Pet parents say vet treatments are too costly — and it's hurting their animals

We routinely schedule checkups for ourselves, or at least we should be

But when it comes to our pets, a new nationwide study is revealing

why more than half of American pet parents are skipping recommended vet treatments

The report from Gallup and PetSmart Charities says cost is the number one reason

52% of U.S. pet owners have skipped or declined veterinary care, with seven in 10 citing they either couldn't afford it or didn't think the cost was justified

And this isn't just happening in low-income households. A third of pet parents making $90,000 or more say they've also put off care for financial reasons

In a press release, a senior researcher at Gallup says the data shows that many pet parents are not being presented with alternative care options

that could make veterinary services more accessible despite interest in such options

Insurance company Lemonade broke down the average cost for vet care. Routine checkups start around

while emergency visits can quickly escalate to several thousand Pet allergy testing can cost nearly and that price climbs if you opt for a blood test Dental cleanings for dogs which often require anesthesia range from to

but for cats, cleanings start closer to $200. And if your pet needs emergency care, an exam alone

can cost up to $200, but it's the testing, treatment, or overnight hospital stays that

really add up. That's why Lemonade reminds pet owners not every cough, vomit, or odd stool needs

an immediate ER trip. The PetSmart Gallup study suggests payment plans could be a game changer

for pet parents. The American Animal Hospital Association warns skipping annual checkups

or delaying care can sometimes make issues worse and more expensive to treat down the line

To help pet parents out, PetSmart Charities donated $100 million to improve access to vet care

but they estimate the cost for adequate care for all pets currently going without care is more than $20 billion annually

With Stray Arrow News, I'm Kennedy Felton. Download our app or visit san.com for more