Cavoodles have emerged as the top dog breed in Australia, while Domestic Short Hairs lead the pack for cats, according to the latest Bupa Pet Insurance data.
The rankings, drawn from Bupa Pet Insurance policy records from July 2023 to June 2024, included a variety of dog breeds of different sizes. Larger breeds such as Labradors, Border Collies, and Golden Retrievers were featured alongside smaller breeds like the Maltese Cross, French Bulldog, and Miniature Dachshund.
Popular cat breeds listed included Ragdolls, Tabbies, Burmese, and Domestic Short Hairs.
Bupa Pet Insurance noted national data that showed about 28.7 million pets residing in 6.9 million Australian households. Nearly half of these homes have a dog, while a third have a cat.
Lachlan Davidson, general manager at Bupa General Insurance, said pets remain a significant source of companionship for Australians.
“Aussies continue to embrace paws and claws, and our popular furry pets reflect the wide-ranging choices, needs, and lifestyles of pet parents,” he said. “Besides being cute and cuddly, Cavoodles are able to fit in with many house settings – from large homes to small city apartments, they just make for the perfect housemate.”
Despite financial challenges faced by households, pet ownership continues to be robust.
However, a national survey by PetSure found that 21.5% of pet owners have reduced preventive care measures, including routine vet visits for check-ups and preventative care. Additionally, nearly 13% of respondents admitted to skipping their pets’ treatments for fleas, ticks, and worms.
Bupa Pet Insurance claims data revealed common health issues for dogs, such as gastrointestinal problems, skin allergies, ear infections, ingestion of foreign objects, and eye conditions.
For cats, frequent issues included injuries from accidents, gastrointestinal diseases, skin allergies, eye problems, dental issues, and urinary tract diseases.
Davidson emphasised the importance of regular health checks for pets.
“Many conditions when not treated early can lead to more serious complications,” he said. “With the ongoing financial impacts to household budgets, pet insurance can help cover pets’ medical expenses should something unexpectedly occur.”
Since the onset of the pandemic, pet ownership has increased, with Bupa Pet Insurance seeing a 10% rise in policies. A report, released by Allied Market Research in May 2024, predicted that the pet insurance market would hit $38.3 billion by 2033.
