The AP-Petside.com Poll: Sick Pets
Money and the cost of health care are major considerations for pet owners. Survey results from the Associated Press and Petside.com find that while 62% of owners would likely get medical care for their animals if the cost was $500 or less, the number declines to 35% if the cost is $2,000 and even further (22%) if costs reach $5,000.
At the $500 expense level, dog owners (74%) are more likely than cat owners (46%) to seek medical care, although in the higher price ranges dog and cat owners are equally likely to seek medical care. About 41% of pet owners are extremely or somewhat worried that they would not be able to afford veterinary costs if his or her pet became sick today.
With respect to medical insurance, 5% of pet owners currently have insurance, while the majority (95%) do not. About 60% of pet owners think that insurance “isn’t really worth what it costs,” while 27% consider it a “good way to save,” and 12% “do not know.”