Over half of the 12 most common pet insurance claims reported to MORE TH>N in 2018 were significantly affected by obesity.

The data shows that claims typically cost more for these conditions, averaging £900 compared to £722 across the top 12 conditions overall. This is most likely because obesity can make it harder to treat these types of illnesses, driving up vet fees.

Overall, MORE TH>N received 9,203 claims and paid out over £8 million for the top six obesity-influenced conditions in 2018. Obesity can affect a wide range of conditions to varying degrees, so the impact is likely to be even more widespread than that. This issue is largely caused by pets not getting enough exercise, while also having a poor diet.

Andrew Moore, director of pet claims at MORE TH>N, and a qualified vet, said: “As an insurer and a former vet, I regularly see the issues pet obesity can cause and it’s a worrying trend. Pet owners are responsible for keeping their pets healthy, but the truth is many cats and dogs aren’t getting enough exercise.”

To help pet owners keep their dog healthy, MORE TH>N has partnered with PitPat to offer free membership to ‘PitPat Life’ for customers who take out a pet insurance policy in November.

The membership includes a free PitPat dog activity monitor, which can be attached to a dog’s collar to track their exercise and weight. PitPat data on over 15,000 dogs in the UK shows they are active for an average of 100 minutes each day.

The monitor works with a free app that sets a daily exercise goal based on the dog’s breed and age, and users earn points for reaching their goal. These points can be exchanged for prizes, including up to £100 cashback for MORE TH>N customers.