Why So Many Pet Owners Are Struggling to Get Veterinary Care and What They’re Doing Instead
A new national study sheds light on a growing problem in pet care: millions of U.S. pet owners feel that veterinary care is hard to access and some are even turning to alternative providers instead of veterinarians.
Researchers surveyed more than 1,100 adults across the country to learn how Americans think about veterinary care, what barriers they face, and how those experiences shape their decisions when their pets need help. The results are eye-opening.
Access to Care Means More Than Just Cost
When asked what “access to veterinary care” meant, most people focused on three things:
Whether veterinarians were available when they needed them (78%)
How easy it was to communicate with a clinic (78%)
Whether they could afford the visit (75%)
In other words, convenience and connection mattered just as much as price.
Trust and Communication Issues Run Deep
Among pet owners who had recently sought care, more than half (55%) said they did not fully trust their veterinarian, and over one-third (37%) said they were unhappy with how their vet interacted with them, even if they were satisfied with the actual care their pet received. These results suggest that relationships — not just medical outcomes — strongly influence how pet owners view the profession.
Alternative Providers Are Gaining Ground
Many pet owners said they would consider getting care from veterinary technicians or “mid-tier” veterinary professionals if it meant their pets could be seen sooner or at a lower cost.
67% said vet techs could provide care equal in quality to a veterinarian.
65% said the same about mid-tier providers.
Younger owners (under 45), those without advanced degrees, and those earning under $100,000 a year were especially open to these options.
The Bigger Picture
These findings reveal a complex picture of modern pet ownership: while most people value and respect veterinary professionals, they often feel shut out — whether due to affordability, availability, or communication barriers. As a result, some are turning to alternative sources for pet care, a shift that could reshape the veterinary landscape in the years to come.
The takeaway? Improving access to veterinary care isn’t just about lowering costs — it’s about rebuilding trust, enhancing communication, and meeting pet owners where they are.
Read the full article: U.S. Residents' Self-Reported Access to Veterinary Care and Implications for Care-Seeking Decisions
