John Lewis Pet Insurance for your cocker spaniel
Choose from six levels of vet-fee cover, up to £12,000
Lifetime cover, when you renew your policy with no break in cover
24/7 access to vetfone™ helpline
John Lewis Pet Insurance is arranged, administrated and underwritten by Pinnacle Insurance Ltd.
Terms, policy limits, exclusions and conditions apply.
Why we love cocker spaniels
Cocker spaniels are gentle and loving dogs that can make great family pets. They can be very open to meeting both new dogs and humans (if they’re socialised well). This can make them a popular pooch, but not such a great choice if you’re looking for a wallflower.
They get their name from the woodcock bird, as they were originally trained to hunt them
Known as ‘merry cockers’ due to their non-stop wagging tails
Cocker spaniel facts
Lifespan | 12+ years |
|---|---|
Average price | £1,100 |
Size | Medium (14-15 inches) |
Weight | 13 - 14.5kg |
Colours | Black, white, tan, red or mixed |
Coat and grooming | Long silky coat that requires daily brushing and grooming once every month or two |
Personality | Intelligent, gentle, affectionate and full of love for their owners Exercise frequency - Up to one hour per day |
Exercise frequency | Exercise frequency - Up to one hour per day |
Common health problems for cocker spaniels
If you’re a cocker spaniel owner, there are several health issues you will need to be aware of. We hope that your friend doesn’t experience any of these conditions. But by knowing what health issues might develop, you can catch them early.
This list is not exhaustive, and any concerns you have for your pet's health should always be raised with a vet.
Hip dysplasia
This joint problem occurs when the ball and socket that make up your dog’s hip joint grow at different speeds. When the ball and socket are different sizes, the joint can be loose and may cause osteoarthritis.
Signs to look for:
Difficulty climbing stairs
Struggling to go from lying down to standing
Limping or wobbling
What to do:
If you’re worried about your cocker spaniel’s hips, you should consult your vet for advice. Treatment for hip dysplasia can involve exercise routines, anti-inflammatory medication, or surgery.
Luxating patella
When dogs experience this condition, their kneecaps pop out of their groove. In minor cases, they pop back in again without help, but in more severe cases, they could become stuck.
Signs to look for:
Difficulty bending or extending their leg
Walking with a skip in their step
Limping
What to do:
If you think your cocker spaniel may have a luxating patella, it’s best to speak to your vet for advice. There are several grades of severity of this condition. The lowest grade (1) often doesn’t need any treatment at all. If your dog has a higher-grade luxating patella (2-4), they may need surgery to stabilise the patella and prevent pain and lameness.
The earlier a luxating patella can be diagnosed, the better the prognosis for your pet. Early intervention can prevent arthritis and allow your dog to regain full use of their leg.
Dry eye (keratoconjunctivitis sicca or KCS)
KCS is when the cornea and surrounding tissue of your dog's eye become inflamed. This happens when tear ducts haven’t produced enough fluid to keep the eye moist.
Signs to look for:
Red or irritated eyes
Keeping their eyes closed or increased blinking
Yellow discharge from the eye
What to do:
This condition isn't life-threatening, but it is uncomfortable for your dog to experience. In most cases, KCS is easily treated by administering prescribed eye drops. This condition is more common in older dogs. However, if you're worried that your dog’s eyes are irritated, take them to the vet regardless of their age.
Ear infections
Cocker spaniels can suffer from ear infections, which are most commonly caused by allergic disease. This can cause inflammation of the ears, allowing bacteria and/or yeasts to overrun them and cause infections. Swimming can make infections worse, allowing bacteria and yeasts to grow faster.
Signs to look for:
Repeated scratching of their ears
Red or inflamed skin inside the ear
Frequent shaking of their head
What to do:
The best way to prevent infections is to check your cocker spaniel's ears after taking them for walks (especially through long grass or wooded areas) and remove any debris that may be concealed. By brushing them regularly, you can also help to prevent matts from forming in their fur that may have dirt hiding in them.
If your cocker spaniel has an ear infection, your vet may treat it by first flushing out the ear and prescribing antibiotics.
What does John Lewis Pet Insurance include?
Pet Insurance could help if your cocker spaniel becomes unwell. John Lewis Pet Insurance offers six different vet fee cover levels, ranging from £2,000 - £12,000 per policy year.
Our pet insurance includes:
Lifetime cover
If your pet develops a long-term illness, there’s no limit to how long you can claim for their treatment. As long as you renew and there's no break in cover, you can continue to claim.
