Half of Canadian pet parents have skipped or declined necessary veterinary care for their pets, according to the PetSmart Charities of Canada-Gallup State of Pet Care Study. The findings are based on a combined web- and phone-based survey of 2,033 dog and cat owners across all 10 provinces, conducted between November and December 2024. The margin of sampling error is ±2.3 percentage points at the 95 per cent confidence level.

The study found that 50 per cent of pet parents reported delaying or declining care, with financial concerns cited most often. Among those, 67 per cent said affordability or perceptions about cost were the deciding factors. Younger owners were most likely to skip care, though financial barriers were reported across income levels, including 27 per cent of households earning more than $90,000.

Distance to veterinary clinics also played a role: 46 per cent of pet parents living within 10 kilometres of a veterinarian reported skipping care, compared with 54 per cent who live farther away.

“This study serves as the voice of the Canadian pet parent, sounding an alarm,” says Aimee Gilbreath, president of PetSmart Charities of Canada. Julie Ray, Gallup’s managing editor for world news, added that services, such as telemedicine and community clinics, could expand access where traditional care is limited.

For more information and to download the full report, visit the Gallup website.