Majority of pet owners would trim their lifestyle…
Sixty-five % of pet owners would make finances cuts to their own lifestyle before disrupting their pets’, according to new research.
A survey of 2,000 canine and cat owners discovered that they spare no expense when it comes to their furry buddies, splurging on high-quality food (66%), new toys (40%), and grooming classes (24%).
Conducted by Talker Research for MetLife Pet Insurance, the annual survey discovered that you may’t put a price on these pets’ love: 85% said their pet has been their main source of happiness throughout 2025.
Thinking back on the 12 months, pet mother and father recall their companion being around through powerful instances like financial struggles (31%), mental health challenges (30%), and shedding a liked one (24%).
A survey of 2,000 canine and cat owners discovered that they spare no expense when it comes to their furry buddies, splurging on high-quality food, new toys, and grooming classes.
Nine in 10 said their pet offers them one thing constructive to focus on when issues aren’t going their means (91%).
Knowing how a lot their furry pal means to them, 71% said that even when they’ve other issues on their thoughts, their pet’s future is continually up there with their considerations.
To guarantee their pet’s wellness over time, pet owners are most eager on staying up to date on vaccinations (48%) and buying high-quality food (46%).
Sixty-five % of pet owners would make finances cuts to their own lifestyle before disrupting their pets’, according to new research. Talker Reaearch / SWNS
Others guarantee their pet will get common exercise (45%) and usually grooms them (42%).
Regular vet visits are key to staying on top of their furry buddies’ health, with a majority of pet mother and father saying their pet visits the doctor just as, if not more often than they do (61%).
More of these visits have a tendency to be preventative to preserve their pet’s health (60%), while 40% are reactive when one thing is fallacious.
This care has proved vital for more than a third (37%) of pet owners who have been ready to catch a health concern early on by taking their pet in for a checkup.
“Preventive veterinary care can dramatically change health outcomes. These findings tell a clear story: regular checkups, vaccinations, and dental exams help keep small problems from becoming emergencies,” said Brian Jorgensen, CEO of MetLife Pet Insurance. “The guidance and protection offered by pet insurance can help families stay current with their pet’s care. Doing so may identify issues early, which may mean simpler, less expensive treatments, resulting in less financial strain and stress for families.”
Although important, the fee of care continues to rise, along with other pet bills.
Pet mother and father spent $1,135 on health-related bills for their furry pal in 2025, with $472 of that spent on insurance coverage and the remaining $663 on vet visits.
This whole is up from $998 in 2024 ($348 on insurance coverage and $650 on vet visits).
Rising prices have led to more pet owners taking control of their funds by creating budgets for what they spend on their pet. This 12 months, practically half have a finances when it comes to how a lot they purpose to spend on their pet (48%), in contrast to 42% last 12 months.
While 2024’s average month-to-month finances was $115, that guideline noticed a 20% increase to $138 in 2025.
This care has proved vital for more than a third of pet owners who have been ready to catch a health concern early on by taking their pet in for a checkup. Talker Reaearch / SWNS
This brings the average pet mother or father’s whole price of a pet to $2,360 in 2025 — up from $2,086 in 2024. Talker Reaearch / SWNS
Pet owners have been ready to save on food (down to $470 in 2025 from $506 in 2024) but noticed will increase in how a lot they spend on toys ($247, up from $198), garments ($223, up from $150), and treats ($285, up from $234).
This brings the average pet mother or father’s whole price of a pet to $2,360 in 2025 — up from $2,086 in 2024.
And with the state of the economic system, 37% anticipate spending more money on their pet in 2026 — an expectation that pet owners have had since 2024 (36%).
Nine in 10 said their pet offers them one thing constructive to focus on when issues aren’t going their means. Seleznov_Molchanova – stock.adobe.com
Pet mother and father are attempting their best to plan forward, particularly since one in 5 have had a pet endure a major sudden health event in 2025 (22%), practically double the proportion from 2024 (13%).
While pet mother and father have been more ready for the fee this time around (71% vs. 52%), the invoice still averaged a hefty $555.
“Pet emergencies are unpredictable and expensive. It’s encouraging that 71% of pet parents now feel financially prepared for a medical emergency, up from 52% in 2024, but nearly a quarter still aren’t confident,” said Jorgensen. “Families can take practical steps to strengthen their safety net: talk with their veterinarian about potential costs and consider pet insurance to help manage their expenses and surprise bills. Preparing now means pet owners can take action quickly when it matters most, focusing on their pet’s care, not their wallet.”
Research methodology:
Talker Research surveyed 2,000 canine and cat owners who have access to the web; the survey was commissioned by MetLife and administered and carried out online by Talker Research between Dec. 12 and Dec. 19, 2025. A hyperlink to the questionnaire will be discovered right here.
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