Is Your Pet Stressed? Pet Anxiety Claims are Up 98%

Pet anxiety claims are on the rise. Over the last six years the number of anxiety-related claims among Trupanion pets has increased by more than 98%. And in some states and provinces it’s even higher.

Our team of data scientists found that anxiety-related claims have increased by as much as 236% in some locations since 2020.

Key Findings

• Anxiety-related claims are up 98% overall since 2020
• South Carolina and Nova Scotia have seen the largest increase in anxiety claims
• Australian Cattle Dogs and Siamese cats have the highest rate of anxiety-related claims

The Rise in Pet Anxiety Claims

In 2020 Trupanion paid just over 11,600 anxiety-related claims. In 2025, the number of anxiety claims skyrocketed to more than 45,200.

South Carolina, Maryland and Hawaii have had the biggest increase in pet anxiety claims in the United States. In Canada, the biggest increases have been in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island.

States with the Highest Increase in Pet Anxiety Claims

Provinces with the Highest Increase in Pet Anxiety Claims

The Cost of Pet Anxiety Treatment

While the number of anxiety-related claims has increased significantly since 2020, the average claim cost has stayed relatively flat.

In the U.S., the average anxiety claim cost in 2025 was $229 for cats and $299 for dogs, with the highest claim being $13,450.

Costs were slightly lower in Canada. The average anxiety claim cost in Canada in 2025 was $225 (Canadian dollars) for cats and $268 for dogs. The highest anxiety-related claim in Canada was $7,995.

Pet medical insurance is a great way for pet owners to budget for the cost of treating anxiety. Learn more about how Trupanion can help protect your pet anxiety and other unexpected health issues.

Pets with the Most Anxiety Claims

The sharp rise in anxiety-related claims is especially prominent in certain breeds of cats and dogs. Among Trupanion insured pets, Australian Cattle Dogs and Siamese cats have had the highest number of anxiety-related claims

Dog Breeds with the Highest Rate Anxiety Claims

• Australian Cattle Dog
• Bulldog
• Great Pyrenees
• Shetland Sheepdog
• Border Collie

Cat Breeds with the Highest Anxiety Claims

• Siamese
• Bengal

How to Tell if your Pet has Anxiety

Anxiety can be a chronic health issue, so spotting it early is key. Below are common signs that your pet may have anxiety-related health issue.

Potential Signs of Anxiety in Dogs

• Excessive panting
• Frequent pacing
• Excessive vocalization
• Peeing or pooping in the house despite previous house training
• Hiding or withdrawing
• Appetite change
• Excessive drooling
• Excessive grooming

Potential Signs of Anxiety in Cats

• Overgrooming
• Excessive vocalizations
• Behavioral changes
• Frequent pacing or restlessness
• Changes to litter box habits
• Change in appetite
• Hiding or withdrawing

Anxiety is complex. Pets may exhibit the signs above but also appear extra friendly, excited or needy. That’s why it’s important to talk with your veterinarian to determine if your pet may have an anxiety-related health condition.

Common Ways of Treating Anxiety in Pets Include:

• Regular exercise
• Enrichment and interactive toys
• Quality time with pet parents
• Counterconditioning and desensitization programs
• Avoiding significant changes to routines
• Vertical space and cat trees for cats

Why Pet Anxiety Claims are on the Rise

It’s important not to assume that pets are simply becoming more anxious. The sharp rise in anxiety-related claims could be due to a multitude of factors, including increased awareness, pet owners spending more time with their pets, and better options for care.

Methodology
Trupanion looked at the number of anxiety-related claims from January 2020 to December 2025. Percentage change accounted for growth by looking at the number of claims over a six-year period on a pets-per-month basis. Claims can include everything from medications and behavioral modification therapy to specific treatment.

About Trupanion
Trupanion is a leader in medical insurance for cats and dogs throughout the United States, Canada, and certain countries in Continental Europe with over 1,000,000 pets currently enrolled. For over two decades, Trupanion has given pet owners peace of mind so they can focus on their pet's recovery, not financial stress. Trupanion is committed to providing pet parents with the highest value in pet medical insurance with unlimited payouts for the life of their pets. With its patented process, Trupanion is the only North American provider with the technology to pay veterinarians directly in seconds at the time of checkout. Trupanion is listed on NASDAQ under the symbol "TRUP". The company was founded in 2000 and is headquartered in Seattle, WA. Trupanion policies are issued, in the United States, by its wholly-owned insurance entity American Pet Insurance Company or ZPIC Insurance Company and, in Canada, by Accelerant Insurance Company of Canada or GPIC Insurance Company. Policies are sold and administered in Canada by Canada Pet Health Insurance Services, Inc. dba Trupanion 309-1277 Lynn Valley Road, North Vancouver, BC V7J 0A2 and in the United States by Trupanion Managers USA, Inc. (CA license No. 0G22803, NPN 9588590). Canada Pet Health Insurance Services, Inc. is a registered damage insurance agency and claims adjuster in Quebec #603927. For more information, please visit Trupanion.com.