How Much Does a Vet Visit Cost in the US? Price Table 2026
·14 min read
Key Takeaways
A routine vet visit in the US costs about $56 to $129 for a dog and $57 to $130 for a cat, based on 2025 to 2026 national research.
Hawaii has the highest average routine visit in the survey at $127 for dogs and $129 for cats, while Mississippi and West Virginia have the lowest dog average at $57.
The survey notes that an in-office visit fee may be charged on top of a procedure's price, so a $35 vaccine can still come with a separate exam charge.
The same BLS index shows veterinary prices up roughly 82% between August 2014 and August 2026.
A routine checkup is the cheapest part of pet care, usually under $130 nationally, but vaccines, tests, and treatments are what shape the final bill.
$56 to $129
Routine dog vet visit, national range
5.7%
Rise in vet prices, Aug 2025 to Aug 2026 (BLS)
52%
Pet owners who skipped or declined needed care (Gallup)
The front desk reads out a number, and you freeze for a second. Is that normal, or is it high? Knowing the typical vet visit cost before you walk in makes that moment a lot less stressful, and it helps you spot when a quote needs a second look.
This guide puts 2026 US prices for the most common vet services in one place, from a basic wellness exam to vaccines, bloodwork, dental cleanings, spay and neuter surgery, and emergency care. You will also see what a visit costs in your state, why bills keep climbing, and practical ways to pay less.
All prices below are national averages, not quotes. Your clinic's price depends on where you live, the type of practice, and your pet's size and health, so always ask for a written estimate.
Vet Visit Cost at a Glance (2026 Price Table)
A routine vet visit in the US costs about $56 to $129 for a dog and $57 to $130 for a cat, based on 2025 to 2026 national research. Vaccines add roughly $31 to $53 each, and bloodwork, X-rays, or treatment can raise the total bill well past the exam fee.
The figures below come from a 50-state price survey conducted by research firm ASQ360° in 2025 and 2026 for CareCredit, a pet and health financing company, and published on the CareCredit veterinary costs page.
Service
Dog (average)
Cat (average)
Routine vet visit (national range)
$56 to $129
$57 to $130
Rabies vaccine
$35
$31
DHPP vaccine (dogs) / FVRCP vaccine (cats)
$42
$34
Bordetella vaccine
$39
$34
Leptospirosis vaccine
$34
Not listed
Feline leukemia (FeLV) vaccine
Not listed
$33
Canine influenza vaccine
$53
Not listed
Heartworm test
$71
Not listed
Fecal exam
$58
$29
Flea and tick prevention (monthly)
$36
$29
Blood test (chemistry panel)
$164
$144
X-rays (two to three views)
$172
$158
Ultrasound
$483
$323
CT scan
$1,615
$1,144
Ear infection treatment
$154
$187
Upset stomach treatment
$390
$234
Dental cleaning
$379
$395
Spay (over 6 months)
$455 (small or medium dog)
$353
Neuter (over 6 months)
$487
$262
Microchipping
$48
$48
Emergency exam
$135
$143
Emergency clinic hospitalization
$1,323
$1,144
CCL (TPLO) knee surgery
$3,525 per knee
$3,453
Cancer therapy
$5,254
$4,269
One detail matters when you compare these numbers with your bill. The survey notes that an in-office visit fee may be charged on top of a procedure's price, so a $35 vaccine can still come with a separate exam charge.
Average 2026 US vet prices by service for dogs and cats.
How Much Is a Vet Visit for a Dog vs a Cat?
For a routine checkup, the vet visit cost for dogs and cats is almost the same. The national average range runs from about $56 to $129 for dogs and $57 to $130 for cats. In most states, the cat figure sits only a dollar or two above the dog figure.
The bigger differences show up later in the bill. Dogs tend to need more vaccines, such as leptospirosis and canine influenza, plus a yearly heartworm test. Cats cost less for most surgeries, like spay and neuter, but slightly more for dental cleanings and ear infections in this dataset.
What a Routine Exam Fee Covers
A wellness exam is a nose-to-tail check. Your vet records weight, temperature, heart rate, and breathing, then looks at the eyes, ears, mouth, coat, and skin for signs of infection or parasites. It is also your best chance to ask questions about diet, behavior, or anything that seems off.
The exam fee usually covers only that hands-on check and the conversation. Vaccines, tests, and medicines are billed as separate line items.
Exam Fee vs Total Bill: Why Quotes Don't Match
Many owners are surprised when a "$70 visit" turns into a $300 veterinary bill. Here is a typical way that happens for an adult dog's annual visit, using the national averages above (this is why core vaccines and screening tests matter to your budget):
Exam: within the $56 to $129 range
Rabies and DHPP vaccines: $35 + $42
Heartworm test: $71
Fecal exam: $58
Before the exam fee, those add-ons alone come to $206. That is why it pays to ask, before anything happens, "What will the total be with everything you recommend today?"
Vet Visit Cost by State (Dogs and Cats)
Where you live changes the price more than almost anything else. Hawaii has the highest average routine visit in the survey at $127 for dogs and $129 for cats, while Mississippi and West Virginia have the lowest dog average at $57. That is more than a 2x gap for the same basic service.
