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Written bySarah Archambault
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Experienced personal finance writer
Background working with banks and insurance companies
Sarah enjoys helping people find smarter ways to spend their money. She covers auto financing, banking, credit cards, credit health, insurance, and personal loans.
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Edited byAshley Cox
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7+ years in content creation and management
5+ years in insurance and personal finance content
Ashley is a seasoned personal finance editor who’s produced a variety of digital content, including insurance, credit cards, mortgages, and consumer lending products.
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Updated August 8, 2024
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Table of contents
When you take your pet to the vet, the total of your final bill might come as a surprise. While the cost of a vet visit varies based on the procedures and services your pet needs, veterinary care costs have increased sharply in recent years.
A big reason for the higher costs is that demand for veterinary care is at an all-time high. Additionally, the costs of running a veterinary practice have risen, partially due to inflationary pressures.[1] In short, pet owners are facing a perfect storm, with spiking vet bills as the end result.
Here’s what you should know about the costs you may encounter if your pet needs to go to the veterinarian.
How much does a routine vet visit cost?
In general, dog owners face higher veterinary bills than cat owners. On average, the ASPCA estimates that dog owners pay $225 per year for routine medical costs, which include things like vaccines and wellness visits. In contrast, cat owners pay around $160 for routine medical care.[2]
Your pet’s age plays a role in what you’ll pay for vet costs. Puppies and kitties tend to need a lot of care when they’re young, like vaccinations and spaying or neutering. And senior pets often have more health issues — which can sometimes be serious and expensive.
Your pet’s behavior can also affect the price of care. For example, if you have a cat that goes outside, it may be more at risk for injury and illness. Or, if your dog loves to eat things it shouldn’t, you could be looking at frequent and costly vet visits.
As a pet owner in the U.S., where you live can also affect your costs. Pet owners in rural areas typically pay less, since the cost of running a vet practice in a rural area is less expensive than an urban vet’s overhead.
Vets in states with high costs of living also tend to charge more. For example, the estimated cost of an office visit in California is $71.45, and that estimate drops to $60.41 in Florida.[3]
Costs of common veterinary procedures
Preventative care is an important part of managing your pet’s health and getting ahead of some medical conditions. Preventative care generally includes regular vet visits for an annual wellness exam, vaccinations, and medicines like flea and tick prevention. As your pet ages, preventative care may also include dental extractions or tumor removal.
Taking your pet to the vet for preventative care can help ensure it avoids health issues for years to come. But preventative care isn’t free. If you choose to invest in your pet’s health, you’ll likely face some or all of the following routine care costs.[2] [4]
Veterinary Procedure or Care ▲▼ | Average Cost for Dogs ▲▼ | Average Cost for Cats ▲▼ |
|---|---|---|
| Spaying/neutering | $300 | $150 |
| Ear infection care | $149 | $149 |
| Dental extractions | $600–$1,500 | $600–$1,500 |
| Tumor removal | $300–$1,600 | $300–$1,600 |
| Preventive medicine, flea/tick and heartworm | $140–$185 | $140–$185 |
| Microchipping | $20 | $20 |
| Teeth cleaning | $707 | $707 |
| Cancer treatment | $4,000 | $4,000 |
| Vision care | $220–$320 | $220–$320 |
| Diabetes treatment | $1,600–$2,900 | $1,600–$2,900 |
Cost of diagnostic tests
You may have to take your dog or cat in for diagnostic tests if they’re unwell from illness, injury, or you suspect something else may be wrong. For example, if your dog eats a sock, you may need to get an X-ray to check for an intestinal blockage.
Or, if your cat isn’t acting like itself, panting and whining, a trip to the veterinary clinic may be in order. Your pet may need blood work and other tests to diagnose what’s wrong with its health.
Here’s a look at some common diagnostic tests and what they may cost:[4]
Diagnostic Test ▲▼ | Average Cost ▲▼ |
|---|---|
| Allergy testing | $195–$300 |
| Blood work (basic) | $80–$200 |
| Fecal exam | $25–$45 |
| Geriatric screening | $85–$110 |
| Heartworm test | $45–$50 |
| MRI | $2,500–$6,000 |
| Ultrasound | $300–$600 |
| Urine test | $40–$70 |
| X-rays | $150–$250 |
Cost of vaccinations for dogs
Vaccinations can help your pet stay healthy. In many cases, your vet will administer your dog’s vaccines during routine vet visits. The type and number of vaccines your dog needs can have a major effect on your final bill.
The table below highlights some common vaccinations your dog might receive and their costs.[4]
Vaccine Name ▲▼ | Cost ▲▼ | Frequency ▲▼ | Purpose of Vaccine ▲▼ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bordetella | $30 | Annually | Protects against kennel cough |
| DHPP | $20–$60 | Every one to three years | Protects against canine distemper, parvovirus, adenovirus, and parainfluenza |
| Leptospirosis | $30 | Annually | Protects against Leptospira bacterial infections, which are common in water and soil |
| Lyme disease | $45 | Annually | Protects against Lyme disease |
| Rabies | $20–$30 | Every one to three years | Protects against rabies disease |
| Influenza | $20–$55 | Annually | Protects against the canine flu |
Cost of vaccinations for cats
Vaccinations help keep your cat healthy throughout its lifetime. Keeping your pet’s shots up to date often happens at the annual visit. The following table shows some common vaccinations your cat might need and the associated costs.[4]
Vaccine Name ▲▼ | Cost ▲▼ | Frequency ▲▼ | Purpose of Vaccine ▲▼ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rabies | $20–$30 | Every one to three years | Protects against rabies disease |
| FVRCP | $20–$40 | Every three years | Protects against three viral infections |
| Feline leukemia | $25–$45 | Annually | Protects against feline leukemia infection |
| Bordetella | $10–$30 | Annually | Protects against kennel cough |
| Chlamydophila | $20 | Annually | Protects against Chlamydophila bacterial infection |
How much do emergency vet visits cost?
