Rising vet costs leave pet owners ‘sleepless’ and rehoming services strained

A pet owner in Northamptonshire says she has “sleepless nights” worrying about how she would cover vet bills if her animals fell ill, highlighting mounting financial pressure on households and animal welfare services.

Alison, who asked to be identified by her first name, keeps two dogs, seven rabbits and three guinea pigs and spends up to £500 a month on their basic care before vet bills are added. She said the majority of her salary goes on her pets and that she is "financially unable to insure all of them." She added that the family no longer takes holidays or goes out for meals because of the cost.

Alison said one of her dogs needed treatment and surgery for cancer while insured, but the policy lapsed and a renewal quote of £135 a month was unaffordable. She said she constantly fears being forced to euthanize a pet if she cannot fund future treatments. Rabbit vaccinations, she said, can be particularly expensive — about £75 each for four of her rabbits this month — and vets often treat rabbits as exotic animals, which can raise costs.

The cost of pet insurance rose by about 20% in March 2024 compared with the previous year, according to Dr. Paul Manktelow, a spokesman for the animal welfare charity Blue Cross. He said the increase in premiums has coincided with a fall in the number of pets being insured and that rising veterinary fees are the "single biggest cost" of pet ownership.

"We've seen a rise in vet fees across the board," Dr. Manktelow said. "It's come at a time where people have less money. It doesn't look like it's going to go down any time soon either."

Blue Cross warned that the inability of some owners to afford treatment is placing pressure on rehoming services. Dr. Manktelow said owners are delaying veterinary visits because of cost concerns and often present animals with worsened conditions when they do seek help, creating additional demand for charity support.

Sarah Cardell, chief executive of the Competition and Markets Authority, said an ill pet can create significant financial strain, especially against the wider backdrop of cost-of-living pressures. "It's really important that people get clear information and pricing to help them make the right choices," she said.

The CMA recommends that pet owners compare prices for treatment and services across different practices and consider payment plans that can spread costs. Veterinary practices sometimes offer options such as staged payment, pet insurance, and low-cost clinics, but availability varies by area.

Experts and charities say the higher costs for certain animals, such as rabbits, and specialist treatments for conditions like cancer compound the problem for households with multiple animals. Some owners report making personal sacrifices, foregoing discretionary spending to prioritise pet care, and deciding against taking on more animals as a result.

Veterinary industry groups have cited rising costs for clinics, including staff, equipment and medicines, as drivers of higher fees. Analysts say the trend of increasing prices combined with reductions in household disposable income has put many owners in a difficult position, affecting both routine care and emergency treatment decisions.

Charities and regulators continue to urge clearer pricing and better consumer information, while animal welfare groups say they are seeing increased demand for help rehoming animals and supporting owners facing unaffordable vet bills. The combination of higher insurance premiums, rising veterinary fees and limited household budgets is likely to remain a challenge for owners and animal care organisations alike.

Alison said she will not buy any more pets and that she will continue to make personal sacrifices to ensure her current animals receive care. "I will always go without so my animals don't have to," she said, summarising the dilemma faced by many pet owners balancing financial constraints and the lifelong commitment of pet ownership.