Our Top 3 most claimed conditions

When it comes to our pets, there can be just as many health factors to look out for as there are breeds of dog. Some illnesses can be typical for a particular breed, and there are some ailments that most pets may suffer from at some point in their life.

Here at Petcover, we want to help all our pet owners and their pets to live their very best lives, and that means making sure we do everything we can to keep our pets healthy.

Here’s an insight into our top three most common areas for claims. It’s our aim that in being armed with this sort of information, our pet parents can take steps to do everything they can to ensure their precious furry family member lives a long and comfortable life. Whilst it’s not necessarily pleasant to look too deeply into it, your pet will most certainly be grateful for all the extra care you take to keep them well. Here’s how:

1. Digestive issues

Hardly a surprise if you are already a pet owner! Problems can arise from many factors too long to list here, but can include issues with the bowels, stomach and pancreas, with gastroenteritis and pancreatitis being common maladies.

How to keep them healthy: A regular, balanced diet of quality pet food, plenty of water available at all times and, sorry to say, limit (or eliminate) those human snacks! Most people know that chocolate, for example, can be toxic for dogs, but were you aware that seemingly benign vegetables such as onions and garlic, avocado and even sweetcorn can cause a variety of  digestive problems?

2. Skin allergies

More common in dogs, atopic dermatitis comes out as number one for skin problems. Usually due to airborne allergens such as pollens.

How to keep them healthy: Allergies are unavoidable, however, ensure regular bathing (and grooming if applicable). Also, regular flea and tick treatments will help to keep your pet itch-free!

3. Lameness

Often due to injury, dogs and cats can also become lame due to issues such as osteoarthritis and joint dysplasia. With horses it can be even more common with their complex ligament, muscle and joint systems.

How to keep them healthy: Using common sense is key when it comes to not giving your pet the opportunity to injure themselves, but of course sometimes it is unavoidable! Keep an eye on your pet’s mobility as they get older, making sure to take note of any difficulties they have walking, rising to their feet and jumping up. For example, cats should be happy to jump quite high with seemingly no effort whatsoever. But if they choose to jump in ‘steps’ such as from the floor to a chair and then onto the table, rather than straight onto the table, they may be feeling some limb soreness. If they appear to be having difficulty, they may need to be examined or x-rayed.

With prevention being better than cure, an early visit to the vet as soon as you notice potential issues can save your pet pain, and you from the pain of bigger costs.

Pet insurance exists to protect you against unexpected costs. Vet bills can come as quite a shock, especially if you haven’t budgeted for unforeseen ailments or issues – pet insurance from Petcover can help take away a lot of the financial burden of these unplanned expenses.

As always, we encourage you to read and understand your insurance policy documents in detail before committing to any potentially expensive veterinary treatments. We are here to help if you have any questions about your policy on 1300 731 324 or drop us a line on info.au@petcovergroup.com

How Petcover can help your pet

Petcover specialises in offering quality, straightforward pet insurance with a range of policy options that suit your needs. Whether your pet is big or small, furry or scaly our range of cover options are packed with added benefits. Accidents can happen at any time and the reality of veterinary costs can come a quite a shock. With our range of cover levels for dogs, cats, horses and exotic animals, why not get a quote today?