier
452 cases
5. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
360 cases
6. Golden Retriever
342 cases
7. German Shepherd
326 cases
8. Kelpie Cross
306 cases
10. Border Collie
259 cases
Top 10 claims to treat allergies by dog type
Canine allergies are usually an excessive immune response to dust, pollen, or other environmental elements. The following shows the number of claims made through RSPCA Pet Insurance for the treatment of allergies by dog type (top 10).
1. Maltese Cross
855 cases
2. Staffordshire Bull Terrier
312 cases
3. French Bulldog
230 cases
7. American Staffordshire Terrier
125 cases
8. Staffordshire Bull Terrier Cross
117 cases
9. German Shepherd
105 cases
10. American Staffordshire Terrier Cross
94 cases
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Top 10 claims relating to desexing by dog type
This data shows the top 10 most claims relating to desexing their pet, broken down by dog type.
2. Maltese Cross
169 cases
3. French Bulldog
230 cases
4. Staffordshire Bull Terrier
111 cases
6. German Shepherd
97 cases
7. Border Collie
97 cases
8. Golden Retriever
89 cases
9. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
79 cases
10. American Staffordshire Terrier
74 cases
Top 10 claims to treat movement problems (lameness) by dog type
Below shows the number of claims made for movement problems, such as joint pain or limping by dog type (top 10).
1. German Shepherd
330 cases
2. Staffordshire Bull Terrier
294 cases
4. Maltese Cross
274 cases
6. Kelpie Cross
219 cases
7. Border Collie
193 cases
8. Staffordshire Bull Terrier Cross
183 cases
9. Golden Retriever
181 cases
10. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
146 cases
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Top 10 conditions with highest cost per claim
This data shows which conditions have the highest cost of treatment for dogs based on the 2018-2019 claims data from RSPCA Pet Insurance.
Note: This data only represents conditions with more than 100 cases/claims made and is based on the average price paid per visit.
1. Brachycephalic Airway Obstruction Syndrome (Baos)
$16,926
2. Cruciate Disease
$15,582
3. Mast Cell Tumour
$8,184
4. Intervertebral Disc Extrusion/ Herniation/ Prolapse - Thoracic
$7,052
5. Patella Luxation
$6,970
6. Lymphoma - B-Cell
$6,844
7. Intervertebral Disc Disorder
$6,664
8. Fracture of Thoracic Limb - Radius and Ulna
$6,328
9. Foreign Body - Intestinal, Small
$5,938
10. Hyperadrenocorticism ("Cushing's")
$5,144
Top 10 most common reasons for dogs to visit the vet
These figures show the most common reasons for dogs to receive medical care, and the average price per treatment as per the RSPCA Pet Insurance claims data. Fortunately, most cases were for preventative purposes, which indicates that Australians are being proactive in maintaining their dogs’ health.
1. Vaccinations or Health Checks
$1,887 / 21,634 cases
2. Heartworm Control
$372 / 13,528 cases
3. Flea/Tick/Worm Control
$322 / 12,080 cases
4. Otitis Externa
$4,032 / 9,863 cases
5. Cruciate Disease
$15,582 / 8,459 cases
6. Gait Abnormality - Lameness - Presenting Complaint
$3,077 / 6,439 cases
7. Ear (Aural) Infection
$2,757 / 6,333 cases
8. Hypersensitivity (Allergic) Skin Disorder - Atopic Dermatitis
$4,649 / 6,227 cases
9. Arthritis
$2,021 / 5,887 cases
10. Dermatitis
$2,524 / 5,586 cases
Top 10 conditions by total spend
This data shows which medical conditions have been claimed for and cost dog owners the most money overall, based on the total amount spent on treatments. This is based on the number of claims made through RSPCA Pet Insurance over the 2018-2019 period.
1. Cruciate Disease
$3,381,344
2. Otitis Externa
$1,052,460
3. Hypersensitivity (Allergic) Skin Disorder - Atopic Dermatitis
$971,634
4. Patella Luxation
$947,902
5. Gait Abnormality - Lameness - Presenting Complaint
$904,776
6. Dietary Indiscretion - Foreign Body Ingestion - Presenting Complaint
$766,026
7. Vomiting - Other - Presenting Complaint
$740,428
9. Gastroenteritis
$717,532
10. Ear (Aural) Infection
$689,157