Getting a dog is a big decision, one full of cuddles, companionship – and unexpected costs. While most pooch parents will budget for food, toys and check-ups, few might consider how expensive it could be if their dog gets sick or injured.
The ABI recently reported that in 2024, a record £1.23 billion was paid out in pet insurance claims across the year, up 4% on 2023. Dogs led the pack with £933 million in claims, followed by cats at £232 million.
To help make those hidden costs clearer, we analysed our own real claims data across the 30 most popular dog breeds we insure. From average vet bills to the most common conditions; take a look at what we found and learn how pet insurance could help you plan for the unexpected.
What are the average vet fees for different dog sizes?
Methodology: Using our claims data on dog and senior policies for the 30 most popular dog breeds that we insure, we have reviewed the top five most common conditions / illnesses owners claimed for, by each breed, from 01/01/2024 to 31/12/2024, including the average cost the customer claimed for (not paid). We’ve then grouped these findings together by size of dog breed to give you the average vet costs by dog sizes.
- Miniature dogs up to 5kg
Our analysis included the following dog breeds: Chihuahua (smooth coat), Dachshund (Miniature Smooth Hair), and Yorkshire Terrier.
Total average vet costs: £783.77
- Small dogs up to 10kg
Our analysis included the following dog breeds: Border Terrier, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Cockapoo, Cockapoo Cross, Cocker Spaniel Cross, Jack Russell Terrier, Jack Russell Terrier (Cross), Lhasa Apso, Pug, Schnauzer, Shih Tzu, and West Highland White Terrier.
Total average vet costs: £434.57
- Medium dogs up to 20kg
Our analysis included the following dog breeds: Beagle, Cavapoo Cross, Cocker Spaniel, French Bulldog, Labradoodle Cross, Staffordshire Bullterrier, Spaniel (English Springer), Spaniel (English Springer) Cross and Whippet.
Total average vet costs: £521.22
- Large dogs up to 40kg
Our analysis included the following dog breeds: Border Collie, German Shepherd (Alsatian), Golden Retriever, Hungarian Vizsla, Labrador and Labrador Retriever.
Total average vet costs: £466.86
From our analysis it would appear that miniature dogs incur the most expensive veterinary costs, followed by medium sized dogs, then large dogs, with small dogs being the cheapest to treat.
Pet owners want more clarity on vet fees
In September 2023, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) launched an initial review looking at consumer experiences and business practices in the provision of veterinary services for household pets.
The investigation is to focus on the following areas of concern:
- Price rises of 60% or more between 2016 and 2023
- Medicines sold for 3 to 4 times the purchase cost
- Very limited price transparency
- Limited visibility on whether practices, referral centres and online pharmacies are part of large national groups
- Considerable dissatisfaction with the complaints system
- Veterinary businesses owned by non-vets not being subject to mandatory quality or professional regulation
- Budget-conscious pet owners not being given a sufficiently wide range of choices
- A sector radically changed with large groups now controlling 60% of first opinion practices and many related businesses
With the CMA’s review ongoing pet owners will have to wait on what next steps will be proposed. However, the calls for more transparency on costs could help people feel more informed when having to make decisions about their pet’s welfare.
The average cost of vet consultation fees
Unfortunately, there’s no set fee when it comes to visiting your vet, each practice sets its own fee for a consultation, so it’s always worth asking them at the point of making an appointment.
- How much does a routine check-up cost?
A routine check-up costs typically costs between £30-£60. However, some veterinary practices have monthly pet health plans that might include the cost of annual vaccinations, flea and tick treatment, and other routine checks. It might be worth speaking with your vet to find out if they offer a plan and what it covers.
- Are emergency visits more expensive?
Yes, out of hours/emergency vets tend to be more expensive. This is because they operate outside of normal working hours, such as evenings, weekends and bank holidays.
The top 3 most common dog conditions and their costs
From our analysis, we noted the following three conditions to be the most common amongst all the breeds we analysed:
- Bone Diseases-Arthritis – average cost claimed for £286.49
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniels incurred the cheapest average claim at £180.99
- Labradors incurred the most expensive average claim at £405.13
Breeds affected: Border Collie, Border Terrier, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Cocker Spaniel, German Shepherd (Alsatian), Golden Retriever, Hungarian Vizsla, Jack Russell Terrier, Jack Russell Terrier Cross, Labrador, Labrador Retriever, Schnauzer (Miniature), Shih Tzu, Spaniel (English Springer), Spaniel (English Springer) Cross, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, West Highland White Terrier, and Whippet.
