How Much Does a Vet Visit Cost?

Routine vet visits cost an average of $55 to $146, while emergency vet visits average $374 to $1,285.¹ Costs can vary significantly depending on factors like the type of visit, treatment required, severity of the condition, your pet’s species, their age, and where you live.

Routine Vet Visit Costs

Every pet has different healthcare needs, but most pet parents can expect a few common veterinary expenses. Below, you’ll find the average cost of common vet visits for dogs and cats.

How much does a vet visit cost for a dog?

Here are the average costs of routine vet visits for dogs.^2,3

• Wellness exam: $40 to $90
• Vaccinations: $15 to $50
• Blood work: $80 to $400
• Fecal exam: $25 to $150
• Heartworm test: $20 to $75

How much does a vet visit cost for a cat?

Here are the average costs of routine vet visits for cats.^2,3

• Wellness exam: $40 to $90
• Vaccinations: $25 to $50
• Blood work: $80 to $400
• Fecal exam: $25 to $150
• Urinalysis: $20 to $60

Routine care isn’t covered by most pet insurance policies. But, MetLife Pet’s Preventive Care add-on can help you get reimbursed for routine wellness expenses.

Non-Emergency Procedure Costs

Some visits to the vet may require your pet to be put under, like spaying or neutering, but can be scheduled at your convenience. Here’s a cost breakdown.

Non-emergency procedures for dogs

Here’s a list of average non-emergency procedure costs for dogs.^1,4

• Spaying: $400 to $600
• Neutering: $400 to $500
• Dental cleaning: $388

Non-emergency procedures for cats

Here’s a list of average non-emergency procedure costs for cats.^1,4

• Spaying: $300 to $400
• Neutering: $200 to $300
• Dental cleaning: $375

Emergency Procedure Costs

No pet parent wants to face a veterinary emergency, but being prepared can make a stressful situation a little easier. Emergency care costs can add up quickly depending on your pet’s condition and the tests or treatments needed. Below are the average costs for common emergency procedures for both dogs and cats:^1,3

• X-rays: $100 to $380
• Ultrasound: $300 to $800
• MRI: $1,500 to $7,500
• Overnight hospitalization: $600 to $3,500
• Foreign body emergency surgery: $1,600 to $5,000
• Broken bone: $2,200 to $2,400
• Cruciate ligament tear surgery: $2,000 to $5,000

Emergencies can end up costing thousands of dollars. Having pet insurance to help cover the costs can make it easier to focus on your furry family member’s care and recovery instead of stressing about the bill.

Real emergency savings with MetLife Pet

Here are some examples of real-life savings for MetLife Pet policyholders when their furry family members faced emergencies.⁵

1. Sammy, a puppy from Ohio, accidentally swallowed a washcloth. His parents rushed him to the vet, where they performed emergency surgery. The bill came to $3,450, and MetLife Pet reimbursed his family for $2,750.
2. Amy, a senior dog from California, ruptured her cruciate ligament in a bad accident. The surgery cost $7,000, and we reimbursed her parents for $6,300.
3. Daisy, a 5-year-old dog from Missouri, suffered traumatic injuries when another dog attacked her. Emergency surgery cost $4,300, and MetLife Pet reimbursed her parents $3,850.

Vet Visit Cost FAQs

Here are some common vet cost questions.

How much does a vet visit cost without pet insurance?

Vet visits cost the same with or without pet insurance. That’s because pet insurance policyholders usually get reimbursed for eligible costs after paying the vet directly. Having pet insurance doesn’t influence the cost of the visit one way or the other.

How much does a first vet visit cost for a puppy or kitten?

For puppies, the initial vet exam and vaccinations average $260 to $480.⁶ For kittens, the average is $180 to $410.⁷ Costs can vary depending on where you live and the breed of your pet.

Can I go to any vet with pet insurance?

With MetLife Pet Insurance, you can go to any licensed vet in the country. We offer reimbursement on eligible costs for any licensed veterinarian, specialist, or emergency clinic. There are no network or provider restrictions. However, this isn’t the case for all pet insurance providers.

Manage Vet Visit Costs With Confidence

MetLife Pet offers insurance plans for dogs and cats that cover a wide range of medical expenses, including accidents, illnesses, diagnostics, procedures, and even holistic therapies. And with MetLife Pet’s wellness add-on, there are reimbursement options available for the cost of routine checkups and screenings, including vaccinations.⁸

Ready to see how much you and your kitty could save? Get started today with a free quote from MetLife Pet Insurance.