Americans can no longer afford to own pets

They are our best friends, part of our family, and an endless source of comfort, joy, and laughter. But pets are becoming increasingly expensive companions for Americans.

A 72% majority of pet owners responded to an independent survey conducted on behalf of Redfield & Wilton Strategies. newsweek He said the cost of caring for pets has increased over the past year.

The survey was conducted March 23-24, 2024 among a sample population of 1,500 U.S. voters. The majority of all respondents, 65%, said they owned a pet at the time of the survey. This number reflects national data. The American Pet Products Association (APPA) reports that 66% of U.S. households (86.9 million households) own a pet.

The majority of these households (65.1 million households) own a dog, followed by households that own a cat (46.5 million households). Pet owners will spend a total of $136.8 billion on their pets in 2022, up from $123.6 billion the year before, according to the latest data obtained by APPA.

According to an APPA report, dog owners spend on average $1,200 more per year than cat owners when considering all possible expenses, including vaccinations, bedding, food, leashes, harnesses, collars, grooming supplies, and training. spend more on their pets (approximately $1,400 per year) than on pets. , boarding pass and passport.

These rising costs are a source of concern for many pet owners. Approximately 43% of survey respondents said they were very (21%) or quite (22%) concerned about being able to financially support their pets, while an additional 22% were only slightly concerned. .

Why pets are becoming more expensive

The main reason why the cost of owning a pet has increased in recent years has to do with the rising cost of veterinary care.

“As with other medical fields, the cost of providing veterinary services continues to rise,” said Dr. Lena Carlson, president of the American Veterinary Medical Association. newsweek.

“The reasons for this include the rising cost of medicines used to treat acute and chronic diseases, new technology and updates that allow veterinarians to continue to provide the most effective and up-to-date treatments to their patients. These include the need to acquire medical equipment, and the need to ensure that veterinarians can continue to provide the most effective and up-to-date treatments to their patients, as well as electricity, building rent/mortgage. , an increase in general operating expenses such as communications services,” she added.

Carlson said that at the same time pets are starting to live longer, veterinary care is also becoming more sophisticated. “This is very good – of course! – but it also means that more veterinary care is needed throughout the animal's life,” she says.

Not everyone can afford the cost of these climbs. Approximately 37% of pet owners responded to the Redfield & Wilton Strategy/newsweek He said it would be difficult to pay for a minor surgery on his pet right away.

The high cost of caring for pets and purchasing pet supplies is especially burdensome for people living in poverty. “At least 20 million pets in the United States live in poverty-stricken homes and underserved communities where resources are limited or essentially non-existent,” Humane Society of the United States Cares Amanda Arrington, vice chair of the Campaign to Increase Access to newsweek.

“We provide community outreach, policy development, training for veterinarians and animal welfare professionals, corporate partnerships, veterinary care, pet supplies and other animal care services, and information free to pet owners. We can provide that,” she said. “People who want to help families keep pets together can take simple actions like donating to a pet food pantry or veterinary care fund.”

Veterinary Bills vs. Pet Insurance

Portland-based Mary Leone is the proud owner of a 19-breed mix rescue dog named Frisco. She has had Frisco for almost four years, since she got him towards the beginning of the pandemic. “He's what we call a pandemic puppy,” she said. newsweek.

Leone spends about $250 on “normal everyday things” in Frisco. “This includes things like his meals, treats, dog walks, pet insurance, etc.” The most expensive pet-related expense is probably vet visits, she says.

“Regular veterinary visits with vaccinations can be expensive, but this is mainly the additional cost of taking them to emergency care or to the veterinary hospital if something suddenly goes wrong.” she says. “Fortunately, we haven't had any ER visits in Frisco in a while, but just for your information, my boyfriend's dog went to the ER a few months ago after ingesting chocolate, which is toxic to puppies. We had to, and that visit actually cost about $500 just to induce vomiting and then give fluids.”

Leone said pet-related expenses “definitely add up.” She advises, “Whether you invest in pet insurance, which will be an ongoing monthly expense for the rest of your life, or by investing in pet insurance, which will result in at least a few unexpected vet visits over the course of your lifetime.'' “It's difficult to have to make a decision, 'Do I expect it to happen?'” he said. It's quite expensive, potentially costing her $5,000 to $10,000 if surgery is required. ”

Many pet owners now purchase pet insurance to avoid expensive vet bills if something unexpected happens. But Carlson said preventative veterinary care, such as vaccinations, deworming and weight management, “keeps animals healthy and happy for years to come” and prevents costly health problems down the road. He said this is the best way to prevent this.

Leone also pointed out that there are not enough veterinarians for the number of pet owners, making the entire process of seeking veterinary care even more difficult.

“At least that seems to be the case here in Portland, Oregon, where there are a lot of pet owners,” she said. newsweek. “The demand for pet care is so high that on top of the stress of paying high bills is the added stress of waiting hours or even overnight at a veterinary clinic.”

Leone added that “things can get expensive” but that Frisco “is the best boy and I love him more than anything. He's worth 100 percent.”