How many pet owners skip vet care because of cost?

The pet owner findings

The PetSmart Charities-Gallup State of Pet Care study is the largest recent probability-based survey of U.S. pet owners on this question. Its headline results:

• 52% of dog and cat owners skipped a veterinary visit or declined recommended care in the past year.
• Among those who did, 71% cite cost as the key factor, whether because they could not afford it, did not think it was worth the cost, or both.
• Across age, race, and income levels, at least two-thirds of pet owners who declined care report that financial limitations have hindered their ability to access veterinary care.
• One in three pet owners with annual household incomes of at least $90,000 who skipped a visit or declined care say they did so because they could not afford it.

The veterinarian findings

A second wave, published January 20, 2026, asked practicing veterinarians the same question from the other side of the exam table:

• 94% say clients' financial considerations often (38%) or sometimes (56%) prevent them from providing recommended treatment.
• Cost is cited as a reason clients decline treatment more than twice as often as any other factor.
• 81% say they often or always recommend an alternative treatment plan when care is declined due to cost.

How the numbers were gathered

Pet owner wave. Combined web and mail survey of 2,498 U.S. adults who own at least one dog or cat. Gallup surveyed 2,307 respondents by web from November 13 to 20, 2024, and 191 more by mail from December 2, 2024 to January 9, 2025, to reach owners without internet access. Respondents were randomly selected from the probability-based Gallup Panel. Results published April 2025.

Veterinarian wave. Web survey of 933 practicing U.S. veterinarians who treat companion animals, conducted September 9 to October 5, 2025. Respondents came from an opt-in professional panel and PetSmart Charities network referrals, so this wave is not probability-based. The survey was blind: respondents were not told the sponsor. Gallup reports a credibility interval for the full sample of plus or minus 3.3 percentage points at the 95% confidence level. Results published January 20, 2026.

The two waves used different sampling methods and are not directly comparable as a trend. They are best read as two independent measurements of the same problem.

How to cite these numbers

The 52% figure describes owners who skipped a visit or declined recommended care; it is not a measure of pets going entirely without care. The 71% figure is a share of that 52%, not of all pet owners. Both figures are for the twelve months before fielding, so "in the past year" refers to roughly 2024.

Frequently asked questions

What percentage of pet owners skip vet care because of cost?

52% of U.S. dog and cat owners skipped or declined recommended veterinary care in the past year, and 71% of those who did cite cost, according to the PetSmart Charities-Gallup State of Pet Care study, fielded November 13, 2024 to January 9, 2025, with 2,498 respondents.

Do higher-income pet owners also skip care because of cost?

Yes. In the same study, one in three pet owners in households earning at least $90,000 a year who skipped a visit or declined recommended care say they did so because they could not afford it.

What do veterinarians say about cost and declined care?

94% of veterinarians say clients' financial considerations often (38%) or sometimes (56%) prevent them from providing recommended treatment, according to the second PetSmart Charities-Gallup wave, fielded September 9 to October 5, 2025, with 933 practicing U.S. veterinarians.

Sources

• PetSmart Charities-Gallup State of Pet Care Study, pet owner wave. Published April 2025. Fielded November 13, 2024 to January 9, 2025. 2,498 U.S. dog and cat owners, probability-based Gallup Panel. news.gallup.com
• PetSmart Charities-Gallup State of Pet Care Study: Veterinarian Perspectives on American Veterinary Care. Published January 20, 2026. Fielded September 9 to October 5, 2025. 933 practicing U.S. veterinarians, opt-in professional panel. news.gallup.com
• PetSmart Charities press release, January 20, 2026. petsmartcharities.org

Arclo is not a lender and does not make credit decisions. Arclo is unaffiliated with PetSmart Charities and Gallup.