Vet Talk: Understanding and managing the rising cost of pet healthcare

SINGAPORE – With rising living expenses and increasing pet ownership, the issue of veterinary fees has also come to the fore.

It has been reported that veterinary fees have increased by up to 20 per cent over the last few years. 

Comparisons are often made between the cost of human health services and veterinary healthcare. Pet owners often shell out more for their pet’s veterinary visits compared with their own, which may surprise some. 

It is a false comparison.

First, Singapore’s public healthcare system is subsidised substantially by the Government and supported by MediSave, and a mature private health insurance system. These schemes are absent in Singapore’s veterinary healthcare.

Second, unlike human medicine, there is currently no veterinary programme in Singapore to provide a stream of fresh graduates who are required to serve some years in a public healthcare system. Veterinarians spend at least five years pursuing an overseas degree at their own cost – which can be around $1 million – racking up significant debt to fulfil their dream to help animals. 

Also, the scope of services at many veterinary “general practitioners” is substantial, including surgery, anaesthesia, imaging, dental and laboratory diagnostics. Each veterinary clinic is actually a mini hospital with associated costs.

For a true comparison, one should compare veterinary fees to unsubsidised human medical care at private hospitals.

Why are veterinary fees increasing?

In Singapore, government spending on human healthcare quadrupled from $3.7 billion in 2009 to $15.2 billion in 2020, and is projected to hit $27 billion in 2030.

The average cost of medical fees in Singapore has increased annually – 8.4 per cent in 2022 and 10.3 per cent in 2023, reported The Business Times in June 2024. Inflation is industry-agnostic, and the veterinary sector is not immune to the wider economic forces.

There are also other contributory factors, such as a global veterinary workforce shortage. Mental and emotional health challenges plague the industry. Many leave, driving up manpower costs as clinics compete for staffing. 

Veterinary medicine has also advanced significantly over the decades, with veterinary practices equipped with modern facilities that enable precision. Pets are also living longer, leading to more cases of chronic diseases that require long-term care. 

What can pet owners do to manage rising veterinary fees?

Owning a pet is a lifelong commitment. Those who want to become pawrents should understand what it takes to maintain a healthy pet throughout its life and allocate emergency funds.

Avoid buying from vendors who cannot provide information on the origins or breeding of your pet. Poor genetics can lead to a higher risk of certain conditions developing, such as brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome in dogs with short snouts, hip dysplasia and patellar luxation. 

Consider getting pet insurance. While it is not a cure-all, it provides peace of mind by ensuring that certain situations are covered.

Practise preventive care such as vaccinations, parasite treatments and routine health screenings to detect diseases early. 

Can more be done at a national level?

Should the Government subsidise veterinary fees? As a pet owner myself, I would be thrilled at that prospect.

In principle, however, it would be unfair to burden the general taxpayer with veterinary bills of pets that they did not choose to own. In fact, this will breed irresponsible pet ownership in the long run. At the end of the day, having a pet is a privilege, not a right.

Another option is to put in place an accessible, robust and social-driven pet insurance policy. Perhaps it should even be mandatory for all pet owners to get on board, just as how there is a requirement for basic human health insurance coverage.

Taking it a step further, we can consider allowing pet owners to tap a small portion of their MediSave to cover veterinary fees or premiums. Take, for example, the United States. A 2024 federal bill has paved the way to allow pet owners in the country to tap the country’s national savings plan for pet insurance or veterinary care expenses. It may be something to consider in Singapore.

For pet owners who need help urgently, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Singapore (SPCA) has a community clinic to provide affordable veterinary care for low-income pet owners and community animals.

However, the group’s limited resources should be reserved for those who are most in need. Animal lovers with more means should support SPCA’s initiatives by contributing their time and resources, so that it can continue its good work. 

Partner your trusted veterinarian

I strongly advocate for a “spectrum of care” initiative which encourages pet owners to be actively involved in deciding the level of veterinary care that suits them.

The gold standard care is not always the best care for all pets and pet owners – every pet owner’s situation is different.

All pet owners should build a strong relationship with a trusted veterinarian and/or practice early on, to set a strong foundation for shared decision-making on their pet’s health.

Discuss any concerns with your veterinarian openly, whether they are due to cost, challenges in compliance or other factors.

There should be no shame or judgment if you choose a treatment option that is not the gold standard, and it does not mean that you love your pet less.

• Dr Teo Boon Han is a veterinarian and pet nutritionist at Canopy Veterinary Centre. He is also the president of the Singapore Veterinary Association.
• Vet Talk is a fortnightly column where veterinarians offer advice on pet issues.

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