- Nearly half of pet owners (46%) say they delayed or skipped veterinary care in the past year because of rising costs.
- More than 9 in 10 respondents said they would be willing to take on debt to save their pet’s life.
- Cost remains the leading barrier to veterinary care, ahead of uncertainty about symptoms, appointment availability, and scheduling challenges.
- One-quarter of pet owners reported delaying care after relying on online or AI-generated information and later regretting the decision.
- The findings highlight ongoing access-to-care challenges facing pet owners and veterinary providers alike.
The bond between pets and their owners continues to strengthen, but a growing number of households are struggling to translate that commitment into timely veterinary care.
According to the 2026 Lovet Checkup Report, released by Lovet Pet Health Care, 91% of pet owners said they would be willing to go into debt to save their pet’s life. Yet despite that level of dedication, nearly half (46%) reported delaying or skipping veterinary care during the past 12 months because of rising costs.
The survey findings illustrate a growing disconnect between pet owners’ desire to provide care and their ability to afford it, a challenge that continues to shape healthcare decisions across the veterinary profession.
Affordability Continues to Influence Care Decisions
When asked about barriers to seeking veterinary care, respondents most frequently cited cost.
Forty-four percent of pet owners said the expense of treatment nearly prevented them from pursuing care the last time their pet needed veterinary attention. Other commonly cited barriers included uncertainty about whether a condition was serious enough to warrant a visit (25%), difficulty obtaining a timely appointment (17%), and conflicts with work or family schedules (16%).
“The findings reinforce something we see every day in our hospitals: pet parents want to do what’s best for their pets, but they’re often navigating difficult decisions around cost, uncertainty and access to care,” said Courtney Gruber, president of Lovet Pet Health Care, in the release.
As veterinary medicine becomes increasingly advanced and capable of treating a wider range of conditions, affordability remains a central challenge for both pet owners and care providers seeking to improve access to treatment.
Online Searches and AI Are Shaping Healthcare Decisions
The report also found that many pet owners are turning to digital resources before consulting a veterinarian.
Four out of five respondents said they have researched their pet’s symptoms online before deciding whether to seek veterinary care, up from 75% reported in the company’s 2025 survey. Additionally, 34% said their first instinct when a pet appears ill is to search online or use artificial intelligence tools for information.
While these resources may help pet owners better understand potential health concerns, they can also contribute to delayed treatment. Twenty-five percent of respondents said they postponed or avoided a veterinary visit because they relied on online or AI-generated information first and later wished they had sought care sooner.
The findings highlight the growing influence of digital information sources on pet healthcare decisions and the continued importance of veterinary guidance in helping owners determine when professional care is needed.
Financial Impact Extends Beyond the Veterinary Visit
The survey suggests that veterinary expenses continue to affect household finances long after an appointment ends.
Nearly two in five respondents said they had used credit or taken on debt to pay veterinary bills during the past year. The same percentage reported cutting back on everyday expenses such as groceries, utilities, or other household necessities because of veterinary costs.
Perhaps most notably, 16% of pet owners said they would likely delay or decline treatment altogether if faced with a $2,000 veterinary emergency today.
Those findings underscore the broader economic pressures influencing pet healthcare decisions and the ongoing discussion within the profession around financing options, preventive care programs, and other approaches designed to improve access to care.
Access to Care Remains an Industry Priority
The survey arrives as veterinary organizations, practice groups, and industry stakeholders continue to explore solutions aimed at reducing barriers to care.
While appointment availability and workforce challenges remain important considerations, the report suggests affordability continues to play a significant role in determining whether pets ultimately receive recommended treatment.
As pet ownership remains strong and demand for veterinary services continues to grow, addressing the gap between pet owners’ willingness to seek care and their ability to pay for it may remain one of the profession’s most pressing challenges.
Information sourced from the company’s press release.
