Is Your Pet Stressed? Pet Anxiety Claims are Up 93%

May 30, 2025
5 min read

Pet anxiety claims are on the rise. Over the last six years, the number of anxiety-related claims among Trupanion dogs and cats has increased by 93%. And in some states, it's even higher.

Our team of data analysts found that anxiety-related claims have increased by as much as 150% in some states since 2019.

Key findings

  • Louisiana, Washington and North Carolina have had the biggest increase in anxiety claims
  • Australian Cattle Dogs have the most anxiety-related claims among dogs
  • Siamese Cats have the most anxiety-related claims among cats.

The rise in pet anxiety claims

In the last year alone, Trupanion received more than 25,000 anxiety-related claims. Louisiana, Washington and North Carolina had the biggest increase in pet anxiety claims. Anxiety-related claims increased by 150% in Louisiana, 149% in Washington and 29% in North Carolina.

In all, eight states and Washington D.C., experienced a 100% or more increase in anxiety-related claims.

Learn more about how to protect your pet from the unexpected.

Pet anxiety in the United States

Arizona

  • Anxiety claims in 2024: 101
  • Percent increase in claims since 2019: 28%

California

  • Anxiety claims in 2024: 1,479
  • Percent increase in claims since 2019: 65%

Colorado

  • Anxiety claims in 2024: 402
  • Percent increase in claims since 2019: 50%

Connecticut

  • Anxiety claims in 2024: 296
  • Percent increase in claims since 2019: 79%

Georgia

  • Anxiety claims in 2024: 168
  • Percent increase in claims since 2019: 28%

Hawaii

  • Anxiety claims in 2024: 114
  • Percent increase in claims since 2019: 23%

Illinois

  • Anxiety claims in 2024: 379
  • Percent increase in claims since 2019: 84%

Indiana

  • Anxiety claims in 2024: 168
  • Percent increase in claims since 2019: 62%

Louisiana

  • Anxiety claims in 2024: 121
  • Percent increase in claims since 2019: 150

Maryland

  • Anxiety claims in 2024: 246
  • Percent increase in claims since 2019: 51%

Massachusetts

  • Anxiety claims in 2024: 1,123
  • Percent increase in claims since 2019: 73%

Michigan

  • Anxiety claims in 2024: 197
  • Percent increase in claims since 2019: 71%

Minnesota

  • Anxiety claims in 2024: 192
  • Percent increase in claims since 2019: 15%

Nevada

  • Anxiety claims in 2024: 177
  • Percent increase in claims since 2019: 112%

New Jersey

  • Anxiety claims in 2024: 775
  • Percent increase in claims since 2019: 53%

New York

  • Anxiety claims in 2024: 1,260
  • Percent increase in claims since 2019: 102%

North Carolina

  • Anxiety claims in 2024: 416
  • Percent increase in claims since 2019: 129%

Oregon

  • Anxiety claims in 2024: 456
  • Percent increase in claims since 2019: 68%

Pennsylvania

  • Anxiety claims in 2024: 338
  • Percent increase in claims since 2019: 98%

Rhode Island

  • Anxiety claims in 2024: 52
  • Percent increase in claims since 2019: 12%

South Carolina

  • Anxiety claims in 2024: 160
  • Percent increase in claims since 2019: 115%

Tennessee

  • Anxiety claims in 2024: 170
  • Percent increase in claims since 2019: 57%

Texas

  • Anxiety claims in 2024: 374
  • Percent increase in claims since 2019: 99%

Vermont

  • Anxiety claims in 2024: 103
  • Percent increase in claims since 2019: 93%

Virginia

  • Anxiety claims in 2024: 401
  • Percent increase in claims since 2019: 38%

Washington

  • Anxiety claims in 2024: 2,830
  • Percent increase in claims since 2019: 149%

Wisconsin

  • Anxiety claims in 2024: 111
  • Percent increase in claims since 2019: 31%

Cat and dog breeds 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 most anxiety claims

  • Australian Cattle Dog
  • Portuguese Water Dog
  • Shetland Sheepdog
  • American Pitbull Terrier

Cats breeds with the most anxiety claims

  • Siamese
  • Bengal
  • Siberian
  • Ragdoll
  • Maine Coon

How to tell if your pet has anxiety

Anxiety can be a chronic health issue, so spotting it early is key.

Potential signs of anxiety in dogs

  • Excessive panting
  • Pacing
  • Excessive vocalization
  • Inappropriate elimination (peeing or popping in the house)
  • Hiding or withdrawing
  • Trembling and or behavioral changes (acting irritable or aggressive)
  • Tucking the tail between the legs
  • Pulling the ears back
  • Dilated eyes
  • Excessive grooming
  • Appetite changes
  • Drooling

Potential signs of anxiety in cats

  • Overgrooming
  • Excessive vocalizations
  • Drooling
  • Behavioral changes
  • Hiding or withdrawing
  • Pacing or restlessness
  • Changes to liter box habits
  • Changes in appetite

It’s also important to note that older pets are more susceptible to anxiety-related health issues. Adult pets had 57% more anxiety-related claims than puppies or kittens, while older pets (those over 7 years old) had 88% more claims than puppies or kittens. 

How to deal with pet anxiety

The best way to help your pet deal with anxiety is to talk to your veterinarian. Your veterinarian can best help you identify and manage the signs and symptoms of anxiety.

Trupanion veterinarians say some common ways of treating anxiety in pets include:

  • Regular exercise
  • Enrichment and interactive toys
  • Quality time with pet parents
  • Counterconditioning and desensitization programs
  • Provide a quiet, safe space
  • Vertical space and cat trees for cats
  • Avoid significant changes to routine

Why pet anxiety claims are on the rise 

It’s important not to assume that pets are simply becoming more anxious. Trupanion veterinarians say 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

For this study Trupanion looked at anxiety-related claims made by Trupanion members from 2019 to 2024. Percentages were adjusted to account for an increase in the number of Trupanion insured pets. 

About truInsights 

The data presented in this report is part of Trupanion’s truInsights initiative. truInsights is a data focused initiative introduced by Trupanion and designed to deliver valuable health-related data and insights to pet parents, veterinarians and pet lovers alike. With over 20 years of pet health data, Trupanion has explored its veterinary invoice data from more than two million pets and provides details on data trends, as well as prevention tips for keeping our pets safe.

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 and, in Canada, by Accelerant Insurance Company of Canada. 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.

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