Here are the average routine vet visit costs for every state and the District of Columbia, from the same CareCredit and ASQ360° research:
State
Dog visit
Cat visit
Alabama
$59
$61
Alaska
$84
$86
Arizona
$73
$75
Arkansas
$58
$60
California
$94
$96
Colorado
$72
$73
Connecticut
$76
$78
Delaware
$69
$70
District of Columbia
$97
$98
Florida
$70
$71
Georgia
$62
$63
Hawaii
$127
$129
Idaho
$69
$71
Illinois
$64
$65
Indiana
$62
$63
Iowa
$61
$62
Kansas
$58
$60
Kentucky
$63
$64
Louisiana
$63
$64
Maine
$74
$75
Maryland
$79
$80
Massachusetts
$99
$101
Michigan
$61
$63
Minnesota
$64
$66
Mississippi
$57
$58
Missouri
$60
$61
Montana
$70
$71
Nebraska
$64
$65
Nevada
$69
$70
New Hampshire
$76
$77
New Jersey
$77
$79
New Mexico
$63
$65
New York
$83
$85
North Carolina
$66
$67
North Dakota
$62
$63
Ohio
$64
$65
Oklahoma
$58
$59
Oregon
$75
$77
Pennsylvania
$64
$66
Rhode Island
$76
$78
South Carolina
$66
$67
South Dakota
$63
$64
Tennessee
$62
$63
Texas
$63
$64
Utah
$70
$72
Vermont
$78
$79
Virginia
$69
$70
Washington
$77
$79
West Virginia
$57
$58
Wisconsin
$66
$67
Wyoming
$65
$66
Use your state's number as a sanity check, not a promise. City clinics often charge more than rural ones in the same state, and specialty or emergency hospitals charge more than general practices.
Routine vet visit prices vary by more than 2x between states.
Vaccine Costs at the Vet
Vaccines are one of the most predictable parts of the vet visit cost. On average, a single shot costs between about $28 and $53, depending on the vaccine and species.
Dogs:
Rabies (one year): $35
DHPP (distemper combination): $42
Bordetella (kennel cough): $39
Leptospirosis: $34
Canine influenza (H3N2 and H3N8): $53
Cats:
Rabies: $31
FVRCP (feline distemper combination): $34
Feline leukemia (FeLV): $33
Bordetella: $34
Feline chlamydia: $28
Not every pet needs every vaccine. Rabies is a core vaccine, and rabies shots are often required by state or local law, while others depend on lifestyle, such as boarding or outdoor access. Our dog vaccination schedule and cat vaccination schedule explain which shots your pet needs and when.
Diagnostic Test Costs: Bloodwork, X-Rays, Ultrasound
When your pet seems sick, tests often cost more than the exam itself. These are the national average prices for common diagnostics:
Test
Dog
Cat
Blood test (chemistry panel)
$164
$144
Blood test (CBC)
$104
Not listed
Urinalysis
Not listed
$54
Blood pressure test
$36
$35
Geriatric screening
$181
$182 (basic)
X-rays (two to three views)
$172
$158
Ultrasound
$483
$323
Allergy testing (skin)
$296
$227
CT scan
$1,615
$1,144
A senior pet's yearly screening is a good example of where costs stack up. A geriatric screening plus a chemistry panel adds more than $300 for a dog before the exam fee. Many clinics bundle these into a senior wellness package, so ask if one is available.
Cost to Treat Common Illnesses (Ear Infections, UTIs, Upset Stomach)
Treatment prices cover the visit, basic tests, and medication for a typical case. They climb quickly when a problem is severe.
Condition
Dog
Cat
Ear infection
$154
$187
Urinary tract infection (UTI)
$182
Not listed
Upset stomach
$390
$234
Diarrhea (minor / moderate / severe)
$185 / $545 / $1,455
Not listed
Upper respiratory infection (mild)
$335
$192 (cat flu)
Skin infection (pyoderma)
$388
Not listed
Kidney disease exam
Not listed
$302
Diabetes, monthly treatment
$182
$47 (insulin)
The diarrhea numbers show how severity drives the bill. A mild case averages $185, while a severe one averages $1,455, nearly eight times more. Catching symptoms early is one of the simplest ways to keep treatment costs down. If you are unsure whether a symptom can wait, our guide on when a symptom needs an emergency vet walks through the warning signs.
Treatment for common illnesses often costs more than the exam itself.
Spay, Neuter, Dental Cleaning, and Common Surgeries
Planned procedures are where prices jump into the hundreds or thousands. These are the national averages:
Procedure
Dog
Cat
Spay (over 6 months)
$455 (small or medium dog)
$353
Neuter (over 6 months)
$487
$262
Dental cleaning
$379
$395
Dental tooth extraction
Not listed
$99
Microchipping
$48
$48
Umbilical hernia surgery
$955
Not listed
Bladder stone surgery
$2,331
Not listed
CCL (TPLO) knee surgery
$3,525 per knee
$3,453
Cataract surgery
$3,782 per eye
Not listed
Cancer therapy
$5,254
$4,269
Dental cleanings deserve special attention because they are easy to postpone and expensive when skipped for too long. A routine cleaning averages under $400, but extractions add to the bill for each tooth removed. Regular brushing at home is the cheapest way to stretch the time between professional cleanings.