- Blood Diseases-Diabetes – average cost claimed for £420.11
- Cocker Spaniel Cross’ incurred the cheapest average claim at £140.84
- Beagles incurred the most expensive average claim at £897.29
Breeds affected: Beagle, Border Terrier, Cockapoo, Cocker Spaniel Cross, Dachshund (Miniature Smooth Hair), Labrador, Lhasa Apso, Schnauzer (Miniature), Shih Tzu, West Highland White Terrier, and Yorkshire Terrier.
- Bone Diseases-Osteoarthritis – average cost claimed for £316.35
- Lhasa Apsos incurred the cheapest average claim at £175.81
- Spaniels (English Springer) incurred the most expensive average claim at £465.97
Breeds affected: Beagle, Border Collie, Cocker Spaniel, German Shepherd (Alsatian), Golden Retriever, Hungarian Vizsla, Labrador, Labrador Retriever, Lhasa Apso, Spaniel (English Springer), and Staffordshire Bull Terrier.
How pet insurance can help
- Does pet insurance cover all vet fees?
Pet insurance could cover all or part of your vets’ fees if your pet becomes ill or has an accident, depending on what type of policy you choose.
Vet fees are typically covered under Time Limited, Maximum Benefit and Lifetime, however, cover amounts vary between policies. An Accident Only dog insurance policy could also cover your pooch should they need veterinary care for an injury caused by an accident.
What pet insurance will not pay for is preventative, cosmetic, and routine treatments as well as claims for any behavioural problems.
- Exclusions and limitations
As with any insurance product, pet insurance policies do have exclusions and limitations which are illustrated in a customer’s policy documents. It’s important to read through these as they will explain what you’re covered for, any excess due if you need to claim, and all the terms and conditions you need to know.
Tips to reduce vet bills
Dogs can get themselves into all sorts of mischief and mayhem, as we found out from our Dogs Behaving Badly survey, but that doesn’t always have to result in a trip to the vets.
Like us humans, most dogs need regular walks to keep them fit and healthy so it’s important to know how much exercise your dog breed needs. In addition, keep an eye on their weight, as overweight dogs in particular are more likely to suffer from certain health conditions that could cost a lot to treat.
Our claims data revealed that 33% of claims for food-related poisoning (including chocolate & raisins) occur over the festive period [1]. Therefore, it’s worth being extra vigilant of pets during these seasonal events to avoid any unwanted trips to the vets because they’ve ingested something they shouldn’t have.
If you do have to go to the vet and your dog requires treatment, then it’s worth asking your vet if you could get their medication elsewhere. Some medication can be bought online for less that at your veterinary practice. You would still need your vet to write you a prescription, and there is a cost for this, but it could save you money.
What are the most common conditions for my breed of dog?
As our analysis shows, vet visits are often unavoidable, and costly. But knowing what your dog might be prone to, and how much treatment could cost, might help you prepare.
What’s more, if you’re considering welcoming a pup into your home, take a look at the UK’s most and least affordable dog breeds to find out more about the potential costs of dog ownership.
Whether you’re already a proud pup parent or thinking about getting a dog, having pet insurance could give you peace of mind and help you focus on what matters most: your furry friend’s health and happiness. We have a range of dog and senior dog policies that can be tweaked to suit your budget – take a look get a free, no-strings quote today!
[1] Data provided is from The Insurance Emporium’s internal data using paid claims ranging from 01.11.24 – 31.01.25.
All content provided on this blog is for informational purposes only. We make no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information on this site or found by following any link on this site. We will not be liable for any errors or omissions in this information nor for the availability of this information. We will not be liable for any loss, injury, or damage arising from the display or use of this information. This policy is subject to change at any time.
We offer a variety of cover levels, so please check the policy cover suits your needs before purchasing. For your protection, please ensure you read the Insurance Product Information Document (IPID) and policy wording, for information on policy exclusions and limitations.
