Authored by Pumpkin Wellness Club
Our pets are part of the family now – many people even consider them their children. Despite this, 52% of pet parents skipped necessary veterinary care in the last year. Why? A majority cited financial concerns. The American Pet Products Association estimates that Americans will spend over $41.4 billion on veterinary services in 2025. Vet care costs continue to rise due to advancing medical technology and pharmaceuticals, which also impact pet life expectancy.
For employees, rising veterinary bills can cause significant financial and emotional stress. 62% of pet parents say that stress related to caring for their pet has impacted their sleep, appetite, or physical health.¹ Employers are beginning to recognize this burden, with more companies integrating employer pet benefits into their total rewards strategies. One solution is pet wellness plans, which offer cost savings on preventive care and help employees manage annual expenses.
A pet wellness plan is designed to cover routine, preventive veterinary services such as annual exams, vaccinations, spay and neuter procedures, bloodwork, parasite prevention, and dental cleanings. It’s all about being proactive and detecting potential health issues before they become major concerns.
Proactive health care for humans, let alone pets, can seem unnecessary for the young and healthy. However, prolonged illnesses or undetected ones can often lead to even more stress and a greater financial burden. It’s no wonder that pet wellness plans are becoming more and more popular. By keeping up with vaccinations, parasite prevention, such as flea & tick, heartworm, and routine care, pets are less likely to need expensive treatments later on.
How much pet parents can save depends on what is included within the plan. With Pumpkin Wellness Club,² for example, pet parents can save up to $460/year on routine care and more to keep their pets healthy.
What’s the Difference Between Pet Wellness and Pet Insurance?
It’s important to clarify the difference between pet wellness and insurance plans. A wellness plan helps you save money on the routine care your pet needs to support their overall health. It’s the proactive work vets do to catch illnesses early and help prevent them altogether, and it costs less than treatments.
Pet insurance is for accidents and illnesses you don’t see coming. It offers peace of mind if your pet needs unexpected care, reimbursing you for eligible expenses – which can be significant.
Wellness benefits can include:
Insurance coverage can include:
Many pet parents find that combining insurance and wellness provides the most comprehensive coverage for their pets. So, partnering with a company that offers both pet insurance and wellness plans is key for employers. It gives employees greater choice and comprehensive coverage, which is a competitive advantage for top talent.
The cost of pet care can add up quickly when wellness services are paid for out-of-pocket. Over a dog’s lifetime, pet parents can expect to spend $16,100 on vet care³. According to data from Pumpkin Pet Insurance and CareCredit, here’s what annual routine vet expenses look like for cats and dogs:
| Service | Average Annual Cost (Cat or Dog) |
| Routine Vet Visit | $197–$229 |
| Common Vaccinations | $182–$186 |
| Bloodwork | $113–$188 |
| Flea/tick & heartworm | $336–$372 |
| Dental Cleanings | $113–$750 |
A typical pet insurance policy won’t cover routine vet care, which is another benefit of a wellness plan. A pet wellness plan also tends to cost less per month than a pet insurance plan, so it’s a great option for employers to start with if they want to support employees with pets.
Costs vary between wellness plans, but Pumpkin Wellness Club plans start at $19.95/month for dogs and $14.95/month for cats. It also includes access to a 24/7 pet health help line and special discounts on top pet brands. Airvet members can now enroll in Pumpkin’s standalone wellness plan directly through the app and receive an exclusive 18% discount on annual wellness plans.
Pet wellness plans do more than just cover routine care – they give families peace of mind and make caring for pets more manageable. By offering predictable coverage for preventive services, these plans create savings in several important ways:
Easing financial stress: Instead of worrying about large, unexpected vet bills, pet parents can budget confidently, knowing that routine exams, vaccinations, and other preventive services are already covered.
The data supports that prevention pays. Vaccines for Parvovirus, Feline Distemper, and Leptospirosis usually cost between $25-40 per vaccination, while treatment for these diseases costs $1,000-2,500 or more.⁴
Protecting long-term health: Regular checkups and preventive treatments help catch issues early and reduce the risk of serious illnesses like heartworm disease, flea and tick infestations, or advanced dental problems that can become costly later.
Reducing distractions: Pet parents can focus more fully on work, family, and other responsibilities, free from the constant worry of whether they can afford essential veterinary care.
Pets are now recognized as part of the family, and employees are increasingly seeking workplaces that recognize this. 57% of pet parents said that they would switch to a job with the same pay if it offered better pet benefits, according to a recent study from Empower. Employers that offer pet benefits like a pet wellness plan will have an edge in attracting and retaining the best talent.
Employers gain several advantages by including pet benefits:
As the future of workplace wellness evolves, including pet benefits in total rewards programs is a meaningful way for employers to connect with their staff and improve overall engagement.
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¹Airvet. The Impact of Pet Benefits In Your Workplace Survey. Sept. 2025
²Pumpkin Wellness Club is marketed and administered by Sprout Wellness Services LLC (d/b/a “Pumpkin Wellness Club”). Pumpkin Wellness is NOT INSURANCE, nor a regulated insurance product. It is offered as a standalone pet wellness membership program. Membership Fees are based on annual membership in the Pumpkin Wellness Club. Your use of Club benefits may result in liability for Outstanding Fees if you terminate your membership before the expiration of any 12-month membership period. Any discounted fees will be credited to your membership in month 1, but will not accrue to Outstanding Fees in the event of early termination. For full terms, visit wellness.pumpkin.care/membership-agreement.
³American Pets Product Association (APPA), “2021-2022 APPA National Pet Owners Survey.” Estimated lifetime cost for a dog living 12 years based on annual spend data from survey (12 years at $1,344 per year).
⁴Average cost of treatment based on claim data from Pumpkin Insurance Services Inc from Jan 2023–Sept 2024.
