Are Vet Bills and Other Pet Expenses Tax-Deductible?

Keeping a pet healthy means routine checkups, vaccinations, and sometimes emergency care. You might wonder if veterinarian bills qualify as tax deductions. Since certain medical expenses for people are tax-deductible, does the same apply to pets?

For most pet owners, the answer is no. But if you have a guide dog or a service animal, you may be able to claim vet bills and other expenses as a tax deduction if certain criteria are met.

Are vet bills tax-deductible as a medical expense?

For most pet owners, vet bills aren’t tax-deductible. They are generally not considered qualified medical expenses. But if your pet is a service animal, you may be able to deduct vet bills on your tax return. According to IRS Publication 502, expenses for a guide dog or another service animal that helps people with vision, hearing, or other physical disabilities can be deducted.

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Under the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), a service animal is a dog that’s trained to perform specific tasks for a person with a disability. In some cases, miniature horses are also recognized as service animals. For example, a service dog might help someone with diabetes by alerting them to dangerous blood sugar levels. They might also assist someone with a visual impairment by guiding them safely around obstacles.

The ADA doesn’t require service animals to be certified or registered. But if you plan to claim tax deductions, keep documentation from a healthcare professional confirming that you need a service animal. This paperwork can help support your claims in case of an IRS audit.

Emotional support animals aren’t considered service animals, according to the ADA. These pets might provide comfort and companionship, but they aren’t trained to perform specific tasks related to a person’s disability. For example, a dog who helps ease anxiety simply by being with a person is not a service animal.

What are considered qualified medical expenses?

The IRS defines qualified medical expenses as the costs for diagnosing, treating, curing, and preventing illness in people.

These costs must be primarily for medical care and not for general health or well-being, such as gym memberships or vitamins. To qualify, you must pay for these expenses out of pocket, without reimbursement from insurance or your employer.

Medical expenses that may qualify if they’re medically necessary include:

• Office visit copays

• Treatment for chronic conditions, such as asthma and arthritis

• Prescription medications, such as Advair (fluticasone / salmeterol) and Xanax (alprazolam)

• Hospital stays and medically necessary surgeries

• Medical equipment, like wheelchairs, crutches, and hearing aids

• Vision care, including prescription glasses, contact lenses, and eye exams

• Dental treatments (excluding cosmetic procedures)

• Physical therapy and rehabilitation services

• Mental health treatments, such as therapy

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Vet bills and other expenses for a guide dog and service animal qualify because the animal helps manage a medical condition or disability. The IRS considers these costs necessary for medical care, similar to other eligible healthcare expenses.

Which pet-related expenses qualify for deductions?

If you have a qualified service animal, you can deduct expenses for care and services that keep them healthy and able to perform their duties. These include:

• The cost of buying the service animal

• Professional training fees

• Vet bills (routine checkups, vaccinations, and emergency visits)

• Pet medications

• Food and treats

• Grooming

• Supplies like leashes, harnesses, and bedding

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But you can claim these expenses only if you itemize deductions on your tax return. Itemizing deductions means you list individual expenses, such as medical and dental costs, charitable donations, and mortgage interest. If you take the standard deduction — a fixed amount set by the IRS — you won’t be able to claim service animal expenses. It’s a good idea to compare both options to see which lowers your tax bill the most.

Since service animal expenses are considered medical expenses, they follow the same IRS rules. To deduct medical expenses, they must be more than 7.5% of your adjusted gross income (AGI).

Let’s say your AGI is $70,000. You’d multiply that by 7.5%, which is $5,250. This means you could deduct medical expenses, including service animal costs, that exceed $5,250 for the year. So if you spent $7,000 on medical and service animal expenses, you could deduct $1,750 ($7,000 minus $5,250). If your medical expenses don’t exceed this threshold, you can’t include them in your itemized deductions.

How to claim vet bills as a deduction

Here’s how to deduct qualified vet bills on your tax return:

1. Track your expenses

Keep all receipts of the costs you pay for your service animal throughout the year. This includes vet bills, training, food, and supplies. Make note of what each expense is for and when you paid it. The IRS might ask to see these records if they audit your tax return.

2. Add up your medical expenses

Service animal costs are part of your medical expenses. Include them with your other qualified healthcare costs. Don’t include expenses that were reimbursed by insurance.

3. Check if you meet the threshold

Calculate 7.5% of your AGI. You can only deduct medical expenses, including service animal costs, that exceed the threshold.

4. File your tax return

Use Schedule A (Form 1040) to itemize your deductions. List all eligible medical expenses and other qualified deductions. Add them up, and enter the amount on line 12 of Form 1040. This total will replace the standard deduction on your tax return if your itemized total is higher.

If your service animal expenses and other medical costs don’t exceed 7.5% of your AGI, or if your total itemized deductions are less than the standard deduction, itemizing may not be worth it. A tax professional can also guide you in choosing the best option for you.

Ways to save on vet bills

You can lower costs by deducting service animal expenses on your tax return. But if you don’t have a service animal, there are still plenty of ways to save money on vet bills:

• Visit a vet school clinic: Veterinary schools may offer care for your pet at lower prices. Students do the work while supervised by licensed veterinarians. Check the American Veterinary Medical Association for vet schools nearby.

• Consider pet health insurance: Pet insurance can help cover emergency treatments and surgeries. Compare plans for costs, coverage, and exclusions before deciding if it’s right for your pet.

• Apply for grants: Some organizations, such as The Pet Fund and RedRover, offer financial assistance for pet medical care. You may need to provide proof of financial need and your pet’s condition.

• Crowdfund for vet bills: Use platforms like GoFundMe or Waggle to raise funds for your pet’s medical care. Share your story, and fundraise with friends, family, and even strangers.

• Look for charities: Foundations like Frankie’s Friends offer financial aid for urgent veterinary care. Each has different requirements and coverage limits. Ask your vet if they work with any assistance programs.

• Focus on preventive care: Preventing issues can save you from costly treatments later. Stay current on vaccinations and dental care. A healthy diet and exercise routine can help prevent issues.

Prescription medications can be another big expense for your pet or service animal. Many pharmacies accept GoodRx coupons for pet medications, just as they do for human prescriptions. Search for your pet’s medications on goodrx.com or goodrxforpets.com, then show the coupon at a pharmacy to reduce your out-of-pocket costs.

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Written by:

Maggie Aime, MSN, RN

Maggie's writing brings health topics to life for readers at any stage of life. With over 25 years in healthcare and a passion for education, she creates content that informs, inspires, and empowers.

Edited by:

Charlene Rhinehart, CPA

Charlene Rhinehart, CPA, is a personal finance editor at GoodRx. She has been a certified public accountant for over a decade.

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