As a pet owner, you are going to want to give your pet the best care possible. This means going above and beyond the most basic primary needs like food, water, and shelter. One of the best ways to give your dog the care it needs is regular vet visits. Many factors influence the costs of a vet visit. Spot explores some of the important ones in this article.
Average Cost of Vet Visits per State
While there is a wide range of factors that can go into the cost of a vet visit, it could be useful to know what the average claim cost for some of the most popular states are.
State | Average Claims Cost† |
$493.10 | |
$385.75 | |
$360.73 | |
$346.53 | |
$438.27 | |
$349.34 | |
$473.33 |
It is important to note that vet visit costs can range from relatively inexpensive to thousands of dollars.
What are the Most Expensive Vet Bills?
Vet expenses can vary widely based on what services your veterinarian is providing. Most vet practices charge for services like physical exams, diagnostic services, lab work, surgical procedures, and more. Here you can see the average claims cost for some standard procedures1:
Procedure | Cost1 |
Exam | $100-150 |
Basic Blood Work | $80-200 |
Basic Imaging | $150-600 |
Hospitalization of 3 to 5 days | $2,000-3,500 |
Emergency Surgery | $2,000-5,000 |
Does Breed Influence Vet Costs?
There can be many factors that influence the cost of certain vet procedures. One of the most common ones is the breed of dog/cat that is being insured. Since breeding was a practice with the intent, in some cases, to alter dogs genetically so that they have certain characteristics, some breeds have certain genetic predispositions as a side effect. Some of the most common breed-specific conditions include the following:
Bladder stones
Brachiocephalic syndrome
Cancer
Ear infections
Knee and elbow dislocations
Slipped discs
Unexpected Vet Bills
Sometimes, emergencies can occur when a veterinarian discovers anything out of the ordinary during your pet’s visit. Along with the cost of any additional testing, veterinarians may discover that your pet is suffering from a condition that needs to be treated quickly. Without a pet insurance policy, you may have topay expensive vet bills out of pocket.
How to Save on Unexpected Vet Bills
One of the best ways that you can save on unexpected vet bills is to have a pet insurance policy. Pet insurance can help you by reimbursing you for eligible vet expenses. Spot Pet Insurance works with any vet in the United States and reimburses pet owners directly without having to rely on vets that are “in-network.”
The Importance of Emergency Pet Insurance Coverage
One aspect of owning a pet is that they can be prone to emergencies from time to time, and treating these emergencies can be expensive.
The Cost of Toxic Ingestion for Pets
One of the most common emergencies is toxic ingestion. According to internal claims data, the average cost of toxic ingestion is $698.83 and the average reimbursement for toxic ingestion is $368.18†.
The Cost of Treating Bite Wounds in Dogs and Cats
Sometimes, your pet will have a run-in with another pet that results in a bite wound. According to internal claims data, the average cost of treating a bite wound is $604.13 and the average reimbursement is $342.89†.
With 10 years of experience as a pet parent, I aim to empower pet owners with insights into pet insurance and maintaining their pet's well-being. I aspire to be a trusted source, combining knowledge with a commitment to the welfare of our beloved pets.
As Spot’s resident cat enthusiast, I am dedicated to researching and sharing information that helps pet owners take the best care of their pets. Pet ownership comes with it’s share of challenges, but my goal is to help make this journey easier.
Barrow, Lauren. “Costs of Emergency Veterinary Care: What to Know.” Edited by Kathleen Claussen, WebMD, WebMD, 13 Aug. 2024, www.webmd.com/pets/what-to-know-costs-emergency-veterinary-care.
† Jan 2019 to November 2024 administrative claims data. Includes total reimbursement for accident, illness, and wellness. Individual reimbursement results and coverage vary based on plan type.
