- Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.
Your dog needs regular check-ups to monitor their health, just like you do. And just as you might have noticed your doctor bills going up, the average cost of a vet visit for dogs is rising, too.
Higher vet care costs stem from a mix of inflation, increased demand, and more expensive vet technology, explains Dr. Sabrina Kong, a veterinarian with We Love Doodles.
That said, options like pet insurance, low-cost clinics, and online pharmacies can help you lower your pup’s medical costs.
Cost of Annual Exam or Physical Check-Up
In Rover’s annual guide for dog costs, we researched the current prices of vet exams at clinics across the country to discover how much pet parents can expect to spend on an annual check-up.
The national average for a dog exam is around $62. Keep in mind that this fee typically only covers a basic physical exam of your pup. Preventative care or additional tests will cost more. The exact price you’ll pay will also depend on the cost of living in your area.
The table below has a breakdown of average vet visit prices by state.
| State | Average Cost of A Vet Visit |
| Alabama (AL) | $64 |
| Alaska (AK) | $82 |
| Arizona (AZ) | $76 |
| Arkansas (AR) | $64 |
| California (CA) | $68 |
| Colorado (CO) | $55 |
| Connecticut (CT) | $77 |
| Delaware (DE) | $55 |
| Florida (FL) | $45 |
| Georgia (GA) | $74 |
| Hawaii (HI) | $63 |
| Idaho (ID) | $71 |
| Illinois (IL) | $70 |
| Indiana (IN) | $48 |
| Iowa (IA) | $54 |
| Kansas (KS) | $66 |
| Kentucky (KY) | $39 |
| Louisiana (LA) | $83 |
| Maine (ME) | $63 |
| Maryland (MD) | $81 |
| Massachusetts (MA) | $68 |
| Michigan (MI) | $48 |
| Minnesota (MN) | $67 |
| Mississippi (MS) | $75 |
| Missouri (MO) | $53 |
| Montana (MT) | $60 |
| Nebraska (NE) | $18 |
| Nevada (NV) | $63 |
| New Hampshire (NH) | $81 |
| New Jersey (NJ) | $54 |
| New Mexico (NM) | $81 |
| New York (NY) | $72 |
| North Carolina (NC) | $61 |
| North Dakota (ND) | $64 |
| Ohio (OH) | $50 |
| Oklahoma (OK) | $45 |
| Oregon (OR) | $73 |
| Pennsylvania (PA) | $55 |
| Rhode Island (RI) | $62 |
| South Carolina (SC) | $33 |
| South Dakota (SD) | $46 |
| Tennessee (TN) | $66 |
| Texas (TX) | $52 |
| Utah (UT) | $66 |
| Vermont (VT) | $43 |
| Virginia (VA) | $71 |
| Washington (WA) | $69 |
| West Virginia (WV) | $83 |
| Wisconsin (WI) | $43 |
| Wyoming (WY) | $72 |
Say that you adopt your dog at the age of 1, and they live to be 12 years old. Assuming they have annual vet visits, plus an extra visit each year once they turn 10, you can expect to spend around $868 on basic vet exams alone throughout your dog’s lifetime.
Preventative Costs: Vaccines, Medicine, and More
You’ve probably heard that prevention is the best medicine. That’s true for dogs, too.
Preventative care like vaccines, flea and tick medicine, and heartworm tests can help keep your dog feeling their best.
Your vet should let you know the cost of each treatment before it to your dog. In some cases, you may be able to get these treatments at a local, low-cost clinic for a lower price.
The table below shows high-end and low-end costs for preventative care.
| Preventative treatment | Low-end cost | High-end cost |
| Vaccinations | $80 | $300 |
| Fecal test | $26 | $260 |
| Flea and tick control | $15 | $100 |
| Heartworm test | $15 | $95 |
Diagnostic Costs
If your vet detects any concerning signs or symptoms at your dog’s exam, they will likely want to run diagnostic tests to determine the underlying cause. Diagnostics are usually the “big-ticket” items on a veterinary invoice, Dr. Paige Adams, a veterinarian with Etowah Vet Clinic, explains.
As with all vet expenses, the exact cost can depend on your location, the extent of the test, and whether you visit a private clinic or a low-cost option, like your local Humane Society.
The table below has an average price range for common diagnostic tests.
| Diagnostic test | Low-end cost | High-end cost |
| Bloodwork | $12 | $309 |
| X-ray | $150 | $419 |
| Ultrasound | $101 | $900 |
| Allergy testing | $70 | $755 |
| Geriatric screening | $292 | $672 |
| Urinalysis | $59 | $203 |
Treatment Costs
If your pup needs medicine to get better, you can fill a prescription directly with your vet or at an online pet pharmacy. Just note that if you use an online pharmacy, they’ll need a prescription from your vet.
The amount you’ll spend on dog medication depends on the dosage, your dog’s weight, and how much medication they’ll need.
