Is your senior dog tears their cranial cruciate ligament or it’s time for your puppy to be spayed or neutered, planning surgery for your four-legged friend can be stressful. It can also be expensive.
“It’s easy to see why pet parents are caught off guard with unexpected surgeries (because) they cost hundreds to thousands of dollars,” says Jo Myers, DVM, a veterinarian at the pet telehealth platform Vetster. “It’s just one more additional expense to add to the budget.”
The last thing most pet parents want to worry about is the cost of surgery for dogs and whether they can afford the care their pet needs. Fortunately, there are many options to help pay for dog surgery, from crowdfunding campaigns and grants to financing options like the CareCredit credit card
Here’s everything you need to know.
How Much Does Dog Surgery Cost?
One of the biggest questions pet parents ask when they learn their dog needs surgery is, “How much does dog surgery cost?” The latest data shows that pet parents spent an average of $458 on surgical vet visits for their dogs.1 However, keep in mind that the costs can be much higher. Multiple variables can affect the cost of dog surgery, including:
- Age
- weight
- Complexity of the operation
- Elective surgeries against emergencies
- Geographical location
- The type of clinic (nonprofit vs. private)
Here are some average costs for common dog surgeries:
| Type of surgery | Average cost for dogs 2-7 |
| sterilize/neuter | $160-$220 |
| Tumor removal | $300-$1,600 |
| Teeth cleaning | $707 |
| Hernia surgery | $700-$2,500 |
| Femoral head ostectomy (FHO) | $1,200-$2,500 |
| Removal of foreign objects | $2,900-$3,265 |
| Canine cataract surgery | $2,000-$5,000 |
| Dog torn ACL or CCL surgery | $2,000-$8,000 |
| Bloat | $3,000-$10,000 |
| Removal of bladder stones | $2,000-$5,000 |
| Eye ulcer | up to $1,000 |
My Dog Needs Surgery and I Can’t Afford it: 7 Ways to Pay
Some dog surgeries, including spay/neuter and tooth extraction, are an important part of preventative care. Other surgeries are necessary to treat dogs after accidents or illnesses and can be life-saving.
Regardless of the type of surgery your dog needs, the estimate can cause major sticker shock and leave you thinking, “My dog needs surgery and I can’t afford it.” Here are seven ways to help cover the cost of dog surgery.
Savings accounts
The average pet parent saves $439 a year to cover pet expenses, a 2023 survey found.8 Consider opening a separate account and making regular deposits to help cover costs of routine grooming and dog surgeries. It is an approach that Dr. Myers calls, “a great way to prepare for veterinary expenses.”
A dedicated pet savings account could also help ensure you’re not one of the 42 percent of pet parents who lack confidence they could cover the cost of life-saving treatment for their pet.8
Pet insurance
Buying pet insurance is becoming more common. In fact, 24 percent of pet owners have insurance for their four-legged family members.9 Accident-only coverage could help cover the cost of unexpected surgeries that might be needed if your dog eats a sock or gets injured at the dog park.
“Pet insurance can significantly lower net out-of-pocket expenses for many common veterinary expenses,” says Dr. Myers.
Although the average dog insurance premium is $720 per year,10 Dr. Myers notes that there are a number of different policies and price points available, making it easy to find one that fits your budget.
Financing options
The cost of dog ownership causes significant stress for 76 percent of pet parents, according to a survey of 1,000 American dog owners.11 Knowing that your dog needs expensive surgery can add to that stress. With the CareCredit credit card, you can pay over time for the care your pet needs today at vets that accept the card.*
“Financial options like CareCredit have a quick and convenient application process,” says Dr. Myers. “It’s a great option for on-the-spot financing with fast (credit decisions), so vets can quickly move forward with treatment for the pet.”
You’ll need a credit check for approval, but financing can be used to pay for everything from routine veterinary care to elective and emergency surgeries.* The CareCredit credit card is accepted at more than 25,000 veterinary hospital locations.
Payment plans
Some veterinary clinics may allow you to carry a balance and make regular payments over time.
While there are benefits to working out a payment plan with your vet, including the low probability of a credit check and immediate access to care, Dr. Myers notes that it’s increasingly rare for veterinary clinics to offer financing.
