Cost of Ownership: Vet Care

Data and facts about the financial challenges with affording vet care.

Jump to: Barriers to Vet Care | Low-Cost Vet Care

Highlights


Overview


Barriers to Vet Care

Jump to: Barriers in the US

Barriers to Vet Care in the U.S.

External link: 
Park RM, Gruen ME, Royal K. Association between Dog Owner Demographics and Decision to Seek Veterinary Care. Veterinary Sciences. 2021; 8(1):7. https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci8010007

Overall Likelihood To Seek Care Under Different Medical Conditions

ConditionNot at All Likely (%)Not Very Likely (%)Likely (%)Very Likely (%)
Vomiting15.834.735.214.4
Behavioral issues16.53432.916.6
Diarrhea15.53629.419.1
Weight gain14.138.129.318.5
Increased drinking14.535.33218.2
Skin irritations11.927.141.619.4
Weight loss11.525.236.926.4
Respiratory problems11.522.236.929.3
Inactive/lethargic12.120.736.830.4
Joint pain10.917.937.933.3
Skin growths1018.936.834.2
Limping11.616.236.136
Ear infection10.417.136.136.5
Bladder problems11.414.433.440.8
Eye infection11.114.930.643.4
Trauma8.914.523.852.8
Ingested poisonous substance9.812.724.453.2
End of life care9.613.522.554.4

Human–Animal Relationship Descriptions

CharacteristicProperty (%)Working Dog (%)Service Dog (%)Friend and/or Companion (%)Family Member (%)
Gender
Male23.27.03.429.936.5
Female12.53.54.121.958.0
Race/Ethnicity
White or Caucasian18.03.83.326.048.9
Hispanic, Latino or Spanish origin15.42.65.141.035.9
Black or African American24.411.33.825.035.6
Native American or American Indian25.013.95.625.030.6
Asian11.14.44.415.664.4
Household Income
≤$24,99912.26.85.425.750.0
$25,000–$39,99917.16.24.729.540.3
$40,000–$59,99921.95.72.426.343.7
$60,000–$79,99915.36.83.431.343.2
$80,000–$99,99927.36.41.826.438.2
$100,000–$149,99921.10.02.621.155.3
$150,000–$199,9995.60.011.111.172.2
More than $200,0000.08.30.00.091.7
Employment Status
Employed full-time21.86.03.327.241.7
Employed part-time11.43.86.329.149.4
Self-employed7.51.95.730.254.7
Seeking opportunities7.77.70.07.776.9
Student0.00.00.014.385.7
Retired4.89.54.89.571.4
Highest Level of Education
High school graduate, diploma or equivalent9.54.82.428.654.8
Some college credit, no degree5.71.11.128.763.2
Associate degree14.53.20.014.567.7
Bachelor’s degree18.87.25.131.637.4
Master’s degree28.15.03.518.145.2

Owners’ Indication Of Whether They Vaccinated Dog For Rabies

CharacteristicYes (%)No (%)
Race/Ethnicity
White or Caucasian86.813.2
Hispanic, Latino or Spanish Origin87.013.0
Black or African American83.316.7
Native American or American Indian62.537.5
Asian93.07.0
Region
Midwest93.86.3
Northeast84.315.7
South83.116.9
West84.315.7
Household Income
≤$24,99977.322.7
$25,000–$39,99990.29.8
$40,000–$59,99979.720.3
$60,000–$79,99988.411.6
$80,000–$99,99988.811.2
$100,000–$149,99989.510.5
$150,000–$199,99988.911.1
More than $200,000100.00.0
Age
18–29 years76.623.4
30–39 years87.812.2
40–49 years88.111.9
50–59 years91.58.5
≥60 years97.42.6
Highest Level of Education
High school graduate, diploma or equivalent85.714.3
Some college credit, no degree96.43.6
Associate degree96.73.3
Bachelor’s degree83.416.6
Master’s degree81.318.7

Dog Owners That Visited Vet Within The Past 18 Months

CharacteristicYes (%)No (%)
Household Income
≤$24,99960.839.2
$25,000–$39,99972.127.9
$40,000–$59,99972.927.1
$60,000–$79,99979.021.0
$80,000–$99,99981.818.2
$100,000–$149,99992.17.9
$150,000–$199,99988.911.1
More than $200,00083.316.7
Age
18–29 years72.627.4
30–39 years72.827.2
40–49 years80.519.5
50–59 years85.714.3
≥60 years90.010.0
Highest Level of Education
High school graduate, diploma or equivalent57.142.9
Some college credit, no degree74.725.3
Associate degree69.430.6
Bachelor’s degree80.319.7
Master’s degree77.422.6

