The Top Three Chronic Diseases in Pets and Their Costs
Important takeaways
- Chronic conditions like arthritis, allergies and dental disease are making pet care more expensive than ever, according to research from Money.com and Healthy Paws Pet Insurance.
- Most pet owners spend up to $250 a month on chronic problems, but emergencies often run between $1,000 and $5,000, if not more.
- Many owners rely on credit cards or savings to pay off pet bills, while a small percentage use pet insurance to help manage unexpected expenses.
Veterinary medicine has advanced greatly in recent years, but so has the price tag attached to the treatments and services pets need.
Costs are higher for cat and dog owners who have one or more chronic problems such as arthritis, joint pain, allergies and dental diseases, general conditions and illnesses that plague their pets. A new study from Money.com and Healthy Paws Pet Insurance found that owners of pets with multiple medical conditions spend not only on pet care products and services, but on medical emergencies caused by their pets’ health challenges.
Let’s get into it.
Arthritis and joint problems
Almost a quarter (23%) of respondents said their pets struggle with arthritis or joint problems. These include hip dysplasia and ligament tears common among other breeds, such as German Shepherds and Maine coons, as well as injuries sustained during accidents or while playing.
If a pet is diagnosed with arthritis, it needs lifelong care to reduce joint pain and slow the progression of the disease. These include dietary changes, physical therapy, daily pain medications, supplements and modern treatments such as monthly injections to block pain. According to some estimates, these injections cost between $40 to $155 per dose, depending on factors such as the size and weight of the animal. Because these shots are usually given monthly, this adds up to about $500 to $1,800 a year, on top of your pet’s regular care, and other supplements and pain medications your vet may recommend.
Food and environmental allergies
The second most common condition in pets is allergies to ingredients in their food or environment such as pollen, mold or grass, marked by 20% of people caring for a sick pet in the report.
When an allergic pet eats or touches the bullet, its immune system overreacts. This can cause itching, hair loss and stomach problems.
A single allergy test can set you back about $300, on average, and most pets need multiple tests to properly identify an allergen. Future costs depend on what your pet is diagnosed with and whether your vet recommends routine allergy shots. This costs an average of $78 per shot, according to data from medical finance provider CareCredit. Other treatment plans, such as oral allergy medications, steroids or medicated sprays, cost anywhere from $1 to $275 per dose, according to prices available on vet telehealth platform Vetster.
Dental disease
In our survey, 17% of pet owners reported experiencing dental disease in their pets. In particular, periodontal disease — inflammation or infection of your pet’s gums — affects about 80% to 90% of dogs after three years of age, according to the Cornell College of Veterinary Medicine.
CareCredit data shows that professional dental cleanings range from $300 to $702 for both cats and dogs, but problems like extractions or advanced gum disease that requires surgery or lifelong care can blow your budget by thousands of dollars.
How much do pet owners spend a year on chronic conditions?
According to data from Money and Healthy Paws, 66% of pet owners who care for chronically ill pets spend up to $250 a month to manage conditions such as arthritis, dental disease, joint problems and diabetes. A quarter (25%) reported spending up to $1,200 a year.
And that only shows the basic costs. If a chronically ill pet has an emergency, the annual cost of care increases. About half (45%) of pet owners who rushed to the vet because their pet suddenly became ill said they paid between $1,000 and $5,000 for emergency care.
These pet owners don’t pay in cash, for the most part. The survey found that most (75%) charge these bills to their credit cards or use the money from savings, while 20% said their pet insurance covers some or all of the costs, and 17% set up a payment plan with their vet.
This financial reality has led many owners to consider pet insurance as a way to manage risk. About a quarter (20%) of pet owners who care for a sick pet say that pet insurance has helped cover unexpected expenses.
Pet insurance can help keep your cash flow predictable. For example, if you charge an emergency vet bill on your credit card and file a claim with your insurance as soon as possible, you can get your refund within a few weeks and pay off the credit card debt quickly. Although pet insurance doesn’t completely cover the cost of your pet’s health care, it can cushion the financial blow of a pet emergency.
More from Mali
Is Pet Insurance Worth It In 2026? What the Data Shows
Some Pet Owners Go into Debt to Pay Pet Bills. Here’s Why That’s Dangerous
Living Expenses for a Pet – and How to Pay for It
