Pet insurance uptake is associated with dog and owner demographics and health status based on Dog Aging Project survey data

Objective To describe the demographics of dog owners and dogs with pet insurance enrolled in the Dog Aging Project (DAP), a large population of dogs in the US, and examine the impact of pet insurance on owners’ perception of their dog’s health. Methods In this cross-sectional study, 47,444 dog owners’ responses from the DAP initial enrollment survey, the Health and Life Experience Survey, were analyzed from January 1, 2020, through December 31, 2023. Dog and dog owner demographic data were collected and compared using descriptive statistics. Owner-perceived health status of their dog was compared between insured and uninsured dogs using a χ 2 test of significance. Results 10,127 of 47,444 DAP participants (21%) have a pet insurance policy. Insured dog owners were 25 to 44 years old, non-White, and professional degree earners compared to the overall DAP population. Insured dogs were young, single-breed dogs obtained from breeders for purposes other than companionship compared to the overall DAP population. Five thousand, five hundred and fourteen of 10,127 insured dogs (54%) and 17,979 of 37,317 uninsured dogs (48%) are perceived to be in excellent health, a statistically significant difference. Conclusions This study illustrates that certain demographic factors are more common among insured dogs and dog owners. The health status of dogs with pet insurance is statistically different compared to those without it. Further investigation of this association is warranted. Clinical Relevance This information can inform veterinary discussions with pet owners about pet insurance.