How Much Does a Vet Visit Cost? (2025 Price List)
The national average cost for a routine vet visit is around $214 for dogs and $138 for cats, according to the most recent data from the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).1 But of course, the actual cost can vary based on where you live, what your pet needs, and the type of vet you visit.
Key Takeaways
- The average routine vet visit costs about $214 for dogs and $138 for cats in 2025, according to AVMA data.
- Expect to spend $1,000–$2,000 in your pet’s first year on routine care, vaccines, and preventive treatments alone.
- Emergency visits and surgeries can range from $1,000 to $10,000+, depending on the condition and location.
- Diagnostics like X-rays ($75–$400) and bloodwork ($80–$400) often add hundreds to a single appointment.
- Older pets and larger breeds typically cost more to care for due to increased health risks and higher-dose medications.
- Pet insurance can reimburse up to 90% (or more) of covered vet bills, and Pawlicy Advisor helps you compare top pet insurance plans instantly, all in one place.
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As a pet rescue and foster who works with a pet rescue nonprofit in Brooklyn, I've seen my fair share of veterinary bills - ranging from low-cost "mom-and-pop" practices to higher-end practices with state-of-the-art diagnostics and surgeons.
Here, I’ll break down what you can expect when taking your pet to the vet:
A Breakdown of Standard Veterinary Expenses (Price List)
Vet expenses vary widely depending on the services your vet provides. Veterinary practices charge for services like physical exams, diagnostic services, lab work, surgical procedures, anesthesia, hospitalization, and even overnight boarding.
Many of these services can be covered by pet insurance , which would reimburse a percentage of your out-of-pocket expenditures after you pay your vet.
An appointment for surgery will cost much more than a wellness visit, and regular treatments, such as those for cancer, can add up to a considerable sum over time. Here are some of the most common veterinary services and how much they typically cost: 2
FIRST-YEAR VET SERVICE | COST FOR DOGS | COST FOR CATS |
|---|---|---|
Vaccinations | $15 to $50 | $25 to $50 |
Deworming | $25 to $50 | $15- $25 |
Spay | $400 to $800 | $200 to $600 |
Neuter | $300 to $700 | $50 to $400 |
ROUTINE CARE SERVICE | COST FOR DOGS | COST FOR CATS |
Wellness Exam | $65 to $150 | $50 to $150 |
Teeth Cleaning | $500 to $2,000 | $200 to $1,500 |
Nail Trimming | $10 to $35 | $10 to $25 |
Anal Gland Expression | $25 to $50 | $25 to $50 |
SICK VISITS | COST FOR DOGS | COST FOR CATS |
Ear Infection | $120 to $300 | $120 to $250 |
Kennel Cough | $75 to $250 | |
Allergic Reaction | $195 to $2500 | |
Exam Fees | $75 to $300 | |
SURGERY | COST FOR DOGS | COST FOR CATS |
CCL Tear | $1,500 to $10,000 | |
Bloat (GDV) | $2,000 to $7,500 | |
Cherry Eye | $500 to $2,500 | |
Lipoma Removal | $200 to $1,000 | |
Foreign Obstruction | $3,000 - $7,000 | |
Internal Bleeding | $1,800 to $5,000 | $1,000 to $5,000 |
Pneumonia | $200 to $2000 | $200 to $1500 |
Parvovirus | $1,000 - $3,500 | |
Hospitalization | $600 to $6,500 | |
Accidental Poisoning | $250 to $5,000 | |
SURGERY | COST FOR DOGS | COST FOR CATS |
Fecal Exam | $25 to $150 | |
Biopsy | $150 to $2,000 | |
Bloodwork | $80 to $400 | |
Heartworm/Tick Panel | $35 to $150 | |
IMAGING | COST FOR DOGS | COST FOR CATS |
X-ray | $75 to $400 | |
MRI | $1,500–$7500 | |
Ultrasound | $300–$800 | |
Again, these prices may vary depending on where you live, what type of animal you have, what breed you have, and their health history. Even a routine exam fee can vary from state to state. On average, pet parents spend about $147 per vet visit, of which most are routine wellness appointments. However, unexpected visits happen often and can cost thousands.
The good news is that you can lower the costs of these services significantly with pet insurance. For example, if you have a pet insurance plan that reimburses you for 90% of covered costs (after the deductible is met), that $5,000 emergency surgery could end up getting reimbursed $4500 back to you.
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Average Vet Costs for the First Year of Owning a Dog or Cat
The APSCA estimates that the first year of owning a dog can cost as much as $2,000 or more, depending on the size of the animal. Meanwhile, the cost of owning a cat can be up to $1,174 on average.
However, these costs are assuming you’ll only need to bring your pet in for regular visits and won’t have any unexpected charges on your vet bill. If a regular visit costs about $250 and you bring a new dog to the vet only once, the rest of your spending can go to supplies like food, toys, and treats.
If your pet needs some of the unexpected services listed above because they develop an illness or need additional tests, you could end up paying substantially more out of pocket if you don’t have pet insurance.
How Pet Type Can Influence the Costs of a Vet Visit
It’s difficult to nail down the costs of vet care because veterinary medicine differs depending on the type of pet you own. Caring for a smaller animal like a cat or rabbit is generally much less expensive than caring for a large or medium-sized dog — or a horse, for that matter.
Today’s pets are also living longer than ever, thanks to advances in medical care and better pet diets. If you have an older pet³, you can expect to have higher veterinary costs because pets tend to need more care as they age. Older pets should get regular veterinary examinations so your vet can check for problems.
