A pet emergency can cost $8,000. For millions of Americans, that bill is now a ‘life and death’ decision

Rising costs of emergency veterinary care force many Americans to make life-and-death decisions about their pets' health. A 2026 report found 38% of pet owners cannot cover an emergency vet visit without debt, while 52% skipped needed care due to cost in the past year, with 14% reporting worsened pet conditions or deaths.