Half of Canadian pet owners are avoiding veterinary visits

An estimated 12 million Canadian households include a cat or dog, and for many, veterinary care is becoming out of reach, resulting in more pet owners skipping veterinary visits. A new report published by PetSmart Charities of Canada, in partnership with Gallup, reveals that half of Canadian pet owners avoided veterinary visits in the past year, citing costs as the primary reason. The report explores the veterinary habits of pets and their pet parents and the barriers they face in receiving the care they need. The findings are based on web-based surveys followed by telephone interviews of more than 2,000 Canadian pet owners between November 28 and December 14, 2024, on topics related to their experience with veterinary care, including frequency of veterinary visits, where pet owners seek information about their pet’s health, and whether they have declined care for their pets.