How today's high pet care costs are straining household finances
Rising pet care costs are placing increasing financial pressure on U.S. households, with routine expenses averaging $4,272 annually and emergency vet bills adding unpredictability. Inflation and high borrowing costs are exacerbating the burden, forcing some pet owners to rely on credit cards for unexpected medical expenses. Despite these challenges, many Americans continue to prioritize spending on higher-quality pet food, preventive care, and advanced treatments.
- ▪Routine pet ownership costs an average of $4,272 per year, totaling over $50,000 over a pet's 12-year lifespan.
- ▪The average veterinary visit cost $392 in 2025, a 32% increase from 2020.
- ▪Industry-wide pet spending reached approximately $158 billion in 2025 and is expected to keep rising.
- ▪About 25% of pet owners with chronically ill pets spent between $5,000 and $10,000 on pet care in the past year.
- ▪Many pet owners report they would use credit cards to cover unexpected veterinary expenses, increasing their risk of high-interest debt.
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Sponsored MoneyWatch: Managing Your Money How today's high pet care costs are straining household finances We may receive commissions from some links to products on this page. Promotions are subject to availability and retailer terms. .chip { background-image: url('/fly/bundles/cbsnewscore/images/chip-bgd/chip-bgd-moneywatch.jpg'); } By Angelica Leicht Angelica Leicht Senior Editor, Managing Your Money Angelica Leicht is the senior editor for the Managing Your Money section for CBSNews.com, where she writes and edits articles on a range of personal finance topics. Angelica previously held editing roles at The Simple Dollar, Interest, HousingWire and other financial publications.
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