Featured in CTV News: Rising Costs Lead Canadian Pet Owners to Avoid Veterinary Visits

A recent CTV News article revealed that nearly half of Canadian pet owners are avoiding veterinary visits due to rising costs, citing new data from a PetSmart Charities of Canada and Gallup report.

As part of the coverage, Dr. Marie Holowaychuk—veterinary critical care specialist and author of A Compassionate Calling: What It Really Means To Be a Veterinarian—was interviewed to share insights on the financial and emotional realities behind pet care.

“There’s going to be costs associated with getting them spayed and neutered, vaccinated, microchipped,” Dr. Holowaychuk explained. “And then, of course, everything else, like food, bedding, leashes, litter boxes. Depending on if you have a dog or a cat, it can be astronomical and into thousands of dollars.”

The article highlights broader challenges facing pet families, including inflation, supply chain issues, and the shortage of veterinarians in Canada. Dr. Holowaychuk emphasized that while some families are forced to delay or forgo care, proactive strategies such as pet insurance and wellness plans can help owners manage costs more effectively.

For Dr. Holowaychuk, these issues underscore the importance of honest conversations between veterinarians and clients about care options, and the need for greater awareness around the hidden challenges of veterinary medicine—central themes in A Compassionate Calling.

📖 Read the full article here: Canadian pet owners are avoiding veterinary visits, report finds