24/7 vetfone™ helpline
Have a question about your pet's health or behaviour? Make a video call to the vetfone™ helpline for expert advice. It’s included in your policy, and you can use it as often as you like.
Dental treatment
John Lewis Pet Insurance provides cover for dental conditions, and dental treatment as a result of accidental injury, as long as:
Your dog has a history of annual check-ups — if not annual check-ups, then as recommended by your vet. We would need proof that any advice given has been followed within 6 months
The treatment is to relieve suffering due to illness
The cost of dental treatment is as a result of an accidental injury
Online claims made simple
Choose whether claims payments go directly to you or, if they agree, to your vet — whichever works best.
Treatment foods
If prescribed by your vet, your policy could cover up to 25% of the costs for 6 months maximum per condition (excluding obesity/weight loss).
Complementary therapies
These can be carried out by your vet or by a specialist under your vet’s direction. With John Lewis Pet Insurance, you’re covered for up to £1,500 per policy year. This would be deducted from your annual vet fee limit.
Vet fees - treatment limit per year | Up to chosen vet fee limit |
|---|---|
Lifetime cover1 | Yes |
vetfone™ helpline - 24-hour advice from veterinary nurses | Yes |
Treatment food2 | 25% of the cost for a maximum period of 6 months per condition (excludes obesity/weight loss) |
Complementary treatment - such as physiotherapy2 | Up to £1,500 |
Third party liability (dogs only) | Up to £2m |
Boarding kennel and cattery fees3 | Up to £1,500 |
Dental cover | Up to chosen vet fee limit |
Lost or stolen | Up to £1,500 |
1 As long as you renew your policy with us and there is no break in cover
2 Cover forms part of vet fees
3 Covered if you cannot look after your dog or cat due to personal injury or illness that results in a hospital stay for more than 48 hours
What's not included with John Lewis Pet Insurance?
Treatment for any pre-existing medical conditions
Vet fees following an accident in the first 3 days of your cover start date
Any new illnesses or symptoms that occur in the first 14 days of your cover start date
Pet insurance with six levels of vet fee cover
We understand that every owner’s situation is different. But this shouldn’t affect the quality of care for your pet. You can choose a level of vet fee cover that suits your budget — when you get a quote.
There are six levels of vet fee cover options available under lifetime insurance:
up to £2,000
up to £3,000
up to £5,000
up to £7,500
up to £9,000
up to £12,000
If you’re looking to reduce your premium costs, you can choose an excess fee to pay each time you claim. Choosing a higher excess means you will pay a lower monthly or yearly price, but you will need to pay the higher excess amount if you need to claim for Vet Fees. If you choose a lower excess, you will pay a higher monthly or yearly price, but you will pay the lower excess amount if you need to claim for Vet Fees. You will need to consider if a lower price would benefit you more than having to pay more towards the cost of a claim.
Average treatment costs for cocker spaniels
The price of treatment for unwell cocker spaniels can vary. Factors like the severity of your dog’s condition and the vet you visit can affect the total bill. If you know the amount you may have to make a claim for, it can help you work out the level of pet insurance you could need.
Looking for insurance for your cocker spaniel?
Pet insurance could help if your furry friend were to become unwell. John Lewis Pet Insurance offers six different vet fee cover levels, ranging from £2,000 - £12,000 per policy year.
Common questions cocker spaniels
Do cocker spaniels shed?
Yes, cocker spaniels have long, silky fur that does shed. They can’t be considered hypoallergenic dogs.
When do cocker spaniels stop growing?
Cocker spaniels will stop growing between one and two years old. They'll reach their full height around a year old, but their muscles keep developing.
Are cocker spaniels easy to train?
Yes, typically, cocker spaniels respond very well to training. They’re very smart and love to please their owners.
This article is for promotion or information purposes only. You must not rely on it for advice.
Pet Insurance through John Lewis is subject to eligibility. Terms and conditions apply.
John Lewis Money and John Lewis Finance are trading names of John Lewis plc. Registered office: 1 Drummond Gate, Pimlico, London SW1V 2QQ. Registered in England and Wales (Registered company number: 233462).
John Lewis Plc is an introducer appointed representative of Pinnacle Insurance Ltd which is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority (register number 110866). Registered Office: 4th Floor, Limelight, Elstree Way, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, WD6 1JH. John Lewis Pet Insurance is a trading style of and arranged, administered & underwritten by Pinnacle Insurance Ltd. John Lewis Plc and Pinnacle Insurance Ltd are not part of the same corporate group.