The table below has a range of prices for common dog medications at online pet pharmacies, including Chewy and 1-800 Petmeds.
| Condition | Medication | Low-end cost | High-end cost |
| Ear infection | Mometamax drops | $37 | $97 |
| Allergies | Apoquel | $95 | $382 |
| Skin infection | Cephalexin | $6 | $20 |
| Diarrhea | Metronidazole | $26 | $26 |
| Eye infection | Neo-Poly-Dex Eyedrops | $13 | $28 |
| Arthritis | Melxoicam | $11 | $135 |
| Urinary tract infection | Metronidazole | $14 | $57 |
| Diabetes | Insulin | $75 | $150 |
| Pain | Carofpen | $10 | $55 |
| Anxiety | Gabapentin | $3 | $19 |
Emergency Costs
The emergency room is a scary place for dogs and humans, but a trip could save your dog’s life if they accidentally eat a sock or chocolate or hurt themselves somehow.
In 2025, the cost of an emergency vet exam ranges between $65 and $215, with a national average of $98. However, the cost of treatment will depend on your dog’s illness or injury. The total cost for a pet ER visit can range anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars.
Dr. Adams explains that the most expensive types of pet ER visits typically involve surgery or immediate hospitalization.
The table below lists a range of general prices for common emergency vet procedures. This price typically won’t include additional expenses, like pre-surgery bloodwork, medication, and cones.
| Procedure | Low-end cost | High-end cost |
| Gastrointestinal blockage | $1,500 | $4,200 |
| Wound repair | $345 | $1,495 |
| Broken bone repair | $1,444 | $4,995 |
| Pyometra (ruptured uterus) | $1,300 | $2,400 |
| Splenectomy | $1,540 | $2,220 |
| Rectal Prolapse | $109 | $995 |
Does Pet Insurance Cover Vet Visits?
Pet insurance can help you avoid staggering costs in an emergency scenario. Just like with health insurance for people, you’ll pay monthly or yearly premiums for your policy. After you meet your deductible, your insurance plan will pay for a set percentage of your pet’s medical bills—or potentially all of them, depending on the plan.
Check out the best pet insurance plans for 2025.
A pet insurance plan is designed for emergency scenarios. This means they generally don’t cover routine vet expenses, like exams and preventative care.
Some insurance companies offer add-ons called wellness plans that cover a percentage of regular vet expenses, like vaccines, flea and tick medication, and dental cleanings.
Is dog insurance worth it?
“I absolutely think pet insurance is worth it, and I have insurance on all of my animals,” Dr. Adams says.
She explains that having an emergency policy allows you to make the best medical decisions for your dog without worrying as much about the financial burden. “I never want someone to have to decide between their pet’s life or having money to live.”
That said, while emergency insurance is almost always a good idea, a wellness policy might not make sense for everyone, as the premiums don’t always equal savings on vet bills.
This guide will help you choose the right insurance for your pet.
Why Is Vet Care So Expensive?
“The price of almost everything in our society has been going up, and the veterinary industry isn’t immune to that,” says Dr. Adams.
In fact, the average cost of vet care in the United States increased by nearly 6% between March 2024 and 2025—and that’s on top of an existing 25% increase in vet prices since 2022.
There isn’t a single reason behind these skyrocketing vet rates. General inflation plays a role, and so does added demand for vet services. As of 2024, over 65 million households have a dog, over 14 million more households than in 2012. Plus, the ongoing vet shortage means vet clinics are stretched thinner than ever.
Additionally, Dr. Adams and Dr. Kong explain that a few more factors may lead vet clinics to increase their rates to stay in business, including:
- Price increases on essential vet products and supplies
- Higher living wages for staff
- Increased labwork costs at third-party testing centers
- More advanced technology, like digital X-rays or PCR testing.
Ways To Pay for the Vet
Here are some more resources to help you budget for the vet or reduce the cost of your dog’s essential medical care.
Check for low-cost clinics
Your local Humane Society or a specialty low-cost clinic might offer essential dog care, such as vaccines, at discounted rates.
These clinics often have grants and other financial assistance programs that allow them to charge lower prices, Dr. Adams explains.
Research health credit cards
If you’d like a way to pay for bigger vet bills over time, Dr. Adams suggests applying for a health credit card, like CareCredit.
You’ll charge the vet bill on the card, then make regular payments on the card. This means you don’t have to pay your vet bill all at once. Some of these cards may not charge interest if you pay the total balance within a set amount of time.
Make a vet savings account
“I always emphasize proactive budgeting,” Dr. Kong says. She suggests creating a savings account for vet expenses and depositing a set amount, like $50, each month. Over time, this will give you a nest egg to help cover any unexpected vet bills.
Buy medications online
Your vet’s office can sell you medications directly. But online pet pharmacies may offer discounted rates, generally between 5%-10% off, especially if you choose automatic shipping. Those savings can add up quickly if your dog has a recurring prescription.
Ask for pricing tiers
Dr. Adams says that if you can’t afford the high-end treatment for your pet, your vet clinic may offer pricing tiers of different treatment options that fit your budget.
“The initial plan is always the best medical recommendations for the pet,” she explains. “If that’s not feasible, then we alter it to fit what the client can afford.”
Consult a non-profit
If all else fails and you’re still having a hard time affording your dog’s essential vet bills, Dr. Adams suggests finding a local non-profit pet organization that can help.
For example, some states offer vaccine vouchers for low-income households so you can get your pet all the shots they need without worrying about the cost.
