A new report has found that nearly half of Canadian pet owners are avoiding trips to the veterinarian due to the rising cost of pet care. The study, conducted by PetSmart Charities of Canada in partnership with Gallup, highlights how financial pressures are forcing families to delay or forgo essential care for their pets.
Veterinary critical care specialist Marie Holowaychuk said that while adopting a pet comes with joy, it also brings significant financial responsibilities, from spaying and neutering to vaccinations, microchipping, and daily needs like food and bedding. Annual costs for pet care can range from $1,418 to $4,480, with lifetime costs soaring as high as $53,935, according to the report.
The pandemic-era surge in pet adoptions has increased demand for veterinary services, further driving up costs amid a national shortage of veterinarians. Combined with inflation and trade-related price hikes, many pet owners are finding routine check-ups and treatments out of reach.
Holowaychuk stressed the importance of planning ahead, recommending pet insurance or wellness plans to help manage expenses. “There are some pet families that have had to not go forward with veterinary care that they wish they could, just because they can’t afford it,” she said.
She added that more clinics are offering monthly or annual payment packages to help pet owners keep up with essential care. “Families are wanting to do more and more to extend their pets’ lives and give them the best care they can — but it’s becoming harder to afford,” she said.