Large-scale Research on Periodontal Disease Risk Using Pet Insurance Data Published in International Academic Journal
Anicom General Insurance announced that the results of a large-scale study on periodontal disease risk in dogs and cats, utilizing pet insurance data, have been published in the international academic journal "Frontiers in Veterinary Science." The research clarifies age-related risk increases and breed differences, suggesting the importance of appropriate care from a young age.
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- 📰 Published: May 13, 2026 at 00:51
- 🔍 Collected: May 12, 2026 at 16:02
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 12, 2026 at 18:14 (2h 11m after Collected)
Anicom General Insurance Co., Ltd. (Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director Shingo Noda; hereinafter "Anicom Insurance"), which holds the No. 1 share in pet insurance (*), is pleased to announce that the results of a study analyzing age-related changes and breed differences in periodontal disease risk in dogs and cats, using pet insurance claim data from across Japan, have been published in the international academic journal "Frontiers in Veterinary Science." This research was primarily conducted by researchers from the Anicom Group.
*Share calculated from the number of contracts of each company in 2025. Survey by Fuji Keizai Co., Ltd. "2026 Pet-Related Market Marketing Overview."
■ Research Overview
This study utilized anonymized pet insurance claim data held by Anicom Insurance, primarily targeting approximately 690,000 dogs and 190,000 cats whose insurance contracts began in 2023.
The results showed that the risk of claims related to periodontal disease tended to increase with age in both dogs and cats. Furthermore, it became clear that there are species and breed differences in the degree of this increase and the basic risk level.
Particularly in dogs, both the basic risk level and the degree of age-related risk increase were higher compared to cats.
■ Main Research Findings
● Risk Patterns by Breed Group in Dogs
In dogs, it was confirmed, consistent with previous research, that small and toy breeds have a particularly high risk of periodontal disease in their younger years. Additionally, it was newly shown that the characteristics of age-related changes in periodontal disease risk differ among breed groups, and can be classified into the following four patterns:
・Type with high risk from a young age, but a relatively gradual increase with age
・Type with relatively low risk in younger years, but a sharp increase with aging
・Type with high risk from a young age, and also a sharp increase with aging
・Type with average basic risk and average rate of increase
These results suggest that the onset and progression of periodontal disease may be influenced by different factors depending on the dog breed.
● Risk Patterns by Breed Group in Cats
In cats, while the basic risk differences between breeds were relatively small, differences were observed in the degree of age-related risk increase.
Among 51 cat breeds, Siamese showed the highest rate of age-related risk increase. Additionally, brachycephalic breeds such as Exotic, Himalayan, and Persian (7th place) showed a high tendency.
■ Significance of the Research
This research has clarified that periodontal disease is not merely a "disease to be aware of in old age," but that the manifestation of risk differs depending on the breed and body size.
These findings highlight the importance of appropriate care from a young age and are expected to contribute to the consideration of treatment policies in veterinary medical settings and the provision of appropriate information to pet owners.
The Anicom Group will continue to contribute to the development of companion animal medicine and the realization of better lives for pets and owners through research utilizing pet insurance data.
■ Publication Information
Journal:
Frontiers in Veterinary Science (https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/veterinary-science/articles/10.3389/fvets.2026.1764413/full)
Article Title:
Species-and Breed-Associated Heterogeneity in Age-Related Increases in Periodontal Disease Risk among Dogs and Cats Based on Japanese Insurance Claim Data
Authors:
Reira Akiyama (Anicom General Insurance Co., Ltd.)
Yuki Matsumoto (Anicom General Insurance Co., Ltd., Azabu University)
Ryo Horie (Anicom General Insurance Co., Ltd.)
Keywords:
*Share calculated from the number of contracts of each company in 2025. Survey by Fuji Keizai Co., Ltd. "2026 Pet-Related Market Marketing Overview."
■ Research Overview
This study utilized anonymized pet insurance claim data held by Anicom Insurance, primarily targeting approximately 690,000 dogs and 190,000 cats whose insurance contracts began in 2023.
The results showed that the risk of claims related to periodontal disease tended to increase with age in both dogs and cats. Furthermore, it became clear that there are species and breed differences in the degree of this increase and the basic risk level.
Particularly in dogs, both the basic risk level and the degree of age-related risk increase were higher compared to cats.
■ Main Research Findings
● Risk Patterns by Breed Group in Dogs
In dogs, it was confirmed, consistent with previous research, that small and toy breeds have a particularly high risk of periodontal disease in their younger years. Additionally, it was newly shown that the characteristics of age-related changes in periodontal disease risk differ among breed groups, and can be classified into the following four patterns:
・Type with high risk from a young age, but a relatively gradual increase with age
・Type with relatively low risk in younger years, but a sharp increase with aging
・Type with high risk from a young age, and also a sharp increase with aging
・Type with average basic risk and average rate of increase
These results suggest that the onset and progression of periodontal disease may be influenced by different factors depending on the dog breed.
● Risk Patterns by Breed Group in Cats
In cats, while the basic risk differences between breeds were relatively small, differences were observed in the degree of age-related risk increase.
Among 51 cat breeds, Siamese showed the highest rate of age-related risk increase. Additionally, brachycephalic breeds such as Exotic, Himalayan, and Persian (7th place) showed a high tendency.
■ Significance of the Research
This research has clarified that periodontal disease is not merely a "disease to be aware of in old age," but that the manifestation of risk differs depending on the breed and body size.
These findings highlight the importance of appropriate care from a young age and are expected to contribute to the consideration of treatment policies in veterinary medical settings and the provision of appropriate information to pet owners.
The Anicom Group will continue to contribute to the development of companion animal medicine and the realization of better lives for pets and owners through research utilizing pet insurance data.
■ Publication Information
Journal:
Frontiers in Veterinary Science (https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/veterinary-science/articles/10.3389/fvets.2026.1764413/full)
Article Title:
Species-and Breed-Associated Heterogeneity in Age-Related Increases in Periodontal Disease Risk among Dogs and Cats Based on Japanese Insurance Claim Data
Authors:
Reira Akiyama (Anicom General Insurance Co., Ltd.)
Yuki Matsumoto (Anicom General Insurance Co., Ltd., Azabu University)
Ryo Horie (Anicom General Insurance Co., Ltd.)
Keywords: