The Cost of Veterinary Care in 2025 … and What to Expect in 2026

The costs associated with veterinary care – like those associated with so many other goods and services in the U.S. – have risen steadily in recent years: more than 60% since 2014, according to Gallup, the global analytics and advisory firm. And there are few signs that pet parents will experience relief any time soon. The American Veterinary Medical Association observes that average veterinary price increases have been outpacing inflation consistently since 2019.

In 2025, certain factors contributed to these increases:

• The trend toward corporate consolidation, wherein private equity firms and large corporations buy independent veterinary practices, hasn’t subsided – and fees for office visits and services are continuing to rise as a result.
• Pet parents – especially millennials and members of Gen Z – are describing their pets as full-on family members, and are creating new demand for advanced, and often costly, treatments.
• Tariffs have made imported medications and medical supplies more expensive.

Claims data from Healthy Paws Pet Insurance shows that the typical vet bill has climbed steadily over the past five years, reaching about $392 per claim in 2025 – up nearly a third from 2020. Based on recent claims data, Healthy Paws pet parents spent an estimated $669 million on accident or illness veterinary care last year, up four percent from 2024.

• Skin conditions
• Pain treatment
• Gastritis
• Otitis externa (ear infection)
• Heart conditions
• Eye problems
• Growths
• Urinary tract infections
• Seizures
• Cancer

The single most expensive Healthy Paws claim for a dog in 2025 was related to an anemia diagnosis – just under $54,000 was paid out on this claim.

• Gastritis
• Pain treatment
• Heart conditions
• Urinary tract infections
• Kidney disease
• Skin conditions
• Cancer
• Diabetes
• Lab results
• Eye problems

The single most expensive Healthy Paws claim for a cat in 2025 was related to a diagnosis of trauma; just over $37,000 was paid out on this claim.  

A study co-published in March 2026 by Healthy Paws and money.com revealed that routine expenses for a cat or dog now average $4,272 a year in the U.S.

Veterinary care makes up a sizeable chunk of this annual cost:

• Roughly 29% of pet parents reported spending at least $100 monthly on doctor visits.
• Another 16% said they spend at least that much on medications and supplements.
• Parents of pets with chronic conditions face significantly higher costs:
• About a quarter of them spend $5,000–$10,000 annually.
• These pet parents also report experiencing higher levels of financial stress.

Behind the larger story of rising veterinary costs are some heartbreaking statistics.  A recent study conducted by Gallup and PetSmart Charities found that:

• More than half (52%) of pet parents say they have skipped or declined necessary veterinary care or treatment.
• More than seven out of ten pet parents (71%) – including those in high-earning households – who skipped necessary veterinary care or declined recommended treatment say they did so for financial reasons.
• In 14% of instances where a pet parent skipped care because it was unaffordable, their pet’s condition worsened – or their pet died – as a result.
• Nearly a third of pet parents (30%) say they have a friend or family member who lost a pet because they couldn’t afford veterinary care.

As veterinary costs continue to rise, pet insurance has never been more valuable – or necessary – for ensuring the health and well-being of your pet. The difference between having it and not having it could be the difference between facing an injury or illness with confidence and facing it with concerns about affordability. The Healthy Paws pet insurance plan covers new accidents, injuries, and illnesses with no caps on claim payouts, and includes breed-specific, congenital, and chronic conditions as well as specialty and emergency care. Customers benefit from our straightforward policy and our personalized customer support.

If concerns about affordability might be the reason that your pet doesn’t receive the care they need, let Healthy Paws be your partner in helping make sure that they do.