In 2025, as veterinary costs continue their upward trajectory, troubling patterns are emerging: many pet owners in the U.S. are skipping or delaying essential health care for their companion animals simply because they can’t afford it. While headlines often focus on high‑end pet products or premium diets, the less glamorous but more serious issue is that preventative care — routine check‑ups, vaccinations, diagnostics — is increasingly out of reach. This article examines the scale of the problem, the reasons behind it, the consequences for pets, and what pet owners and the industry can do to change the narrative.
1. The Scope of the Problem: How Bad Is It?
A recent study by PetSmart Charities and Gallup revealed that 52% of U.S. pet owners report having skipped or declined recommended veterinary care in the past year. Among those, 71% cite financial considerations — either not being able to afford it, or believing the cost was not worth the benefit.
Other research shows that nearly one‑third of owners in households earning $90,000+ say they have declined veterinary care because they could not afford it. A separate poll by Humane Society of the United States indicates that about 43% of pet owners have been unable to pay for their pet’s medical needs due to financial constraints.
The bottom line: the issue is pervasive, cutting across income levels, age groups and pet‑types. Rather than a marginal concern, unaffordable care has become a mainstream challenge in pet health.
2. Why Is Preventative Care Being Postponed or Skipped?
Several interconnected factors explain why so many pet owners avoid or delay preventative and diagnostic care:
A. Rising Veterinary Costs
Veterinary service pricing has been climbing steadily. Advances in pet medicine (imaging, surgery, advanced diagnostics) combined with inflation and larger corporate ownership mean higher price points. One article noted care costs have increased over 60% since 2014.
B. Lack of Preparedness and Pet Insurance
Most pet owners do not have insurance. With most vet costs paid out‑of‑pocket, even moderate treatments can feel unaffordable. The aforementioned Gallup survey found that many owners did not have $1,000 to pay if their pet required lifesaving treatment.
C. Preventative Care is Less Visible
Routine check‑ups, vaccinations, diagnostics are often less obviously “urgent” than emergencies, so when budgets tighten, these are first on the chopping block. Indeed, the survey found the most commonly declined services were diagnostics (22%) and preventive care like vaccinations (18%).
D. Perception of Value
For some owners, especially those earning more, the cost isn’t always about ability to pay but perceived value. The study found that among higher‑income households, many said care was “not worth the cost.”
E. Systemic Access & Alternatives
Even when owners are willing, many veterinary clinics don’t offer lower‑cost alternatives or payment plans. The same study noted 73% of owners who declined care due to cost were not offered a lower‑cost treatment option.
3. Why Preventative Care Matters: The Consequences of Skipping It
Deferred or omitted preventive care doesn’t just save money in the short term—it often costs more in the long run. Here are some key repercussions:
A. Increased Risk of Advanced Disease
Without diagnostics, early‑stage issues go undetected. What could have been managed easily may escalate into serious illness requiring expensive treatment—or worse. The Gallup survey found 14% of owners who declined care reported their pet’s condition worsened or the animal died.
B. Higher Emergency Costs
Preventive screenings and routine care are less expensive than emergency surgeries or advanced treatments. In effect, skipping routine care may lead to higher total spending over a pet’s life. Veterinary experts emphasize that emergencies cost substantially more.
C. Pet Welfare and Quality of Life
Animals may suffer pain, reduced life expectancy, or chronic conditions because the necessary early interventions were skipped. This issue is both an ethical and practical concern.
D. Broader Impact on Animal Welfare Infrastructure
When many pets are not cared for adequately, shelters and rescue systems see increased surrenders and medical burdens. This amplifies the societal impact beyond individual households.
4. The Myth of “Only Low‑Income Owners” – It’s Broader Than That
A key insight from the most recent data: the problem is not confined to low‑income households. In fact, the 2025 Gallup study found even among households earning $90,000 or more annually, around one‑third reported skipping or declining vet care due to cost.
This suggests that rising costs, expectations for premium care, and financial prioritization all play roles—not simply poverty. Some owners, for example, believe the cost isn’t worth the perceived benefit. Others may have multiple pets, large breeds, or older animals with complex needs, leading to higher baseline costs.
