Latest news with #vetbills
Forbes
03-07-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Vet Bills Are Soaring in 2025 — These Tips Could Help You Save Thousands
Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. Commissions do not affect our editors' opinions or evaluations. A generational uptick in spending for pet parenthood, driven in part by Gen Z, means that millions are being hit with vet bills, including unexpected emergency costs. A March 2025 Colliers report cites data that 66% of American households now own at least one pet. The Rover pet site's recently released 'True Cost of Pet Parenthood Report for 2025' reveals that dog parents can expect to spend around $34,550 for lifetime care over a decade, and cat owners roughly $32,170 over 16 years. Veterinary expenses are expected to surge 11% this year alone, with prices of treats rising 85% and costs of cleaning products skyrocketing 183%. It's no surprise, then, that pet parents are feeling squeezed. Rover reports that 48% of owners stress over the rising cost of pet care over their loved ones' lifetime, and 28% are already worried about affording their pets' needs right now. In order to make do, 33% of pet owners have cut back on groceries, entertainment or other essentials to prioritize pet costs, prompting concerns about the financial burden of pet ownership. Faced with these costs, pet owners may find that tools such as a CareCredit card are viable options to help finance pet insurance and unexpected emergency expenses. Living paycheck to paycheck has become an unfortunate reality for the majority of Americans. A 2023 study revealed that over three quarters of Americans (78%) live paycheck to paycheck, a worrying phenomenon that increased 6% from the previous year. The study highlighted that around the same percentage of Americans (71.93%) in this precarious financial situation have less than $2,000 in savings and that the generation most likely to be pet owners—members of Gen Z— are also the least likely to have a substantial safety net, with nearly 69% having less than $2,000 in savings. Worse, a study conducted by Symphony revealed that pet owners frequently underestimate the cost of lifetime care, with almost three out of four (74%) pet owners having faced unexpected pet care costs exceeding $250. Meanwhile only 31% of pet owners said they could comfortably manage a huge pet expense. Financial precarity can render pet owners vulnerable to emergencies, especially when impromptu surgery can cost anywhere from $300 to $10,000, according to MarketWatch. Routine care, such as vaccinations, dental cleanings and preventative treatments, also contributes to the increasing financial strain, but with some budgeting and tools like CareCredit and pet insurance, owners can secure medical treatment for their nonhuman loved ones, and get help with financing options that section expensive procedures down to manageable payment plans. Easy application: Pet owners can apply for CareCredit quickly, either online or in-person at participating vet offices. Payment flexibility: CareCredit offers various payment plans, some with no interest for promotional periods (from six to 24 months). Wide acceptance: CareCredit is accepted within a large network of veterinary clinics and hospitals, making it accessible for pet owners. Versatility: The card can be used for a spectrum of medical needs and services, including but not limited to: medical specialists like dentists and eye doctors, medical imaging and lab work, pet insurance, funeral and cremation services, and drugstores and prescriptions. Best of all, you can use the CareCredit card account the moment your application is approved, without having to wait for the card to come in the mail. It's truly a card built for emergencies, where you can apply from the veterinary office and use it in seconds. While CareCredit is a stellar option for emergencies, it's important to stress that a solid plan to finance care for the entirety of your pet's life is critical. Here are a few options pet owners should look into: Pet insurance: Many pet owners opt for pet insurance, which can help cover large portions of medical bills including surgeries, prescription medications and emergency care. Some insurance providers even offer wellness plans and behavioral therapy, which can cover routine care such as vaccinations and checkups. A variety of plans are available across providers tailored to different needs, ranging from basic accident coverage to comprehensive health plans. Emergency savings fund: Setting aside a portion of your budget each month for emergency pet expenses can alleviate the stress of covering surprise vet bills. Although it takes time to build up a nest, having a cushion for your pet's care will reduce reliance on credit cards and loans. Payment plans with veterinary clinics: Some veterinary offices provide in-house financing or payment plans. These plans may offer more flexibility than traditional financing options and could have lower interest rates. Source: Forbes Advisor research. Costs are based on plans with unlimited annual coverage ($100,000 for Lemonade), a $250 deductible and 80% reimbursement level. Chewy's Essential Plus plan does not offer 80% reimbursement, rates are based on 90% reimbursement. Source: Forbes Advisor research. Costs are based on plans with unlimited annual coverage ($100,000 for Lemonade), a $250 deductible and 80% reimbursement level. Chewy's Essential Plus plan does not offer 80% reimbursement, rates are based on 90% reimbursement. Being proactive about your pet's health and finances can help mitigate unwanted surgeries and costs. Taking your pet for regular checkups can help catch health issues before they become a debt quicksand. Estimate your pet's average health care costs and set aside funds each month to prepare for inevitable expenses. And always research providers and shop around for competitive pricing to make sure you're getting the best services for your dollar.