AVMA notes that “while it’s easy to spot the outward signs of aging, such as graying haircoat and slower pace, it’s important to remember a pet’s organ systems are also changing. An older pet is more likely to develop diseases such as heart, kidney, and liver disease, cancer, or arthritis. Dogs get cancer at roughly the same rate as humans, while cats have a somewhat lower rate.”⁴
Other factors that can influence veterinary costs are your pet’s weight, health history, and temperament. For example, if your dog is overly aggressive when you bring them to the vet, you may need to give them medication to keep them calm and muzzle them. In some cases, the vet may need to sedate your pet so they can examine it, which can add to your costs.
Health Issues & Vet Costs to be Aware of
Reimburse Vet Costs With Pet Insurance
Vet bills can add up fast, especially when facing unexpected emergencies, surgeries, or new chronic conditions. Depending on your policy, you could get reimbursed for 70% to 90% of your veterinary expenses.
Let's say, for example, your pet needs emergency care that costs $1600, and your plan offers an 80% reimbursement rate with a $250 deductible.
Example A:
Annual Dedeuctible = $250
Reimbursement Rate = 80%
Vet Bill #1 = $1600
(Bill - Deductible) * Reimbursement Rate = Total Reimbursement
($1600 - $250) * 0.8 = $1,080 reimbursed
NOTE: Many deductibles are “annual deductibles,” so you only need to pay the deductible once per year within a claim.For example, if the next vet bill that year was for another $1600:
Vet Bill #2 = $1600
(Bill - Deductible) * Reimbursement Rate = Total Reimbursement
($1600 - $0) * 0.8 = $1,280 reimbursed
With the right coverage, you can get reimbursed hundreds, if not thousands, across your pet’s lifetime.
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With a comprehensive pet insurance plan, you won’t have to worry about choosing between your pet’s emergency care and breaking your bank. Good coverage ensures you can get them the care they need right when they need it and gain peace of mind in knowing you're prepared for an emergency (even for rescue pets).
However, pet health insurance works differently from human health insurance. Most pet insurance providers pay you, the policyholder, instead of the practice or doctor. That means you don't have to worry about finding a veterinarian who's "in-network"; you can go to any vet you please and get reimbursed just the same, but that also means that you will generally have to pay the cost upfront while you wait for your reimbursement.
Pro Tip: If you can responsibly pay for the upfront vet cost on a credit card with a good rewards incentive, you can capture an extra percent back.
For example, if your credit card offers 3% cash back on purchases, by using that card to pay the initial bill, you'll be effectively reducing the cost by 3%. Then, in just a week or two, your pet insurance provider will reimburse you for the bill, and you can pay off that credit with the reimbursement.
Here’s another example of a step-by-step breakdown of costs and reimbursement with the credit card cashback factored in:
Example #2: Policy Details
- 90%Reimbursement Rate
- $250Annual Deductible
- 3%Credit Card Cashback
Vet Bill #1 | Vet Bill #2 (Follow-Up) |
|---|---|
$1,237 Your first claim of the year | $600 Deductible Already Met |
Cost Breakdown | Cost Breakdown |
Initial Vet Bill $1,237.00 | Initial Vet Bill $600.00 |
Credit Card Cashback (3% * Bill) | Credit Card Cashback (3% * Bill) |
Annual Deductible | Annual Deductible |
Insurance Reimbursement (90% * (Bill - Deductible) | Insurance Reimbursement (90% * Bill ) - |
Your Reimbursement (Insurance + Credit Card Cash Back) | Your Reimbursement Insurance + Credit Card Cash Back) |
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the average cost of a veterinary visit for a dog or cat?
The national average cost for a routine vet visit is approximately $214 for dogs and $138 for cats, based on 2024 AVMA data. Routine checkups are usually less expensive than emergency or specialty care.
How much is a vet visit for a dog without insurance?
Without insurance, the average cost of a vet visit for a dog $214. However, please note that prices may vary depending on location, clinic type, and the services provided.
How much is a puppy's first vet visit with shots?
A puppy’s first vet visit with shots usually costs between $100 and $350⁵. This includes exam ($50–$100) and core vaccines ($20–$50 each). Some clinics may even offer puppy packages that bundle these services at a discount.
How much can you save on vet bills with pet insurance?
Pet insurance can cover up to 90% of eligible vet expenses, depending on your plan. That means you could save hundreds to thousands of dollars per year, especially in emergencies or with chronic conditions.
References:
- AVMA News - Pet population continues to increase while pet spending declines
- The prices listed are based on publicly available 2025 rates from Access Veterinary Care in Minneapolis and are provided for reference only. Actual costs at your local vet clinic may be different.
- The Golden Years: Caring For Your Senior Companion
- AVMA - Caring for senior cats and dogs
- Chewy - Puppy’s First Vet Visit: When To Go, What To Expect, and Costs
- Pet Smart, Lemonade - How Much Does a Vet Visit Cost, Wag! - Biopsy in Cats, Wag! - Biopsy in dogs, PetMD - Blood Tests for Dogs and Cats
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Director of Marketing & Foster/Rescue Parent - Pawlicy Advisor
Edwin Plotts rescues and rehomes cats in Savannah, GA - while leading Pawlicy Advisor's brand growth. He's a pet parent of two rescued sibling cats: Greyson and Babs. He's also an avid volunteer with Flatbush Cats and The Toby Project.
