AVMA shares insights into rising veterinary costs
Amid ongoing economic uncertainty, the cost of veterinary care has become a topic of interest for the public and the media. The AVMA is communicating with reporters across the country to provide insights into the “why” behind rising pet care costs and how veterinarians partner with owners every day to find compassionate solutions that support both patient needs and client budgets.
When the AVMA fields calls or reaches out to the media on this topic, here is some of the information we share. These thoughts may also help you during conversations with clients and with any local media who may reach out to you.
Veterinarians choose this profession out of a deep love for animals and a strong desire to improve their lives. We also know that behind every pet is a person or family who cares deeply and wants to do what’s best. That’s why our approach to care is centered not only on medical expertise, but on collaboration and trust.
Veterinarians work closely with pet owners to create personalized care plans that reflect their pet’s needs and their own circumstances. These include incremental or lower-cost options, when appropriate, and honest conversations about what is essential versus ideal in a treatment plan.
We understand that many families are struggling with increases in the cost of living, and veterinary care is not immune to these broader economic pressures. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, inflation has affected virtually every sector of the U.S. economy, including human and animal health care. In veterinary medicine, contributing factors include these:
- Rising costs of medical supplies and pharmaceuticals, as well as increased costs associated with operating a business, such as utilities
- Investments in new technologies that allow veterinarians to deliver advanced treatments that improve and extend patients’ lives
- Longer lifespans for pets, which is something we celebrate, but which also come with more frequent and complex medical needs over time
Unlike human health care, veterinary care is largely paid for out-of-pocket, since only about 4% of U.S. pets are covered by insurance. That’s why we urge pet owners to be proactive and explore options for financing their pet’s care before they face major medical expenses. Some options include pet health insurance, dedicated savings accounts, and credit plans. Depending on their situation, pet owners also may qualify for low-cost, community-supported services or grants.
One of the most effective ways to reduce future medical costs is through regular preventive care. Routine check-ups, vaccinations, parasite control, and healthy weight management help pets stay well and allow veterinarians to detect problems early—before they become more serious and costly.
Veterinarians are actively working to bridge care gaps in our communities. Across the country veterinarians volunteer time and expertise in vaccine and spay/neuter clinics, at pop-up pet wellness events, and in animal shelters. Through the American Veterinary Medical Foundation’s REACH program, AVMA members can receive grants to help clients in need provide care for their pets. Thanks to generous support from AVMA members, corporate partners, foundations, and private individuals, this program is expanding access to veterinary care.
At the heart of our profession is an unwavering commitment to our pets’ health and welfare, as well as to the people who cherish them. Veterinary care is not just about medicine. It’s about compassion, partnership, and finding solutions that keep pets healthy and families supported.
Comments
We can’t just throw our hands up and continue business as usual
I’m sorry, this response is infuriating and out of touch with reality. Really? This is the best we can do?
Corporations are not in the business of what you have described. Their one goal is to make money. End of story, and they are leading the industry. It is awful that owning a pet has become an upper class privilege. People don’t even have enough money to buy groceries, let alone make a savings account for their pets. The AVMA’s response to this problem is completely out of touch with reality and lacks any empathy.
Companion animals are called that because of the enormous contribution they have in peoples’ lives. We shouldn't make them for only one class of people. Also the shaming of vets in rural and low income areas who are not doing the “gold standard” all the time needs to stop. These vets are doing their best to provide as much care as possible, vs. the alternative of no care, within the owners financial constraints.
We can’t just put our heads and the sand and continue business as usual. Pretending there is no problem with the industry and blaming the owners and life is a total cop out. The world has changed and we need to change with it. Right now people need love and compassion, something animals provide, and we are taking that from them and making them feel shame for not being able to provide basic care for their beloved pets.
There are several ways to address this problem, which is only going to get worse, but simply shrugging and saying “sorry life is expensive you should plan better” is not going to fix anything.
Agree
Amen you hit it on the head
Very Costs
Rising cost of vet care is directly related to and influenced by corporations buying up vet clinics and unnecessarily jacking up prices. This is why costs have increased over 40% on average in the last decade. Shareholder gains are officially more important than your pet's health or life.
Veterinary Costs
Inflation in charges is not mysterious at all. Look no farther than Pirate Equity.
Vet care costs = non compliance
Corporate, hedge fund, equity group shareholder profits driven ownership of vet practices WILL be the end of pet ownership as we’ve always known it.
Since 2022 (just 3 years) in my region (NH) of the country, corporate takeovers have soared prices 2-4x 2022 levels.
More owners are failing to have s/n surgeries done and even basic care is being shifted to “later”
Uncomplicated exam prices are up 2-3x
Spays are up 2-4x
Neuters up 2-3x
Hw/tick borne disease testing is at least 2x
Etc
Pet ownership is being shifted to upper middle class and higher income level while everyone else either has to give up their pets or go without basic veterinarian care
Over counter meds.
Vets making more money taking o/c meds that public has used for decades off public maket
Veterinary Service Costs
All of the points in the article are valid as are my colleagues comments. I have another factor that adds into this and it is the loss of pharmacy revenue to online pharmacies. When a veterinary clinic or hospital loses 40% of pharmacy revenue to Chewy, Pet Meds, Amazon, etc where do you think they are going to make that up? No where else but bu raising fees for service. As this trend continues service fees will continue to rise. Do you think the drug manufacturers care where they sell their product to? I think not.
veterinary care fees
Being in practice for sixty years, I am horrified of what is happening to the veterinary
profession. I practice in a busy middle class town with many successful people in this town. I am seeing their horror at having to pay such outlandish fees to these smart
alec corporate practices that are charging horrendous fees. I have never seen so many practices close or closing. Greed has killed many practices. My generation of veterinarians were mainly conservative farm guys, at one time we were ranked second in the nation behind human nurses for respect and confidence from the American public. With all the unconservative liberal people now in our profession I am sure that statistic has gone to hell. Our schools need to get men interested again in our profession and make the other sex respectful again, at present they are getting arrogant with their good ol girl hiring. Our schools should be promoting our men farmers, they come with experience in the field already and are conservative. rarely tatoos among them !
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