Taking your pet to a veterinarian is an important part of being a good pet owner. But the cost of bring your furry friend in to get checked may surprise you.
Vet bills have skyrocketed of late, and diagnostics and surgery can cost thousands of dollars. Adapting to this new reality and planning in advance in case of any emergencies can leave you more prepared for necessary visits.
Why vet costs are rising
Estimated lifetime pet care costs have jumped nearly 12% for dogs and 20% for cats since 2022, Synchrony Bank found in a report published in 2025.
Vet costs are rising in part because clinics are facing higher costs for medical supplies, pharmaceuticals, utilities and more, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association. Technological innovation has also allowed for more advanced treatments — but those treatments come at a higher cost. Another factor that has contributed to higher vet costs is that pets are living longer. Older pets require more care and more frequent checkups, and all of those visits can add up. There’s also a vet shortage challenging the industry.
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How to prepare
Bank of America recently found that 29% of lower-income households are living paycheck to paycheck. If you’re in that situation, a surprise bill could be detrimental to your finances.
You never know when your pet may need medical attention or a regular visit to the vet. That’s why it is important to prepare early, if possible, so you don’t get caught by surprise and have to rack up credit card debt. Setting an emergency fund for your pet that you gradually add to can help. Setting aside $50 per month in a special bank account for pet-related expenses adds up to $600 per year. Your pet may not need as many vet visits when it’s young, so you can save this money and use it if your pet needs a more complicated procedure in old age.
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Review your budget and cut expenses where you can, such as cancelling unused subscriptions. It may also be a good idea to see if you can cut trim costs in expensive categories, such as housing and transportation, to save the most money. Another way to boost your savings is to boost your income. Negotiating a raise, job hopping and side hustling are three viable options.
You can also explore pet insurance policies that reduce how much you have to pay for emergencies. Pet insurance can help via reimbursements for diagnostic tests, hospitalization, surgery and more. But you should compare policies for their premiums, coverage and other factors. You can also ask your vet about any payment programs that let you break up a big bill into several smaller monthly payments.
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