Half of Canadian pet parents say they’ve skipped or declined vet care for their pets, according to a PetSmart Charities of Canada-Gallup study (1). The biggest reason? Cost. But travel distance matters, too — the farther a clinic is, the more likely pet parents are to put off a visit. The research offers a first-ever look at how Canadians are experiencing the veterinary system and the ways rising costs are affecting both pets and their people.
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Financial factors the biggest obstacles to veterinary care
Why are Canadian pet parents skipping vet visits? For 67%, the answer comes down to money — either the price felt unaffordable, not worth it, or both. Younger pet owners were the most likely to say no to care (59%), but the issue isn’t limited to lower incomes. Even among households earning more than $90,000 a year, 27% admitted they’ve declined vet care because they simply couldn’t afford it.
Here’s the tough reality: fewer than one in three pet parents (28%) who said no to care because of cost were given a more affordable option. Even fewer — just 21% — were offered a payment plan. Yet two-thirds of pet owners say an interest-free plan could double what they’d be able to spend on life-saving treatment.
Read more: Here are 5 expenses that Canadians (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you?
Distance a key barrier
Where you live has a big impact on whether your pet gets to the vet. Nearly half (46%) of pet parents within 10 kilometres of a clinic say they’ve skipped or declined care — but that climbs to 54% for those who have to travel farther. The gap is widest in rural areas: Only 32% of pet owners live within 10 kilometres of a vet, compared to 61% in cities.
Pet parents open to non-traditional care
When pets get sick, most Canadians (79%) head to the vet. But nearly one in five (18%) admit they rely only on alternatives — like Google, friends or even pet pros such as trainers and groomers. The farther the vet, the higher the odds: 28% of those who travel more than 50 kilometres turn to non-vet sources instead. Very few pet parents have tried telemedicine or in-home vet visits, but four in 10 say they would if given the chance. That shows just how much potential there is for new models of care, especially in rural or hard-to-reach areas.
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Gallup: State of Pet Care Study: Pet Parents’ Assessment of Canadian Veterinary Care (1)
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