Tue, 16 Sep 2025

Tue, 16 Sep 2025 Cost of vet bills causing pet owner sleepless nights

Alison spends the majority of her salary on her 12 pets and is "financially unable to insure all of them".
A pet owner from Northamptonshire has reported that she spends up to £500 per month on her animals, including two dogs, seven rabbits, and three guinea pigs. This expense does not include vet bills, which can be high due to exotic pet status. She claims that a single insurance policy for one of her dogs had increased by 20% in March 2024 compared to the previous year. The owner said she is "financially unable" to insure all her pets and has made personal sacrifices to accommodate their needs. She believes that owning multiple animals is a lifelong commitment and is willing to go without certain things to ensure they are cared for. The cost of veterinary care is reportedly the single biggest expense associated with pet ownership, according to Dr Paul Manktelow from Blue Cross. The organization has seen an increase in vet fees across the board, which has resulted in a rise in pet insurance costs. In response to this issue, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) recommends that people compare prices for treatment and services across different practices and look into payment plans to help spread the cost. The owner's situation is not isolated, with many others facing similar challenges. Dr Manktelow believes that the inability of pet owners to cover vet bills is taking a huge toll on rehoming services and veterinary services due to delayed visits and worsened conditions in animals.
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