Veterinary costs in India now rival human healthcare, pushing pet owners toward insurance solutions

A rescued cat's three-month battle with FIP left Pronita facing veterinary bills of ₹1.2 lakh, with diagnostic tests alone accounting for ₹8,000—an experience that is pushing pet owners across India to reconsider how they finance animal healthcare.

Veterinary expenses in India now mirror—and often exceed—human medical costs on a per-procedure basis, prompting a quiet but growing interest in pet insurance as a financial safety net. Another of Pronita's rescued cats required surgery costing ₹60,000 to ₹70,000 after a dog attack, followed by months of paralysis treatment, physiotherapy and medication.

The cost gap between human and animal care

The price disparity is stark. Hyderabad-based doctor Nabat Lakhani recently paid ₹1,000 for each X-ray of an injured stray dog, compared to ₹200 to ₹500 for a human X-ray. Liver or kidney function tests that cost ₹200 at a chain diagnostic lab or ₹600 to ₹700 at a larger facility for humans can run ₹2,000 or more for pets.

Dr. Lakhani's family, which cares for three stray dogs near their clinic, spent ₹7,900 on dressing and four X-rays for one dog injured in a fight. When the animal was moved to another facility, three days of treatment—including dressing, saline and boarding—cost around ₹22,000.

Despite these expenses, Dr. Lakhani does not insure her 11-year-old Labrador, citing limited coverage and the expectation that pet owners will still shoulder a substantial portion of costs.

Policies cover surgery, hospitalisation—but on reimbursement terms

Pet insurance products in India typically cover surgery, hospitalisation and specified illnesses, with optional add-ons for outpatient treatment, long-term care, mortality, theft or straying, and third-party liability. Bajaj General Insurance lists 35 dog breeds across four size categories as eligible.

Sravanthi, co-founder of Hyderabad-based Petsfolio, said rising costs make insurance particularly relevant for owners of medium and large breeds prone to conditions such as hip dysplasia, bone problems and accidental injuries. Policies her company handles offer surgery cover up to ₹3 lakh, hospitalisation up to ₹50,000 and OPD cover up to ₹30,000.

Unlike cashless human health insurance, pet policies generally operate on reimbursement, with claims processed in 15 to 20 days.

Awareness remains low, even among pet communities

Hyderabad pet parent Mukesh spent around ₹40,000 treating his puppy for Parvo, including a ₹3,000 injection recommended to improve survival chances. He recalled seeing a Bajaj insurance brochure at a diagnostic centre seven years ago but never purchased a policy. "Not enough is being spoken about it," he said, noting that pet insurance is rarely discussed even within pet-parent communities.

Source: The Hindu