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Puppies are full of bounce and always on the go. But all that energy and curiosity can lead to a vet trip.
In the claims we handled between November 2020 and 2021, over a quarter were for puppies under one year old.
Puppies are more accident-prone than adult dogs. Puppy accidents accounted for 22% of puppy claims, compared to just 10% for adult dogs.
The average cost of a puppy insurance claim was £498, though some conditions exceeded £5,000, including spine, heart, lymph node, and middle ear issues.
That’s certainly been my own experience. I’ve had two dogs from puppyhood and both have endured a significant vet trip before their first birthday.
One of them, at just four months old, hoovered up and swallowed a huge fishhook on the beach concealed in a lump of delicious, smelly bait. We rushed to the vet with the neon fishing line still hanging from his mouth.
The second - a Cockapoo with remarkable jumping and climbing ability - scrambled onto a high table and scarfed down six ibuprofen. Luckily I found the chewed up packet and realised what had happened.
Both dogs had overnight stays at the out of hours vet, resulting in bills of over £3,000 and £1,000. Both, I’m relieved to say, have made a full recovery.
I’ve learned some hard lessons about keeping mischievous pups out of trouble, but the claims data shows I’m not alone.
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What are the most common puppy illnesses?
Although pups are significantly more accident-prone than adult dogs, it’s illnesses that make up the bulk of puppy claims.
The average cost of a puppy illness claim was slightly lower than for accidents at £440. But prologued treatment and repeat vet visits for some conditions could mean a significantly higher bill.
The most common puppy illnesses are digestive upsets, with diarrhoea and vomiting topping the list. Gastroenteritis and giardiasis, which can cause vomiting and diarrhoea, were also common.
Most common puppy illness claims
Diarrhoea 12%
Vomiting 11%
Conjunctivitis 6%
Gastroenteritis 5%
Ear infection 4%
Giardiasis 3%
Other 59%
Each of these puppy illnesses are usually easily treated and relatively mild, but because of puppies’ small size and weight, they can deteriorate quickly, so it’s important to act fast when you see any sign of puppy sickness.
Almost 60% of people who got in touch with us between 1 November 2020 and 31 October 2021 were worried puppy parents and over a third of them had a puppy with a stomach complaint.
The most common puppy accident claims are for foreign bodies
Puppies seem to get quite a curious range of objects stuck in a variety of body parts. Although 60% were simply claims for a ‘foreign body’, over a quarter involved unspecified objects lodged in the digestive system and nearly one in 10 were for grass seeds lodged in unspecified body parts.
Types of claims for foreign bodies
60% were unspecified foreign bodies.
26% involved objects in the digestive system.
9% were for grass seeds lodged in body parts.
Grass seeds can do surprising damage to your poor pup if you don’t get them treated quickly. Vet Sophie Bell’s dog actually lost an eye because of one - read her advice on avoiding grass seeds and what to do if your puppy does meet with the sharp end of one.
Most other foreign body incidents involved hapless pups getting things stuck somewhere in their face, with claims spread fairly evenly across throats, mouths, eyes, ears and noses.
What's the average puppy accident claim?
The average cost of a puppy accident claim is £560, but as my own experience shows, bills can run a lot higher if your poor pup needs overnight stays, stomach pumping or even surgery.
Sometimes you can't stop your puppy from getting into a pickle. But some practical steps like crate training could really help.
Poisoning is very common in puppies
We all know how quickly puppies can get hold of and eat things, which is why poisoning is the second most common puppy accident.
Although a large proportion of poisoning incidents don’t give a specific cause, there’s one big culprit here: raisins or grapes, which account for over a third of all puppy poisonings.
Chocolate, painkillers and rat poison were also responsible for significant numbers of vet visits for pups.
“Some owners are completely unaware that grapes, raisins, and sultanas are toxic,” says Sophie. “There is no known toxic dose – ALL cases should be considered as a potential serious toxicity, even one grape.”
You should get your puppy to the vet straight away if you think they’ve eaten raisins or grapes. “Never sit and wait as it can take several days for symptoms to show, by which time your dog could be in acute renal failure," says Sophie.
