Pet911 exists because the moment you're sitting in a waiting room, worried about your animal, is the worst possible time to discover that you have no idea what this is going to cost.
We built a free, city-by-city veterinary cost database so that pet owners can walk in knowing what typical care costs in their area — not after the fact.
Veterinary care in the United States has no standard pricing. A routine consultation can cost $55 at one clinic and $185 at another — in the same zip code. A dental cleaning can run $280 or $900 depending on where you go and how well-informed you were when you chose.
Most pet owners have no idea what's reasonable until they're handed an estimate. And by then, they're emotionally invested, their pet is already on the table, and negotiating feels impossible.
Pet911's job is to change that dynamic. We don't tell you which vet to pick. We give you enough context to ask better questions, recognize when something seems off, and avoid walking in completely blind.
Four principles that shape every decision we make about data and content.
We publish what the data shows — including when prices are higher than most owners expect, and when our own estimates are uncertain. We don't soften numbers to seem more appealing.
Clinics cannot pay to improve their standing in our data. Pet health companies cannot buy favorable comparisons. Our cost estimates are not for sale — full stop.
We clearly label cities with thin data, flag estimates with high variance, and remind every visitor that our numbers are starting points — not billing guarantees.
A national average is nearly useless for budgeting. We adjust every estimate for local cost of living, market competition, and regional labor costs so the number is actually relevant to where you live.
We think it's worth being clear about this, because a lot of pet health sites blur the line.
Our estimates come from multiple cross-referenced sources — never a single survey or database. Here's the short version:
These are the primary external organizations whose published data informs Pet911's estimates.
All cost information on Pet911 is for educational and planning purposes only. Estimates are not quotes, not guarantees, and not a substitute for calling your clinic directly. Every pet's situation is different, and actual costs depend on your specific pet, your vet's assessment, and what care is clinically appropriate. Never make health decisions for your pet based solely on cost information from this site.
Found an error in our data? Have a question about our methodology? Want to submit a price report from a recent vet visit? We want to hear from you.
We review all data correction requests and respond to editorial questions within 3–5 business days.