Dog Breeds With The Highest Chances Of Health Problems – Forbes Advisor

Many dog owners choose a dog breed based on characteristics that fit their homes and lifestyles. An urban apartment dweller might prefer a mellow companion who doesn’t require a lot of space and exercise, such as a French bulldog. Someone with a large home and fenced-in yard might opt for an energetic breed such as a border collie.

Dog owners might also wonder about a breed’s likelihood of developing health conditions, such as cancer, cardiac disease or arthritis. The veterinary analytics team at Nationwide pet insurance studied dogs insured by Nationwide pet insurance policies to determine relative rates of health problems among breeds.

Dogs With the Highest Cancer Risk

Owners of boxers have the highest chances of filing a cancer pet insurance claim, among the 25 most popular breeds, according to Nationwide’s analysis of more than 1.6 million dogs insured by Nationwide pet insurance
over a six-year period. The average age for a boxer’s first cancer claim is around age 8. Beagles and golden retrievers are also among the popular dog breeds most likely to get cancer.

Nationwide’s analysis also found that purebred dogs are almost twice (1.9 times) as likely to develop cancer compared to non-purebred dogs.

The average cost of cancer treatment for a dog is $4,100, according to Forbes Advisor’s analysis of vet visit costs.

How to Read the Claim Risk Numbers

A claim risk of 1.0 means the dog breed has an average risk of having an insurance claim for the health condition. In the tables below, numbers above 1.0 indicate a higher risk. A claim risk of 6.0 would mean the dog has six times the average risk of an insurance claim for the health condition.

Popular Dog Breeds With the Highest Cancer Risk

Dogs With a High Chance of Pancreatitis and Diabetes in Their Senior Years

Toy and small dog breeds dominate the list of dogs with the highest relative risk for pancreatitis and diabetes in their senior years, according to Nationwide’s analysis. At the top of the risk list are miniature pinschers and miniature schnauzers.

Pancreatitis in dogs is an inflammatory disease in the pancreas with symptoms that include abdominal pain, diarrhea and vomiting. Risk factors for dog pancreatitis include obesity, hyperlipidemia (elevated levels of fats in the bloodstream) and eating things such as table scraps and trash.

Diabetes mellitus is a failure of the pancreas to regulate blood sugar. It is a known disease of aging dogs. Female dogs and dogs that have other health conditions are at a higher risk. Symptoms of diabetes include increased urination, hunger and drinking, with or without weight loss. If the condition is not well-controlled, dog diabetes can be life threatening.

The average cost to treat dog diabetes is $2,700, according to Forbes Advisor’s analysis.

Risk for Pancreatitis and Diabetes for Dogs in Their Senior Years

Dogs With the Highest Chances of Senior Cardiac Disease

If you own a toy or small-breed dog, be aware that they have the highest chances of cardiac disease as they age. In particular, Cavalier King Charles spaniels stand out as having the highest risk, according to Nationwide’s analysis.

Cardiac disease can be broadly defined as valvular diseases and cardiomyopathies (diseases of the heart muscle). Dog breeds with the lowest risk for developing cardiac disease as seniors include Labrador retrievers, English bulldogs and pugs, among the 69 breeds in Nationwide’s analysis of cardiac problems.

The most common outcome of canine cardiac disease is congestive heart failure, which occurs when a dog’s heart cannot meet its body’s needs, causing fluid to accumulate in its lungs. Symptoms of canine heart disease include coughing, difficulty breathing and not tolerating exercise.

Nationwide notes that it assumed that congenital heart disease (present at birth) is not included in the data because it’s a pre-existing condition, which is not covered by pet insurance and thus not reflected in claims.

Dog Breeds With a High Risk for Senior Cardiac Disease

Dogs With the Highest Chances of Senior Kidney Disease

Shetland sheepdogs have the highest chance for senior kidney disease, among the 67 dog breeds in Nationwide’s analysis. At the top of the risk list are Yorkshire terriers and silky terriers.

One of the kidney’s critical roles is to filter blood and remove waste products. Kidney failure in dogs is diagnosed when the kidneys have lost more than 75% of their functionality. This can happen over time (chronic kidney failure) or suddenly (acute kidney failure). Acute kidney failure can happen because of an infection or swallowing something toxic. Symptoms of kidney failure in dogs include diarrhea, vomiting and weight loss.

Both chronic and acute kidney disease can be medically treated, although only acute kidney disease is potentially reversible. Treatment may include a prescription diet that reduces the amount of protein wastes or metabolic toxins.

Dog Breeds With the Highest Risk for Senior Kidney Disease

Dog Breeds With the Highest Risk for Senior Arthritis

Rough collies have the highest risk of arthritis in their senior years compared to 81 other dog breeds in Nationwide’s analysis. Large and extra large dog breeds are most susceptible to arthritis in their later years.

