Bigstock Despite strong commitment to their pets, many owners are delaying or foregoing veterinary care because of financial pressures, according to the 2026 Lovet Checkup Report, a survey of 2,000 U.S. dog and cat owners conducted by independent research firm Censuswide. The survey found that 91 percent of respondents would be willing to take on debt to save their pet's life. However, 46 percent said rising veterinary costs had caused them to delay or skip care within the past year, highlighting the growing gap between owners' intentions and their ability to access treatment. Cost was the most commonly cited barrier to seeking care, with 44 percent of respondents saying it nearly prevented them from taking their pet to a veterinarian the last time care was needed. Other barriers included uncertainty about whether a condition was serious enough to warrant a visit (25 percent), difficulty obtaining a timely appointment (17 percent), and work or family scheduling conflicts (16 percent). The findings also point to a growing reliance on online resources. Eighty percent of respondents reported researching their pet's symptoms online before visiting a veterinarian, up from 75 percent in the 2025 survey. In addition, 34 percent said their first instinct when a pet becomes ill is to search online or use artificial intelligence (AI), while 25 percent said they later regretted delaying veterinary care after relying on online or AI-generated information. Financial strain extended beyond the clinic, with 37 percent reporting they had used credit or taken on debt to pay veterinary bills during the previous year. Another 37 percent said they had reduced spending on household necessities because of veterinary expenses, and 16 percent said they would likely delay or decline care if faced with a $2,000 veterinary emergency. Key findings from the 2026 Lovet Checkup Report reveal a growing gap between pet owners' devotion and their ability to access veterinary care. According to the report from Lovet Pet Health Care, 91% of pet owners would be willing to go into debt to save their pet's life, while nearly half have delayed or skipped care due to rising veterinary costs. Photo courtesy Lovet The survey findings underscore the ongoing influence of affordability, access, and digital information on veterinary care decisions. For more information, read the full Lovet website release.
