Mar 25, 2026
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When I took my dog, Oscar, to the vet because of suspected digestion issues, I was just planning on a quick visit and a recommendation to change his food. But after blood work, an ultrasound and a bill for $2,000, what I got instead was a diagnosis of abdominal cancer. I was heartbroken, and after numerous conversations with the vet, I decided against cancer treatment due to Oscar's age. After expensive and unpleasant treatment, it would have cost me about $5,000 to $7,000 to prolong his life for a few weeks. Plus, I didn't have pet insurance, so every dollar would have come straight out of my pocket.
Fortunately, I had enough saved to cover the initial treatment, thanks to my pet budget fund. But it was a close call — and a costly reminder. Only about 3.8% of Canadian cats and dogs carry pet insurance (1), meaning the vast majority of us are one emergency away from a bill we may not be able to afford. If you're one of the other 96%, here's what you need to know about the true cost of veterinary care in Canada right now — and how to get ahead of it.
Vet prices are on the rise — and rising fast
If your vet's bills feel steeper lately, they are. The Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) has stated that veterinary costs in Canada have been climbing at 6% to 8% annually in recent years (2) — well above the country's overall services inflation rate of 3.1% in 2025 (3). To put that in perspective, Canadians now spend an estimated $9.3 billion a year on veterinary and other pet services, more than double the roughly $4 billion spent in 2019.
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The reasons are layered. Like every business, veterinary practices have faced surging operating costs — higher rents, property taxes, insurance premiums and utility bills. To keep their practices viable and maintain quality care, veterinarians have had to adjust their pricing accordingly.
But there's a bigger structural force at work: the rapid consolidation of Canadian veterinary clinics into large corporate chains. Six corporations now own more than 20% of Canada's roughly 4,400 general veterinary practices and more than half of all emergency and specialty hospitals, employing approximately 40% of the country's veterinarians (4). The dominant players include VetStrategy (360+ clinics, now owned by U.K.-based IVC Evidensia), VCA Canada (80+ hospitals, owned by Mars Inc.) and NVA Canada (part of JAB Holding's global network).
These corporations typically prioritize profitability, and the financial pressures of their acquisitions — often completed at premium prices — get passed down to pet owners.
In 2024, Canada's Competition Bureau released a report acknowledging growing consolidation as a threat to affordability and confirmed it had received more than 40 complaints about the veterinary sector (5). While no formal enforcement action has been taken against any clinic chain, the Bureau recommended that provinces mandate veterinary clinics to provide prescriptions that can be filled at external pharmacies — a move already underway in the U.K.
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The real costs of owning a pet in Canada
The numbers may surprise you — especially if you haven't revisited your pet budget in a while.
Rover.com's annual Canadian pet parenthood report, estimates that owning a dog now costs between $965 and $4,020 per year, with monthly costs averaging around $210 (6). Dog parents can expect up to an 18% increase in costs in 2025 compared to 2024, with first-year expenses running $1,750 to $4,655. Over a lifetime, a small-breed dog can cost between $17,343 and $22,000; a large breed can run $40,000 to $53,935.
Cat ownership is generally lower-cost, but still significant. Rover's 2025 report puts annual cat costs at $930 to $2,400, with monthly costs of $80 to $200 (7). First-year expenses run $1,215 to $3,285 for cats, including spaying (up to $670) or neutering (up to $970).
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The largest single expense in your annual pet budget — by a wide margin — is veterinary care. According to the Ontario Veterinary Medical Association (OVMA), the total annual cost of owning a dog in 2025 is estimated at $5,118 (including pet insurance premiums of $1,402) (8), while cat ownership runs approximately $3,726 per year (including $704 for insurance) (9). These figures represent a roughly 24% to 31% increase compared to the OVMA's 2023 estimates.
Breaking down vet costs specifically, the OVMA's 2025 data shows dog owners should expect to pay approximately $2,137 per year for routine veterinary care — including parasite prevention ($238), annual exams with vaccines ($214), wellness bloodwork ($174), heartworm and Lyme testing ($125), fecal exams ($66) and professional dental care ($1,320) (10). For cats, routine vet costs average approximately $1,905, driven heavily by dental care (11).
When planning a monthly pet budget, a reasonable starting point is $100 to $150 per month for veterinary-related expenses — erring toward the higher end is always the wiser call.
Thinking about pet insurance?
If you have a pet, you know the costs can add up fast: food, grooming, toys, and especially vet visits.
According to the Ontario Veterinary Medical Association, routine veterinary care for a dog can cost between $4,100 and $5,200 per year. And this doesn’t account for expensive emergencies.
That’s why paying for pet insurance often ends up being more affordable than paying out of pocket for surprise vet bills.
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Instead of absorbing big, unexpected bills all at once, Petsecure✢ helps cover up to 80% of eligible vet bills, including taxes and exam fees.
Petsecure also offers four tiered plans depending on what you actually need — from essential coverage to unlimited accident and condition protection, plus dental and optional wellness care.
