Living costs and food prices are escalating for many residents in Chicago, and pet owners are feeling the pinch even more acutely.
Owning pets involves significant financial commitments that include food, veterinary care, and insurance expenses.
Experts note that pet care costs can add up quickly, and potential pet owners need to be prepared for these expenses.
Veterinary care is a primary component of pet ownership costs.
Kelly Cairns, a board-certified small animal internal medicine specialist and incoming president of the Chicago Veterinary Medical Association, emphasizes the importance of preventative care for pets.
She recommends annual wellness visits until pets reach senior status, after which twice-a-year visits become advisable.
The cost for these annual exams can range from $400 to $600 and typically include vaccinations, parasite prevention, and various tests such as blood, urine, and fecal examinations.
Cairns warns that diseases caused by untreated parasites like fleas, ticks, and heartworms can lead to serious health issues, which are easily preventable through regular vet visits.
Dental care is another crucial area where pet owners should invest.
Cairns notes that dental cleanings, which must be done under general anesthesia, can cost around $800.
“Teeth can become very quality of life limiting for pets,” she explains, highlighting the long-term benefits of maintaining good dental hygiene.
She advocates for diagnostic testing during wellness visits to identify potential health issues early on, and stresses that this proactive approach not only helps pets live longer and healthier lives but can also save money in the long run due to early detection and intervention.
In the event of illness, the cost of a vet visit can be substantial.
Cairns estimates that a typical outpatient visit, which may involve lab work, imaging, and medications, could range from $500 to $1,000.
However, if an emergency visit to an animal hospital is necessary, costs can escalate to $2,000, depending on the testing and treatments required.
Given these potential expenses, many veterinarians recommend pet insurance to help cover unexpected medical costs.
According to Cairns, various insurance plans can manage these high bills effectively, potentially saving pets’ lives during emergencies or chronic health situations.
Finding the right insurance plan can be challenging, though, as coverage options widely vary.
Consumer Reports indicates that most policyholders believe their coverage is worth the cost, despite some dissatisfaction with the specifics of their plans.
On average, dog owners in the U.S. paid $62.44 monthly for accident and illness insurance in 2024, while cat owners averaged $32.21.
Accident-only coverage costs less, with dog owners paying about $16.10 monthly and cat owners $9.17.
Interestingly, premium rates for dog accident and illness plans increased by 11% between 2023 and 2024, following a 5.5% increase in the prior year, marking a trend in rising costs for pet insurance.
Pet boarding is another expense that can surprise pet owners, especially when planning a vacation.
Services like Rover and local dog boarding facilities offer care but at a price.
Dog owners should expect to pay around $60 to $100 daily for boarding services, while additional amenities like larger rooms or grooming typically come at extra costs.
For cat owners, boarding options might be less extensive, but they can anticipate slightly lower rates.
For instance, Hill Family Pet Care in River North charges $100 per night for dogs, while cats are boarded at a rate of $70 per night.
In conclusion, the rising cost of pet ownership in Chicago presents a challenge for many.
As prices for veterinary care, insurance, and boarding continue to rise, current and prospective pet owners may need to reevaluate their budgets to maintain the health and happiness of their furry companions.
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