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Research Hub

PetSmart Charities

Gallup and PetSmart Charities partner to better understand the veterinary habits of pet parents in the U.S. and Canada, and the barriers they face to accessing care.

Canada Report

State of Pet Care Study: Pet Parents' Assessment of Canadian Veterinary Care

In PetSmart Charities of Canada and Gallup's first Canadian study, more than 2,000 Canadian dog and cat parents were surveyed on topics related to their experiences with veterinary care, including how often they visit the vet, their interest in non-traditional care options and whether they have ever declined recommended care.

The research reveals that half of pet parents report skipping visits to the vet or declining recommended care, with affordability of care emerging as the chief barrier.

The consequences of skipping pet care can be severe, and many pet parents are seeking more affordable care options.

Download the full report to learn more about the barriers pet parents face and solutions that could help.

50% of Canadian pet parents have not brought their pets to the veterinarian for care in the past year or have declined previous recommended care.

67% of pet parents in Canada who declined care say it was because of financial considerations. Of those who declined, less than a third (28%) say they were offered more affordable options.

54% of Canadian pet parents who typically travel more than 10 kilometres to the veterinarian have declined care or not visited in the past year, compared to 46% who travel less than 10 kilometres.

U.S. Report

State of Pet Care Study: Pet Parents' Assessment of American Veterinary Care

In PetSmart Charities and Gallup's first study, nearly 2,500 U.S. dog and cat parents were surveyed on topics related to their experiences with veterinary care, including how often they visit the vet, where they seek pet health information and why they have ever declined recommended care.

The research reveals many pet parents forgo vet appointments or decline recommended care during visits — often due to financial considerations.

The consequences of skipping pet care can be severe, and many pet parents are interested in non-traditional care or low-cost, pay-over-time options.

Download the full report to learn more about the barriers pet parents face, and solutions that could improve their access to veterinary care.

52% of American pet parents have either skipped necessary veterinary care in the past year or declined recommended treatment at some point in the past.

71% of pet parents in the U.S. who skipped care said they couldn't afford it or didn't think it was worth the cost.

65% of American pet parents say that if their pet required life-saving treatment, the amount they could pay for that treatment would be $1,000 or less.