Should you delay veterinary care because of the cost?

For many pet owners, a routine veterinary visit has become a difficult financial decision. Inflation, higher labor costs and advances in veterinary medicine have pushed the cost of keeping pets healthy higher, while households are also managing rising housing, food and insurance expenses.

That pressure can make postponing a veterinary appointment seem practical. More than half of U.S. pet owners said they had skipped or declined recommended care because of cost in a 2025 PetSmart Charities study.

But waiting can create both medical and financial problems. Owners often delay preventive or elective care, then seek help once a pet becomes seriously ill. By that point, a dental problem, small lump or early infection may have progressed into a condition requiring imaging, specialist treatment or prescription medication.

A visit expected to cost $100 can therefore become an emergency costing thousands of dollars or more. The article notes that not every delay is necessarily reckless, but urges owners to understand when postponement is risky and to consider options that can help manage veterinary expenses.