Our pets play such an important role in our lives; they become part of our family. So, it’s only natural that we want the best for them, especially should they become unwell. There is no NHS for pets, meaning we have to rely on private vet practices (or charities if we are eligible).
Having the NHS means most of the U.K. population enjoy the luxury of being blissfully unaware of the true cost of healthcare, unlike our U.S. counterparts. In truth, veterinary care is more on par with private health care. So, how do the two compare in terms of cost?
Veterinary fees
Ever wondered where the fees you pay your vet practice go? There is a common misconception that veterinary practices are overcharging, and vets are ‘in it for the money’. Rest assured, veterinary staff care deeply for their patients and a career in veterinary practice is a true vocation. Both vets and vet nurses could choose careers with much higher salaries, given their level of qualifications. However, veterinary practices do not receive any government funding. This means they are businesses, with associated costs that they need to cover. Rent, utility bills, equipment, equipment maintenance, drugs, VAT, membership fees, continuous training and salaries, to name a few.
Of course the more we love our pets, the more we expect from veterinary care. This drives the demand for ever-improving veterinary care, more advanced equipment and the most up-to-date drugs… and so the cost of veterinary care also rises. Financial conversations are often emotionally charged when it comes to our pets. However, your vet will always be happy to discuss options with you, ranging from the bare essentials up to ‘gold standard’.
Private healthcare
A veterinary insurance company recently surveyed 72 vet practices around the U.K. and found that the average price of a bitch spay to be £370. For comparison, if a woman needs a hysterectomy privately, she would be looking at around £6000. In 2022, the average cost of a private thyroidectomy (human) in the UK was around £4-5000. In 2024, the average cost of a thyroidectomy in a cat is around half that. Naturally, costs in both the vet and human sector will vary depending on multiple factors, such as location or level of qualification and technique used. So, while we can never compare exact like-for-like, as a general rule veterinary care tends to cost much less than private health care.
Pet insurance
So, with no NHS for pets, where does that leave us? There are various options for covering the cost of vet bills, but it’s important to be prepared ahead of time. There is nothing worse than worrying about money at an already emotional and stressful time, when your pet is unwell.
Some people choose to set up a savings account for their pets. While this is a great idea in theory, keep in mind that your pet may become unwell before you have saved enough to cover the costs of treatment.
The other option is pet insurance. Naturally, pet insurance premiums have risen recently, to keep in line with the rise in cost of living. However, when we compare pet insurance with the cost of human health insurance, pet insurance comes out favourably. For many, the cost of pet insurance is far outweighed by the peace of mind that they are covered, should their pet become unwell.
While insurance can cover illness and injury, most insurance won’t cover routine preventative healthcare. However, most vet practices offer pet health plans, where you pay a set amount by direct debit each month to cover the cost of preventative healthcare, such as vaccination and parasite control. Many also offer discounts on food and certain procedures such as dental care.
For owners who cannot afford pet insurance or veterinary care, there may be charity help available. Depending on location and eligibility, there are several charities offering free or subsidised urgent care – for example the PDSA or Blue Cross.
In conclusion
While no one can dispute that veterinary costs have risen, veterinary fees are still actually significantly lower than the cost of their human equivalent! Finances shouldn’t be a barrier to enjoying the companionship of a pet. However, all owners have a duty to ensure their pets receive the necessary vet care. This means it’s important to consider how you will afford treatment for your pet ahead of time, and be prepared.
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