How Much Does the Vet Cost Without Insurance?

Veterinary costs without insurance can range from $180 for annual routine and preventative medication to $5,000 or more for treating more serious injuries.⁽¹⁾

Being a pet parent is all fun and games until the vet visit ends with, “That’ll be $500,” and you’re left thinking, “Wait, what? My dog didn’t even have anything serious.” And just when you’re still recovering from that shock, you hear, “If it were a major condition, that number would probably have another zero on it.”

And if you’re a cat parent laughing at the dog parents, thinking you’ve escaped this, you’re probably wrong. Ask any experienced cat owner and they’ll tell you that the idea of cats being “independent and low-maintenance pets” is a big, fluffy lie.

Here are the average vet costs that you can expect for dogs and cats –

How Much is a Vet Visit for a Dog?

The average cost of a routine vet visit is between $80 - $150¹ depending on your location and the services rendered by the vet.

The cost, however, does not include any diagnostic tests. Your vet may feel the need to conduct some tests if any signs of infection or any other medical condition are visible during the examination. The average costs of the same are – ^2,3

And if you’re taking your dog to the vet for emergency treatment of a specific medical condition, the average costs can range from $200 - $1,250+.³

And in case your dog has to be treated for a major surgery, get ready for a big hole in your pocket. We’ve written an entire article on ‘Does pet insurance cover surgery?’ You’ll get a detailed idea of the average costs of different kinds of pet surgeries.

How Much is a Vet Visit for a Cat?

The average cost of a vet visit for a cat is between $25-$186. A lot of factors affect the cost, like the age of the cat, the nature of the visit, your location, the type of facility, etc. Below are some average costs for specific vet visits for a cat –²

We know all these numbers can look scary. In a survey, 50% of pet parents didn't bring their pets to a vet or declined recommended care because they could not afford the costs.⁴

How often should I take my pet to the Vet?

The recommended frequency of vet visits for your pet usually depends on the age of the pet.

Apart from scheduling vet visits for wellness exams, you should take your pet to the vet if you see any of the following symptoms –

How Pet Insurance Can Help

You may not be able to prevent all the costs. This is where pet insurance can play a major role. You can get reimbursed up to 90% of the covered costs* related to eligible treatments for dogs and cats. Routine vet visits, however, are not be covered by basic plans. However, some providers, like Spot, offer wellness add-ons that can help cover the costs of routine visits as well.

Spot accident and illness plans can be used with any licensed vet in Canada or the U.S. Whether you are home or traveling to the U.S., veterinary services your pet receives for the diagnosis, treatment, or management of covered conditions can be eligible for reimbursement. Spot’s accident and illness plans can help cover a variety of conditions, including broken bones, lacerations, aggression, kidney disease, diabetes, and more. With the addition of Wellness Riders for an extra cost, you can also receive reimbursements for wellness exams, certain vaccinations, dental cleanings, and more.

Learn more about dog insurance or get a free quote!