Vet costs for dogs and cats

Vet costs depend on the type of care: a checkup costs under $100 on average, emergency care several hundred dollars, and orthopedic or eye surgery several thousand. The table above gives the average for each guide in this section, and every figure links to its source.

How much does a typical vet appointment cost?

Lemonade puts the average U.S. vet visit at about $73 and the visit fee in general at $50 to $150, separate from treatments and tests.^[1] CareCredit’s national averages are $89 for a routine dog visit and $68 for a cat.^[2] Vaccines, lab work, X-rays and medicine are billed on top, so ask for an itemized estimate before the vet starts. An emergency exam costs more, $135 for a dog and $143 for a cat on average, and Pumpkin’s claims data puts the average total emergency bill at $653 for dogs and $919 for cats.^[3][10]

Why are vet costs so high?

You pay the full cost of care yourself unless you have pet insurance. Procedures cost the most because the bill covers far more than the vet’s time: for a dental cleaning, the base charge pays for anesthetic drugs, airway equipment, monitoring, instruments, recovery space and trained staff.^[13] Each clinic sets its own fees, which is why the same procedure varies widely by state; a TPLO knee surgery averages $3,525 nationally but ranges from $2,793 to $6,417.^[8]

Why do vets charge so much for medication?

Each clinic sets its own price for the medicine it dispenses. Most pet owners still buy pet medicine from their vet, but the Federal Trade Commission reports that online pharmacies have sold pet medicines, often at discounted prices, since the late 1990s, and that big-box stores, supermarkets and chain pharmacies now sell them too, some advertising even bigger discounts.^[12] To compare, ask your vet for a written prescription you can fill elsewhere, then check the price at a pharmacy or online. Some drug makers limit sales through non-vet retailers, so not every medicine is available elsewhere.^[12]

How much is surgery to remove a foreign object from a dog?

Surgery for a stomach or intestine blockage, such as a swallowed object, averages $2,217 for a dog and $2,367 for a cat in CareCredit’s 2025 cost study.^[3] The emergency exam, X-rays and an overnight stay are added on top; a night in the hospital averages $619 for a dog.^[3] See the emergency vet cost guide for the full list of ER treatment prices.

Low cost vet care

• Nonprofit and humane society clinics: these focus on spay, neuter and vaccines. A low cost cat spay runs about $45 to $150, against $300 to $600 or more at a full-service hospital.^[5] The spay and neuter guide has clinic fee lists.
• Veterinary schools: accredited vet schools sometimes treat pets at a reduced cost.^[11]
• Compare clinics and get a second opinion: another clinic may offer a more cost-effective treatment, and you can negotiate the price or ask to pay over time.^[11]
• Financial aid groups: apply before the procedure, because aid groups are sometimes less likely to pay for care already given, and contact several, since a few smaller grants together may cover what one cannot.^[11]
• Ask what can wait: an estimate split into “needed today” and “can wait” items lets you spread the cost.
• Save for emergencies: Pumpkin suggests $1,000 to $3,000 as a starting point for an emergency fund.^[10]
• Talk to a vet first: a phone or video vet can help you decide whether a problem needs the ER, a regular appointment or home care. See online vet costs and free vet chat options and Care Anytime’s Virtual Veterinarian benefit.