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Pet owners’ expectations can fall far below estimated lifetime care costs. Synchrony’s 2025 U.S. survey found that nearly 8 in 10 surveyed owners underestimated those costs; its modeled 15-year ranges were $22,125–$60,602 for dogs and $20,073–$47,106 for cats. These are study estimates, not a quote for any individual pet or a universal price list.
What did Synchrony’s 2025 study find?
Synchrony says nearly 8 in 10 pet owners underestimated the cost of care over a pet’s lifetime. The company surveyed 4,861 U.S. pet owners online from January 31 to February 22, 2025. Its release describes the survey as mirroring the U.S. Census and covering dog, cat, mixed-pet and small-companion-animal households. The findings are survey results and estimates reported by the study sponsor, not independently validated bills for individual animals. Synchrony’s June 2, 2025 study summary provides the study details.
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What are the estimated lifetime costs?
Synchrony’s 2025 study gives ranges for care over assumed lifespans. The ranges are not interchangeable with owners’ expectations: the expected and estimated totals can cover different time periods.
| Animal | Study’s estimated care cost | Time period | Reported owner expectation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dog | $22,125–$60,602 | 15 years | About $8,000 in Synchrony’s summary. AAHA’s sponsored summary gives $8,158 over an expected 12.5 years. |
| Cat | $20,073–$47,106 | 15 years | $5,735 over an expected 14.7 years, as reported by AAHA. |
| Small companion animal | $7,600–$14,938 | 6 years | Less than $3,000, according to Synchrony. |
Synchrony describes its small-animal figures as first-time data in its 2025 study. AAHA’s expectation figures are from its October 10, 2025 article, which is sponsored content by CareCredit. A 12.5-year dog expectation or 14.7-year cat expectation should not be treated as a like-for-like comparison with a 15-year estimate without accounting for the different horizons.
Why can the estimate differ so much from what owners expect?
The time horizon changes the total
A lifetime sum depends on how many years it covers. Comparing an expectation tied to one assumed lifespan with an estimate spanning 15 years can make the gap look larger or smaller than a truly matched comparison.
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A range is not a bill
Synchrony reports ranges, rather than one fixed amount. An individual pet’s actual needs and lifespan, household location, veterinary care used and choices made can all affect spending. The study figures are useful for understanding the scale of potential costs, but they cannot predict a particular household’s total.
Costs can rise over time
Compared with its 2022 study, Synchrony reports that its estimated lifetime costs rose 11.65% for dogs and 19.4% for cats. Those are changes in the study’s estimates, not a general measure of inflation or a promise that a particular clinic’s prices rose by the same percentages.
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What does UK evidence add?
UK findings point to a similar budgeting challenge, but they measure different things and should not be combined with U.S. lifetime totals. In a May 2024 submission summarizing the 2023 PAW Report, PDSA said 60% of UK owners underestimated minimum monthly pet-care costs, 47% worried about paying veterinary bills if a pet became ill or injured, and 9% said cost had led them to delay a vet visit. PDSA’s submission on veterinary services reports those findings.
In the U.S., Gallup reported that 71% of owners who skipped or declined veterinary care said cost was a factor; that group’s reasons included affordability and perceived value. This is not a finding that 71% of all pet owners skipped care. Gallup also found that about two-thirds of owners said they could pay $1,000 or less for lifesaving treatment. Gallup’s 2025 analysis describes the surveyed population and findings.
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How can you plan for pet-care costs?
Build a budget around your own pet
- List recurring expenses, such as food, routine veterinary visits and preventive care, then add a separate category for unexpected treatment.
- Set aside a recurring amount for a reserve if your budget allows; even a small regular contribution can help distinguish planned spending from emergency borrowing.
- Ask your veterinary practice what routine care is recommended for your pet and request a written estimate before non-routine treatment.
Read estimates and care plans item by item
Before agreeing to non-routine treatment, ask what the estimate includes, which costs might change, and whether clinically appropriate alternatives exist. The UK Competition and Markets Authority’s final-report summary says fewer than half of surveyed respondents received price information before their most recent non-routine treatment. It also notes that some care-plan marketing can make value difficult to assess without itemized prices. This is UK market evidence, not a finding about every clinic or country. The CMA’s summary of the final report was updated March 25, 2026.
Compare ways to cover a shortfall carefully
Savings, insurance, payment plans and credit address different needs. Compare premiums or fees, what is covered and excluded, deductibles, interest, eligibility and repayment conditions before relying on any option. Synchrony’s survey found that 58% of surveyed owners had used a credit card for pet care, while 20% of dog, cat and mixed-pet owners had dedicated savings or insurance for pet emergencies. These are reported behaviors, not recommendations to borrow or buy a particular product.
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Gallup found that 64% of owners said an interest-free, one-year plan from their veterinarian could at least double what they could afford, while fewer than one in four said they had ever been offered such a plan. Availability and terms vary; ask the practice whether it offers a plan and get the repayment conditions in writing. Dr. Courtney Campbell, a board-certified veterinary surgeon and founder of Stitches Veterinary Surgery, told Synchrony: “Preventive care is the bedrock of a vibrant life. If we can prevent costly emergencies before they start, we can help ensure a lifetime of joy and comfort for our multi-species family members.” That is his perspective on prevention, not evidence that preventive care can prevent every costly emergency.
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