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We love our pets to bits, “and they love us back,” says Kerri Murray, former vet nurse and Business Development Manager for Southern Cross Pet Insurance (SCPI).

“And it’s just as well they do, as it can cost a pretty penny to help maintain a healthy, rewarding pet lifestyle! Dogs feature particularly strongly in our highest claims – with some breeds especially strong stand outs.”

Labradors are far and away the most popular dog in Aotearoa New Zealand with approximately 42,000 registered, so it probably comes as no surprise they top the ‘most treated’ lists in veterinarian practices up and down the country. Labs are popular as guide dogs, drug detection dogs, therapy dogs and, of course, pets. And in the last calendar year alone (2023) SCPI paid more than $1.8 million in claims for illnesses, injuries and accidents involving New Zealand’s favourite dog.

Murray says, “also coming in hot are their close relatives - Golden Retrievers, Labrador Cross and Labradoodles. They total 50% of the top nine breeds in terms of SCPI total insurance claims paid (including domestic cats).

“Labradors devote themselves to their families, and they deserve our love, attention and care in return. However, they are also highly energetic and have big appetites, so they are prone to eating things they shouldn’t and getting into trouble if they are bored. New Zealand has one of the world’s highest pet ownership numbers, but insurance rates here are low compared to other pet-loving nations. It leaves a lot of dog owners worse off when something goes wrong.”

Illness and injuries for Labradors were a result of:

• Beach-related mishaps such as swallowing fishhooks sinkers, seaweed, shells or bait; fishhooks embedded in paws, tongues and lips; cuts to paws.
• Wolfing down clothing such as socks and underwear.
• Ingesting stones, including peach stones, gravel, grass or seeds.
• Eating poison, the most popular being rat poison.

Other claims related to swallowing rubber gloves, pieces of broken crockery, toys, tea towels, skewers, cans, plastic, compost and medicines.

“Owners can reduce the chances of this happening by taking preventive measures so their Labrador doesn’t get access to items that might seem appealing but are actually unsuitable for eating. Labradors are not always good at telling the difference. Make sure they have other safe things to play with and occupy their time, enough exercise, plenty of interaction with people and other dogs, and always monitor what they are picking up in their mouths.”

In the absence of free public healthcare for human’s best friend, surgical removal of foreign objects, knee repairs, rashes, grass seeds and bait consumption can add up to thousands of dollars for uninsured owners.

What about cats?

SCPI reveals the domestic short hair cat as the leader in the costliest pet stakes overall with a cool $2.5 million paid out in SCPI insurance claims in 2023.

It’s understandable, as there are thought to be about 1,134,000 companion cats in NZ. While they can cost a bit to keep well, they are beloved by their owners for the snuggles, and the unexpected gifts they offer of mice, crickets and other treats from the garden.

Cat injury and illness claims seen by SCPI over the last few years include having paint removed from clogged fur, spikes removed from adventurous paws, repairs thanks to collisions with cars, plus helping the odd puss recover from lily poisoning and infected wounds from cat fights.

Murray says, “Treatment for skin conditions, bites, wounds and tendon problems can often cost much more than owners might expect and may require more than one trip to the vet. Our records show an average visit can cost nearly $350 for cats and $500 for dogs – highlighting the costs that an owner can incur for even the most routine issues.”