Bringing home a puppy or kitten is one of life’s most exciting moments. Their playful personalities and endless energy quickly make them part of the family.
What many new pet owners don’t realise, however, is that they’re making a commitment that could last 15 to 20 years.
That tiny puppy curled up on your child’s bed today could still be there when they leave for university. By then, your once energetic companion may need regular medication, specialist treatment and more frequent visits to the veterinarian.
Planning for those later years is one of the most important responsibilities of pet ownership.
Why veterinary care costs what it does
Many pet owners are surprised by the cost of veterinary treatment, particularly in an emergency.
According to Dr Carra Walters, owner of Hillcrest Veterinary Hospital in KwaZulu-Natal and host of the Paws and Effect podcast, modern veterinary practices carry significant operating costs that are often invisible to clients.
“Advanced diagnostics, specialist equipment, laboratory testing, emergency facilities, qualified nursing staff, veterinarians on call after-hours, compliance, insurance, and ongoing training all come at an enormous and unavoidable cost,” she explains.
In 2026, these are no longer considered optional extras. They form part of the standard of care expected from responsible veterinary practices.
Despite public perception, Dr Walters says veterinary profit margins remain among the tightest in healthcare.
“Few experiences are more devastating than being accused of greed while standing in an emergency room trying to save a life.”
Why pet insurance makes a difference
Pet insurance is often misunderstood.
Some owners view it as an unnecessary expense or believe it primarily benefits veterinary practices.
Dr Walters disagrees.
“They do it because they’ve lived the alternative – standing helplessly with an injured or critically ill pet when the owner cannot afford treatment.”
She says insurance gives owners more treatment options during emergencies while reducing the emotional burden on families forced to make financial decisions during moments of crisis.
“It gives pet owners options when they are most needed. It gives animals a chance. And it spares families, and vet teams, from the trauma of preventable loss.”
The risks of delaying treatment
Cost concerns sometimes cause owners to postpone veterinary visits or attempt to treat animals themselves.
According to Dr Walters, this can have devastating consequences.
“When pet owners delay treatment, avoid consultations, or attempt to self-medicate animals because they fear the bill, the consequences can be tragic.”
One of the most common mistakes involves giving pets medication intended for humans.
“Human drugs administered to animals regularly cause organ failure, irreversible damage, or death.”
She says many of these cases could have been prevented through earlier veterinary intervention.
Veterinary care is heavily regulated
Veterinarians also operate within strict legal and ethical frameworks.
Prescription medication cannot simply be supplied without examining the animal first.
“Medications cannot simply be handed over without examination and prescription – not because vets want to create barriers, but because the law exists to protect animals, clients, and practitioners alike.”
Every treatment decision, she says, is made with patient safety, legal responsibility and professional ethics in mind.
Caring for those who care for our pets
Veterinary medicine is a demanding profession that combines advanced medical knowledge with emotionally challenging situations every day.
The people working in veterinary hospitals regularly support families through illness, trauma and loss while carrying the responsibility of caring for vulnerable animals.
For Dr Walters, the cost of veterinary care reflects the expertise, equipment and availability required to provide high-quality treatment, not profit.
“The care comes at a cost – not because vets are greedy, but because excellence, availability, expertise, and safety are expensive, and always have been.”
She encourages pet owners to prepare financially for the lifetime commitment of owning a pet.
“If you value having a vet available at midnight, on weekends, in emergencies, and with the technology and expertise to save your pet’s life, then you must also respect what it takes to make that possible.”
For pet owners, that respect starts long before an emergency happens. It begins with planning, open communication and recognising that responsible pet ownership includes preparing for the healthcare needs that inevitably come with growing older.
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