Rising pet care costs in California have pet owners wondering what it is that’s causing this increase. Since the rise in costs is significantly higher than in other states, pet owners are asking what it is about California, in particular, that makes it so expensive to own a pet. This increase in your pet budget isn’t your imagination. There has indeed been a 22% increase in pet costs and veterinary bills since the beginning of 2024, so let’s find out why.
California Vet Bills on the Increase
California has actually always had higher veterinary costs compared to other states. The only rival is New York, with similar high costs for owning a pet or taking it to the vet for a check up or full on emergency. But the level of increase being seen in 2024 is beyond what many can afford. So what’s the solution?
Can Pet Insurance Save You Money?
It makes financial sense to consider pet insurance in California since these rises in costs don’t show any signs of slowing down as we head to 2025. Pet insurance allows you to pay a small monthly premium to safeguard you against high veterinary bills instead of having to pay a large sum every time something goes wrong. This is especially true for new puppies since the owner has no idea what inherent health problems the animal may have.
Common Health Issues of Pets in California
Pet owners in California tend to take their pets to the vet more often for seemingly minor health issues, leading to a slight increase in pet insurance costs. But the premiums you’ll pay on your pet insurance are minor compared to the amount of money you’ll need to pay your vet if you DON’T have insurance.
If you’re wondering what kinds of health problems commonly result in a veterinary visit, here are the four most common categories.
Dental Care
Many dog and cat owners in California treat their pets like part of the family. Pets are treated with the best food and often share the same meals eaten by the family. Wet food forms part of a common diet for the majority of dogs and cats in California, especially since there are so many smaller dogs here. Wet food results in a need for regular dental checkups since the regular cleaning of teeth provided by dry food isn’t taking place often enough.
Skin Allergies
The climate in California is also to blame for some of the health issues faced by dogs with sensitive skin. Humidity can cause skin irritation, sweating, and rashes. A humid environment is also a hotbed for ticks, fleas, and skin viruses that eat away at the skin and cause your dog to scratch. This can result in all types of problems, and since there are so many different types of skin illnesses in pets, the less common ones are sometimes harder to diagnose properly.
Anxiety
Pets can have mental health problems, too. In fact, there’s a whole range of pet antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications on the market for pet owners who are concerned that their pets are acting strangely. Since many see their pets as part of the family, mental health has become a more common reason for visiting the vet.
Age-Related Illnesses
Of the top 10 reasons pet owners visit their local vet, half are related to age. Owners understandably want to keep their pets around for as long as possible, so they find ways to prolong the lives of their pets struggling with bone-related health problems and organ failure.
Osteoporosis is high on the list, a condition that can cause other ailments such as diarrhea, vomiting, and lameness in pets that have it. Pain relief is always an option for these poor animals, but most pet painkillers lead to other side effects, which also need to be dealt with to keep the animal alive and comfortable.
Urinary tract problems are also common symptoms of aging in dogs and cats. Pets can lose their ability to control their bladders, leading to discomfort and inconvenience for the owners. While many of these problems have temporary solutions, it’s always best (for the animal) to sometimes make the hard decision to put them down.
Final Thoughts
With these facts in mind, remember that your pet deserves the best medical care they can get. If you have a local veterinarian that you can trust, be sure to take your pet for regular checkups. These visits can be covered by your pet insurance if you get the right policy from the right insurer.
California is known for its dynamic lifestyle, and your pets want to be a part of that. Walk them often, feed them well, and keep their health concerns at bay by taking note of any irregularities.