What’s the Average Vet Bill for a Dog? Cost Breakdown and Tips

Wouldn’t it be great if all our dogs needed was love? Unfortunately, being a pet parent also comes with financial responsibilities. The greatest of these costs for most people is veterinary care. 

Several factors contribute to veterinary bills. Some pet parents just get lucky: Their dog lives a long life with no illnesses, and vet costs are minimal. That’s the exception, not the rule. Most dogs become ill from time to time — ears, eyes, teeth, tummies. The cost of caring for those illnesses can add up to a significant sum. 

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That amount is based on several variables, and understanding them can help pet parents prepare for the financial side of sharing their lives with a dog. This article breaks down the average cost of veterinary bills, explains the factors that influence these costs, and offers strategies for managing expenses effectively.

The main factors influencing vet bills

Vet care isn’t a one-size-fits-all thing. Several factors influence how much you are going to pay for your pup’s veterinary service. 

Breed and size of your dog

The breed and size of your dog greatly impact veterinary costs. As you may imagine, the larger the dog, the more medication required. That’s also true for anesthesia and certain equipment. Their breed can also make a difference. Certain breeds are more likely to get certain hereditary conditions. 

Here are a few examples:

• Bulldogs: Prone to respiratory and skin conditions

• German Shepherds: Prone to hip dysplasia

• Dachshunds: Prone to intervertebral disc disease (IVDD)

Each of those conditions comes with different fees, and all of them will incur more expenses than if you had a dog without a hereditary condition.

Location

You may be surprised to learn that where you live plays a significant role when it comes to your vet bill. Urban areas have a higher cost of living and veterinary services that are significantly more expensive than those in rural areas. A routine checkup in New York City may cost twice as much as one in a rural town in the Midwest.

Age and health condition

If your dog is approaching their senior years or has a chronic medical condition that requires repeated visits, the cost is going to be higher than a routine visit. They may require more advanced specialized diagnostic tests and treatments, as well as more frequent visits. The costs of ultrasounds, X-rays, and laboratory tests can add up. 

Type of visit (routine vs. emergency)

Routine visits for your dog may be easily affordable, but are you prepared for emergencies? These can include advanced diagnostics, hospitalizations, and sophisticated treatments. For example, a routine dental cleaning may cost $300, but an emergency tooth extraction could exceed $1,200.

These days, corporations have taken over many formerly private clinics. Corporate chains such as Banfield or VCA may offer standardized pricing and wellness plans, which can be more affordable than those of smaller, private clinics, which have widely varying prices due to factors such as staff costs, overhead, and service prices. 

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Average cost of vet bills broken down

Understanding the cost of each type of veterinary visit can help pet parents plan. The following costs are estimates only and will vary. 

Routine check-ups and vaccinations

 A routine vet visit usually includes a physical exam, vaccinations, and parasite prevention.

• Annual exam: $50 to $100

• Vaccines (core set): $75 to $150

• Heartworm test: $35 to $75

• Fecal exam: $25 to $50

Overall, a yearly check-up with basic testing and vaccines can cost between $200 and $400.

Emergency visits

Emergency visits are often the most expensive type of care. The cost will vary depending on the dog’s illness or injury, and the amount of diagnostic testing and treatment involved. 

• Emergency exam fee: $100 to $200

• X-rays: $150 to $250

• Bloodwork: $100 to $200

• Hospitalization: $500 to $1,500

• Overnight care (per night): $300 to $800

Total emergency costs can range from $500 to more than $2,000, with sometimes higher costs for critical surgeries or intensive care.

Surgery and specialized treatments

Surgical procedures vary widely in cost.

• Spay/neuter: $200 to $500

• Tumor removal: $500 to $1,500

• TPLO (for torn ACL): $2,000 to $5,000

• Dental surgery: $800 to $2,000

• MRI or CT scan: $1,500 to $3,000

Specialist visits, such as those with veterinary oncologists, neurologists, ophthalmologists, or cardiologists, can run $300 to $600 per consultation alone.

Dental care

Dental disease is something every dog will need at some point. If you take care of your dog’s teeth regularly, including home care, your pup may not need extractions. If extractions are necessary, the cost can be significantly higher. 

• Routine dental cleaning: $300 to $700

• Tooth extraction (per tooth): $100 to $300

• Advanced dental surgery: $1,000 to $2,500

Preventive dental care can reduce long-term costs, while neglecting oral health may lead to expensive corrective procedures.

