Dermatitis Tops in Dogs, Diarrhea in Cats: Pet Insurance Claim Rankings 2026

First iPet Insurance Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Koto-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Atsuko Yasuda; hereinafter "the company") announces the ranking of pet illnesses and injuries*¹ with the highest insurance claims from policyholders for dogs and cats.

*¹Term collectively referring to diseases (illnesses) and injuries (accidents)

【Survey Summary】

◆【Overall】Dermatitis ranked first for dogs, diarrhea for cats—revealing differences between species

◆【Surgery】For both dogs and cats, tumors ranked first, periodontal disease second—showing similar trends

◆【Outpatient】Dogs: dermatitis, cats: diarrhea—matching the overall rankings

◆【By Age】For dogs, foreign body ingestion ranked first in ages 0–6, tumors in 7+—showing a shift in senior years

◆【By Age】For cats, diarrhea at age 0, foreign body ingestion at ages 1–6, and kidney disease at 7+—varies significantly by age

Survey Result 1: Ranking of Illnesses with Highest Insurance Claims 【Overall (Outpatient, Hospitalization, Surgery)】

※Calculated based on a sample survey using First iPet's insurance claim data from January to December 2025

For dogs, dermatitis remained in first place, continuing from last year. Dermatitis often presents as itching, redness, or scratching behavior—symptoms easily noticed by owners during daily interactions. Foreign body ingestion ranked second for dogs and fourth for cats, an accident preventable with proper owner precautions—highlighting the need for continued awareness. Tumors ranked third, appearing in the top tier for both dogs and cats. Overall, dogs show more skin-related conditions compared to cats, such as otitis externa (5th) and itching (8th).

For cats, diarrhea ranked first. A major trend is the prevalence of multiple urinary tract conditions, including kidney disease (2nd), cystitis (6th), and urolithiasis (10th). These are linked to cats’ natural tendency to consume less water. Creating an environment that encourages hydration is essential.

Survey Result 2: Ranking of Illnesses with Highest Insurance Claims 【Surgery】

※Calculated based on a sample survey using First iPet's insurance claim data from January to December 2025

※The above treatment details and costs are for reference only and do not represent actual payments or general averages

※Treatment costs vary by veterinary clinic

In the surgery-specific ranking, tumors ranked first for both dogs and cats. Compared to the overall ranking, surgery trends differ significantly. For example, canine patellar luxation and feline urolithiasis, which ranked 10th overall, rose to 3rd and 4th in the surgery ranking, respectively. Additionally, fractures, ranked 5th in surgery for both species, did not appear in the overall ranking—indicating a high likelihood of requiring surgery when they occur. Sudden, unpredictable risks must be anticipated beyond routine health management.

Survey Result 3: Ranking of Illnesses with Highest Insurance Claims 【Outpatient】

※Calculated based on a sample survey using First iPet's insurance claim data from January to December 2025

※The above treatment details and costs are for reference only and do not represent actual payments or general averages

※Treatment costs vary by veterinary clinic

The outpatient-specific ranking closely aligns with the top items in the overall ranking for both dogs and cats. Diarrhea, ranked 3rd in dogs and 1st in cats, is a common symptom—but veterinary consultation is essential to determine whether it’s temporary or a sign of a serious condition. Notably, in cats, chronic conditions like kidney disease (2nd) and heart disease (3rd)—not ranked for dogs—dominate the top spots. These often require ongoing medication and management, necessitating long-term outpatient care to coexist with illness.

Survey Result 4: Ranking of Illnesses with Highest Insurance Claims 【By Age, Overall (Outpatient, Hospitalization, Surgery)】

※Calculated based on a sample survey using First iPet's insurance claim data from January to December 2025

For dogs, foreign body ingestion consistently ranked first from ages 0 to 6, highlighting risks during their curious developmental phase. At age 0, conditions like kennel cough and fractures appear high, reflecting the fragility of immature immune systems and skeletons. In contrast, from age 7+, rankings shift dramatically—tumors take first place, followed by heart disease and periodontal disease, all chronic conditions whose risks increase with age.

For cats, age 0 is dominated by infectious diseases and digestive issues like diarrhea and feline colds. From ages 1 to 6, foreign body ingestion rises to first, with urinary issues like cystitis and urolithiasis also common. At age 7+, kidney disease ranks first. Conditions like diarrhea and foreign body ingestion, common in youth, drop off, while internal organ diseases—kidney, heart—and tumors dominate. For cats, kidney issues often require lifelong support, making early health management and preparation for long-term outpatient care crucial as they enter their senior years.

The company operates "Uchi no Ko HAPPY PROJECT," a preventive education initiative supervised by veterinarians. Within it, we provide the online veterinary encyclopedia "Uchi no Ko Home Medical Dictionary for Pets," offering information on pet-related topics such as disease names, symptoms, and prevention methods. Illnesses listed in this survey are also covered—please visit:

https://uchihap-vetnote.ipet-ins.com/

We hope these findings help raise awareness of the importance of preventing illness and injury, contributing to longer, loving lives between owners and their beloved pets.

First iPet will continue to protect your cherished pet with lifelong care and reliable peace of mind.

Reference: Learn more about the importance of pet insurance:

https://www.ipet-ins.com/pet-insurance/

【Survey Overview】

Survey Period: January 1 – December 31, 2025*²

Survey Method: Sample survey based on the company’s insurance claim data

*²Based on payment date