BBC News
23-06-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Vet bills: More pets being put down due to rising costs, BBC told
Pet owners are increasingly having their sick animals put down or they are delaying taking them for treatment to avoid spiralling vet bills, vets and animal charities have animal lovers are giving up pets to rehoming centres, while others have decided not to own any more in the future due to high costs, the BBC has been veterinary surgeons and nurses say treatment prices have been pushed up after big corporations have bought up British Veterinary Association (BVA) said the cost of care had increased for a variety of reasons and fees reflected the prices businesses needed to charge to remain financially viable and open. Hundreds of pet owners have contacted Your Voice, Your BBC News, with concerns over vet told us about her dog Dougie after File on Four Investigates revealed the "constant pressure" some vets felt to generate income. The 12-year-old Cavachon has a heart condition, but Avril says she has had to cut back on vet appointments as prices have risen every year. Now Dougie has gone deaf and Avril worries his condition may have got worse because she cut back on follow-up appointments due to the said she's gone through "a lot of soul searching", adding that at times she worries not taking him is to blame."At least I'm still hanging in there and get to keep him," she said, but added she felt "desperately sorry for those people who have given up their pet". Caroline also got in touch after paying more than £4,500 to treat her 19-year-old cat Ozzie when she was diagnosed with a brain bill was so expensive she could not afford to cremate Ozzie after the cat died - so instead she brought her home and buried her in the back garden. She said the cost of treating Ozzie, who died in 2022, was so high it has put her off owning another pet."I'm currently in my early 60s and I don't want to be 10 years down the line having to find £4,500," she said. "I don't want the emotional upset of possibly not being able to afford it and then having to ask for somebody to rehome the cat as well."Animal welfare charity Blue Cross warned increased treatment costs are a "ticking time bomb" for the welfare of pets."Access to affordable vet care has reduced and we're seeing more animals not getting the treatment they need and even being relinquished because their owners can no longer afford to keep them," said Paul Manktelow, director of veterinary services for the Cross runs a fund for people who can't afford emergency care and it's seen a 264% increase in applications in the past year, going from 1,319 in 2023 to 4,807 in 2024. The BBC has spoken to 25 veterinary surgeons, nurses and industry insiders working for a range of companies and the majority blamed higher vet bills on big companies buying up said life became "hellish" when their practice was taken over. Another said a regional manager bought them a cake when they hit their financial targets, which "went down badly" with staff, who were busy and covered in animal blood and urine at the time. Only one person did speak to us publicly because others feared never working again. Locum vet Dr Callum Ladell, who has worked at more than 250 practices, says public trust in vets has been lost and he is seeing fewer clients bringing in their animals for treatment because they are expecting a big bill."We're having cases come in, having been left for months and months, and normally, it ends up being euthanasia - putting an animal to sleep - because they can't afford the bill and because it works out cheaper than fixing them," he told the BBC. The British Veterinary Union in Unite (BVU) - which represents workers in the industry – says people are increasingly choosing to euthanise their pets due to cost pressures, even when there are other medical options available.A survey of 10,000 cat owners by the charity Cats Protection found 58% did not visit the vet as often as they would like, with cost described as the biggest barrier. Dr Ladell said he treated a friend's cat, called Elvis, who suffered a wound to his leg in sedated the cat, cleaned out the wound and stitched it up at a cost of £93.19. This didn't include his clinical time, which he estimated would have added £300 to the cat later opened up the wound – making it larger - and this time, Dr Ladell took him to the practice at which Elvis was registered, which is owned by the corporate chain CVS. The case notes and final bill, which have been seen by the BBC, showed vets treated the cat under full anaesthetic, removed tissue, reopened the wound, flushed it out, put a drain in and stitched it up. The bill came to £1, Ladell didn't criticise the quality of care received but said he feels more cost-effective treatment could have been done with an equally good outcome, particularly if the owner was not someone who could afford more than £1,000 for this "gold standard" service. CVS, which owns around 500 veterinary practices across the UK and Australia, said the two procedures were not comparable.A spokesperson said: "It would be incorrect for us to comment publicly on an individual case as we are bound by confidentiality rules. It would also be unprofessional for us to compare the high-quality treatment we offer with another member of the veterinary profession, particularly if the level of surgical intervention is very different."In 2013, only 10% of vet practices in the UK were owned by large corporate groups. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said six large corporate vet groups - IVC Evidensia, CVS, Medivet, Pets at Home, Linnaeus, and Vet Partners – now account for 60% of the for pet owners have risen as corporate ownership has increased - by more than 60% - between 2015 and 2023, figures from the CMA show. This is almost double the rate of inflation or the increase in vet salaries over that time. The CMA is currently investigating whether a lack of competition in the veterinary sector has contributed to soaring vets at practices owned by IVC Evidensia told File on Four Investigates they were monitored and subject to targets set by the said he and his colleagues were encouraged to compete against other practices owned by IVC over the number of certain procedures they carried out on animals, through what the company called "clinical challenge milestones".IVC said the health and welfare of animals was always its first priority and stressed these "clinical challenge" targets weren't financial but designed to improve the clinical care of pets. The selected procedures, it says, are all carefully chosen because they are essential to ensuring a prompt diagnosis and stabilisation of emergency patients. Corporate vet chains have said there are a variety of reasons why vet costs have increased – including advances in treatments, rising running costs and demands from pet owners for higher CMA has put forward suggestions of changes designed to make veterinary services more affordable – including price caps on medicines, prescriptions and other services like British Veterinary Association (BVA), the vet union BVC and veterinary staff all agree regulation of the industry needs to be updated. However, the BVA said the CMA's proposed remedies may have the "unintentional consequence of reducing consumer choice and potentially increasing vet fees"."If owners are concerned about cost, speak to your vet because they will always prioritise the welfare of the animal in their care and work closely with owners to find treatment plans that work for their circumstances," said British Veterinary Association president Dr Elizabeth CMA was due to publish its final report towards the end of the year, but that's been delayed by three to six months due to the volume and complexity of feedback from vets on its proposed changes. Caroline says she can't bring herself to remove the cat flap she had for Ozzie, because that completely closes off ever having a she insists that even though she loves having animals around, the cost of looking after one means she is going to "fight the urge to get another pet".
Daily Mail
05-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Hidden cost of designer dogs the breeders won't tell you about: Pet owners say trendy breeds like cockapoos are costing them thousands in vet bills - and issue warning about their temperaments
With their adorable teddy bear-esque coats and Instagram-perfect curls, it's no surprise that poodle crosses and other designer breeds have become all the rage. But the reality of owning a cockapoo, cavapoo or any other 'doodle' is far from the picture-perfect impression given on social media. During the coronavirus pandemic, thousands of Brits spent thousands on the photogenic puppies - loved by owners for their 'no shed' coats and minimal mess. And with their sweet and harmless expressions and puppy dog eyes, it seems hard to believe that the reality of doodle ownership is nothing short of a 'nightmare'. Speaking to MailOnline, owners have shared how they've spent thousands on the 'expensive' pets only to be floored by extortionate vet bills as a result of recurring health issues. Cockapoos and smaller dog breeds are prone to 'patellar luxation', which causes their kneecaps to slip, while others described bouts of 'horrendous colitis', cataracts and allergies. And far from being perfectly behaved, owners have ended up being forced to deal with ultra-clingy 'velcro' dogs who show displays of aggression towards others and display 'food-avoidant' habits, necessitating expensive alternatives. 'Poodle crosses were meant to be the answer to everything - hypoallergenic, versatile size, easy to train and absolutely heart-meltingly cute (especially as teddy-like puppies),' Francesca Verney, veterinary director of Pet People told MailOnline. 