US pet parents cut back on personal spending to support pets

Over 3 in 5 pet owners in the United States would cut back on their own lifestyles before sacrificing their pets’ needs, according to a new survey by Talker Research for MetLife Pet Insurance.

In particular, pet owners say they tend to splurge on high-quality food (66%), new toys (40%) and grooming sessions (24%).

The survey, conducted among 2,000 dog and cat owners in December 2025, also asked what they do to support their pet’s long-term health. Most respondents are keen on staying up to date with vaccinations (48%) and purchasing high-quality food (46%), consistent with their spending patterns. Others ensure their pets get regular exercise (45%) and are regularly groomed (42%).

Preventative care

Regular vet visits are a priority for 61% of pet owners. Notably, 60% of these visits are preventative, while 40% are reactive when something is wrong. 

This care has proven critical for more than a third (37%) of pet owners, who were able to detect a health concern early by taking their pet for a checkup.

At the same time, owners are preparing for emergencies, as 1 in 5 report that their pet experienced a major unexpected health event in 2025 (22%), nearly double the 13% recorded in 2024.

While pet owners were more financially prepared for these costs (71% vs. 52%), the average bill still reached $555 (€511).

Rising costs and spending

According to the survey, in 2025, pet owners spent $1,135 (€1,044) on health-related expenses for their pets, with $472 (€434) allocated to insurance and the remaining $663 (€610) to vet visits. 

This marks an increase from $998 (€918) in 2024, when $348 (€320) was spent on insurance and $650 (€598) on vet visits. Talker Research surveyed 2,000 dog and cat owners between 25 and 28 November 2024.

Due to rising pet care costs, owners are increasingly creating budgets, with nearly half (48%) setting a spending limit in 2025, up from 42% the previous year. However, the average monthly budget rose by 20% to $138 (€127) in 2025, up from $115 (€106) in 2024.

Looking ahead, 37% of pet owners expect to spend more on their pets in 2026. “This expectation seems to come from the rocky state of the economy; products across all sectors have seen price increases over the past few years, so it seems like respondents are anticipating that this will continue,” Talker Research tells GlobalPETS.

Owner perceptions of pets

For most pet owners, their pets have been with them through tough times such as financial struggles (31%), mental health challenges (30%) and the loss of a loved one (24%).

Because of this perceived importance, 71% say that even when they have other things on their mind, their pet’s future remains a key concern.