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Vet bills, like most other things at the moment, are on the up. Vet care is one of the most expensive aspects of owning a dog, but pet insurance can help reduce the chance of a shock bill.
When you take out a ManyPets policy you'll also be able to get unlimited 24/7 online vet advice. They might even be able to put your mind at ease over a bout of vomiting or a minor wound so you don't have to visit the vet in person.
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What is the average vet bill for dogs in the UK?
Although the average claim cost for dogs we saw was £349.82, the average vet bill varies dramatically depending on whether your dog needs one short treatment, or ongoing care.
Where you live will also affect your vet bills – some areas are more expensive than others.
Vets in cities and the South-East tend to charge more than vets in the rest of the country because their costs are higher.
Even standard procedures such as fixing up a cut can cost more than you might expect. In 2023 the average claim for a wound is £312.85 but costs can vary dramatically depending on the size of the wound and even the breed being treated.
You can get an idea of vet cost trends around the country by looking at our research on the average cost of vaccinations and the average cost of neutering for dogs and for cats.
The average cost of the most common dog illnesses
ManyPets customers submit tens of thousands of claims every year. So we've used that data to find the cost of some of the most common vet treatments.
These are some of the most common types of claims we get for dogs – and the average cost in the 12 months up to November 2023.
| Medical condition | Average claim payout |
|---|---|
| Lameness | £536.91 |
| Stomach upset (vomiting/diarrhoea) | £335 |
| Vomiting | £508.11 |
| Foreign body | £789.02 |
| Ear infection | £216.89 |
These costs give you an idea of how much it could cost you at the vet if you didn’t have pet insurance to foot the bill.
It’s worth remembering that owners may need to claim multiple times a year or throughout a pet’s life for the same or related conditions – so the actual cost could be significantly higher.
Lameness
One of the most common claims we see in dogs is lameness.
A limp can be caused by something as small as thorn in a dog’s paw that may not need any vet treatment. But a persistent limp may be a sign of a bigger problem.
The average claim for lameness is £536.91. That figure might be much higher if the lameness is just an initial claim that’s part of a diagnosis for a more significant problem.
For example, one of the most common problems associated with lameness is cruciate ligament disease. Not all pet insurance companies cover it so make sure you read a company’s policy documents carefully. ManyPets is designed to cover the things owners need so we will cover cruciate ligament issues.
Hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia can also present as lameness – two other conditions that notoriously might need expensive surgeries.
Arthritis is another common condition associated with lameness.
Both cruciate ligament issues and arthritis can occur suddenly. In medical terms it’s known as acute onset, which makes it difficult to plan for any treatment. Pet insurance is designed to help with unexpected vet bills.
Skin conditions
The average claim for a skin condition or allergy is £156.50. It’s lower than some other medical issues because treatment may be less invasive but pets may need ongoing prescriptions and appointments.
Allthough the average claim value is lower than for some other diseases, in some cases treatment comes with a high price tag. Multiple appointments and treatment for skin allergies, can add up to over £1,000 per year.
We once dealt with a £2,000+ claim for a Labrador with acral lick dermatitis, which is also known as lick granuloma.
It’s caused when dog becomes obsessed with licking the same area of its skin. It can open a wound that eventually becomes infected and may need bandages, antibiotics and even surgery.
If your dog needs ongoing regular medication, you might be able to save money on prescription medication by paying for a prescription from your vet and buying it online. It’ll be conveniently delivered to your door too.
Digestive upset
Vomiting and diarrhoea claims have accounted for around 5% of all our dog claims and the average cost of treatment is £335.
A digestive condition may need repeat vet visits or ongoing medication to help a dog recover. Owners who have insurance may need to make more than one claim and those who don’t will have to cover all the costs themselves.
Digestive upsets cover a wide range of issues such as acute gastroenteritis and colitis. It’s difficult to predict the exact costs an owner will face when treating digestive problems so our figure for the average claim should be used as a guide.
Although digestive issues can affect any dog, German Shepherds and Labradors are susceptible to them.
Seizure
It can be terrifying to see your dog have a seizure and you’ll want to get them to the vet right away to find out what’s going on.
The average claim for seizures is £428.37, but with a huge range of causes, from epilepsy to poisoning, an initial seizure claim could be just the start of a long road of diagnostics to get to the bottom of things.
That means that the overall bill for your dog having fits could end up being significant if you don’t have pet insurance to cover it.
Ear infections
Ear infections in dogs are as common as they are painful. The average claim of £216.89, so it’s lower than many other conditions, but ear infections can need ongoing treatment so owners are likely to make multiple claims.
Dogs’ ears are vulnerable to all sorts of issues, such as mites, grass seeds and bacterial or yeast infections. And breeds with big floppy ears like Basset Hounds and Cocker Spaniels can be more susceptible to ear infections.
The most expensive dog insurance claims
Because we offer high levels of cover, we see some very high value claims. For example, we’ve helped cover the cost of a labradoodle involved in a traffic accident where veterinary treatment totalled almost £14,000.
We also dealt with a claim for a Cocker Spaniel with pus in their chest costing over £11,000.
How to save money on vet bills
If you need to pay for antibiotics, anti-inflammatory medication, or any kind of ongoing pain relief for your dog, it will become quite expensive, but there is a way to save.
You can pay for a prescription from your vet and use online pharmacies to get the same medication your vet would give you at cheaper prices if your dog needs long-term medication.
It’s also more convenient because you can order at any time online and have the medication delivered to your door. Find out more about online pharmacies here.
The number one thing you can do for peace of mind over paying for vet bills is to take out dog insurance.
All of our dog insurance policies are lifetime cover, which means you’ll have a vet fee limit that refreshes each year when you renew your policy, so you won’t run out of cover if your dog needs ongoing treatment through their lifetime.
Consider our Lifetime policy for a really comprehensive £15,000 of cover annually. Perfect for anything from minor ailments to a major surgery.
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