“Your vet might take bloods to look at kidney function, make the dog sick, give charcoal, begin intravenous fluid therapy for 72 hours, repeat bloods at the end of the IVFT and send them home if they’re ok.”
What to do if your puppy’s been sick
If your puppy’s sick repeatedly, you need to get them to the vet.
But if your dog’s otherwise bright and well and only has mild diarrhoea, Dr Sophie Bell has these tips for treating your pup at home:
Don’t starve them – they get much needed nutrients, electrolytes, and moisture from their food.
Offer bland proteins like scrambled egg (made with water) or boiled white fish and add good dietary fibre alongside – unsweetened canned pumpkin or butternut squash.
Feed little and often – small meals regularly throughout the day instead of two-three large meals. Do not offer their usual diet until the diarrhoea has resolved for at least 24 hours.
Chamomile tea may help diarrhoea and gut discomfort. Brew with a saucer on top and only offer small amounts with their food once cooled. Check with your vet first.
Use a pre- and pro-biotic that contains kaolin, these are available without a prescription and examples include Probind, Prokolin and Canikur which can be bought from your vet.
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Treating your dog’s ear infection at home
“You cannot treat an infection at home,” says Sophie. “At best you can use a dog-specific ear cleaner to remove excess debris and wax.
“Your vet may prescribe topical ear drops and can take a swab of the ear to identify the cause. They will look inside the ear and they may need to perform a sedation and flush the ears. Some dogs may also need oral steroids and antibiotics.”
Ear infections can be caused by ear mites, fungal infections, bacteria and viruses, allergies or even foreign objects like grass seeds. Dogs that like to swim can get them more often too.
Some common signs are:
Head shaking or pawing the side of the face
Offensive smell
Wax
Inflamed/red ear or discharge
Crying when touched near to the ear
Jaw pain which may lead to trouble eating
Vomiting and nausea
Identifying your dog’s triggers can help avoid recurrent ear infections - things like swimming or food allergies.
You should check your dog’s ears regularly. You can clean them but don’t over-clean, as that can encourage wax build-up.
Our ear infection article can help.
Why puppy vaccines are important
One of the most important things you can do to keep your puppy healthy is to get them vaccinated.
Claims for diseases that could have been prevented by vaccines were thankfully very low. But illnesses like parvovirus and distemper can be devastating in puppies and often fatal.
More than three-quarters of the claims we saw for vaccinable diseases were for kennel cough, which isn’t always included in your dog’s routine jabs.
Ask your vet whether your puppy’s first course of vaccinations includes kennel cough. If not and you think your pup could be exposed, see if your vet will include it – it might not cost much extra.
Claims for vaccinable diseases in puppies
Kennel Cough 76%
Parvovirus 22%
Hepatitis 1%
Distemper 0.3%
Keep your puppy safe by having them vaccinated at the earliest possible opportunity, and don’t take them anywhere that unvaccinated dogs could have been until two weeks after the end of their course.
Making sure the health and safety of your puppy requires vigilance and proactive care. With their boundless energy and curiosity, puppies are more prone to accidents and illnesses than adult dogs.
By understanding the common puppy illnesses, recognising signs of puppy sickness, and taking preventative measures against puppy accidents, you can better protect your furry friend.
How puppy insurance helps
One of the most effective ways to safeguard your puppy's health and manage potential veterinary costs is to invest in comprehensive puppy insurance. With the average cost of a puppy insurance claim being £498, and some conditions exceeding £5,000, having insurance can provide peace of mind and financial protection.
Insurance can cover a wide range of issues, from accidents and illnesses to emergency treatments and surgeries.
Regular vet check-ups, vaccinations, and practical steps like crate training and careful monitoring of their environment can significantly reduce the risk of costly vet visits.
Always be prepared to act swiftly if your puppy shows signs of illness or has an accident, and take advantage of resources like 24/7 online vet advice for quick support.
With proper care, attention, and the financial safety net of puppy insurance, you can help ensure your puppy grows into a healthy, happy adult dog.
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