Vet Services Utilized By Dog Owners Within The Past 18 Months

CharacteristicAnnual Checkup (%)Vaccinations (%)Seek Medications (%)Dental Care (%)Other (%)
Gender
Male57.150.532.516.21.4
Female59.256.636.718.14.7
Household Income
≤$24,99948.637.828.412.21.4
$25,000–$39,99949.653.534.914.73.9
$40,000–$59,99953.445.726.314.22.0
$60,000–$79,99960.854.035.220.52.3
$80,000–$99,99961.860.039.119.10.9
$100,000–$149,99977.673.748.719.76.6
$150,000–$199,99972.261.150.022.20.0
More than $200,00075.066.750.033.316.7
Age
18–29 years52.748.530.711.63.7
30–39 years57.550.533.218.51.6
40–49 years59.154.932.916.51.8
50–59 years66.766.736.923.86.0
≥ 60 years70.062.562.525.02.5
Employment Status
Employed full-time56.952.932.916.22.0
Employed part-time63.358.240.527.83.8
Self-employed52.850.934.07.57.5
Seeking opportunities69.246.238.515.47.7
Student71.435.750.014.30.0
Retired66.757.138.128.69.5
Highest Level of Education
High school graduate, diploma or equivalent45.233.323.87.10.0
Some college credit, no degree58.650.629.914.98.0
Associate degree59.761.330.611.33.2
Bachelor’s degree58.557.135.716.92.1
Master’s degree59.849.738.222.12.0

Type Of Veterinarian Used By Dog Owners

CharacteristicsVeterinary Clinic, Hospital or Vet Who Does House Calls (%)Mobile Facility or Van (%)Animal Shelter or Humane Society (%)County, City or Publicly Sponsored Clinic (%)Pet Superstore or
Pet Shop (%)
Characteristic
Gender
Male58.517.625.512.811.4
Female65.013.115.78.59.3
Race/Ethnicity
White or Caucasian66.212.615.18.47.5
Hispanic, Latino or Spanish origin51.319.224.415.414.1
Black or African American50.022.538.819.416.3
Native American or American Indian52.830.641.711.116.7
Asian66.711.113.34.415.6
Region
Midwest66.018.016.711.37.3
Northeast54.718.228.811.210.6
South65.713.416.28.49.0
West55.715.927.414.915.4
Household Income
≤$24,99945.312.218.99.54.1
$25,000–$39,99955.018.625.610.97.0
$40,000–$59,99956.719.426.712.110.9
$60,000–$79,99963.110.819.310.815.3
$80,000–$99,99969.115.520.914.59.1
$100,000–$149,99981.615.811.87.914.5
$150,000–$199,99972.216.75.60.05.6
More than $200,00083.38.38.38.38.3
Age
18–29 years56.817.420.710.89.1
30–39 years57.213.118.511.211.5
40–49 years65.220.128.712.811.6
50–59 years72.614.320.28.39.5
≥60 years77.512.522.510.010.0
Highest Level of Education
High school graduate, diploma orequivalent50.02.411.911.97.1
Some college credit, no college66.73.45.74.62.3
Associate degree54.88.111.34.86.5
Bachelor’s degree63.320.224.49.711.6
Master’s degree59.318.629.619.615.1

Barriers Identified That Make Seeking Veterinary Care Challenging

Character-isticCost (%)Transport-ation (%)Hours of Operation (%)Language Differences (%)Lack of trust in Vets (%)Dog Owner Provides Healthcare Themselves (%)Not Necessary (%)No Barriers (%)
Gender
Male49.929.731.714.821.014.67.822.6
Female49.324.529.411.114.911.77.023.3
Race/Ethnic
White or Caucasian48.921.826.38.415.39.75.327.1
Hispanic, Latino or Spanish origin50.029.533.311.516.711.57.714.1
Black or African American47.541.341.327.527.526.911.315.6
Native American or American Indian55.650.036.136.133.319.416.713.9
Asian62.224.437.84.417.86.711.122.2
Household Income
≤$24,99963.520.316.212.213.513.54.114.9
$25,000–$39,99954.331.035.711.624.013.24.716.3
$40,000–$59,99951.838.932.817.020.218.29.316.2
$60,000–$79,99943.819.925.68.516.58.58.528.4
$80,000–$99,99947.326.440.014.519.112.710.025.5
$100,000–$149,99943.417.128.917.114.510.53.938.2
$150,000–$199,99944.411.138.95.611.116.75.638.9
More than $200,00025.016.716.78.316.78.38.358.3
Age
18–29 years58.927.439.012.018.712.010.817.8
30–39 years47.026.530.013.116.911.86.424.3
40–49 years45.129.925.014.621.317.16.123.8
50–59 years44.031.027.411.915.514.33.623.8
≥60 years45.020.017.520.025.017.510.037.5
Geographical Region
Midwest54.727.331.311.316.09.35.324.7
Northeast37.629.424.715.920.614.16.518.8
South52.323.733.011.516.812.87.824.3
West51.732.331.815.421.416.99.522.9
Employment Status
Employed full-time47.929.632.615.420.414.58.222.2
Employed part-time49.425.331.67.616.512.76.326.6
Self-employed64.218.924.55.75.75.71.917.0
Seeking opportunities53.815.40.00.015.40.015.430.8
Student78.614.328.60.014.30.00.014.3
Retired47.69.54.84.84.819.04.847.6
Highest Level of Education
High school graduate, diploma or equivalent57.123.835.79.514.34.89.526.2
Some college credit, no degree71.38.027.61.110.33.43.419.5
Associate degree59.712.922.63.29.79.711.37.4
Bachelor’s degree47.131.330.913.918.112.15.820.2
Master’s degree39.234.234.722.628.124.610.627.6

