Ninety-four percent of U.S. veterinarians say a client’s financial situation sometimes or often limits their ability to provide recommended care, according to new survey data from Gallup and PetSmart Charities.
The State of Pet Care Study: Veterinarians’ Perspective on American Veterinary Care is the second in a series. The initial report, published in April 2025, focused on the experiences of nearly 2,500 U.S. dog and cat owners. The new data reveals how veterinarians view pet owners’ struggles and the challenges they face as providers.
The survey results, based on responses from more than 900 U.S. veterinarians collected in late 2025, revealed that cost was a barrier more than twice as often as any other factor, echoing sentiments expressed by pet owners in the first part of the study.
Survey data also revealed that a client’s inability to pay for care takes an emotional toll on the veterinary team. When care is declined, the overwhelming majority (98%) of veterinarians worry about the pet’s health, while 88% worry about the family’s emotional state. Almost 3 in 4 (74%) say financial euthanasia is one of the hardest parts of their job.
“After listening to pet parents, it was essential that we also hear directly from veterinarians,” said Aimee Gilbreath, president of PetSmart Charities. “They, too, experience the emotional toll when financial barriers stand between pets and recommended care.”
When comparing data from both parts of the survey, researchers noted a few significant discrepancies between the groups’ perceptions of affordability and care access:
- 81% of veterinarians reported that they often or always recommend an alternative treatment plan when a client declines care due to cost, but most (73%) pet owners who declined care reported not being offered another option.
- Just under half (41%) of veterinarians reported often or always offering financing or payment plans, while less than a quarter (23%) of pet owners reported being offered one.
- The majority (88%) of veterinarians are familiar with the spectrum of care concept, but only half (51%) reported that they often or always apply it.
Most veterinarians also reported feeling unprepared to navigate cost-related discussions. Only 17% of respondents said they proactively ask about a client’s financial concerns before making a recommendation, about half (49%) do so after, and 1 in 3 (34%) address cost only when clients bring it up.
“These findings highlight the need for upfront, more compassionate conversations about care between veterinarians and the families they serve,” Gilbreath said. “When we work together to address these challenges, more pets can access the veterinary care that keeps them healthy and at home with the families who love them.”