1. Cancer
Cancer is the leading cause of death for pets in the United States, accounting for almost half of all pet deaths. Common types of cancer in pets include lymphoma, osteosarcoma, and mammary cancer.
2. Heart disease
Heart disease is the second leading cause of death for pets, accounting for about 20% of all pet deaths. Common types of heart disease in pets include congestive heart failure, valvular heart disease, and arrhythmias.
3. Kidney disease
Kidney disease is the third leading cause of death for pets, accounting for about 10% of all pet deaths. Common types of kidney disease in pets include chronic kidney disease, acute kidney failure, and congenital kidney defects.
4. Accidents
Accidents are the fourth leading cause of death for pets, accounting for about 5% of all pet deaths. Common types of accidents that can injure or kill pets include car accidents, falls, dog attacks, and poisonings.
5. Old age
Old age is the fifth leading cause of death for pets, accounting for about 5% of all pet deaths. Pets that are considered geriatric typically start slowing down and losing weight. Their hearing and vision may also start to decline. Eventually, most pets will die peacefully while sleeping.
6. Diabetes
Diabetes is the sixth leading cause of death for pets, accounting for about 2% of all pet deaths. Diabetes is a condition in which the body cannot produce or use insulin, which is a hormone that helps sugar get into cells for energy. Common symptoms of diabetes in pets include weight loss, increased thirst, increased urination, and hunger.
7. Stroke
Strokes are the seventh leading cause of death for pets, accounting for about 1% of all pet deaths. Strokes occur when the blood supply to the brain is interrupted, which can cause damage to brain cells. Common symptoms of strokes in pets include sudden weakness or paralysis, loss of balance, circling, and inability to walk.
8. Liver disease
Liver disease is the eighth leading cause of death for pets, accounting for about 1% of all pet deaths. Common types of liver disease in pets include hepatitis, cirrhosis, and liver cancer. Common symptoms of liver disease in pets include weight loss, vomiting, diarrhea, and icterus (yellowing of the skin, gums, and whites of the eyes).
9. Pancreatitis
Pancreatitis is the ninth leading cause of death for pets, accounting for less than 1% of all pet deaths. Pancreatitis is a condition in which the pancreas, which is an organ that produces digestive enzymes, becomes inflamed. Common symptoms of pancreatitis in pets include vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and lethargy.
10. Respiratory disease
Respiratory disease is the tenth leading cause of death for pets, accounting for less than 1% of all pet deaths. Common types of respiratory disease in pets include pneumonia, bronchitis, and asthma. Common symptoms of respiratory disease in pets include coughing, sneezing, difficulty breathing, and wheezing.