How Much Does a Vet Visit Cost? (2025)
The average cost of a routine vet checkup can range from $50 to $250, but the total cost varies based on the reason for the visit.
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When you take your pet to the vet, the total of your final bill might come as a surprise. While the cost of a vet visit varies based on the procedures and services your pet needs, veterinary care costs have increased sharply in recent years.
A big reason for the higher costs is that demand for veterinary care is at an all-time high. Additionally, the costs of running a veterinary practice have risen, partially due to inflationary pressures.1 In short, pet owners are facing a perfect storm, with spiking vet bills as the end result.
Here’s what you should know about the costs you may encounter if your pet needs to go to the veterinarian.
How much does a routine vet visit cost?
In general, dog owners face higher veterinary bills than cat owners. On average, the ASPCA estimates that dog owners pay $225 per year for routine medical costs, which include things like vaccines and wellness visits. In contrast, cat owners pay around $160 for routine medical care.2
Your pet’s age plays a role in what you’ll pay for vet costs. Puppies and kitties tend to need a lot of care when they’re young, like vaccinations and spaying or neutering. And senior pets often have more health issues — which can sometimes be serious and expensive.
Your pet’s behavior can also affect the price of care. For example, if you have a cat that goes outside, it may be more at risk for injury and illness. Or, if your dog loves to eat things it shouldn’t, you could be looking at frequent and costly vet visits.
As a pet owner in the U.S., where you live can also affect your costs. Pet owners in rural areas typically pay less, since the cost of running a vet practice in a rural area is less expensive than an urban vet’s overhead.
Vets in states with high costs of living also tend to charge more. For example, the estimated cost of an office visit in California is $71.45, and that estimate drops to $60.41 in Florida.3
Costs of common veterinary procedures
Preventative care is an important part of managing your pet’s health and getting ahead of some medical conditions. Preventative care generally includes regular vet visits for an annual wellness exam, vaccinations, and medicines like flea and tick prevention. As your pet ages, preventative care may also include dental extractions or tumor removal.
Taking your pet to the vet for preventative care can help ensure it avoids health issues for years to come. But preventative care isn’t free. If you choose to invest in your pet’s health, you’ll likely face some or all of the following routine care costs.2 3
Cost of diagnostic tests
You may have to take your dog or cat in for diagnostic tests if they’re unwell from illness, injury, or you suspect something else may be wrong. For example, if your dog eats a sock, you may need to get an X-ray to check for an intestinal blockage.
Or, if your cat isn’t acting like itself, panting and whining, a trip to the veterinary clinic may be in order. Your pet may need blood work and other tests to diagnose what’s wrong with its health.
Here’s a look at some common diagnostic tests and what they may cost:3
Cost of vaccinations for dogs
Vaccinations can help your pet stay healthy. In many cases, your vet will administer your dog’s vaccines during routine vet visits. The type and number of vaccines your dog needs can have a major effect on your final bill.
The table below highlights some common vaccinations your dog might receive and their costs.3
Cost of vaccinations for cats
Vaccinations help keep your cat healthy throughout its lifetime. Keeping your pet’s shots up to date often happens at the annual visit. The following table shows some common vaccinations your cat might need and the associated costs.3
How much do emergency vet visits cost?
Regular checkups and routine care can help you protect your pet’s health. But even pets with the best care could end up in the emergency room. An emergency vet visit is often significantly more expensive than a routine visit.
The exact costs of your emergency room visit will vary based on the treatments your pet needs. Below is a quick look at some potential medical costs for an emergency visit:3 4
An ER exam could cost between $100 and $200.
A broken bone could cost $2,371 for dogs and $2,257 for cats.
A foreign object in your pet’s stomach could require veterinary care that runs from $2,900 to $3,265.
Blood tests during an emergency vet visit could cost between $80 and $200.
An ultrasound at the vet could run between $300 and $600.
X-rays at the vet could cost between $150 and $250.
If you have to head to the vet for emergency care, be prepared for a hefty vet bill.
Having pet insurance is one of the best ways pet parents can save on injuries or illnesses that require a trip to the ER. Many accident and illness plans cover diagnostic services, like blood work and X-rays, and they may also cover examination fees, prescriptions, emergency surgery, hospitalization, and more.
Similarly, accident-only plans cover some of the cost of an emergency vet visit, but they only cover veterinary expenses related to accidents, not illnesses.
How does pet insurance affect vet costs?
Pet insurance can help you cover the costs of a vet visit. Most pet insurance companies offer three basic types of coverage:
Accident and illness coverage: Accident and illness coverage can help you pay for things like broken bones and infections. This type of coverage typically doesn’t include medical expenses for hereditary conditions or routine care.
Accident-only coverage: Accident-only coverage is a more narrow form of insurance. It can help you pay for vet visits related to broken bones, cuts, bite wounds, and foreign body ingestion. But it won’t help pay for treating an illness, dental care, or basic vaccines.
Wellness coverage: In general, a wellness plan can help you pay for vaccines, preventative medicine, a physical exam, and additional costs for routine care.
Factors to consider when buying pet insurance
If you’re interested in purchasing pet insurance, it’s important to consider all the details before signing up for a policy. Below are some factors to keep in mind:
Vet cost FAQs
Vet costs can be a significant expense for pet owners across the country. With rising costs, it’s natural to have questions. The answers below may help as you decide whether to enroll your pet in a pet insurance plan.
How much does a routine vet visit cost?
On average, pet owners pay between $50 and $250 for a routine visit. But the final bill will vary based on the type of care your pet needs.
Why do vets charge so much?
The cost of veterinary care has risen sharply in the last five years. A core reason for higher costs is that veterinary practices are facing inflationary pressure, which means they must charge more for their services. Additionally, the demand for pet care is high, which also pushes costs higher.
Do vet offices offer payment plans?
Some vets offer payment plans to pet owners. If you need a payment plan option, ask your vet to see what’s available.
How much is a vet visit for a dog without insurance?
If you don’t have insurance, the average cost for a routine vet visit costs between $50 and $250. But costs can add up quickly — and often into the thousands — if your dog is sick or injured and needs diagnostic testing or emergency care.
Is pet insurance worth it?
If you don’t have a robust emergency fund to cover unexpected veterinary care, pet insurance might be worth the price. But even households with savings might benefit from a pet insurance plan. You should consider your pet’s health and your financial situation to determine if the premiums are worth the coverage.
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