Friends and family
Your dog is part of the family. So when they need surgery, your friends and family may want to lend a hand (and some funds) to help cover the cost. In fact, 65 percent of pet owners have asked family and friends for financial help to cover pets.11
“Loans from family and friends can be available at any time of the day from people who love you and want to help—usually with favorable terms,” says Dr. Myers. “It’s also quick and easy for the vet to get a credit card deposit over the phone, avoiding delays in starting treatment.”
Applying for a loan to cover dog surgery is only an option if your loved ones have money to spare.
Crowdfunding
Post photos and a short story that describes why your dog needs surgery to platforms like GoFundMe, Waggle or CoFund my Pet and invite the world to donate towards the cost.
“Tech tools like social media and Venmo make it easy to move money around instantly,” says Dr. Myers.
However, crowdfunding platforms are filled with fundraising campaigns started by pet parents, which can make it difficult to stand out. It can be difficult to raise enough money to cover the cost of dog surgery, especially in an emergency.
Charities and rescue organizations
A little internet research can lead to dozens of grants for pet parents who need help covering the cost of veterinary care. Grants often have specific guidelines and could be income or race-specific or allocated to specific surgeries (such as funds for sterile/neuter surgeries).
“Grants from charities and rescue groups can significantly reduce or eliminate an owner’s net out-of-pocket expenses,” Dr. Myers says. “They also often serve traditionally underrepresented groups of pet parents.”
Grants require applications, which may take time to be approved. It often means that you have to wait for approval to schedule dog surgery or pay for the procedure up front and hope that grants will come in to reimburse those funds.
In Conclusion
When your dog needs surgery, the last thing you want to worry about is whether you can afford the cost. Understanding your options for paying for dog surgery and making informed decisions about which strategies are the best for your specific situation can make it less stressful.
“The best thing pet parents can do is recognize that there really is no such thing as an ‘unexpected’ pet expense,” says Dr. Myers. “Be aware of how much veterinary care can cost, and plan ahead so you know what resources are available to you. That way you can have a plan when you need it.”
References
- “Total US pet industry expenditures.” American Pet Products Association. Retrieved from https://www.americanpetproducts.org/research-insights/industry-trends-and-stats
- “How Much Does a Vet Visit Cost?” CareCredit. Taken from https://www.carecredit.com/vetmed/costs/
- Woodnutt, Joanna. “Canine Cataract Surgery.” GreatPetCare. April 2024. Retrieved from https://www.greatpetcare.com/dog-health/cataract-surgery-for-dogs/
- Heigel-Meyer, Kathryn. “Torn ACL in Dogs.” GreatPetCare. Nov. 2023. Taken from https://www.greatpetcare.com/dog-health/torn-acl-in-dogs/
- Liff, Stephanie. “Blowing in Dogs.” GreatPetCare. Updated January 2023. Retrieved from https://www.greatpetcare.com/emergency/bloat-in-dogs/
- Elfenbein, Hanie. “Bladder Stones in Dogs.” GreatPetCare. Updated March 2024. Retrieved from https://www.greatpetcare.com/dog-health/bladder-stones-in-dogs/
- Wooten, Sarah J. “Canine Eye Ulcer.” GreatPetCare. Updated November 2023. Retrieved from https://www.greatpetcare.com/dog-health/dog-eye-ulcer/
- “How far would Americans go to care for their pets?” Lemonade 2023. Retrieved from https://www.lemonade.com/pet/explained/are-pets-priceless-or-is-there-a-limit/
- Tenant, Elizabeth. “Survey: Nearly One-Quarter of US Pet Owners Insure Their Pets.” NerdWallet. February 2024. Retrieved from https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/insurance/pet-insurance-survey-data
- Carver, Alexandra. “How Much Does Pet Insurance Cost?.” MarketWatch. (June 2024/ Retrieved from https://www.marketwatch.com/guides/pet-insurance/pet-insurance-cost/
- Gollub, Heidi and McGinley, Kara. “Cost of Dog Ownership Statistics 2024.” October 2023. Retrieved from https://www.usatoday.com/money/blueprint/pet-insurance/how-much-does-a-dog-cost-per-year/
*Subject to credit approval. See carecredit.com for details.
This information is shared for your convenience only. Neither Synchrony nor any of its affiliates, including CareCredit, makes any representations or warranties about the products described, and no endorsement is implied. You are encouraged to consult with your individual veterinarian regarding any professional advice presented.