My Dog Is Dying and I Can’t Afford a Vet: What To Do

The last thing you want to hear is that your furry best friend is sick or dying. Beyond the emotional toll, you may need to pay thousands of dollars to treat your dog’s illness or injury, and affording it might not be possible.

It’s normal to feel overwhelmed in these situations. However, you have options that can help ensure you can pay for the care your pet needs. Here are some of the avenues pet parents can take to obtain life-saving vet care and treatment.

5 Options for Affording Emergency Veterinary Care

If you’re struggling to afford health care for your pet, you’re not alone. According to research from The Humane Society of the United States, 13% of surveyed pet owners have found themselves unable to pay for emergency veterinary care.¹

Additionally, 20 million American pets live in poverty, and 70% of those haven’t been able to see a vet.¹ The comforting news is there are options available to help ensure families and individuals aren’t forced to euthanize their pets just because they can’t afford treatment.

1. Ask for a payment plan

Talk with your vet frankly about your economic situation. They may have payment plans or programs in place to help support your family.

They may request additional documentation — such as pay stubs or bank statements — before enrollment. Keep in mind that the practice may keep your pet in their care until you pay something toward the care you received. Open and honest dialogue is key during this process, so it’s best to be forthright and patient.

2. Find a free or low-cost clinic

Consider finding a different vet to use.² There are veterinary clinics across the country that are committed to serving families who need affordable veterinary care. If you aren’t caught in an emergency situation, request your pet’s medical records and take them to an affordable vet for care. This can be a great option if your pet needs cancer treatment, surgery, or medications.

3. Look for a veterinary teaching college

Similar to free or low-cost clinics, an accredited teaching college typically offers reduced rates for veterinary care.³ Students at the veterinary college are supervised by experienced veterinarians, so you can trust your pet is in good hands.

These universities usually have access to the necessary equipment and facilities to conduct MRIs and CT scans, perform surgeries, and offer other specialized care.

4. Find a second opinion

Each vet has different methods and levels of experience that factor into how they care for animals. Getting a second opinion from another veterinary specialist can result in finding a different, potentially less expensive course of treatment for your dog.

5. Get a pet insurance policy

Depending on your financial situation, a monthly pet insurance premium might not be something you’re comfortable with. However, the average cost of an emergency vet visit can be between $150 and $5,000. With such high costs for an unexpected bill, paying a monthly premium might be a more accessible option.

MetLife Pet’s standard insurance plan can reimburse you up to 90% on covered expenses — including emergency care and hospitalizations — which can help you pay for the care your pet might need if they become ill, injured, or are dying.⁴

Take Rocky, for example. The 8-year-old pup was battling lymphoma, which was likely devastating for his pet parents. Then there was the hospital bill, which cost more than $6,300. They were reimbursed around $5,000 thanks to their MetLife Pet policy — meaning they didn’t have to worry as much about money while they focused on Rocky’s care.⁵

Pet insurance is a proactive step you can take to help provide peace of mind if you're faced with a pet health care emergency.

Emergency Care Questions

If your dog suffers an accidental injury or develops a major illness, treatment options can get expensive quickly — whether your dog recovers or passes away. We’ve got answers to a few questions you may be wondering about for these situations.

My dog needs expensive surgery that I can’t afford. What now?

You could ask your veterinarian’s office about a payment plan. A monthly payment might be more manageable for you than a large lump sum that’s due all at once. This can also apply to costly treatment(s) required for an illness.

With a MetLife Pet Insurance plan, you can get reimbursed for up to 90% of covered expenses that may come with necessary surgeries or illnesses your dog might face.⁴ This means you could save more money than if you went with a vet’s payment plan.

What do I do if my dog is dying and I have no money?

If you learn your dog is dying, whether from sustaining a life-threatening injury or after getting sick, you may wonder what happens when you can’t afford to put your dog down.

The best course of action is to speak with your veterinary provider or reach out to a local shelter. They may have services at low or no cost. But if you already have pet insurance, like MetLife Pet, it can help cover some of the costs associated with a beloved pet dying — including burial or cremation.

Take Rosie, a 10-year-old Doberman pinscher, for example. When Rosie needed end-of-life care, her pet parents’ MetLife Pet policy covered over $250 of the cremation services, which were billed for more than $300.⁶

Should I put my dog down at home if I can’t afford a vet bill?

It’s inadvisable to attempt putting your dog down at home for numerous reasons. First, you likely don’t have access to the sedatives and other medications that allow dogs to die peacefully. Second, any other methods you use at home may traumatize yourself and your family. What’s worse is you could face criminal charges for animal cruelty.⁷

A veterinarian is trained to ensure your dog's last moments are painless and peaceful. This is why euthanasia is often described as “putting a dog to sleep.” It’s not advised to put your dog down at home by yourself. Talk with your vet about euthanasia and what to expect after the loss of your pet.

However, this doesn’t mean you can’t have your dog euthanized at home. Some vets offer at-home services for euthanasia, which can provide an intimate experience worthy of saying goodbye to your family member.

Pet Insurance Can Help You if Your Dog Is Sick or Dying

If you find yourself in a tough spot, try not to panic and remember you have options. Talk with your vet about payment plans and referrals to economic support programs, or simply take your business elsewhere. A second opinion may be the line between life and death.

To help alleviate some of the financial stress that arises when a pet is sick or dying, consider getting pet insurance before anything happens. Insuring your dog can make the mountain of veterinary bills less intimidating. MetLife Pet’s dog insurance can typically provide coverage for things like surgeries, cancer treatments, heart disease care, euthanasia, and more.

Our plans also feature grief counseling⁸ to support you after you’ve laid your friend to rest. See what else a MetLife Pet policy can help you with by getting a free quote today.