How Much Do Vet Appointments Cost?

A major part of pet parenthood is financially planning for your pet’s future. Here’s a guide to get you on track.

by Adrienne A. Kruzer, BBA, RVT, LVT, | June 25, 2025

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Caring for pets comes with a number of costs. Grooming, food, pet sitters, toys, bowls, kennels, carriers, litter boxes, and more may all be part of your regular pet expenditures. In addition to these ongoing costs, veterinary care is essential but often forgotten when budgeting.

Veterinary care isn’t typically something you need for your pet more than once or twice a year, but when you do need it, you should be prepared for the costs. Routine vet visits for check-ups and vaccinations are typically less expensive than emergency visits and hospitalization if your pet gets sick, but even preventative medications can add up. Since you can expect to spend around $150 for a routine visit, and closer to $1,000 for an emergency visit, planning for these costs is essential to ensure your pet gets the veterinary care they need.

TL;DR: According to recent data, routine vet visits generally cost between $53 and $174. However, costs can escalate quickly — potentially into the thousands — if your dog is sick or injured and requires diagnostic testing or emergency care.

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What is the average cost of a vet visit for dogs?

According to CareCredit, the average vet appointment cost for a dog will range from $70 to $174. This cost will vary greatly depending on why your dog needs to visit the vet and where you live, but according to a Consumer Expenditure Survey performed in 2021, the average pet parent spends about $270 a year on veterinary care. If your dog needs to see the vet for a routine check-up or a sick visit, costs will typically be less than if your dog needs to visit urgent care or the emergency vet. Additionally, where your vet is located will also determine the cost of the visit due to the cost of labor and living, competitor pricing, and other factors.

Dog vaccination costs

Vaccinations will typically cost $20 to $50 per shot, depending on which vaccine your dog needs. As with other costs, vaccines will vary in price from vet to vet, and combination vaccines such as DHPP often cost more in comparison to the rabies vaccine cost.

Dog check-up costs

The cost for a physical exam, office visit, or check-up with your vet will typically cost between $35 and $75. Each veterinarian will charge a different price for a check-up, so if you are concerned about costs, you may want to compare prices while deciding which vet to take your new puppy or dog to.

Dental cleanings

Unlike routine dental cleanings for people, dental cleanings for dogs require general anesthesia. Because of this, they may cost anywhere from a few hundred dollars to around $1,000, but if your dog needs extractions, expect to pay between $1,000 and $2,000.

Fecal exams

Your dog should have their poop checked for parasites every year. This fecal exam typically costs about the same amount as a vaccine, so expect to pay between $20 and $60. If a more specific type of fecal exam, such as a giardia test, is needed, this may cost closer to $100.

Flea control

Fleas are not only nuisances but also carriers of serious diseases and parasites. Ongoing flea control is recommended and will cost $20 to $40 a month, depending on the type of product you choose and how big your dog is. The bigger your dog, the more flea control will cost.

Ear infections

Ear infections are a common reason why dogs have to visit the vet. At minimum, you’ll need to pay for a physical exam, an ear cytology, and medication to treat the ear infection. If your dog requires an ear culture test, deep cleaning, ear plucking, or other treatments, additional costs will apply. Expect to pay between $200 and $700 for an ear infection visit.

Heartworm testing

Alongside fecal exams, pet parents should pay for annual heartworm testing to ensure their dog doesn’t have heartworm disease. This is a blood test, so it requires a blood draw and testing equipment. This typically costs about the same as a vaccine, so expect to pay around $30 to $60 for a heartworm test. Additionally, you may have to pay for the office visit, a biohazard fee, or other charges to collect the sample.

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What is the average cat vet appointment cost?

According to CareCredit, the average cost of a cat vet visit is between $53 and $124, but this will vary from vet to vet. It will also fluctuate due to why your cat needs to see the vet.

Cat vaccination costs

As with dogs, feline vaccinations will typically cost $20 to $50 per shot, depending on which vaccine your cat needs. Combination vaccines, such as FVRCP, often cost more compared to individual vaccines, and some vaccine appointments will also incur an office visit or check-up cost.

Cat check-up costs

The cost for a physical exam, office visit, or check-up with your vet is usually the same as it is for a dog and will typically cost between $35 and $75. Each veterinarian will charge a different price for a check-up, so if you are concerned about costs, you may want to compare prices while deciding which vet is right for your new kitten or cat.

Dental cleanings

One of the top feline pet-insurance claims is for dental disease. Cat teeth are usually very difficult to brush every day. Since most cats don’t clean their teeth by chewing on toys and bones like dogs do, when it’s time for a dental cleaning, it’s usually not routine. Extractions are common during a cat dental cleaning, so costs often land between $1,000 and $2,000 for the pre-anesthetic bloodwork, anesthesia, IV fluids, dental radiographs, cleaning, charting, examination, extractions, and medications. If extractions are not needed, the costs will be less.

Fecal exams

Cats should have their poop checked for parasites every year, even if they are indoor-only cats. This fecal exam typically costs about the same amount as a vaccine, so expect to pay between $20 and $50 for this test. If a more specific type of fecal exam, such as a giardia test, is needed, this may cost closer to $100.

Flea control

Fleas in cats are not only a nuisance, but also a carrier of serious diseases and parasites. Ongoing flea control is recommended, even if your cat is indoor-only, and will cost $20 to $40 a month, depending on the type of product you choose.

Ear infections

While not as commonly as they are in dogs, ear infections can occasionally occur in cats, especially if your cat also has ear mites. At minimum, you’ll need to pay for a physical exam, an ear cytology, and medication to treat your cat’s ear infection and mites. If your cat requires an ear culture test, deep cleaning, or other treatments, additional costs will apply. Expect to pay between $100 and $300 for a cat ear-infection visit.

Emergency vet appointment costs

When your pet is experiencing an emergency, you won’t want to think about costs. So you should be prepared for this expense. Expect to pay between $100 and $200 for an ER vet exam and additional fees for any tests, procedures, and medications that are needed. Some common costs may include the following:

ER exam: $100 to $200
Blood work: $150 to $250
X-rays: $250 to $350
IV fluids: $75 to $300
Hospitalization: $250 to $800

Spaying and neutering costs

Spaying or neutering your pet is important for preventing various behavioral and health issues. Many pets who are adopted from a shelter or rescue group will already be fixed, but if they aren’t, you can expect to pay $100 to $200 for a cat spay or neuter, and $300 to $500 for a dog spay or neuter. IV fluids, pre-anesthetic bloodwork, and post-operative medications may incur additional costs. Some low-cost spay and neuter options may also exist near you through various rescue groups, shelters, your county, and mobile vets.

Commonly asked questions

What happens if you can’t afford a vet visit?

Low-cost pet vaccines as well as spaying and neutering services may be available through animal shelters, the county, pet stores, mobile vets, and other sources if you are looking for less costly options. If you can’t afford to pay your regular vet, there are some charities and other options that may be able to help you. Otherwise, service may be declined, or your unpaid bill may be sent to a debt collector.

How much is an emergency vet visit without insurance?

If your pet needs emergency care, expect to pay more than you would for a routine visit. Emergency veterinary exams can cost between $100 and $200, and that doesn’t include any tests or medications. Pet insurance can help reimburse the cost of emergency vet visits, but you typically still need to pay for them up front.