The short answer
Vet fees in Canada have risen faster than general inflation. From 2020 to 2025, overall consumer prices rose about 20%. In the same period, wages for registered veterinary technicians rose about 38% and associate veterinarians' pay about 54%, and wages make up more than half of a clinic's costs. Equipment, drugs and specialist care add to it. Planning ahead with insurance or a savings fund is the owner's best defence.
What's driving prices
- Staffing: RVT wages up about 38% and associate veterinarian pay up about 54% from 2020 to 2025 (Canadian Veterinary Journal)
- More advanced care: imaging, specialists and 24-hour hospitals
- Drug and supply costs rising faster than inflation
- A national shortage of veterinarians and technicians
What owners can do
- Insure early, before any conditions are recorded
- Keep a separate emergency fund
- Ask for a written estimate before non-urgent procedures
- Keep up with preventive care; it is usually cheaper than treatment
A note on the data
Statistics Canada does not publish a separate price index for veterinary services. Most published estimates come from veterinary associations and industry surveys.
Frequently asked questions
How much do vet costs rise each year in Canada?
Estimates vary by clinic and province. Veterinary associations have reported increases of roughly 6–8% a year recently, well above general inflation.
Sources
- Veterinarians, wages and inflation (Canadian Veterinary Journal, PMC)
- Canadian Veterinary Medical Association
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