Considering tele-vet care for your pet? Here's when it makes sense (and when it doesn't)

Sponsored MoneyWatch: Managing Your Money Considering tele-vet care for your pet? Here's when it makes sense (and when it doesn't) We may receive commissions from some links to products on this page. Promotions are subject to availability and retailer terms. .chip { background-image: url('/fly/bundles/cbsnewscore/images/chip-bgd/chip-bgd-moneywatch.jpg'); } By Angelica Leicht Angelica Leicht Senior Editor, Managing Your Money Angelica Leicht is the senior editor for the Managing Your Money section for CBSNews.com, where she writes and edits articles on a range of personal finance topics. Angelica previously held editing roles at The Simple Dollar, Interest, HousingWire and other financial publications. Read Full Bio Angelica Leicht April 28, 2026 / 3:44 PM EDT / CBS News Add CBS News on Google While tele-vet care can be a useful tool for pet owners, it's not a complete replacement for in-person vet visits.  Oscar Wong/Getty Images Today's high (and rising) pet care costs are forcing many owners to rethink how — and when — they seek veterinary help. Just the routine vet expenses for a single cat or dog now average more than $4,000 annually, according to a new survey from Healthy Paws Pet Insurance, and those costs have climbed sharply in recent years as veterinary services become more advanced and, in turn, more expensive. That financial pressure is changing pet owners' behavior, with some households delaying care or looking for alternatives that feel more manageable.At the same time, convenience has become a major factor in everyday decision-making, and that includes decisions over veterinary care. Between demanding work schedules, transportation challenges and long clinic wait times, getting your pet to the vet's office isn't always simple, even when you know you should go. Those challenges have helped fuel interest in tele-veterinary services, which allow pet owners to connect with licensed professionals through video, chat or phone.But while tele...