the rising costs of veterinary care
Buttons is turning 6 next month!
As a dog parent to a 6-year-old Maltipoo named Buttons, I’ve always tried to do right by my little floof. From feeding him high-quality food to making sure he gets the best care, his well-being is always top of mind.
With Buttons turning six next month, he’s officially entering his middle-aged dog years, which means his health is now my number one priority. I’ve started adding supplements to his food (more on that in another post!) and, most recently, I’ve decided to dive deep into veterinary care that is available.
This blog post was partly inspired by a recent BBC article that highlighted the rising costs of veterinary care and the growing frustration among pet owners over lack of pricing transparency. It really made me reflect on how important it is to find a vet that not only offers great care, but also clear, honest pricing and flexible options.
Why I Put These Tables Together
I decided to put this table together because I have previously signed up for a subscription plan without reading the small print and got stung.
Hopefully this gives you a clearer picture of what each plan actually includes, and how the pay-as-you-go pricing compares across a few clinics.
If you’re deciding what’s best for you and your pet, I hope this helps.
Subscription Plan Table – A breakdown of all the plans and what each one covers.
Pay as you go Table - Pay-as-you-go pricing, comparing Virtue Vets, Creature Comforts, and two of the bigger vet chains, so you can see the difference for yourself.
If you’re feeling stuck in a subscription that no longer suits your needs, I’d recommend checking out Virtue Vets. They offer a more flexible approach without compromising on care or quality, and in my opinion, they’re the first clinic to truly balance value, service, and peace of mind, whether you’re a new dog parent or a seasoned one like me. I know Cooper and Poppy are already on board too.
—Keef 🐾 & my very pampered Maltipoo.
If you want a PDF copy of the table, you can access it HERE
p/s One final note: Even with a great subscription plan, I’d still recommend having separate pet insurance in place. It can help cover unexpected, big-ticket costs, like accidents, surgeries, or serious illnesses, and give you extra peace of mind when the unexpected happens.
I compiled this information from the clinics’ websites and phone calls, and I’ve done my best to keep it accurate. Since prices and plans may change, please use this as a helpful reference and confirm the latest details directly with each clinic.
Health Plan Comparison Table
I’ve highlighted green for what’s included and red for what’s not. I only included vets I know that actually offer a plan on this table, to keep things relevant and easy to compare.
Green indicates the best value, and red marks the most expensive. This table compares Virtue Vets, Creature Comforts, and two more established vet care providers, so you can really see how they stack up.
