Massive change at the vet is taking effect: what dog and cat owners need to know now
Created: 10/27/2022, 5:32 p.m
By: Lea-Sophie Mollus
Anyone who owns a pet such as a dog or cat now has to dig deeper into their pockets at the vet – for the first time in more than 20 years.
Kassel – The fact that keeping a dog or a cat is not necessarily cheap is nothing new: food, visits to the vet, and a tax for dogs.
Everything is getting more expensive at the moment, including supermarket prices – and now a visit to the vet as well.
Why dog and cat owners pay more and how much more they have to dig into their pockets.
The veterinary fee schedule regulates how much money veterinarians are allowed to charge for which services.
For more than 20 years, since 1999, the costs have not changed.
The Federal Council has approved a new version that will bring expensive changes for dog and cat owners from October 2022.
In addition, according to
MDR
information, the German Animal Welfare Association fears that more animals will end up in animal shelters and that animal welfare in agriculture will also suffer from the higher costs.
Dogs and cats: pet owners have to swallow - visits to the vet are now more expensive
According to information from the German Animal Welfare Association, medical
care
for livestock and pets is not guaranteed in some regions of Germany.
If the animal has to go to the doctor, it is often expensive.
However, many cannot and do not want to afford insurance for their four-legged friends.
© Inga Kjer
Higher veterinary costs: In addition to dog and cat owners, farmers also have to pay more
However, many dog and cat owners have suffered from these changes because they now have to dig deeper into their pockets.
According to the Thuringia Chamber of Veterinarians, a visit to the vet for a general examination of a dog costs ten euros more – 23.60 euros instead of 13.60 euros,
reports
mdr.de.
Cat owners have to pay even more: while a general examination used to cost nine euros, it now also costs 23.60 euros.
If dogs and cats need a vaccination, the costs almost double: from 5.77 euros to 11.50 euros.
X-rays should cost 32.07 euros instead of 26.35 euros.
It is not possible to say in general terms how much the prices for individual treatments will increase.
It should also be borne in mind that the costs for consultation, anesthesia and painkillers will be added.
Massive changes at the vet: It is now so expensive for dog, cat and other pet owners
treatment | cost (old) | cost (new) |
|---|---|---|
general examination (dog) | 13.60 euros | 23.60 euros |
general examination (cat) | 9 euros | 23.60 euros |
general inspection (pigs/cattle) | 12.80 euros | 20.50 euros |
vaccination | 5.77 euros | 11.50 euros |
roentgen | 26.35 euros | 32.07 euros |
Source: mdr.de |
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Farmers also have to spend significantly more money now, reports
focus.de
.
From October 2022, examinations of cattle and pigs will cost 20.50 euros instead of the previous 12.80 euros.
Because many farmers already have financial concerns due to skyrocketing fertilizer costs and falling hog prices.
Animal rights activists fear a loss in animal welfare due to rising veterinary costs.
However, according to the farmers' association, this will not happen, writes
focus.de
.
(Lea-Sophie Mollus)