Regular checkups and routine care can help you protect your pet’s health. But even pets with the best care could end up in the emergency room. An emergency vet visit is often significantly more expensive than a routine visit.
The exact costs of your emergency room visit will vary based on the treatments your pet needs. Below is a quick look at some potential medical costs for an emergency visit:[4] [5]
An ER exam could cost between $100 and $200.
A broken bone could cost $2,371 for dogs and $2,257 for cats.
A foreign object in your pet’s stomach could require veterinary care that runs from $2,900 to $3,265.
Blood tests during an emergency vet visit could cost between $80 and $200.
An ultrasound at the vet could run between $300 and $600.
X-rays at the vet could cost between $150 and $250.
If you have to head to the vet for emergency care, be prepared for a hefty vet bill.
Having pet insurance is one of the best ways pet parents can save on injuries or illnesses that require a trip to the ER. Many accident and illness plans cover diagnostic services, like blood work and X-rays, and they may also cover examination fees, prescriptions, emergency surgery, hospitalization, and more.
Similarly, accident-only plans cover some of the cost of an emergency vet visit, but they only cover veterinary expenses related to accidents, not illnesses.
How does pet insurance affect vet costs?
Pet insurance can help you cover the costs of a vet visit. Most pet insurance companies offer three basic types of coverage:
Accident and illness coverage: Accident and illness coverage can help you pay for things like broken bones and infections. This type of coverage typically doesn’t include medical expenses for hereditary conditions or routine care.
Accident-only coverage: Accident-only coverage is a more narrow form of insurance. It can help you pay for vet visits related to broken bones, cuts, bite wounds, and foreign body ingestion. But it won’t help pay for treating an illness, dental care, or basic vaccines.
Wellness coverage: In general, a wellness plan can help you pay for vaccines, preventative medicine, a physical exam, and additional costs for routine care.
Good to Know
If you choose to purchase pet insurance, your insurance company will likely have a reimbursement policy. You’ll typically submit a claim for your vet bill after your vet visit, and if the company approves the claim, you’ll receive the agreed-upon percentage of the vet bill.
Pet insurance can be a good idea for the right household, but it’s important to run the numbers before deciding to move forward.
Factors to consider when buying pet insurance
If you’re interested in purchasing pet insurance, it’s important to consider all the details before signing up for a policy. Below are some factors to keep in mind:
Shopping around
Every insurance company has a slightly different method of determining premiums. Because of that, shopping around can help you find the best policy.
Reimbursements
Most pet insurance companies cover your vet bills through a reimbursement policy. You’ll need to pay the bill up front. When you submit a claim, you’ll receive a reimbursement for an agreed-upon percentage of the bill.
Payout limits
Some pet insurance policies have annual or lifetime payout limits.
Deductibles
The deductible is the minimum amount you’ll need to pay for a covered vet visit. Make sure it’s a number you can comfortably afford.
Coverage type
The type of coverage you purchase will greatly affect what kind of vet bills your policy will cover. Read the fine print to understand what’s covered.
Pet age
Puppies are often cheaper to insure than older pets. But older pets are more likely to need vet care due to age-related health problems. Weigh the policy costs against the potential veterinary costs.
Vet cost FAQs
Vet costs can be a significant expense for pet owners across the country. With rising costs, it’s natural to have questions. The answers below may help as you decide whether to enroll your pet in a pet insurance plan.
How much does a routine vet visit cost?
On average, pet owners pay between $50 and $250 for a routine visit. But the final bill will vary based on the type of care your pet needs.
Why do vets charge so much?
The cost of veterinary care has risen sharply in the last five years. A core reason for higher costs is that veterinary practices are facing inflationary pressure, which means they must charge more for their services. Additionally, the demand for pet care is high, which also pushes costs higher.
Do vet offices offer payment plans?
Some vets offer payment plans to pet owners. If you need a payment plan option, ask your vet to see what’s available.
How much is a vet visit for a dog without insurance?
If you don’t have insurance, the average cost for a routine vet visit costs between $50 and $250. But costs can add up quickly — and often into the thousands — if your dog is sick or injured and needs diagnostic testing or emergency care.
Is pet insurance worth it?
If you don’t have a robust emergency fund to cover unexpected veterinary care, pet insurance might be worth the price. But even households with savings might benefit from a pet insurance plan. You should consider your pet’s health and your financial situation to determine if the premiums are worth the coverage.
Sources
- National Library of Medicine. "Blame the pandemic: Why you need to raise your fees for 2021."
- American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. "Cutting Pet Care Costs."
- Banfield Pet Hospital. "Price Estimator."
- CareCredit. "How Much Does a Vet Visit Cost?."
- Preventive Vet. "Pet Emergency Statistics and Veterinary Costs."
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Sarah Archambault
Sarah Archambault enjoys helping people figure out how to manage their finances and credit. She covers auto financing, banking, credit cards, credit health, insurance, and personal loans. Her work has been featured on Credit Karma, Experian, LendingClub, Sound Dollar and USA Today Blueprint. She also writes for national insurers, banks and financial institutions like Aetna, MassMutual, Stripe, and UnitedHealthcare.
7+ years in content creation and management
5+ years in insurance and personal finance content
Ashley is a seasoned personal finance editor who’s produced a variety of digital content, including insurance, credit cards, mortgages, and consumer lending products.
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