Skipping vet visits to save money? This might cost you less
Key takeaways
- A quarter of Australian pet owners (25%) have delayed vet care for financial reasons, around 1.9 million people.
- The gap between the cheapest and most expensive pet insurance policy is more than $1,100 a year.
- What's next: Having a plan in place before illness or injury strikes is the best way to avoid an impossible choice.
They say if you can't afford the vet, don't get the pet. And according to new Finder research, millions of Aussies are now finding that out for themselves.
Our data revealed 1 in 4 Aussies (approximately 1.9 million) have put off taking their pet to the vet because of the cost.
Figures from Animal Medicines Australia show 73% of households own a pet, with dogs being the preferred fur baby of choice.
Dogs also tend to be the more expensive pet to care for, from their food to grooming and vet visits.
A minor issue caught early is usually quick and affordable to treat, but leaving it can allow a condition to deteriorate into something more complex and far more expensive to resolve.
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Why are Aussies putting off crucial vet care?
One major problem many households are facing is that the cost of keeping a pet healthy is climbing.
In fact, the country's veterinary market reached around USD 2.1 billion in 2025 and is projected to grow at close to 10% a year through to 2034.
Technology and treatments are rapidly advancing, but Aussies don't have the savings or insurance to pay for it.
Only around 30% of dog owners and 21% of cat owners in Australia have pet insurance, leaving thousands of Aussie pets vulnerable when disaster strikes.
It is possible to purchase a cheap pet insurance policy whether that means opting for accident-only cover or comparing your options to find the quote that aligns with your budget.
You can compare a range of pet insurance policies for your cat or dog by checking out Finder's pet insurance comparison tool.
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