More Canadians finding it difficult to afford pricey pet care

A new study says Canadian pet owners are finding it harder to access veterinary care.

It’s no secret owning a pet can be a huge joy, but it also comes with some hefty expenses. According to a recent survey by PetSmart Charities of Canada, many pet owners are finding it increasingly difficult to afford veterinary care.

“Sometimes the funds are low, I can see the hesitance,” says Nicole Giddens McQuade, a pet owner from Riverview, N.B. “A lot of people are probably doing their own research online.”

The PetSmart Charities survey, which polled more than 2,000 pet owners across Canada, revealed some concerning trends. Fifty per cent of pet owners admitted they hadn’t taken their pet to the vet in the past year or had declined recommended care. Sixty-seven per cent said they declined care specifically because of financial constraints.

According to the study, the most common reasons for declining care are cost (41 per cent) and the perception that the care wasn’t worth the expense (37 per cent).

Adele Doucet, a veterinarian in Dieppe, N.B., stresses the importance of prevention.

“I always tell pet owners to get pet insurance as soon as they get their pet,” she says. “Keep them active, at a good weight, good nutrition; that’s really going to help to keep them have a longer lifespan, and then they’ll be healthier longer and less likely to have medical issues.”

Pet owner Jeff Robichaud can attest to the value of pet insurance. His German shepherd once swallowed a bone, tearing his intestine, and the vet bill was astronomical.

“All said and done, if it would have been out of pocket for me, would have been $16,000,” Robichaud explains. “But with insurance… paying that monthly fee really paid off. And it was, I think, $1,800.”

PetSmart Charities says pet owners are open to alternative options like telemedicine and payment plans, but more awareness and availability are needed. The study showed only 21 per cent of pet owners report their veterinarian had ever offered them a payment plan.

“I think it gets to a point that if you know your dog isn’t happy or if they’re not well, then I have no problem taking my dog to the vet and spending the money, because it’s going to cost what it’s going to cost,” McQuade says.