Health trends for cats in 2022

Health trends for cats in 2022

From vomiting to gastritis, we’ve identified the top pet diseases and health trends experienced by cats in 2022. We also asked our Veterinary Advisors to share their best tips and tricks so you can keep your cat safe and healthy.

Fabulous Felines: top 10 health trends

1. Vomiting

Vomiting was a common health issue experienced by cats in 2022, according to PetSure claims data. The average cost for treatment was $636* while the highest cost for treatment in one case was $9,464*. 

If your cat presents with vomiting, seek advice from your local veterinarian.

2. Gastritis

In 2022, gastritis was one of the top pet diseases experienced by cats across all age groups. PetSure data shows the average cost for treatment was $627* while the highest cost was $13,862*. 

Gastritis can be caused from overeating, a change in diet or an allergy or sensitivity. To help prevent your cat from getting gastritis, ensure you don’t overfeed them and that you follow the recommended portion sizes for their breed and weight.

3. Dental

In third place for common health trends for cats was dental conditions. The average cost for treatment was $815* while the highest cost was $4,928*. 

To protect your cat from dental health issues, make sure you feed them a permeium diet that includes denta care and if possilbe, brush their teeth regularly and booked them in for regular dental checkups.

4. Diarrhoea

Diarrhoea was a common health trend for cats in 2022. The average treatment cost was $376*, with the highest cost for treatment coming in at over $8,836. Diarrhoea may be a sign of a variety of health conditions like gastrointestinal disorders.

If your cat presents with diarrhea, seek advice from your local veterinarian.

5. Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD)

Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD) also made the list of common health trends for cats in 2022. According to PetSure claims data, pet parents were forking out an average of $1,330* while the highest cost in some cases was $19,414*. 

Feed your cat a high-quality diet throughout life as recommended by your vet and try to avoid your cat becoming overweight. Where possible, remove toxins within your cat’s environment and try to increase their water intake.

6. Ear Infections

Ear Infections are a condition that cause inflammation of the external ear canal. PetSure data shows the average cost of treatment for otitis externa is $347*, with the cost of treatment as high as $7,771* in some cases. 

To protect your feline from ear infections, clean their ears regularly. If you notice your cat shaking their head, scratching their ears or if you see any discharge from the ears, seek veterinary advice right away.

7. Osteoarthritis (Degenerative Joint Disease)

Osteoarthritis was a common pet disease among cats in 2022. PetSure data shows the average cost for treatment is $357* while the highest cost for treatment in 2022 was $5,387*.  

To help protect your cat from osteoarthritis, feed them quality nutrition and try to avoid them becoming overweight. You should also regularly visit the vet for check ups so you can catch arthritis early.

8. Skin allergies

Skin allergies was experienced by a large number of cats in 2022, with pet parents forking out $451* on average for treatment while the highest cost for treatment in 2022 was $ 4,990*. 

Keep your cat’s skin and coat clean, brush the coat and examine the skin frequently to pick up any problems early. Review source of stress, as overgrooming can be confused with skin disease or it may cause skin disease. Ask your vet to review your cat regularly and check for underlying diseases that could be affecting the skin and coat.

9. Bite injury

Bite injury was a common health trend for felines in 2022. The average cost for treating bite injuries was $562* while the highest treatment cost was nearly $37,435*. 

Where possible, keep cats indoors in a cat friendly enclosure and when introducing them to new cats, do so carefully and with caution. Check out our knowledge hub for useful information about cat fight abscess and the breeds it is most prevalent in.

10.  Constipation / Obstipation

Rounding out the top 10 pet diseases for cats was constipation / obstipation. PetSure data shows the average cost of treatment was $695* while the maximum cost was $11,350*. 

If your cat presents with signs of constipation, seek veterinary advice right away. 

Eye problems

Our vets Dr Betty Chan and Dr Kylie Mitchell have provided some tips and ticks that you can do to keep your cats safe and try avoid eye problems. These include the removal of environmental irritants like cleaners, checking for underlying diseases and keep your cats indoors to avoid fights. See your vet for early eye problems.

Our fabulous felines are part of the family, so it’s important to be aware of the common pet diseases and health conditions they may face throughout their life so you can improve their wellness and take care of them, because prevention is always better than a cure.

Reimbursement for these claims under a pet insurance policy, would be subject to limits, such as annual benefit limits or sub-limits, benefit
percentage, applicable waiting periods and any applicable excess. Cover is subject to the policy terms and conditions. You should consider the
relevant Product Disclosure Statement or policy wording available from the relevant provider. * Please note that values calculated are based on all claims for that condition and medically related conditions in each calendar year.