The average cost of a routine check-up for a pet is between $50-$85 in the US(1). Various factors like the breed, age, location, type of facility, etc., can affect the cost.
A vet checkup is like taking your car for a simple oil change. It’s only simple till the mechanic comes out with a bill that suggests they also need to replace the engine, the tires, and possibly the entire frame.
Before you start Googling ‘DIY pet healthcare’, we’ll help you understand the basics of routine vet visits for pets, their importance, costs, and finally, ways to save on the costs.
A vet visit can be for multiple purposes – routine, sickness, vaccinations, surgeries, emergencies, etc. For this article, we’ll focus on a routine vet checkup for pets. We have written a detailed article on ‘How much is a vet visit? where we’ve explained all types of visits and their average costs.
Routine Vet Visit: An Introduction
Routine vet visits are extremely important for your pet. They help ensure your pet remains healthy, receives necessary vaccinations, and gets timely treatment for any medical issues. The benefits do not just stop at the pet’s health. They help strengthen the relationship between you and your pet as well.
Why are routine vet visits important?
Not all illnesses come with signs and symptoms that are easily noticeable. Many, actually most of them, go unnoticed without a professional exam. A wellness exam helps in treating such illnesses early enough so that they do not turn into major issues.
Below are the most important benefits of a routine vet visit –
Monitoring your pet’s weight and overall health
Keep up the vaccination schedule
Prevent parasites like fleas, ticks and worms
Getting dental care recommendations
Get tips on the pet’s nutrition, behavior, and lifestyle adjustments
How often should you schedule routine vet visits?
The recommended frequency of a vet visit depends on the pet’s age, breed, and overall health. Below are the recommended vet visit frequencies based on the pet’s age -
Kittens - They need a good amount of attention and care. You should plan your first vet visit during the first week of having your kitten home.
Adult cats – An annual wellness exam is recommended for all cats above the age of 1. It is important to catch diseases and medical conditions early.
Puppies – Just like kittens, more frequent vet visits are important for puppies too. You should plan appointments every 3-4 weeks for vaccinations and wellness checks until they are around 16 weeks old.
Adult dogs – Dogs above the age of 1 should have annual wellness vet visits to identify diseases and other conditions at an early stage.
How Much Do Routine Vet Visits Cost?
A routine vet visit can cost you anywhere between $50-$85, depending on the pet breed, inclusions, your location, type of facility, etc. Below are some additional costs that you may have to incur during a routine vet visit:(1)
Flea and tick prevention - $22-$27 per month
Heartworm prevention - $9-$11 per month
Heartworm test - $35-$50
Deworming medication - $50-$150
In case of a specific vet visit, below are some average costs you can expect:(2)(3)
Dental cleaning - $350-$400 (additional $50-130 per tooth for extractions)
Spaying or neutering - $50-$100
Blood tests - $120
Fecal exam - $35
X-Ray - $200
Ultrasound - $450
Allergy tests - $250
Geriatric Screening - $100
Does Pet Insurance Cover Routine Vet Visits?
Pet insurance plans usually do not cover routine vet visit costs, as they fall under preventive care. Insurance is mainly focused on saving you from unexpected expenses like diseases and accidents.
Having said that, some insurers do offer a preventive or wellness add-on that can offer you some savings on routine vet visits. Learn more about Spot's wellness add-ons.
With Spot Pet Insurance, you can not only save up to 90% of the covered medical costs but also costs like alternative therapies, specialist vet visits, prescription diets, and many more.
More About Spot Pet Insurance
Spot Pet insurance can help provide financial assistance for eligible veterinary care in case of unexpected accidents, illnesses, or injuries. Our plans can help pet parents manage the eligible costs of covered veterinary care and help ensure that their pets can receive the best treatment possible. Here are some ways that Spot pet insurance plans can help:
Covers Unexpected Veterinary Costs: Spot pet insurance plans help cover the eligible costs of unexpected veterinary treatments, such as emergency surgeries, X-rays, and prescription medications for covered conditions.
Customizable Plans: Choose your annual limit, reimbursement rate, and deductible from a range of options, and create the plan that will fit the needs of your pet and your budget.
Peace of Mind: With Spot pet insurance plans, pet parents can know that they can provide the best care for their pet with less worry about the cost.
Spot's also offers preventive care add-ons, which can help cover the eligible costs of spaying and neutering, dental cleaning, vaccinations, and other routine care services.
Get a quote today!
Creative manager by day, pet enthusiast all the time! After 19 years with my dog (hopefully he wins the award for oldest pet in the world), I enjoy spending my days brainstorming tail-wagging content, and sniffing out the latest trends in the pet world.
How Much Does a Vet Visit Cost? Average Pricing By Procedure. (2024, August 5). https://www.carecredit.com/vetmed/costs/
Maxwell, T. (2024, March 22). How much is a vet visit for a dog without insurance? CBS News. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/how-much-is-a-vet-visit-for-a-dog-without-insurance/
Vmd, E. D. (2025, January 24). How Much is a Cat Check-Up? - Paoli Vetcare. Paoli Vetcare. https://www.paolivet.com/health/how-much-is-a-cat-checkup/
