Can't afford a vet visit? Consider doing these 6 things

Sponsored MoneyWatch: Managing Your Money Can't afford a vet visit? Consider doing these 6 things We may receive commissions from some links to products on this page. Promotions are subject to availability and retailer terms. .chip { background-image: url('/fly/bundles/cbsnewscore/images/chip-bgd/chip-bgd-moneywatch.jpg'); } By Angelica Leicht Angelica Leicht Senior Editor, Managing Your Money Angelica Leicht is the senior editor for the Managing Your Money section for CBSNews.com, where she writes and edits articles on a range of personal finance topics. Angelica previously held editing roles at The Simple Dollar, Interest, HousingWire and other financial publications. Read Full Bio Angelica Leicht April 27, 2026 / 2:06 PM EDT / CBS News Add CBS News on Google Vet care has become prohibitively expensive for many pet owners, but that doesn't mean you're out of options. Vladislav Stepanov/Getty Images Owning a pet has never been cheap, but the math has shifted dramatically in recent years — and not in pet owners' favor. The average American now spends more than $4,272 a year on routine expenses for a single cat or dog, according to a new survey by Healthy Paws Pet Insurance. Stretch that across a 12-year lifespan, and the total exceeds $50,000 — or roughly what it costs to put a down payment on a home. That can be tough to add to the budget in today's economic landscape, as many households are already stretched thin by high debt loads, rising inflation and other hurdles.When a pet needs care and the money simply isn't there, many owners find themselves facing a tough choice. About 38% of survey respondents said they'd put an unaffordable vet bill on a credit card, while 20% said they'd drain their savings entirely to cover it. And, a growing number are simply skipping vet visits altogether as prices continue to rise. But while affordability is a real concern, avoiding care entirely can lead to more serious — and more expensive — issues down th...