Prescription visits

Chronic conditions such as allergies, arthritis, epilepsy, diabetes, or hyperthyroidism often require lifelong medications. Costs include:

• Exam and lab work: $75 to $250 per visit

• Monthly medication: $20 to $100, depending on the condition and drug

• Monitoring tests (annually, semi-annually, or more often): $100 to $300

The annual cost for managing a chronic condition may range from $300 to more than $1,200.

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Comparison of vet costs by location

Where you live can significantly impact the cost of veterinary care. Here’s a closer look.

Urban vs. rural

In urban areas, higher operating costs, rent, and salaries contribute to higher fees.

• Urban exam fee: $80 to $150

• Rural exam fee: $40 to $90

Surgery and emergency services may also be more expensive in cities due to more advanced equipment and specialized expertise.

US vs. international

Veterinary care in the U.S. is generally more expensive than in many other countries. Here are some yearly estimates, per dog.

• United States: $400 to $700

• Canada: Slightly lower at CAN $300 to $600

• UK: £300 to £600 (not covered by the National Health Service)

• Australia: AUD $300 to $800, similar to US rates

Some countries offer subsidized or nonprofit veterinary services that reduce pet healthcare costs, while others lack the same level of access to advanced diagnostics.

Ways to manage vet expenses

Fortunately, there are various ways pet parents can manage veterinary costs and keep them to a minimum.  

Pet insurance

Pet insurance is increasingly popular as veterinary costs rise and more competitive companies offer insurance, keeping premiums to a minimum.

Plans usually cover:

• Accidents and emergencies

• Illnesses and surgeries

• Some preventive care (if included in the plan)

Monthly premiums vary by a dog’s breed, age, and location, ranging from $30 to $90 monthly. Although pet insurance may not cover preexisting conditions, it can offset thousands of dollars in emergency or surgical bills.

Popular providers include:

• Trupanion

• Healthy Paws

• Nationwide

• Embrace

• ASPCA Pet Health Insurance

Preventative care tips

Nothing sets you up for lower vet bills like preventative care, because avoiding an illness is much cheaper than treating it. Here are some preventative-care tips for your pup. 

• Maintain regular checkups to catch problems early.

• Stay up-to-date on vaccinations and parasite prevention.

• Care for your pup’s teeth at home by brushing, offering dental chews, and putting water additives in the water.

• Feed them a high-quality, well-balanced diet.

• Exercise them regularly so they maintain a healthy weight.

By being proactive, you can help prevent or manage many costly conditions.

Budgeting for routine expenses

Some pet parents would rather create a pet emergency-savings account in preparation for emergencies than enroll in pet insurance. Creating a pet health fund or savings account is a smart way to avoid a sudden financial burden. Here are a few ways to start.

• Set aside $30 to $50 per month per pet.

• Utilize pet-specific savings apps or set up automatic transfers.

• Anticipate larger annual costs, such as dental expenses or vaccines, by breaking them down into monthly contributions.

You can also enroll in a wellness plan through many of the corporate veterinary hospitals, which allows you to pay a monthly fee for a package that includes exams, vaccines, blood work, and even dental care.

Bottom line

• Several factors influence the cost of veterinary bills: the types of care, your dog’s age and breed, the location of the hospital, and the type of hospital. 

• You never know when an emergency may come along, and some of those are very costly. 

• It’s important to plan for those times by putting money into a pet savings account, taking out pet insurance, and practicing good preventative care. 

References

• Bir, Courtney, et al. “Familiarity and Use of Veterinary Services by US Resident Dog and Cat Owners.” Animals: An Open Access Journal from MDPI, vol. 10, no. 3, 13 Mar. 2020, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7143178/#:~:text=According%20to%20the%202017%E2%80%932018, https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10030483.

• Lue, Todd W., et al. “Impact of the Owner-Pet and Client-Veterinarian Bond on the Care That Pets Receive.” Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, vol. 232, no. 4, 15 Feb. 2008, pp. 531–540, avmajournals.avma.org/view/journals/javma/232/4/javma.232.4.531.xml, https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.232.4.531.

• Williams, Angelica, et al. “The Impact of Pet Health Insurance on Dog Owners’ Spending for Veterinary Services.” Animals, vol. 10, no. 7, 9 July 2020, p. 1162, content.ebscohost.com/ContentServer.asp?EbscoContent=dGJyMMTo50Sep7c4y9fwOLCmsEmeprFSsay4S7OWxWXS&ContentCustomer=dGJyMPGqt0uyrLVRuePfgeyx43zx1%2B6B&T=P&P=AN&S=R&D=a9h&K=144875102, https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10071162.