As a devoted pet owner myself, I understand that the cost of veterinary care often raises concerns and questions. Throughout my career, the number one complaint I’ve encountered from fellow pet enthusiasts is the perceived high expense of veterinary services. It’s a valid concern. Whenever these encounters happen, whether online or in the clinic, it’s clear that the pet owner had an expectation for what the care would cost, and it did not match reality.
This is a complex issue, and it’s crucial to address it with transparency and understanding. While it’s natural to wish for more affordable care for our furry companions, it’s essential to recognize the reasons behind the costs associated with veterinary services.
One misconception I’ve encountered is that some members of the public are under the impression that veterinary hospitals are subsidized by the government, like public schools, and that there should be a certain number of veterinary hospitals for a given population size. Sadly, this is not the case.
Veterinary hospitals are private businesses. They can be owned by one person or multiple people, one of whom must be a licensed veterinarian.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the population in my area increased dramatically, along with pet ownership. There was a two-week wait to get a pet in for routine care. I received a call from a woman asking to speak to me, the manager, about whom she could talk to regarding establishing another hospital in our area. She thought she could start with either our governing body or the municipality. I had to explain that she would need to find a veterinarian and either a good chunk of money or a business loan to get started. Then, they would need to acquire supplies and support staff, like registered veterinary technicians, to operate it.
…veterinary hospitals are businesses, they have expenses like any other.
Which brings us to the cost of running a clinic. Because veterinary hospitals are businesses, they have expenses like any other. This includes the cost of goods, overhead expenses for the building itself, and staffing. It costs the clinic money just to be open.
To ensure they can remain open and continue to help animals and their families, it is imperative that they have a pricing scheme that supports the daily operations. This does include markups on goods and services – but it’s no different than any other industry. In fact, it may be helpful to look at other industries how they determine client fees for the same reasons.
Another common misconception among veterinary clients is that pricing is arbitrarily set. I get the feeling that many owners feel some vets set their pricing to see how much they can get away with charging. In my career, I have never seen that happen. That would be unethical.
There are equations used to ensure the price of a service covers the cost of performing that service. This includes looking at the operational costs, per minute, to have the clinic open – this includes hydro bills, phone bills, etc., and also includes an estimate of how long the procedure/service would take and how much the staff cost.
Because of differences in location and circumstance, there may be some variance in these dollar amounts. For example, the staff costs in a 24-hour emergency hospital would be higher, which is to be expected. Luckily, as a hospital manager in Ontario, Canada, I can rely on the Ontario Veterinary Medical Association to do these calculations for me. Each year, they produce a fee guide that outlines the suggested fees for most services offered in the average veterinary hospital. They use the average costs associated with each service such as average staff wage, time duration to complete the service, etc. This is what most clinics will use to guide their pricing structure.
It’s important to acknowledge that, much like any other sector, the costs associated with running a veterinary hospital are subject to annual increases. This is a reality that spans from the price of medical supplies and equipment to the necessary expenses for maintaining a safe and up-to-date facility. Additionally, the continuous advancement in veterinary medicine, although beneficial for the quality of care, often comes with higher costs. Staff training, utilities, insurance, and other operational expenses also contribute to this annual rise. As a result, to sustain the high standards of care and services that our pets deserve, these increasing costs inevitably reflect in the fees charged to clients.
So yes, veterinary care can indeed come at a high cost to the client. And veterinary professionals recognize that financial constraints are real, but we also know that doesn’t mean that a pet owner doesn’t love their companion. This is why it’s important that veterinarians and their teams continue to offer a spectrum of care, ranging in degrees of comprehension and cost. See our blog: Spectrum of Care for more information.
Being prepared is crucial to avoid surprises when it comes to pet care costs. It’s a good idea to calculate the annual cost of routine care for your pet, so you’re always ready for these regular expenses. Also, consider getting pet insurance. Just like with a car, where you have regular maintenance costs but also carry insurance for unexpected issues, pet insurance can be a lifesaver for those unforeseen, yet inevitable, visits to the vet. It helps ensure you’re financially prepared for both the predictable and the unpredictable aspects of caring for your pet.
…the term “expensive” is often relative and can vary greatly depending on individual circumstances.
But is veterinary care “expensive”? I hope we have shed light on the fact that it is priced to be fair to both the client and the veterinary hospital. It is unfortunate that for many pet owners, these costs can feel burdensome. We must acknowledge that the term “expensive” is often relative and can vary greatly depending on individual circumstances. However, when we consider the extensive training and expertise of veterinary professionals, the advanced technology and treatments they employ, and the overall operational costs of running a full-service veterinary hospital, the fees charged are not arbitrarily high but rather reflect the true value of the services rendered. This understanding doesn’t diminish the financial challenges faced by pet owners but aims to bring clarity and empathy to the discussion, bridging the gap between the necessity of quality care and its associated costs.