Emergency Vet Costs in Brief
An emergency visit starts higher and rises fast. The survey puts the average emergency exam at $135 for dogs and $143 for cats. A stay at an emergency clinic averages $1,323 for dogs and $1,144 for cats, and emergency surgery for a cat that swallowed something averages $2,367.
Because emergencies involve fast decisions, the most useful preparation happens before one occurs. Our guide to when to take your pet to the vet covers the warning signs, what to do on the way, and a fuller breakdown of ER costs.
Asking for an itemized estimate helps you understand the total bill.
Why Are Vet Bills So Expensive in 2026?
If your vet bill feels higher every year, the official numbers back you up. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics consumer price index, prices for veterinary services rose about 5.7% from August 2025 to August 2026. Overall consumer prices rose about 3.4% over the same period.
The longer view is even sharper. The same BLS index shows veterinary prices up roughly 82% between August 2014 and August 2026.
That pressure is changing how people care for their pets. A Gallup and PetSmart Charities study, published in April 2025, found that 52% of US pet owners skipped or declined veterinary care their pet needed in the past year. Among those owners, 71% said cost was the main reason.
Example First-Year Budget for a Newly Adopted Pet
New owners often underestimate the first year. Here is an example for an adult dog and an adult cat adopted in Texas, not yet spayed, using the state's average exam cost and the national averages for everything else. Your own costs will differ.
Example: adult dog, first year (Texas)
Item
Cost
Routine exam (Texas average)
$63
Rabies, DHPP, leptospirosis, Bordetella vaccines
$150
Heartworm test
$71
Fecal exam
$58
Spay (small or medium dog)
$455
Microchip
$48
Heartworm prevention (12 months at $23)
$276
Flea and tick prevention (12 months at $36)
$432
Total
$1,553
Example: adult cat, first year (Texas)
Item
Cost
Routine exam (Texas average)
$64
Rabies, FVRCP, FeLV vaccines
$98
Fecal exam
$29
Spay
$353
Microchip
$48
Flea and tick prevention (12 months at $29)
$348
Total
$940
These examples cover only routine and preventive care. One ear infection, a dental cleaning, or an emergency visit would push either total higher, which is why many owners set aside a separate emergency fund.
7 Proven Ways to Lower Your Vet Bills
You do not have to choose between your budget and your pet's health. These steps lower costs without cutting corners on care:
1. Ask for a written estimate. Request a line-by-line quote before any test or procedure, and ask which items are urgent and which can wait.
2. Look at wellness plans. Many clinics and chains offer monthly plans that bundle exams, vaccines, and routine tests at a set price.
3. Use low-cost and nonprofit clinics. Shelters and humane societies often run reduced-cost vaccine and spay or neuter clinics.
4. Stay on top of prevention. Monthly heartworm and flea prevention costs far less than treating heartworm disease or a skin infection.
5. Catch problems early. As the diarrhea pricing above shows, a mild case costs a fraction of a severe one.
6. Compare prices for medicines. Ask whether a generic version exists, or whether you can fill a prescription at an outside pharmacy.
7. Plan for the big bills. An emergency fund, pet insurance, or a financing plan can keep a large bill from forcing a hard choice. Our guide on whether pet insurance is worth it runs the numbers.
FAQ
A routine visit costs about $56 to $129 for a dog and $57 to $130 for a cat on average in the US. Vaccines, tests, and medication are usually added on top of the exam fee.
A cat's routine visit averages about $57 to $130 nationally, and state averages range from $58 in Mississippi and West Virginia to $129 in Hawaii. Rabies and FVRCP vaccines add about $31 and $34.
National averages are $455 to spay a small or medium dog and $487 to neuter a dog over six months. For cats, spay averages $353 and neuter $262. Low-cost clinics often charge less.
A routine dental cleaning averages $379 for dogs and $395 for cats. Extractions and dental X-rays can raise the total, so ask for an estimate first.
Veterinary prices are rising faster than overall inflation. BLS data shows vet services up about 5.7% in the year to August 2026, compared with 3.4% for all consumer prices.
Conclusion
A routine checkup is the cheapest part of pet care, usually under $130 nationally, but vaccines, tests, and treatments are what shape the final bill. Your state, your clinic, and how early you catch problems all change what you pay. Prices are also rising faster than general inflation, so a little planning now goes a long way.
Keep this vet visit cost table handy, ask for estimates, and budget for prevention. Your pet gets the care they need, and you avoid the shock at the front desk.
What did your last vet visit cost, and in which state? Share it in the comments to help other pet owners compare.
Published by Pet to Bay
Pet to Bay Editorial Team
Published by Pet to Bay, a US pet care resource covering nutrition, health, behavior, and the real cost of owning a dog or cat. Its guides draw on veterinary organizations, government data, and published research, and they are written to help owners make informed decisions alongside their veterinarian, not to replace professional advice.
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