Majority of pet owners prioritize their animals’ budgets over their own needs

Sixty-five percent of pet owners would make budget cuts to their own lifestyle before disrupting their pets’, according to new research.

A survey of 2,000 dog and cat owners found that they spare no expense when it comes to their furry friends, splurging on high-quality food (66%), new toys (40%), and grooming sessions (24%).

Conducted by Talker Research for MetLife Pet Insurance, the annual survey found that you can’t put a price on these pets’ love: 85% said their pet has been their main source of happiness throughout 2025.

Thinking back on the year, pet parents recall their companion being around through tough times like financial struggles (31%), mental health challenges (30%), and losing a loved one (24%).

Nine in 10 said their pet gives them something positive to focus on when things aren’t going their way (91%).

Knowing how much their furry friend means to them, 71% said that even when they have other things on their mind, their pet’s future is constantly up there with their concerns.

To ensure their pet’s wellness over time, pet owners are most keen on staying up to date on vaccinations (48%) and purchasing high-quality food (46%).

Others ensure their pet gets regular exercise (45%) and regularly grooms them (42%).

Regular vet visits are key to staying on top of their furry friends’ health, with a majority of pet parents saying their pet visits the doctor just as, if not more often than they do (61%).

More of these visits tend to be preventative to maintain their pet’s health (60%), while 40% are reactive when something is wrong.

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

“Preventive veterinary care can dramatically change health outcomes. These findings tell a clear story: regular checkups, vaccinations, and dental exams help keep small problems from becoming emergencies,” said Brian Jorgensen, CEO of MetLife Pet Insurance. “The guidance and protection offered by pet insurance can help families stay current with their pet’s care. Doing so may identify issues early, which may mean simpler, less expensive treatments, resulting in less financial strain and stress for families.”

Although important, the cost of care continues to rise, along with other pet expenses.

Pet parents spent $1,135 on health-related expenses for their furry friend in 2025, with $472 of that spent on insurance and the remaining $663 on vet visits.

This total is up from $998 in 2024 ($348 on insurance and $650 on vet visits).

Rising costs have led to more pet owners taking control of their finances by creating budgets for what they spend on their pet. This year, nearly half have a budget when it comes to how much they aim to spend on their pet (48%), compared to 42% last year.

While 2024’s average monthly budget was $115, that guideline saw a 20% increase to $138 in 2025.

Pet owners were able to save on food (down to $470 in 2025 from $506 in 2024) but saw increases in how much they spend on toys ($247, up from $198), clothes ($223, up from $150), and treats ($285, up from $234).

This brings the average pet parent’s total cost of a pet to $2,360 in 2025 — up from $2,086 in 2024.

And with the state of the economy, 37% anticipate spending more money on their pet in 2026 — an expectation that pet owners have had since 2024 (36%).

Pet parents are trying their best to plan ahead, especially since one in five have had a pet undergo a major unexpected health event in 2025 (22%), nearly double the percentage from 2024 (13%).

While pet parents were more prepared for the cost this time around (71% vs. 52%), the bill still averaged a hefty $555.

“Pet emergencies are unpredictable and expensive. It’s encouraging that 71% of pet parents now feel financially prepared for a medical emergency, up from 52% in 2024, but nearly a quarter still aren’t confident,” said Jorgensen. “Families can take practical steps to strengthen their safety net: talk with their veterinarian about potential costs and consider pet insurance to help manage their expenses and surprise bills. Preparing now means pet owners can take action quickly when it matters most, focusing on their pet’s care, not their wallet.”

Research methodology:

Talker Research surveyed 2,000 dog and cat owners who have access to the internet; the survey was commissioned by MetLife and administered and conducted online by Talker Research between Dec. 12 and Dec. 19, 2025. A link to the questionnaire can be found here.