truInsights into Anxiety in Pets: Trupanion Sees Record High Year of Anxiety Claims, Offers Tips for How to Spot and Prevent
September 16 2024 - 9:00AM
Anxiety claims are on the rise, according to Trupanion, Inc.
(Nasdaq: TRUP), the leading provider of medical insurance for cats
and dogs. Looking at veterinary invoice data from over one million
insured pets, Trupanion indicates that in total, and on a per pet
basis, 2023 was a record high for the number of veterinary claims
related to anxiety and offers tips for pet parents looking for ways
to spot or prevent anxiety in their own pets.
A Year of Record High Claims for Anxiety
In 2023, Trupanion paid 21,180 anxiety claims, and from 2019 -
2023, on average paid about 12,178 anxiety claims per year. These
claims have been steadily increasing each year, growing an
estimated 227% in total, and as a percentage of total Trupanion
insured pets, by 71% since 2019. Anxiety can be a chronic condition
in pets, and Trupanion members claiming for anxiety make an average
of 3 claims for this condition over their pets’ lifetime.
Commenting on the increase in anxiety-related claims among
Trupanion members, Dr. Steve Weinrauch, BVMS, MRCVS, Trupanion
Chief Product & Veterinary Officer, explains, "It's important
not to assume that a rise in claims is linked to an increase in pet
anxiety. Many factors could influence this trend, such as families
spending more time with their pets and noticing their behavior,
along with increased access to and awareness of the care available
to today’s pets.”
Amongst Trupanion’s population of insured dogs, nearly 4% have
had a claim related to anxiety compared to nearly 2% for insured
cats. Adult pets (age 1-7) claim 57% more often for anxiety than
puppies and kittens, and senior pets (age 7 and up) claim 88% more
than puppies and kittens.
Top Dog Breeds for Anxiety Claims
- Pyrenean Mountain Dog (Great Pyrenees)
- English Springer Spaniel
- Olde English Bulldog
- Shetland Sheepdog
- Australian Cattle Dog
Top Cat Breeds for Anxiety Claims
- Siamese
- Bengal
- Persian
- Ragdoll
- Siberian
Spot, Prevent, & Treat Anxiety in Dogs
Signs and symptoms of anxiety in dogs include:
- panting
- pacing
- excessive vocalization
- inappropriate elimination (urinating or defecating in the
house)
- hiding or withdrawing
- trembling, behavioral changes (acting irritable or
aggressive)
- tucking the tail between the legs
- pulling the ears back
- dilated eyes
- drooling
- excessive grooming or other forms of self-harm
- appetite changes
“For anxiety in all pets, recognizing behavior changes early can
be key to helping prevent the problem from escalating,” says
veterinarian and Trupanion General Manager, Dr. Stephen Rose, BVSc
(Hons1) M Infotech CVA ACVCHM. “Like most wellbeing aspects of our
own and our pet's lives, simple and regular exercise and a
balanced, nutritious diet are important, as well as plenty of play
sessions and quality time with your pet and providing enrichment
toys such as food puzzles or toys filled with treats to stimulate
the mind.”
Dr. Rose continued, “If your dog is showing signs of anxiety,
don’t hesitate to talk to your veterinarian if you’re concerned.
There are many options available, including many that don’t involve
medication. Even providing a quiet, safe space for your dog to
retreat to when needed or simply ensuring appropriate daily
exercise can go a long way. There are also excellent
counterconditioning and desensitization behavior modification
programs that can help train your dog to become less fearful and
reactive.”
Spot, Prevent, & Treat Anxiety in Cats
Signs and symptoms of anxiety in cats include:
- overgrooming
- excessive vocalization
- drooling
- behavior changes
- hiding or withdrawing
- pacing or restlessness
- changes to litter box habits
- changes in appetite
“For cats, adding vertical space like cat trees and safe
shelving are great for both prevention and ongoing treatment,” says
Dr. Rose. “Cats need quiet, safe spaces and alone time as well as
enrichment, and cat trees can often provide both. Cats can also be
remarkably sensitive to routine, so avoid sudden changes to their
litter type, food, and be sure to keep their litter box clean. And
don’t underestimate the value of play—catnip, interactive toys, and
food puzzles are all important for kitty, too. If needed,
veterinarian recommended pheromones or supplements may be found at
your local pet store or directly from your veterinarian. Most
importantly, if you have any concerns, reach out to your
veterinarian.”
About Trupanion
Trupanion is a leader in medical insurance for cats and dogs
throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, Puerto Rico and
Australia with over 1,000,000 pets enrolled. For over two decades,
Trupanion has given pet owners peace of mind so they can focus on
their pet's recovery, not financial stress. Trupanion is committed
to providing pet owners with the highest value in pet medical
insurance with unlimited payouts for the life of their pets. With
its patented process, Trupanion is the only North American provider
with the technology to pay veterinarians directly in seconds at the
time of checkout. Trupanion is listed on NASDAQ under the symbol
"TRUP". The company was founded in 2000 and is headquartered in
Seattle, WA. Trupanion policies are issued, in the United States,
by its wholly-owned insurance entity American Pet Insurance Company
and, in Canada, by Accelerant Insurance Company of Canada.
Trupanion Australia is a partnership between Trupanion and Hollard
Insurance Company. Policies are sold and administered by Trupanion
Managers USA, Inc. (CA license No. 0G22803, NPN 9588590). For more
information, please visit trupanion.com.
Contacts:
Media: Trupanion Corporate Communications
Corporate.communications@trupanion.com
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