Research Summary | Back to Top


Low-Cost Vet Care

Jump to: Tufts at Tech Model

Tufts at Tech Commuinty Veterinary Clinic between University and Vocational High School

External link: 
Megan Kiely Mueller, Stephanie Chubb, Gregory Wolfus, Emily McCobb, Assessment of canine health and preventative care outcomes of a community medicine program, Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Volume 157, 2018, Pages 44-49, ISSN 0167-5877, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prevetmed.2018.05.016

Dog Health Indicators By Group

Dog Health Indicators (Yes)%Unadjusted
Prevalence Ratio
Adjusted Model
Odds Ratio
Spayed or Neutered
Non Tufts at Tech clients (reference group)50%
Tufts at Tech wellness clients68%1.371.3
Tufts at Tech new/urgent care clients56%1.120.77
Heartworm preventative
Non Tufts at Tech clients (reference group)27%
Tufts at Tech wellness clients76%2.886.98
Tufts at Tech new/urgent care clients44%1.761.3
Flea/tick preventative
Non Tufts at Tech clients (reference group)68%
Tufts at Tech wellness clients87%1.292.71
Tufts at Tech new/urgent care clients70%1.11.03
Preventative care within the past year
Non Tufts at Tech clients (reference group)53%
Tufts at Tech wellness clients97%1.8218.34
Tufts at Tech new/urgent care clients59%1.191.2
Injury/illness care within past year
Non Tufts at Tech clients (reference group)16%
Tufts at Tech wellness clients57%3.535.48
Tufts at Tech new/urgent care clients37%2.442.82
Vaccinations up-to-date
Non Tufts at Tech clients (reference group)53%
Tufts at Tech wellness clients89%1.688.02
Tufts at Tech new/urgent care clients67%1.361.79
Obedience training
Non Tufts at Tech clients (reference group)10%
Tufts at Tech wellness clients24%2.311.51
Tufts at Tech new/urgent care clients22%2.261.42
Problem behaviors
Non Tufts at Tech clients (reference group)68%
Tufts at Tech wellness clients51%0.750.37
Tufts at Tech new/urgent care clients59%0.930.52

*Adjusted model controlling for race/ethnicity and gender of owner

Canine-Related Quality of Life (QOL)

Full Sample
(n= 177)
Tufts at Tech Wellness
(n = 63)
Tufts at Tech New/Urgent
(n = 46)
Non-Tufts at Tech
(n = 68)
Mdn[min, max]Mdn[min, max]Mdn[min, max]Mdn[min, max]
QOL: Happiness4.75 [2.5, 5.0]4.75 [3.0, 5.0]4.75 [3.5, 5.0]4.75 [2.8, 5.0]
QOL: Mental Status1.67 [1.0, 4.0]1.67 [1.0, 4.0]2.00 [1.0, 4.0]1.33 [1.0, 4.0]
QOL: Physical Functioning1.67 [1.0, 4.0]1.67 [1.0, 4.0]2.00 [1.0, 4.0]1.67 [1.0, 4.0]
QOL: OVERALL3.00 [1.6, 4.4]3.00 [2.3, 4.3]3.31 [2.3, 4.0]2.90 [2.2, 4.1]

*Range 1 [low quality of life] to 5 [high quality of life]

Barriers in Accessing Veterinary Care

Full Sample
(n= 177)
Tufts at Tech Wellness
(n = 63)
Tufts at Tech New/Urgent
(n = 46)
Non-Tufts at Tech
(n = 68)
Mdn[min, max]Mdn[min, max]Mdn[min, max]Mdn[min, max]
Veterinary care is too expensive.4.0 [1.0, 5.0]4.0 [1.0, 5.0]4.5 [1.0, 5.0]5.0 [1.0, 5.0]
I can’t find a vet near me.2.0 [1.0, 5.0]2.0 [1.0, 5.0]2.0 [1.0, 5.0]2.0 [1.0, 5.0]
My dog does not need to see the vet because he or she is healthy.2.0 [1.0, 5.0]1.0 [1.0, 5.0]2.0 [1.0, 5.0]2.0 [1.0, 5.0]
I don’t have time to bring my dog to the vet.1.0 [1.0, 5.0]1.0 [1.0, 4.0]2.0 [1.0, 4.0]2.0 [1.0, 4.0]
It is hard for me to find a way to bring my dog to the vet.2.0 [1.0, 5.0]1.0 [1.0, 5.0]2.0 [1.0, 5.0]2.0 [1.0, 5.0]
It is hard for me to understand my vet.1.0 [1.0, 5.0]1.0 [1.0, 4.0]2.0 [1.0, 5.0]2.0 [1.0, 5.0]
The vet isn’t open during hours when I can bring my dog.2.0 [1.0, 5.0]1.0 [1.0, 5.0]1.0 [1.0, 5.0]2.0 [1.0, 5.0]

*Range 1 [low barrier] to 5 [high barrier]

Research Summary | Back to Top