Sign up today and you can get 10% off your first year of pet insurance.
Read more: The ultra-rich are bailing on volatile stocks right now — these 4 shockproof assets are their new safe havens
How to budget effectively without pet insurance
Most Canadians don't carry pet insurance, and that's a legitimate choice — as long as you have a plan. Here's how to build one.
Set up a dedicated pet emergency fund
A dedicated high-interest savings account (HISA) or a Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA) earmarked for pet emergencies is the most practical tool available to Canadian pet owners. Because a TFSA shelters investment income from tax, it's ideal for an emergency fund you'll grow over time. Aim to build a cushion of $1,000 to $5,000, depending on your pet's breed, age and health history. A single emergency vet visit in Canada can cost anywhere from $1,000 to $10,000.
Automating a transfer of $50 to $100 per month into a separate account is the simplest way to make this painless. Some Canadian HISAs are offering rates between 2.25% and 2.85%, so your savings will grow while they sit there.
Research your veterinary options
Not all veterinary clinics charge the same rates. Shopping around for routine services — wellness exams, dental cleanings and vaccinations — can save you hundreds annually. Many independent clinics remain more affordable than corporate-owned chains. Ask for an itemized fee schedule before booking, so there are no surprises.
Look into preventive care packages
Many clinics offer bundled wellness plans that reduce the per-visit cost of regular check-ups and preventive treatments. These plans typically cover annual exams, core vaccines and a parasite prevention protocol. For a younger, healthy pet, these plans can lower your total bill and help you budget more predictably.
Know your financial assistance options
If you're facing an unexpected emergency bill and your savings fall short, a few options exist for Canadians. The Farley Foundation (Ontario) provides subsidized veterinary care for pets of low-income seniors and people with disabilities. The National Pet Care Fund offers grants of up to $500 to Canadians facing financial hardship. Paws for Hope (B.C.) and PAWS Canada (Ontario) offer additional regional support. Some veterinary clinics also offer payment plans through providers like Petcard or Scratchpay.
Emergency preparedness is essential
Even the healthiest pets face unexpected emergencies — accidents, sudden illness, ingested objects. One in three pets will need unexpected veterinary care in any given year. Emergency specialty care can cost several thousand dollars, and waiting until the bill arrives to figure out how to pay is a stressful and often costly approach.
A Gallup–PetSmart Charities survey of Canadian pet owners found that 71% of those who declined veterinary care for their pet cited financial barriers as the reason (13). Preparing now — before an emergency happens — is what gives you the freedom to make decisions based on what's best for your pet rather than what you can afford in the moment.
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If the thought of an emergency bill is keeping you up at night, pet insurance may be worth revisiting. Average premiums for accident-and-illness coverage now run approximately $89 per month for dogs and $46 per month for cats in Canada.
Consider breed-specific health needs
Veterinary costs vary significantly based on your pet's size and breed — and understanding this upfront can help you plan smarter. Larger dogs typically require higher doses of medications and anesthesia, which increases treatment costs. Certain breeds are predisposed to specific conditions: brachycephalic dogs (flat-faced breeds like Pugs, Bulldogs and Shih Tzus) frequently experience breathing difficulties and may require specialized surgical procedures; other breeds are more susceptible to joint problems or hip dysplasia.
The same applies to cats. Long-haired breeds can be prone to matting, skin conditions and hairball-related digestive issues. Purebred cats — including Persians, Maine Coons and Scottish Folds — often carry breed-specific genetic conditions that can result in more frequent and costly vet visits over time.
Researching breed-specific health tendencies before adopting — and building those known costs into your budget — can prevent a lot of financial anxiety down the road.
The bottom line
Our pets are family — and as with any family member, the best thing we can do is plan ahead. With vet costs rising at two to three times the rate of general inflation, and corporate consolidation continuing to reshape the industry, the days of inexpensive routine vet care are behind us.
Whether you choose pet insurance or a dedicated emergency fund — or both — the most important step is to make a plan now, not after a $3,000 bill lands on your kitchen table. Set aside what you can each month, know your options, and your future self (and your pet) will thank you.
Article sources
We rely only on vetted sources and credible third-party reporting. For details, see our editorial ethics and guidelines.
North American Pet Health Insurance Association (1); Global News (2); Statistics Canada (3); Government of Canada (4, 5, 6); Rover.com (7, 8); Ontario Veterinary Medical Association (9, 10, 11, 12); Gallup (13)
✢Disclaimer: The views and information shared in this article are based on my personal experiences and general understanding. The author is not a licensed insurance agent, broker, or advisor, and nothing in this piece should be interpreted as insurance advice or a recommendation.
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Amy Tokic is an SEO content editor for Money.ca. She holds a B.A. in Communications from the University of Windsor. Amy is an award-winning author and has been writing professionally for 15 years, publishing articles in the lifestyle and health sectors. In her free time, Amy loves perusing used book and record stores, and chasing squirrels with wild abandon (a habit attributed to spending too much time with her pooches).
