--- title: Those $50 Vet Visits Can Add Up Fast — Here’s How Pet Owners Can Manage the Cost description: Vet visits can come at high costs. Here's how often pets should go to the vet, and what to do if you can't afford all your visits. authors: - name: Marc Guberti url: https://money.com/author/marc-guberti/ bio: Marc Guberti is a personal finance writer who hosts Breakthrough Success, a podcast where he teaches listeners how to grow their businesses and achieve personal transformations. at_money_since: 2024 articles: 437 covers: - Pets - Banking - Career Advice - Credit - Credit Cards - Debt - Economy and Politics - Health and Wellness - Housing - Identity Theft - Insurance - Investing - Lifestyle - Loans - Mortgages - Personal Finance - Professional Services - Retirement - Shopping - Taxes published: '2026-06-04T13:55:15.000Z' modified: '2026-06-04T15:00:03.000Z' section: Pets word_count: 635 canonical: https://money.com/cant-afford-vet-bills/ type: Article source: structured-blocks --- > **Disclosure:** We research all brands listed and may earn a fee from our partners. Research and financial considerations may influence how brands are displayed. Not all brands are included. [Learn more](https://money.com/page/disclaimer/). ![Diabetic cat regains health with stem cell transplant](https://img.money.com/2026/02/Explainer-Pet-Vet-Costs.jpg) Many pet owners save money for emergency care so their pet can receive proper treatment should the unexpected happen. But the cost of minor visits to the vet can also add up. A pet owner recently [posted](https://www.reddit.com/r/Pets/comments/1q6o05j/i_feel_like_a_bad_owner_for_saying_this_but_i/) in the subreddit r/Pets about the regular visits for small issues like a patch of dry skin or a slightly runny eye, which have been straining the user’s finances. “I want to be a responsible owner, but paying the consult fee every single time something might be wrong is bleeding me dry,” the pet owner said. “I’m paralyzed by the fear of missing something serious, but I’m also going broke paying for peace of mind on things that turn out to be nothing.” The pet owner has funds saved up for emergencies, such as accidents, sudden illness or serious pain. But with $50 visits for minor concerns adding up, they’re looking for a better solution. [***Pet Protection: See How Healthy Paws Pet Insurance Can Help Your Dog or Cat***](https://money.com/pr/d3007ea468a5?data-trk-company=healthy-paws-review&data-trk-imp=true&data-trk-pcu-type=direct_link&data-trk-pcu-uuid=d3007ea468a5&encoded_id=) ## Expert advice: Keep up with your pet’s checkups, ask for options and consider health insurance Part of being a responsible pet owner is taking your furry friend to the vet, but doing so too often can significantly chip away at your funds. The [American Animal Hospital Association](https://www.aaha.org/resources/how-often-should-my-dog-go-to-the-vet-a-dog-life-stage-guide/) says that it makes sense for multiple visits per year for young puppies, but that changes as the animal ages. The association considers dogs to be puppies up to six to nine months old (depending on their breed and size), young adults up to three or four years old, mature adults up to the beginning of the last 25% of the estimated lifespan and seniors after that. “As dogs transition out of puppyhood into young adults, it’s still important that they receive routine preventative healthcare,” according to the association. “Most healthy young adults should visit the vet at least once a year (and as needed for illness and injury), although some may benefit from biannual visits depending on breed, lifestyle, and health risks.” [***'The Higher the Balance, the More You'll Earn': Open a savings account with CIT Bank and get 3.75% APY (and it takes only about 5 minutes)***](https://money.com/pr/z7bf7534c63c?data-trk-company=cit-bank-platinum-hysa&data-trk-imp=true&data-trk-pcu-type=direct_link&data-trk-pcu-uuid=z7bf7534c63c&encoded_id=) Mature adult dogs should see the vet once or twice a year as needed. In an article for [Whole Dog Journal](https://www.whole-dog-journal.com/health/what-to-expect-from-your-dogs-check-up/), veterinarian Dr. Eileen Fatcheric recommends a wellness exam at least twice each year for pets that are seven years or older. “Time starts moving a little faster for these guys, bringing with it a higher likelihood of medical problems that may not be outwardly apparent to you, but may be picked up by your veterinarian with physical exam and diagnostics,” Fatcheric wrote. Veterinarian Dr. Rhiannon Koehler wrote in an [article](https://www.petmd.com/cat/general-health/how-often-to-take-cat-to-veterinarian) for PetMD by Chewy that when considering visits for young kittens, you should check your vet’s recommendations for your cat’s vaccine schedule. Then when a cat turns one, they should have a wellness appointment annually until age 10. Cats over 10 years old should visit the vet at least once every six months, she added. [***Pet Protection: See How Healthy Paws Pet Insurance Can Help Your Dog or Cat***](https://money.com/pr/d3007ea468a5?data-trk-company=healthy-paws-review&data-trk-imp=true&data-trk-pcu-type=direct_link&data-trk-pcu-uuid=d3007ea468a5&encoded_id=) Ideally, if you keep up with your wellness checkups, your vet will be able to catch issues early so you can address them before they become larger problems. Pet insurance can also help you save costs. Check out Money’s list of the [best pet insurance companies](https://money.com/best-pet-insurance/), which can reimburse you for diagnostic tests, hospitalization, surgery and more if your pet gets sick or injured. You can also explain your financial restraints to a vet and ask them for all of your options before making a decision. Sometimes, there are more cost-effective solutions that can still help your pet than the first solution mentioned. 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