Emergency vet bills are pushing pet owners toward debt
Rover data shows 38% of pet owners could not cover an emergency vet visit without borrowing, even as routine pet costs rise.
By Maya Lindqvist · Senior Technology Correspondent
3 min read
Emergency veterinary care is becoming a financial test for U.S. pet owners, with some bills reaching thousands of dollars before surgery is included. New data from Rover says many households that felt ready for a pet are not prepared for a medical crisis.
Rover’s 2026 Cost of Dog Parenthood Report found that 38% of pet parents could not pay for an emergency vet visit without taking on debt. The company said nearly nine in 10 respondents had believed they were financially ready before getting a pet, while only 10% had savings set aside specifically for emergencies.
Dr. Rebecca Greenstein, a veterinary medical adviser for Rover, told Fortune that younger owners often treat pets as family members but may delay veterinary treatment or put off their own financial obligations to pay for care.
Emergency care can climb quickly
Rover said a typical emergency visit begins at about $300. With tests and an overnight stay, the bill can rise to $4,000, the company found.
Those figures do not include surgery. Greenstein told Fortune that operations at some specialty centers can cost $5,000 to $8,000 or more.
The American Veterinary Medical Association said more than 75 million U.S. households owned a dog or cat as of 2025. That puts rising veterinary costs in front of a broad share of American families.
A 2025 PetSmart Charities-Gallup State of Pet Care study of nearly 2,500 dog and cat owners found that 52% of U.S. pet owners skipped needed veterinary care in the prior year. Among those who skipped or declined care, 71% cited cost.
The same study found that 14% of owners who declined a veterinarian’s recommendation said their pet’s condition worsened or the animal died. Three in 10 owners said they personally knew someone whose pet had died in the past five years because the household could not afford treatment.
Gallup also found veterinary prices have increased more than 60% since 2014. Greenstein told Fortune that owners tend to budget for predictable expenses such as food, while unexpected illness or injury is often left out of planning.
Crowdfunding fills some gaps
Some owners are turning to crowdfunding when a treatment estimate exceeds their savings. Fortune pointed to GoFundMe campaigns for animal medical costs, including one for Cayman, a dog that required emergency surgery after a bear attack.
The GoFundMe page said Cayman would need continuing veterinary care, surgery and medication during recovery. The campaign sought $8,000 for medical expenses and care.
Greenstein told Fortune that unexpected medical expenses over a pet’s lifetime are close to certain, making advance planning important for owners who want to avoid being forced into a financial corner.
Routine pet costs are rising too
Rover projects dog-care costs could rise as much as 15% this year, citing higher veterinary fees and tariff-related increases for food and supplies. The company estimates the lifetime cost of a medium-sized dog at $35,415 to $43,285.
Rover said 83% of respondents reported higher pet-related costs over the past year. Owners named vet visits as the biggest source of pressure, followed by food and medications.
The pet-care squeeze comes as many Americans already report strain over money. Edward Jones and Gallup data released this month found that 16% of U.S. adults feel financially fulfilled, while 83%, or about 216 million people, report stress, strain or uncertainty about their finances.
Rover’s survey also found that owners remain reluctant to cut back on pets. The company said 88% of respondents said their pet provides the most joy for the money they spend, and more than half said food, supplies and veterinary care would be the last expenses they would reduce.
This story draws on original reporting from Fortune.