COVID canines, pandemic pups—call them what you want, but Aussies adopted a lot of furry friends to get us through the dog days (sorry) of lockdown.
More than any other breed, it seems we fell in love with Cavoodles during the pandemic. Pet Insurance Australia data shows that policies for these fluffy, energetic pups have surged by 75% since 2019, making them the most popular insured breed in Australia.
Sadly, dog ownership isn’t all cuddles on the couch and trips to the park to chase a ball. Vet bills can add up, especially as dogs get older, and Nadia Crighton of Pet Insurance Australia says Cavoodle owners are starting to see the effect on their wallets.
“Those pandemic puppies aren't puppies anymore,” says Ms Crighton. “They're growing up, and we're now seeing an interesting picture emerge through the conditions Cavoodle owners are claiming for.”
What’s the average insurance claim for a Cavoodle?
Pet Insurance Australia data gives an insight into some common claims for Cavoodles, and it turns out that these small dogs can cost big bucks. Not only that, but costs can ramp up very quickly, potentially catching owners by surprise.
The average claim for a vet visit for a gastrointestinal condition (a stomach bug) for a Cavoodle in 2026 was $450, while the maximum was for more than $7,600. Cruciate ligament claims averaged $900, while the maximum this year exceeded $6,500.
If you’ve ever had to chase your pup around yelling “what’s that in your mouth?”, then you know how painful and costly foreign body ingestion can be. The average claim in 2026 was for $600, but this year, one Cavoodle owner claimed over $7,500 for this.
Similar ranges can be seen in other forms of treatment, but one of the biggest differences is in claims for accidental injury. The average claim for this kind of treatment is $700, but one poor pup ended up with a claim for more than $11,600.
This big gap between the average and maximum claims can serve as a reminder to all pet owners, not just those with Cavoodles, that it’s important to consider insurance.
“An owner might look at an average claim of $600 or $700 and think they could comfortably manage that,” says Ms Crighton. “But when something becomes complicated or requires surgery, diagnostic imaging, hospitalisation or specialist treatment, suddenly you're potentially looking at thousands of dollars.”
Shopping around for insurance could save you hundreds
The cost of living is biting everyone right now, and pet owners are likely to be feeling it. September research from Canstar shows that pet insurance costs are on the rise, jumping 26% this past year for dogs, and 27% for cats.
When it comes to dogs and insurance costs, breed matters. Our research found the average annual premiums for accident and illness cover for a Cavoodle is $1,307, making them one of the less expensive dogs we looked at. For comparison’s sake, the average for a Dachshund is $1,853, while Frenchie owners are looking at an average of $4,169.
If you’re looking to save a few bones on pet insurance (again, so sorry), it pays to shop around before taking out cover.
The market average for accident and illness cover for a small dog is around $1,580 per year, however, Canstar’s 2026 Pet Insurance Awards compared policies from 26 pet insurers and found that small dog owners could save approximately $567 per year with one of our award-winning providers.
A few words of caution–the older your dog, the harder it might be to find insurance, and some providers will not accept dogs past the age of six or seven. Likewise, switching providers can be costly, and new insurers may treat any past or present health issues your pet has as pre-existing conditions, excluding them from cover.
Therefore, if you’re considering insurance, it can pay to find an insurer you trust and stick with them throughout your pet’s lifespan.