'But in many cases - a poorly bred, insufficiently socialised dog in the dedicated but often naive owner's hands can be a recipe for difficulty with high prevalence of disc disease, allergy, immune-mediated disease, separation anxiety and reactivity. 'A crying shame that the context has affected the original stamp of a lovely cross.' Tam Johnston, from Brighton, says her three-year-old cavapoochon Darcie is so clingy that she's unable to leave her alone for more than two hours at a time - and means she needs to work from home. She explained she'd wanted to get a dog for years and, after putting in a lot of research, eventually settled on the breed, which is a blend of King Charles Spaniel, poodle and Bichon Frisé. Tam, 50, told MailOnline: 'I knew that their temperament was incredibly sweet. They love human company. It basically ticked all the boxes in terms of what I wanted. 'They are very much one of the dogs at the moment and they get such positive press. They are a brilliant breed.' As a therapist, Tam imagined that her new pet would fit into her lifestyle 'perfectly', imagining them travelling up to London together and having Darcie sit in on sessions. She said she had initially dismissed any warnings that poodle breeds can be 'fussy eaters' and 'velcro dogs', putting it down to an individual 'training issue'. She picked up Darcie from the breeder - whom she says 'couldn't have been better' - in Nottingham, before driving back down home to Brighton. Initially, her new pet was an 'absolute gem' and slept the whole way home in the car. But just a couple of days later, the first problems started. Tam found herself in a nightmare of dealing with 'fresh blood and mucus', recalling: 'It all kicked off. I was like, "Oh, my God, what's going on?". She was just so distressed with it. 'She was just wailing in distress. It was horrible, absolutely horrible! Especially when it's a tiny bean sized thing that you're responsible for and don't quite know what's going on!' After ringing the emergency vet, Tam was told Darcie had colitis - an inflammation of the colon that often leads to diarrhea. For the first year and a half of owning Darcie, Tam explained that she would be prone to these nasty flare-ups, leading to a 'constant cycle' of her not being able to reach a healthy weight and having no energy. On some occasions, especially after she was spayed, Tam said it became so bad that they had to set up a form of 'doggy intensive care' at home. In addition, the precious early 'puppy' stage of Darcie's life where the family should have been bonding were just incredibly 'stressful', and meant it took them seven months to house train her. Tam said: 'It's stressful having a new pup, anyway, with all the training - the toilet training and everything else. 'There wasn't that much time where we were just able to enjoy each other and have that puppy time. Her health was the main point, and it was just distressing and stressful to see, and I just felt like I couldn't quite get on top of it.' Darcie's personality, too, has meant she's ended up 'dominating' their lives. Tam explained that she's so 'clingy' she can't be left alone for long periods as she won't 'sleep, eat or do anything'. She's also an incredibly fussy eater who will 'starve herself for days' before feeling constant nausea, even refusing to eat dry kibble. Tam says she's constantly having to think up new tricks just to get her to eat, such as putting butter or bacon bits on the end of treats, or by shopping for more expensive food options. As a result, she said she's spent 'thousands per year' on vets bills, as well as food and grooming and, though she'd love a companion for Darcie, she simply 'can't afford' it. 'If we're going to go for these designer dogs, we need to make sure that we really know what they're all about,' she said. 'There are parts that aren't talked about as much.' Jenna Beverley, owner of two-year-old cockapoo Toby, said her boy has been such 'hard work' that she wouldn't get another one. Like Darcie, Toby has also been plagued with health issues, including bad allergies, issues with his anal glands and genetic cataracts. He also had a unilateral cryptorchidism, meaning he needed a abdominal castration as one testicle didn't descend - which could have lead to health issues in the long term, and increase the risk of cancer. Jenna, from south Yorkshire, who herself works in veterinary medicine, said she already knew about the 'troubles' associated with the breed, but took him on from a family friend who could no longer look after him. She described Toby as a 'nightmare' for food, as well as being clingy, and snapping at and attacking other dogs he doesn't like, especially bulldogs and Labradors. She told FEMAIL: 'I wouldn't have another. He's my boy but he's hard work! 