Half of Canadian pet owners have skipped or declined needed veterinary care
Financial strain and travel distance continue to restrict access to veterinary care for Canadian pet owners, according to findings from the newly released PetSmart Charities of Canada-Gallup State of Pet Care Study.
The national study revealed that 50% of pet parents in Canada have either skipped or declined necessary veterinary care. Financial limitations ranked as the primary barrier, while distance to clinics significantly influenced decisions, particularly for those living in rural areas.
Young adults and high-income households also affected
Among pet owners who opted out of care, 67% stated it was due to unaffordability or perceived lack of value. Younger pet owners were the most affected, with 59% reporting they had skipped or declined care. The impact extended across income brackets, including 27% of households earning more than $90,000 annually.
Only 28% of those who avoided care due to cost were offered lower-cost alternatives. Additionally, just 21% reported receiving a payment plan option, although 66% said that an interest-free plan could double their spending capacity for urgent care.
“This study serves as the voice of the Canadian pet parent, sounding an alarm,” said Aimee Gilbreath, president of PetSmart Charities of Canada. “We were surprised to discover veterinary care is slipping out of reach for people across a broad spectrum of income levels and the consequences of skipping care can be dire.”
Travel distance to veterinary clinics emerged as a significant factor. Among pet owners who lived within 10 km of a clinic, 46% had declined care. That number rose to 54% for those traveling more than 10 km. In rural areas, where veterinary shortages are more common, only 32% of pet owners were within 10 km of a clinic, compared to 61% in urban regions.
Opting for alternative solutions
The study also noted a shift toward alternative sources of care. While 79% of pet owners said they consult a veterinarian when their pet is ill, 18% reported relying on non-veterinary sources such as the internet or pet professionals. That figure rose to 28% among those who live more than 50 km from a clinic.
“These data suggest that services like community clinics and telemedicine – where permitted and available – could help make care more accessible, and many pet parents would use them if they could,” said Julie Ray, Gallup’s managing editor for world news.
The survey gathered data from 2,033 Canadian dog and cat owners through online and phone interviews conducted between Nov. 28 and Dec. 31, 2024. The margin of sampling error is ±2.3 percentage points.
