How Much Is a Vet Visit for a Dog or Cat?

The exam fee

The exam or office visit fee covers the vet's time and a nose-to-tail physical exam: weight, temperature, heart and lungs, eyes, ears, mouth, skin, belly and joints. PetMD's 2025 wellness guide puts it at about $40 to $90. The AKC's puppy cost guide lists a first puppy exam at around $65 to $70.

Exam fees are higher at specialty and emergency hospitals, in big cities and for after-hours appointments. A sick-pet visit may also cost more than a routine checkup because it takes longer. Ask for the exam fee when you book, since it is charged on top of anything else done.

Common tests and their typical prices

PetMD lists these typical U.S. prices: blood work about $50 to $200, urinalysis $20 to $60, fecal exam $25 to $50, heartworm test $20 to $75, a combined FeLV/FIV test for cats $20 to $40, core vaccines about $20 to $60 each, microchip placement $20 to $75 and a nail trim $20 to $30.

Not every pet needs every test every year. Your vet will suggest what makes sense for your pet's age, lifestyle and health. Senior pets often need blood work and urine tests annually to catch kidney, liver and thyroid problems early, which is usually cheaper than treating them late.

Dog vs cat vet visit costs

Exam fees are often the same for cats and dogs, but the totals differ because of different vaccines, tests and preventives. The ASPCA's cost table estimates routine medical costs, meaning vaccines and wellness visits, at about $225 a year for a dog and about $160 a year for a cat, plus preventive medicines of around $185 and $140.

Dogs usually need a yearly heartworm test and year-round heartworm prevention; cats may need FeLV/FIV testing, especially if they go outdoors or live with other cats. Medication and anesthesia doses are based on weight, so a large dog's bill for the same treatment is often higher than a cat's.

Emergency vet visit costs

The AKC's cost guide lists emergency vet visits at roughly $800 to $1,500, and broken bones at $200 to $1,000 or more. Emergency hospitals charge a higher exam fee to cover round-the-clock staffing and equipment, and most emergencies need tests such as X-rays, ultrasound or blood work, plus fluids, medicines or hospital stays.

If you think your pet has an emergency, such as trouble breathing, collapse, repeated vomiting, bloating, a seizure, poisoning or a serious injury, go first and worry about cost after. Ask for an estimate on arrival; most hospitals will give a range and talk through options. For suspected poisoning, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 or the Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661; a fee may apply.

Ways to manage vet costs

Regular checkups and prevention are the best way to keep bills down over a lifetime. The ASPCA suggests comparing preventive care fees between practices, tailoring optional vaccines to your pet's real risk, keeping up with parasite prevention and brushing your pet's teeth.

Ask about wellness plans that spread routine costs across monthly payments, low-cost vaccine clinics run by shelters, and payment options or financing for larger bills. Setting aside an emergency fund, or looking into pet insurance while your pet is healthy, helps when the unexpected happens.

This page is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your pet.