Am I paying too much at the vet?

How much do people spend at the vet?

The average dog owner spends $380/year on routine vet care, while cat owners spend about $320/year (APPA 2023). However, emergency visits can easily cost $2,000–$5,000, making pet insurance increasingly popular.

Average annual vet costs (US, routine care)

• Dog (routine): $380/year (checkup, vaccines, dental)
• Cat (routine): $320/year
• Dog (including emergencies): $600/year average
• Cat (including emergencies): $450/year average

Most common expensive procedures

• Surgery (ACL, tumor removal): $2,000–$5,000
• Emergency visit: $1,000–$3,000
• Dental cleaning: $300–$800
• X-rays/imaging: $200–$600
• Cancer treatment: $5,000–$15,000

Pet insurance costs $35–$70/month for dogs and $20–$45 for cats. About 4% of US pet owners have pet insurance (growing rapidly).