A vet has shared five dog breeds he claims cost owners the most money in pet care bills.
Dogs are the number one choice of pet in the UK and there are many breeds to choose from. They each have their own requirements, such as different levels of exercise or amount of living space depending on their size.
Some breeds are more suitable for families than others, but dogs and all animals that are taken in as pets will need to go to the vet from time to time. This can be costly for owners and some dog types are prone to more serious health issues than others.
This could lead to more frequent trips to the vet and more expensive bills. Amir Anwary is a vet based in South Africa who regularly gives pet tips and tricks on social media where he has shared lots of advice about dogs in particular.
In a recent video on TikTok he named the “top five dog breeds with the highest vet bills.” He explained why these dogs cost so much in vet charges in the caption of his post. As always, do your own, independent research before committing to any particular breed.
1. French Bulldog
Topping the list is the French Bulldog and the main drivers of the costly vet bills incurred by this breed are Brachycephalic airway disease, spinal problems and skin or ear issues, according to Anwary. The dog expert said that their short snouts make them prone to Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS), which can cause severe breathing problems and often requires away surgery.
Anwary remarked: “Add in recurrent ear infections, skin fold dermatitis, eye ulcers and spinal disc disease (IVDD), and Frenchies top [the] most ‘highest vet bill’ lists worldwide.” Skin fold dermatitis is where the skin in their wrinkles gets inflamed and sore or even infected and Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) is where the discs that provide cushioning between the vertebrae bulge or burst, pressing on nerves in the spine.
2. Rottweiler
The second dog breed with the highest vet bills is rottweilers as they can develop orthopedic problems and certain cancers, as per Anwary. The vet describes this breed as “heavy, active dogs with a high risk of cruciate ligament rupture.”
Cruciate ligament damage is a torn ligament in the knee and he noted that surgical repairs are expensive. He added that rottweilers are predisposed to osteosarcoma, an aggressive bone cancer, so they are likely to need limb amputation and chemotherapy.
3. German Shepherd
German Shepherd is the next dog breed on Anwary’s list and he stated that the main causes are orthopaedic and degenerative diseases. The animal expert elaborated: “They’re notorious for hip and elbow dysplasia, cruciate ligament injuries and degenerative myelopathy.
“Surgeries like hip replacements or TPLOs (cruciate repair) are major expenses and degenerative conditions often mean long-term management and phsyio.” PDSA, the UK’s leading veterinary charity, says that German Shepherds are in a group of breeds classed as ‘Category Three’ by The Kennel Club, which is the highest category of the health concerns due to their conformation.
4. Miniature Schnauzer
Anwary highlighted that Miniature Schnauzers are at risk of pancreatitis, inflammation of the pancreas, and metabolic issues. He mentioned that his breed is inclined to have high blood triglycerides, which trigger acute or recurrent pancreatitis.
This condition usually requires hospitalisation, IV fluids, pain relief and sometimes repeat admission, which gets “very expensive”, according to him. Pancreatitis is a painful condition that can be mild or severe and commonly causes vomiting.
5. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
The final dog breed on the animal specialist’s list of those with the highest vet bills is the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, which is prone to heart disease, especially myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD). He stated that this is “one of the most common inherited heart conditions in dogs.”
Anwary advised that this breed often needs regular cardiology visits, echocardiograms, lifelong medication and occasionally interventions like pacemaker interventions, so the vet bills add up over the years. Having a pet dog is a lifelong requirement so prospective owners should do thorough research before selecting a breed.