Understanding this broader demographic helps frame the issue as systemic—not just a welfare concern for lower‑income families.
5. What Can Pet Owners Do to Prevent the Problem?
As a pet owner, there are proactive steps you can take to reduce the risk of being unable to provide care:
A. Budget for Pet Health Early
Treat the pet’s health expenses as you would your own medical costs. Allocate savings or emergency funds, and consider pet insurance before major issues arise.
B. Choose an Accessible Veterinary Clinic
Look for clinics that offer transparent pricing, payment plans, diagnostics bundles, or scaled treatment options. Some nonprofits or community clinics may provide lower‑cost preventive care programs.
C. Prioritize Preventive Visits
Regular check‑ups, vaccines and diagnostics can catch small problems early or avoid larger ones altogether. This may cost a few hundred dollars but can prevent multi‑thousand‑dollar emergencies.
D. Explore Pet Insurance or Wellness Plans
Though not a panacea, insurance can significantly reduce out‑of‑pocket costs for illnesses. Wellness plans (covering basic care) can also lock in predictable costs.
E. Maintain Good Pet Health Practices at Home
High‑quality nutrition, exercise, dental hygiene and parasite control reduce the need for more expensive treatments. While these won’t eliminate risk, they help minimize avoidable issues.
6. What the Veterinary Industry & Policy Makers Can Do
Addressing the affordability issue demands more than individual action—it requires systemic solutions:
A. Transparent Pricing & Treatment Options
Veterinary practices could provide tiered treatment plans with cost options, disclose pricing clearly, and discuss financial concerns with owners proactively. Yet many owners report not being offered alternatives.
B. Expand Access to Low‑Cost Preventive Clinics
Non‑profit and community clinics focusing on low‑cost preventive care help reach owners who might otherwise skip care altogether.
C. Promote Pet Insurance & Payment Models
Greater awareness and simplified insurance products may reduce the fear of unaffordable vet bills. Interest‑free financing options and payment plans can also bridge short‑term gaps.
D. Policy and Awareness Interventions
Organizations like PetSmart Charities have committed funds to improve access to care for pets in underserved households. Advocacy and policy efforts (e.g., tax‑deductible pet health accounts, subsidies) may play a role in future.
7. A Real‑World Example: When Cost Becomes the Decision Factor
A recent article profiled a cat owner who declined a $6,000 radiation therapy for her pet simply because it was beyond her means. Despite loving her cat deeply, the owner described feeling “small” and powerless. While this is an extreme case, it highlights the disastrous outcome when financial constraints force an owner to choose between paw‑renting and foregoing care.
8. Looking Forward: The Growing Gap Between Expectations and Reality
As pet owners increasingly consider their animals as family members, their expectations for care rise. At the same time, veterinary costs continue climbing—driven by advanced diagnostics, specialty treatments, inflation and market consolidation. Without action, the gap between what owners expect and what they can afford will widen.
The data points to a crucial trend: skipping preventative care today may contribute to higher costs and suffering later. For many owners, the decision isn’t about luxury—it’s about survival of care.
Conclusion: The Time to Act Is Now
Preventive pet care isn’t optional—it’s foundational to the well‑being of our animals. The disturbing fact that more than half of U.S. pet owners have skipped or declined veterinary care due to cost exposes a crisis in access and affordability. Yet the story isn’t only about cost—it’s about awareness, planning, and the systems that support (or fail) pet owners.
If you are a pet owner today:
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Start budgeting and planning.
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Choose a vet you trust and openly discuss cost options.
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Prioritize preventive health visits.
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Explore insurance or payment flexibility.
If you’re a veterinarian, policymaker or someone in the pet‑care industry:
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Consider accessibility and cost transparency as central to care.
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Advocate for models that accommodate diverse owner budgets.
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Recognize that affordability today may prevent heartbreak (and higher costs) tomorrow.
Our pets depend on us not just for love—but for the resources and foresight to keep them healthy. In 2025, bridging the affordability gap could mean more pets living longer, happier lives, and owners empowered to care without fear of the bill.