Veterinary care is increasingly out of reach for many Americans, according to a recent Gallup survey of 2,500 cat and dog owners. The survey found just over half of respondents had not taken their pets to the veterinarian in the past year, even when care was needed or recommended.
Gen Z, Black and Hispanic pet owners, as well as those with annual household incomes below $60,000, are more likely to forgo recommended veterinary care because of cost, according to the survey. Gallup found that 59% of pet owners ages 18 to 29, 58% of Black respondents, 57% of Hispanic respondents, and 55% of households earning less than $60,000 a year said they have either declined or skipped needed care for their pets due to financial barriers.
As vet costs rise, so do pet surrenders
At Second Chance Ranch in High Ridge, Missouri, founder Tracy Rumpf said both the number of pet surrenders and the cost of care are rising.
“A lot of people, in the last couple of years we’ve noticed, are surrendering their dogs because they can’t afford them anymore—can’t afford their dental, can’t afford preventive, even sometimes food,” Rumpf said.
Veterinary bills can be considerable. Rumpf said that in April, she wrote a check for $26,000 to cover just six weeks of expenses. Dr. Leah Cohn with the University of Missouri Veterinary Health Center said the cost of care continues to climb.
“The cost of veterinary care has risen. There’s no doubt about it,” Cohn said. “It really doesn’t matter if you’re putting an animal through a CT scanner or a person through a CT scanner; same thing for a number of other tools and equipment.”
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Veterinary costs have gone up more than 60% since 2014, while overall inflation is up 35% over the same time period.
Breaking down the numbers
Since 2014, veterinary costs have risen more than 60%, according to Gallup, while overall inflation has gone up just 35% over the same time period.
MarketWatch reports the average dog owner spends nearly $30,000 over their pet’s lifetime. Broken down, it’s a little more than $2,500 a year for a pet with insurance. And even with insurance, an emergency veterinary visit can cost about $1,500.
When does pet insurance make sense?
Pet insurance can be expensive, and it may not be the right fit for every pet owner. NerdWallet has costs ranging from $32-$62 per month. According to Investopedia, there are several scenarios in which pet insurance makes sense. They say it can be a wise choice if you are committed to your pet’s care but lack a significant savings cushion for unexpected veterinary bills, or if your pet is more likely to get injured due to an active lifestyle. Owners of certain breeds prone to health issues, those with young and healthy pets, or those seeking peace of mind may also benefit from insurance.
However, pet insurance may not be necessary for everyone. It may not be the best option if your pet is older and already has health problems, if you have enough savings to cover major unexpected costs, if you would not opt for certain expensive procedures even if you could afford them or if your pet already has a chronic diagnosis.
How to make rising vet costs more bearable
Both Rumpf and Cohn recommend annual exams to catch potential health issues before they become major problems — and major expenses — and suggest planning ahead for unexpected issues.
“Plan ahead for what they’re going to do if expensive care is needed — whether that’s having a savings account, being able to get credit for veterinary care, or buying an insurance policy for your pet,” Cohn said.
Rumpf also suggested asking for a payment plan, and notes that some clinics accept credit cards designed for health and veterinary care, allowing payments to be spread over time.
“Sometimes emergencies come up — your dog’s been hit by a car or tears an ACL — and there are resources to help cover those costs,” she said.
For those considering a new pet, Rumpf encourages adopting from rescues, expressing hope that places like hers will someday no longer be necessary.
“I would love to not have to have a ranch like this, or all of the amazing rescues out there who every day are battling,” she said.
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Author: Ally Heath
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