The Nationwide Pet Health Analytics and Insights Team looked at primary osteoarthritis (OA) and medically managed causes of secondary OA in dog breeds.

Primary OA is a disease that arises spontaneously. Risk factors include age and obesity. Secondary OA is the most common form of OA and occurs because of an incident such as a cruciate ligament injury, hip or elbow dysplasia, patellar luxation (kneecap moves out of its normal location) or trauma. Risk factors for secondary OA include breed, genetics, age, sex and neuter status and body weight.

Dog owners with senior purebred dogs are more likely to submit pet insurance claims for arthritis compared to dog owners with mixed breed dogs, according to Nationwide. Treatments for OA might include physical therapy and non-steroidal anti-inflammatories.

Dog Breeds With the Highest Risk for Senior Arthritis

Brachycephalic Dog Breeds and the Risk of Health Problems

Dogs with significantly shortened faces and muzzles are known as brachycephalic breeds. This includes Boston terriers, boxers, bull mastiffs, English bulldogs, French bulldogs, pugs and Shih Tzus. Brachycephalic dog breeds can have a higher risk for certain health problems compared to non-brachycephalic dog breeds, according to Nationwide’s study of pet insurance claims. Bulldog and mastiff breeds are among the 20 most expensive dogs to insure.

Dog owners with brachycephalic breeds are almost three times more likely to submit a pet insurance claim for respiratory issues compared to non-brachycephalic breeds, according to Nationwide. This includes claims for pneumonia, inflammatory upper airway diseases and brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome.

Unfortunately, brachycephalic breeds are prone to some pretty intense, often chronic, health problems.” – Dr. Jacqueline Brister, Embrace pet insurance

Eye problems are another common issue, such as cherry eye. Dog owners with brachycephalic breeds are almost four times more likely to submit pet insurance claims for ocular disease compared to non-brachycephalic breeds, according to Nationwide. Other common health problems for brachycephalic breeds include complications of pregnancy, heatstroke and systemic allergic reactions.

Preventive Health Care Tips for Dog Owners

“Every dog breed is going to have their own set of quirks, personalities, needs and health concerns,” says Dr. Jacqueline Brister, doctor of veterinary medicine and consultant for Embrace pet insurance. Brister recommends that you research breed-specific websites such as the American Kennel Club and consult with a veterinarian to help you decide how to best meet the needs of a future pet.

Preventive care starts with good lifestyle choices. Brister recommends you feed your pets a nutritious diet and make sure they’re getting appropriate exercise and keeping a healthy weight. And don’t skip regular veterinary exams. Regular checkups are key to catching problems early and helps prevent conditions from becoming more serious, Brister says.

“Dogs can’t tell their owner when something is wrong,” Brister says. Your vet will examine your dog’s body conditions, ears, eyes, teeth and gums, coat and skin to get a clear picture of any issues that need to be addressed. “This keeps the pet happy and healthy and keeps medical care costs to a minimum.”

Here are some more dog care tips for pet parents:

• Senior dogs need two checkups annually. Getting a routine vet exam every six months is ideal for senior dogs, Brister says.
• Look for signs of cancer. Poor appetite, weight loss, not wanting to play, loose stool, vomiting and visible tumors or masses are all signs of possible cancer, Brister says. But these are also signs of other diseases. Take your dog to the vet if you notice these types of symptoms.
• Look for changes in behavior. Tell your vet if you notice any changes in routine at home, Brister says. This includes changes in eating habits, guarding food, snapping at other animals in the house, changes in sleep habits, trouble urinating, panting and limping (even if only occasionally).

Pet Insurance for Dog Health Problems

No matter what dog breed you own, pet insurance can help pay for expensive veterinary procedures like chemotherapy, surgeries and hospitalizations. The average pet insurance cost for dogs is $44 per month, according to Forbes Advisor’s analysis of pet insurance costs. That’s for a policy with $5,000 of annual coverage, a $250 deductible and an 80% reimbursement level.

Pet insurance is like a health insurance policy for your pet that covers veterinarian bills related to accidents and illnesses. The types of problems typically covered by pet insurance include:

• Arthritis
• Blood disorders
• Cancer
• Cardiac disease
• Diabetes
• Eye disorders
• Hip dysplasia
• Kidney disease
• Pancreatitis

Pet insurance also covers common illnesses, such as ear infections, skin conditions and urinary tract infections. Accidents are also covered by pet insurance, such as ACL ruptures, bite wounds, broken bones and cuts.

Many pet insurers offer the option to add a pet insurance wellness plan for routine care. A wellness plan can help pay for routine expenses such as:

• Blood and fecal parasite exams
• Dental cleanings
• Deworming
• Flea, heartworm and tick prevention
• Routine wellness exams
• Spaying and neutering
• Urinalysis
• Vaccinations

Dog Breeds With the Highest Risk of Health Problems Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)