Common Pet Emergencies & How Pet Insurance Can Help

Accidents happen to everyone, including our beloved pets. Fortunately, pets who get suddenly sick or injured can get better care than ever thanks to advances in modern veterinary medicine. The downside of this, however, is that pet medical care can be highly expensive and well beyond what most people budget for their pet’s health. So, what do you do when your pet needs emergency care but you’re not sure how to afford it?

You never know when your pet is suddenly going to rack up hundreds or even thousands of dollars in surprise veterinary bills, so the key is taking action now, ahead of time. Getting pet insurance before your pet actually winds up in an emergency can make all the difference in being able to afford the care they need, when they need it.

To discover just how much pet insurance can help, read on for a list of accidents your pet could be at risk for and what good coverage pays out for them.

Note that if you’re reading this while your pet is actively in danger from an illness or accident, please stop and seek veterinary attention right away!

9 Common dog and cat accidents paid by pet insurance

Since launching in 1999, Trupanion has paid out over $3 billion in veterinary bills for dogs and cats. Much of this has revolved around accidents and emergency situations, i.e. helping pets when they need it the most. Over the past 10 years*, some of the most common pet accidents Trupanion has received and paid out claims for include the following:

1. Foreign body ingestion

It’s no secret that pets sometimes eat things they shouldn’t. And even if they seem fine, it’s always best to give your veterinarian or local emergency animal hospital a call. While the severity of these cases varies based on the object eaten and the pet, many dogs and cats who eat inedible items need medical attention to prevent internal damage.

The average amount paid out by Trupanion for a single foreign body ingestion claim is $795. Nevertheless, the highest amount ever paid out was $38,508 as of 2025!

2. Intoxication (toxic exposure / poisoning)

Similar to foreign body ingestion, intoxication is when a pet eats or is otherwise exposed to a harmful substance. Depending on what it is and the level of exposure, dogs and cats can be at immediate risk for poisoning and long-term detrimental effects to their health. In some cases, death can occur if veterinary attention does not happen right away.

The average amount paid by Trupanion for toxin exposure claims is $291 as of 2025. While this may not seem like a crazy amount, it’s important to remember that these situations vary wildly in severity, and some pets may need only general monitoring while others require invasive treatment. The most Trupanion has ever paid out for an intoxication claim is $22,796.

3. Wounds

Pets can get wounded just like people, and there are so many different ways this can happen. It’s also worth noting that as far as pet insurance goes, “wounds” is a pretty broad category, and many pet wounds end up falling under other descriptions as part of additional problems or more specific types of injuries. Regardless, it’s always important to remember that your pet can get injured at any time, for a variety of reasons.

But in many cases, pet insurance can help! The average amount Trupanion has paid out for wounds is $128, while the largest payout as of 2025 was $15,683.

4. Bite injuries

Tragically, some common pet accidents and emergencies are caused by other animals. Bites are a common cause of emergency veterinary care, and it’s always important to take them seriously. Even if it seems like your pet first aid kit can help you patch up your pet, you’ll want to get them checked out to prevent infection and other more serious issues. Although dogs are significantly more at risk (likely due to many cats being indoor-only), Trupanion has still paid out nearly 3,000 bite injury claims for cats over the past decade.

The average amount paid out for a bite injury is $283. But get this — the most ever paid out as of 2025 is $39,006!

5. Fracture

Much as we often admire their antics, dogs and cats are not immune to bone injuries. Fractures are another common accident among them, and emergency medical attention is needed to ensure they heal properly and do not injure themselves further. Naturally, the extent of care needed in these situations depends on both the location of the fracture and just how bad it is. Some pets may also suffer multiple fractures at once.

Like other accident injuries, the cost of fractures vary quite a bit, and many may be characterized as more specific types of injuries. The average amount Trupanion pays out for fractures (unspecified ones) in pets is $463. However, the highest-ever paid out so far is a $24,493.

6. Traumatic injury

Traumatic injuries in dogs and cats can mean a lot of different things — from external injuries to internal organ damage — and some can be very serious and/or potentially fatal. Since they’re common in pet accidents, it’s always crucial to seek veterinary care even if your pet seems relatively okay after a mishap.

Since traumatic injuries vary so much in type and severity, the average amount Trupanion pays is $296, while the most ever paid was $23,940.

If looking specifically at traumatic injuries resulting from road traffic / motor vehicles, however, the costs are even more extreme. The average amount paid out by Trupanion in this category is $1,146, while the maximum ever paid out is $42,861.

7. Tooth fracture

Whether they accidentally ran into something or chewed on something they shouldn’t have, dogs and cats can damage their teeth in various ways. Left untreated, broken teeth can put your pet at risk of further issues like tooth decay and infections. So, it’s important to get veterinary care as soon as you notice something is wrong.

Like many other accidents, how serious tooth fractures are can vary quite a bit. The average amount paid out by Trupanion for a tooth fracture claim is $505, while the highest ever paid out so far is $11,595.

8. Limping

There are so many different things that can cause limping in dogs and cats. But whether you witnessed an incident or not, get them checked out by a qualified veterinarian right away. Our animal companions tend to be masters at hiding pain, so even a slight limp could be a sign that something is seriously wrong.

Obviously, the treatment for limping in pets depends on what the cause is determined to be. The average payout for limping is $195 according to Trupanion data, while the most ever paid out as of 2025 is $9,669. However, keep in mind that a pet brought in for limping could result in another diagnosis, like a fracture or traumatic injury (so, these figures may not represent the true cost).

9. Burn injuries

Sadly, burn injuries are also among the top accident claims for pets. Making sure your pet is in your home emergency plan is a great start to keeping them protected from fires, but burns can still happen suddenly in day-to-day life even without big disasters. Having pet insurance in place can help you get the emergency care your pet needs for their burn quickly, without you having to figure out all the finances.

The average amount paid out by Trupanion for burn injuries is $135, while the max paid out so far is $9,132.

Protecting pets from accidents and more

You can’t predict when a pet emergency will happen, but you can get ahead of them. In addition to pet-proofing your home against common household dangers, you can sign up for pet insurance with robust coverage for new accidents and other surprises.

Learn more about how pet insurance works, or keep checking out more Pet Parenting articles for useful tips on dog and cat care!

*Based on Trupanion claims data between 2/9/2015 and 2/9/2025. All costs are shown in USD.