'I would warn others about the things that can go wrong when crossing two breeds, there's no guarantee on anything, especially temperament.' According to Francesca from Pet People, cockapoos rose from 10th on the most popular dog list to 4th between 2016 and 2018, climbing even further since Covid. Though, she added, a study published in August 2024 refuted claims that they are either better or worse than their pedigree counterparts in terms of disease risk, 'high volume breeding, inexperienced owners, poor socialisation during COVID have all led to the poodle crosses now presenting with a range of health and behaviour issues commensurate with a rush to breed this type of dog under the pandemic supply pressure'. Scott Putman from Bedford, who owns cockapoo Arlo, unexpectedly found himself go viral on TikTok after a video of his pet destroying rolls of toilet paper racked up more than 100,000 views. In the video, Scott came home from work to find that Arlo had spread five or six rolls all over the carpet, after they accidentally left the door open to the downstairs toilet. 'Arlo, what have you done?!' Scott exclaimed. 'What is this mess? Naughty dog!' Despite the mess, Scott insisted that Arlo is, generally, a 'good boy' and very good with their children, aged eight and five. The family paid £800 for Arlo, as Scott's wife had a cockapoo before, and they thought the breed was 'very cute'. However, he thinks Arlo's especially good behaviour is partially down to 'strict training' when he was young and says it's 'harder work than people expect'. Scott told FEMAIL: 'People, if they look at sort of pictures, they think it's going to be a breeze. It's not always like that.' Even so, Arlo remains an incredibly fussy eater and 'literally pulls your arms off' when taken for a walk on the lead. He's also 'very very needy'. Scott, 35, said: 'He'll follow you upstairs literally everywhere he's there. He's like your shadow. 'They are very very cute, especially when you see pictures of them online. They really win you over.' Mark Graham, from Sage Vets in Loughton, said they do see particular traits among the poodle breed, and its crosses. He said: 'We do find certain breeds and their crosses, such as Cockapoos and Cavapoos, are prone to particular behavioural traits, clinginess and anxiety among them. There is growing evidence that some of these may have a genetic basis. 'These dogs surged in popularity during the lockdown, when reduced opportunities for training and socialisation meant many became accustomed to constant human company, making separation anxiety increasingly common. 'This was the case across all breeds. From a health perspective, we do see a higher prevalence of skin allergies which often manifest as ear problems in these popular dogs and smaller breed in general are more prone to dental disease.' To help best care for a cockapoo, he recommends going in with your eyes open, choosing reputable breeder and being consistent with training. Vet Dr. Suzanne Moyes in comparison with dog food brand Green Pantry, shed light on some of the other common health issues facing the breed. She said that cockapoos are especially prone to obesity and hip issues. Dr Suzanne said: 'Hip dysplasia is also a common problem with Cockapoos, an issue that can be exacerbated by obesity. While you can't always prevent joint problems such as hip dysplasia, there is much you can do to help. 'For example, try to ensure they get regular exercise, and you could consider complementary therapeutic regimes such as hydrotherapy or laser therapy.' Other conditions include patellar luxation, which commonly affects smaller dogs. She said: 'It can often affect Cavapoos, causing their kneecaps to slip and cause discomfort, sometimes leading to osteoarthritis. 'A key giveaway sign can be your dog giving a little skip on one of their hind legs when walking or running. If you notice this, it is best to get them rechecked by your vet. 'Keeping your Cavapoo at a healthy weight, with the correct nutrition, is one way to help. 'Dental issues are common in many dogs, particularly in breeds like Cavapoos. Problems such as bad breath, tooth decay, gingivitis, cavities, and even tooth loss can arise if dental health isn't properly managed.' Elsewhere, other breeds have also been the victim to 'designer' status wreaking havoc on their health. One family has been left devastated by the emotional toll on their dog Dudley, as a result of irresponsible puppy mills. David and Susan, not their real names, got the French Bulldog as a rescue from a family, but the two-year-old was born at a breeder two years ago. They have for two years endured watching not only their beloved suffer with a myriad of ailments but stacked up vet bills of around £20,000. They were led to believe that he had a clean bill of health and allegedly was vet checked by the breeder and his previous owners, who Dudley was adopted from. However, it turned out he suffered from a number of severe health issues affecting his back, hip and knees. The vet, as well as neurologists and orthopaedics, told Susan that Dudley's conditions are hereditary, and that the breeder would have been aware of the potential ill health of Dudley and his siblings. 