How much does an emergency vet visit cost?
An emergency vet exam costs about $135 for a dog and $143 for a cat on average, with a national range of $107 to $260, before any tests or treatment. Pumpkin's claims data puts the average total emergency bill at $653 for dogs and $919 for cats. An overnight hospital stay adds about $582 to $619 per night on average.
Prices are national ranges from the sources listed below. Your price depends on your provider, location and case; confirm the cost with your provider before treatment. How we get these prices
| Item | Low | High | Typical | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emergency exam, dog[1] | $107 | $246 | $135 | Exam fee only |
| Emergency exam, cat[1] | $113 | $260 | $143 | |
| Average emergency bill, dog[2] | $653 | Pumpkin claims, Feb 2022 to Feb 2025 | ||
| Average emergency bill, cat[2] | $919 | |||
| Hospital stay, per night[1][3] | $582 | $1,700 | CareCredit average $619 dog, $582 cat; Lemonade range $600 to $1,700 | |
| Emergency X-rays, 2 to 3 views[1] | $310 | $334 | Cat $310, dog $334 | |
| Ultrasound[1] | $323 | $483 | Cat $323, dog $483 | |
| Diagnostic testing in an emergency[3] | $200 | $4,000 | ||
| Stomach or intestine blockage surgery[1] | $2,217 | $2,367 | Dog $2,217, cat $2,367 |
Emergency vet exam fee
The exam fee is what you pay for the vet to see your pet, before tests, medicine or procedures. CareCredit’s 2025 national cost study puts it at $135 for a dog and $143 for a cat, and Lemonade lists $75 to $200.[1][3] A regular vet visit costs about $50 to $250, and Pumpkin says an emergency visit can cost two or three times as much.[2] For routine exam prices, see the vet visit cost guide.
Average emergency vet bill
Based on claims filed between February 2022 and February 2025, Pumpkin reports an average emergency bill of $653 for dogs and $919 for cats.[2] Average claims for common emergencies in Pumpkin’s data:[2]
- Laceration, dog: $203
- Bite wound, dog: $420
- Broken leg, dog: about $1,098
- Seizure treatment, dog: $1,788
- Stomach and gut problems: $519 to $1,514 for dogs, $1,123 for cats
- Allergy treatment: $170 to $215 for dogs and cats
Pumpkin says four and five figure bills happen but are far from the norm; one dog’s broken leg cost $12,388.[2]
Common emergency treatment costs
Average prices from CareCredit’s cost study, dog and cat:[1]
| Treatment | Dog | Cat |
|---|---|---|
| Hospital stay, per night | $619 | $582 |
| X-rays, 2 to 3 views | $334 | $310 |
| Ultrasound | $483 | $323 |
| CBC blood test | $104 | $79 |
| Chemistry panel | $164 | $144 |
| IV catheter and one bag of fluid | $130 | $121 |
| Injectable sedation | $146 | $123 |
| Upset stomach treatment | $390 | $234 |
| Oxygen therapy, per visit | $1,528 (large dog) | $1,861 |
| Pyometra surgery | $1,218 | $2,116 |
| Blockage surgery (swallowed object) | $2,217 | $2,367 |
| Bladder stone surgery | $2,331 | $2,096 |
Lemonade’s ranges are wider: $200 to $4,000 for emergency diagnostic testing, $600 to $1,700 for one night in the hospital and $1,500 to $3,500 for several nights.[3]
Emergency vet cost by state
The average dog ER exam runs from $108 in Mississippi and $111 in Oklahoma to $180 in California, $188 in Massachusetts and $241 in Hawaii. Cat exams run a few dollars higher in each state, from $115 in Mississippi to $257 in Hawaii.[1]
Low cost emergency vet options
Emergency hospitals rarely discount the exam, but these routes can lower the total bill:
- Compare hospitals in your area if your pet is stable. The average dog ER exam is $108 in Mississippi and $241 in Hawaii, so prices differ a lot between regions.[1]
- Try a veterinary school hospital. Accredited vet schools sometimes treat pets at a reduced cost; call to ask whether yours takes emergencies.[4]
- Stabilize, then transfer. Ask the ER which care is needed now and whether your regular vet, where a visit costs about $50 to $250, can take over.[2]
- Apply for aid before treatment. Pet financial aid groups are sometimes less likely to pay for care already given, and several smaller sources together may cover what one cannot.[4]
- Ask about financing. Best Friends Animal Society lists vet financing such as CareCredit and Scratch payment plans; read the interest terms first.[4]
- Use a nonprofit clinic for the follow-up. Rechecks and routine care cost less outside the ER; the vet costs hub lists low cost vet care options.
How to pay less at the emergency vet
- Call ahead if you can. Describe the problem and ask for the exam fee before you drive over.
- Ask for a written estimate. Ask which items are needed now to stabilize your pet and which can be done later by your regular vet, where a visit costs about $50 to $250.[2]
- Ask about payment before treatment. Ask whether the hospital takes payment plans or a medical credit card.
- Check your pet insurance. CareCredit notes that pet insurance may cover part of an emergency visit if it is not tied to a preexisting condition.[1]
- Get advice first when you are unsure. A phone or video vet can help you decide between the ER and a regular appointment. Care Anytime’s Virtual Veterinarian benefit gives members 24/7 access to licensed veterinary professionals by video chat or phone. See online vet visits for what a virtual vet can and cannot do.
If an older pet is suffering and recovery is unlikely, the pet euthanasia cost guide lists ER and clinic prices.
If your pet is struggling to breathe, collapsed, bleeding heavily, having a seizure or ate something toxic, go straight to the nearest emergency hospital.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an emergency vet visit cost?
The exam fee averages $135 for dogs and $143 for cats, per CareCredit's 2025 cost study. Tests and treatment are added on top: Pumpkin's claims data puts the average emergency bill at $653 for dogs and $919 for cats.
How much does a cat emergency vet visit cost?
The emergency exam averages $143 for a cat, with a range of $113 to $260. Pumpkin's average emergency bill for cats is $919, and an overnight hospital stay averages $582 for a cat.
Why is the emergency vet more expensive than my regular vet?
Emergency hospitals work outside normal business hours and may add an emergency fee. Pumpkin says a regular vet visit costs around $50 to $250 and an emergency visit can cost two or three times as much.
How much does an overnight stay at the emergency vet cost?
CareCredit's averages are $619 per night for a dog and $582 for a cat. Lemonade lists $600 to $1,700 for one night and $1,500 to $3,500 for several nights.
Is there a low cost emergency vet?
Emergency hospitals rarely discount the exam, but prices vary a lot by state: the average dog ER exam is $108 in Mississippi and $188 in Massachusetts. Ask for an estimate before treatment, and ask which items are needed now and which can wait for your regular vet.
Will a vet treat my pet if I have no money?
Clinics set their own payment rules, so ask before treatment starts. Options to raise: a payment plan, a medical credit card, a smaller treatment plan, or transfer to your regular vet once your pet is stable.
How much should I save for emergency vet bills?
Pumpkin suggests $1,000 to $3,000 as a starting point for an emergency fund, toward the higher end for older pets or pets with health problems.
Sources
- CareCredit. Emergency Vet Visit Cost and Veterinary Financing. Accessed October 30, 2026.
- Pumpkin Pet Insurance. The Average Cost of Emergency Vet Care. Accessed October 30, 2026.
- Lemonade. How Much Does a Vet Visit Cost?. Accessed October 30, 2026.
- Best Friends Animal Society. Can't Afford Vet Bills? Here's How to Get Help. Accessed October 30, 2026.