Consumers are in a gloomy mood. Eighty-three percent of Americans rate the economy as poor or only fair, according to a May 2026 Gallup poll,1 as they feel the pinch of a 4.2 percent inflation rate over the past year,2 and that pessimism about the economy is affecting pet care spending. Over the past four years, veterinary clinic visits have declined slowly, but consistently.3 Vet visits dropped 3.5 percent in 2022, 1.4 percent in 2023, 2.6 percent in 2024, and 3.1 percent in 2025. “The volume of vet visits has declined over the past several years, according to Vetsource, even as dollar spending at the vet has risen,” says Taylor Bowley, an economist at the Bank of America Institute, which released a report in May 2026 that highlighted a drop in pet ownership and consumer spending on pet care.4 “That tells us higher prices are keeping people away, despite their commitment to their pets.” Pet owners in the U.S. spent $158 billion on pet care in 2025, but “cracks are forming beneath it,” Bowley says. “The share of households with a pet has declined for two consecutive years, with the sharpest drop among lower-income households,” she notes. Other signs of economic strain include a slowdown in pet adoptions, as well as a decrease in spending at pet supply stores among younger, lower-income pet owners.4 “Consumers are spending more per visit but visiting less often—and that tension is really the heart of what the data is showing up,” Bowley adds. “Preventive and non-essential care is seeing the most deferral, given that wellness visits, preventative dentistry, and elective diagnostics are the easiest for owners to postpone.” Data showing a pullback in consumer demand for pet care aligns with what veterinarian Bryan T. Clarke, DVM, DABVP, has noticed at his practice, All Creatures Animal Hospital in Lutz, Fla. The clinic serves a mix of suburban clients in the Tampa Bay area. “We’ve seen it the past couple of years,” says Dr. Clarke, who is also president-elect of the American Animal Hospital Association. “We saw a decline in the average number of services being done per invoice and clients declining some services and maybe not following through on everything that was recommended.” Pancho Hubert, DVM, has also noticed more concern about costs at his clinic, Tejas Veterinary Clinic in Corpus Christi, Texas. “It’s not so much that the visits have gone down, but clients are more cost-conscious, I would put it that way,” says Dr. Hubert, who is president of the Texas Veterinary Medical Association. “This year, [clients] may not be able to afford the highest level of veterinary care.” Dr. Pancho Hubert performs surgery at Tejas Veterinary Clinic in Corpus Christi, Texas. Hubert says clients are becoming more cost-conscious, making clear communication about treatment options and the value of preventive care increasingly important. Photo courtesy Dr. Pancho Hubert Responding to client concerns about cost While veterinarians have no control over the economy or consumer sentiment, they can take steps to address clients’ concerns about the cost of veterinary care and encourage them not to postpone or forgo veterinary clinic visits for their pets. 1) Make the client visit as smooth and seamless as possible At a time when pet owners are worried about the cost of pet care, any perceived hassle or glitch in scheduling or appointment logistics may persuade owners to simply put it off. A few years ago, after noticing more and more clients were postponing or declining services for their pets, All Creatures redoubled its focus on customer service, says Clarke. The clinic has offered weekend and evening hours, as well as morning pet drop-offs, to accommodate pet owners’ work schedules. In addition, All Creatures strives to minimize appointment wait times and follows up with clients after an appointment to answer questions and check that the pet is doing well. The clinic also monitors online reviews to spot and address any potential areas of concern. “A lot of this we normally do, but we renewed our focus to make sure we had all our ducks in a row,” says Clarke. “In addition to making it simpler, we try to make it more pleasant,” he adds. “We are in a service industry.” 2) Focus on controlling practice costs Veterinarians, just like the clients they serve, have experienced inflationary pressures on supplies, utility bills, and wages. Prices for veterinary services rose 5.5 percent over the past year, according to the Bank of America Institute report.4 Keeping a tight lid on practice costs is particularly important during times of economic stress, notes Hubert. At Tejas, the staff practices cost-control strategies, such as buying clinical supplies in bulk, purchasing generic medications, and retaining staff to reduce hiring and training costs. “Trying to keep down prices and trying to run a business that is efficient and still operates at a high level is something that most veterinary clinics struggle with,” he says. “It is a challenge with the costs we have to assume for pet care and trying to deliver that pet care at a price point that is good for clients.” 3) Communicate clearly Communicate clearly with clients about the cost of veterinary services, payment options, and the risks and benefits of different treatment approaches. The veterinary staff at All Creatures engages clients in conversations about the importance of preventive care and discusses payment options, such as pet insurance, pet care credit cards, and installment payment plans. “It works a lot better if the client is part of the decision-making process,” says Clarke. “Once that education takes place, work together to find a solution. Rather than dumping that cost in their lap, invite them into the discussion so it becomes a team-based approach.” Hubert says he “tries to meet clients where they are” and discusses a range of treatment options that consider clients’ financial and life circumstances. For example, if a client can’t afford a dental cleaning right away, he may talk with the client about managing the pain and infection medically until they can have the dental work done on their pet. Or if a client can’t afford to have a growth that was removed from a pet biopsied, he will discuss the limitations of developing a treatment plan without that information. It is a matter of “managing client expectations,” he says, and making sure they understand the risks of foregoing recommended treatments for their pet. Educating clients is key, Hubert says. Once clients understand the importance of preventive care, they are more likely to budget for and save for those expenses. “It goes back to communication and the relationship you have with your client,” he says. “I have found that to be the most important thing.” Julie A. Jacob is a communications professional and writer. She lives in Wisconsin with her poodle. References Economic Confidence Sinks Further, Worse Since 2022. Gallup. 22 May 2026. https://news.gallup.com/poll/710450/economic-confidence-sinks-further-worst-2022.aspx S. Inflation Calculator. Current U.S. Inflation Rates 2000-2026. https://www.usinflationcalculator.com/inflation/current-inflation-rates/ ”White Paper: Vet Visits Decline 3.1% in 2025; Negative Trend Continues.” Pets.Care. 17. Jan. 2026. https://www.pets.care/news/2026/01/new-white-paper-reveals-veterinary-visits-decline-3-point-1-percent-in-2025-as-negative-trend-continues/ “The Price of Pet Parenting Has Gone Off the Leash.” Bank of America Institute. 18 May 2026. https://institute.bankofamerica.com/economic-insights/pet-ownership-costs.html
