Cost of Care Drives Care Gaps, New Study Finds

PetSmart Charities-Gallup research shows financial strain is limiting veterinary treatment options and taking an emotional toll on providers and pet families alike.

Rising costs of veterinary care continue to strain access to treatment for pets across the United States, creating emotional and practical challenges for both veterinarians and pet owners, according to new research released Jan. 20 by PetSmart Charities and Gallup.

The PetSmart Charities–Gallup State of Pet Care Study: Veterinarians’ Perspective on American Veterinary Care is the second installment in a series examining affordability and access to veterinary services. Based on a survey of 933 practicing U.S. veterinarians, the study finds that financial considerations are now a dominant factor shaping clinical decision-making and care outcomes.

Nearly all veterinarians surveyed – 94% – said clients’ financial limitations sometimes or often restrict their ability to provide recommended care. More than one-third reported that cost often limits care, underscoring how frequently economic realities influence treatment decisions. Cost was cited as a reason for declining care more than twice as often as any other factor, echoing findings from the companion survey of pet owners, which also identified affordability as the primary barrier to care.

While both veterinarians and pet parents agree that cost is a major obstacle, the study highlights a significant disconnect in how each group perceives financial discussions in the exam room. Eighty-one percent of veterinarians said they often or always recommend alternative treatment plans when clients decline care due to cost. However, earlier data from pet parents revealed that nearly three-quarters of those who declined care for financial reasons said they were not offered a more affordable option.

A similar gap appears around payment assistance. Although 41% of veterinarians reported that they often or always offer financing or payment plans, only 23% of pet parents said they had ever been presented with such an option.

Compounding these challenges is a lack of formal training. Despite the prevalence of cost-related conversations, many veterinarians reported feeling unprepared to navigate them. Almost half said their education did not prepare them at all to discuss financial barriers with clients, while another 32% said they were only minimally prepared.

“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. These findings highlight the need for upfront, more compassionate conversations about care between veterinarians and the families they serve. 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.”

The emotional impact of unaffordable care is substantial, according to respondents. Nearly three-quarters of veterinarians said it is difficult to watch clients struggle with costs, and a similar share said euthanizing a pet for financial reasons is among the hardest aspects of their job. Forty-one percent reported that euthanasia due to unaffordable treatment occurs at least sometimes in their practices.

When clients decline care, veterinarians overwhelmingly worry about the consequences. Nearly all expressed concern about the pet’s health deteriorating, and 88% worried about the emotional toll on the pet’s family.

One potential path forward identified in the study is the Spectrum of Care approach, which tailors treatment recommendations to the patient’s needs, the client’s circumstances and the practice’s capabilities. While most veterinarians are familiar with this concept, only about half said they apply it often or always. Just 17% reported proactively discussing financial concerns before making treatment recommendations, while many address costs only after a plan is declined or when a client raises the issue.

“Veterinarians enter this field because they care deeply about the welfare of animals,” said Dr. Robyn Jaynes, director of veterinary affairs at PetSmart Charities. “And they, too, are impacted by the rising costs of delivering care on their businesses and their own mental wellness. We’re grateful to those who contributed to this study. Their insights and engagement are critical in evolving affordable solutions that meet the needs of pet parents and for veterinarians and their teams.”

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