Sixty-five percent of pet owners would make budget cuts to their own lifestyle before disrupting their pet’s, 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%).
Some pet owners have gone even further, sharing some of their favorite splurges on their pet in 2025, like a “custom-built doghouse with air conditioning,” “a cute outfit that matches mine,” or even “a diamond necklace.”
Conducted by Talker Research for MetLife, 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 (70%).
More of these visits tend to be preventative to preserve their pet’s health (60%), while 40% are reactive when something is wrong.
This care panned out for more than a third of pet owners who were able to catch a health concern early on by taking their pet in for a checkup (37%).
“Quote from MetLife about the importance of preventative care.”
Although helpful, these trips to the vet add up quickly — 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).
Vet visits aren’t the only expense that pet parents have seen increases in. 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 — slightly up from $2,233 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.
“Quote from MetLife about how 53% would feel prepared to financially handle a medical emergency if their pet were facing one — up from 49% in 2024, but highlighting that there are options to help pet parents feel more secure.”
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].
To view the complete methodology as part of AAPOR’s Transparency Initiative, please visit the Talker Research Process and Methodology page.