'We weren't even sure we wanted a dog,' Susan revealed, speaking to FEMAIL. 'Dudley apparently would go for a lot of money because of his fur... it doesn't make a difference to us, to us he's just Dudley.' The couple, who also have two children aged seven and nine got him in May 2023 even though they were initially not even sure they wanted a pet. Needless to say, they fell head over heels with the excitable Frenchie, who is beloved by the whole family, and he was as cheerful as he was active. By September of that year however, Dudley had collapsed from both his back legs. They got him to an emergency vets as they weren't sure what was wrong with their pooch - who was very energetic and used to love walking - but X-Rays revealed he had Stage 3 Luxating patella. According to pet charity PDSA, this means the kneecap dislocates and slips out of the groove in the thighbone, often causing pain and a limp. There are different levels of severity, but at stage 3 'the kneecap is permanently dislocated, can be pushed back into place by your vet, but slips straight out again when they let go'. Initial hospital visits made it clear that these issues are hereditary - and professionals advised that Dudley be neutered lest he pass the genes on to others. The pup 'kept on collapsing' - but as David and Susan couldn't afford health care where they're based, they went up North 'driving six hours at a time' just to find a more feasible solution. He has now had both his knees done, but is also suffering a torn ligament and was limping again a couple months ago, as well as battling tendinitis (an inflammation of the tendons). While they got some money back from insurance, the procedures on the suffering two-year-old have already set the family back around £20,000. However, the biggest cost for them has been the emotional toll of seeing their beloved pooch in agony and not able to enjoy his life. 'Money comes and goes but he's so playful and the boys used to love wrestling around with him,' Susan lamented. Dudley, as a result of how he has been bred, also has bad breathing problems because his tongue is too big for his face - and his spine is always crooked. The owners admitted that he might need more surgery in the future- and will always suffer with health issues. 'There's a lot more dogs out there,' they warned, expressing that a dog like Dudley could, to lucrative breeders, be sold for anywhere between £3,500 - 5,000. They also stressed regulation needs to improve as people are 'making money underground'. 'When you star to add up how any litters there are, it's a lot,' David added, with the pair comparing it to 'organised crime'. 'But the puppy mills don't care.' David and Susan are hoping to raise more awareness and are considering looking into a study on the phenomenon. They have also said the Kennel Club - a 'dog health, welfare and training' organisation - can do 'much more' to curb creating inadvertent demand for cute 'show dogs'. 'We are doing our best for Dudley,' they added, hoping they can give him a good life and one that is 'much calmer' to care for his ailments. 'We're very fortunate that we're in a position and we can get support,' they added, remarking on the trips up North they take for medical assistance. The coupe were also full of praise for the Animal Trust - who help owners find affordable vet care - who are 'brilliant and have done so much for Dudley'. MailOnline has reached out to the Kennel Club for comment. A Kennel Club spokesperson said: 'We are deeply concerned about unscrupulous breeders who produce large volumes of puppies with no consideration for their health or welfare, simply to cash in on demand and dupe unsuspecting owners. 'This is why The Kennel Club campaigns to improve how dogs are bred and bought, and provides breeders with resources and health schemes so they can produce the healthiest dogs possible, and guidance for those who want to buy a puppy responsibly. Our "Find a Puppy" tool is a good starting point – with transparent information about the pups we register, including all health test results, available online to aid good decisions. 'Sadly, rather than in-depth research by puppy buyers, it is media and celebrity culture which drives demand for certain breeds or types of dogs, and where there is a high demand for popular dogs, unfortunately there will always be unscrupulous breeders taking advantage. 'Research carried out by The Kennel Club as part of its annual Be Puppywise campaign - which raises awareness of how to buy a puppy responsibly and spot rogue breeders - found that a quarter of dog owners only spend two hours or less researching their puppy purchase.'
