Pets aren’t just companions; they’re cherished members of our families who enrich our lives in countless ways. The profound human-animal bond they offer is widely recognized for its mental and physical health benefits. In fact, research from Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) and Zoeti s shows that 87% of pet owners have experienced these health benefits, with virtually all (98%) reporting increased happiness, reduced loneliness, and decreased stress.[1] This deep connection drives pet parents to prioritize their animal’s health and happiness, encompassing everything from routine preventive care and healthy products to ensuring they have the best possible life. For many pet owners, their animals are truly family – a sentiment echoed by Synchrony’s 2025 Pet Lifetime of Care Study, which found that 60% of dog owners, 61% of cat owners, and 59% of “pocket pet” owners view their pets as family. Despite this unwavering commitment to their pets’ well-being, the reality is that pets, like humans, can still face health challenges, bringing with them unexpected expenses. For many families, navigating these costs can become a significant concern, determining what care a beloved pet can receive. Jonathan Wainberg understands this dynamic well. He leads the Pet business at Synchrony Health and Wellness and focuses on helping families manage essential and routine pet expenses across the country. His 15-year-old miniature poodle Maddie lives with Cushing’s syndrome, a condition caused by a benign tumor that floods her body with excess stress hormones. Managing the disease requires regular bloodwork, specialist visits, and medication adjustments. What gives Wainberg some peace of mind is having a plan for covering Maddie’s long-term care. He relies on Synchrony’s CareCredit, a credit card for human and pet health and wellness products and services, which allows pet parents to spread out both routine and unexpected veterinary expenses through monthly payments rather than paying a large bill at once. The card is accepted at more than 27,000 veterinary locations nationwide, including most primary care clinics, emergency hospitals, and specialty providers. For many families, it offers a practical option when the timing or cost of care becomes a major hurdle. “The most rewarding thing about my job is when people approach me and say, “Without CareCredit, I wouldn’t have been able to get a much-needed treatment for my pet,” Wainberg said. “We’re removing that emotional stress and financial barrier for the cardholder and allowing him or her to focus on getting the pet proper care.” Synchrony’s 2025 Lifetime of Pet Care Study shows why this kind of financial support is becoming more and more important. Nearly eight in ten pet owners underestimate the cost of caring for an animal during its lifetime. The study found that lifetime expenses now range from about $22,000 to more than $60,000 for dogs and about $20,000 to more than $47,000 for cats. Costs are also rising as advanced diagnostics, specialty medicine, and preventive wellness services become more common. Owners of hamsters, guinea pigs, rabbits, and other “pocket pets” also underestimate these costs. While many expect to spend under$3,000, the actual range is between approximately $7,000 and $15,000 over a typical six-year lifespan. This gap between expectations and reality fuels the need for pet owners to improve their financial preparedness. Almost half of pet owners now say unexpected veterinary bills cause significant stress, up from one in three just a few years ago. Only about a third feel they could comfortably handle a major pet-related expense. For Wainberg, he continues to be motivated by his work that always comes back to Maddie and to the families he hears from every day. He spoke with Washingtonian while in D.C. for the Milken Institute Future of Health Summit, where he joined industry leaders to discuss how innovation and financial access can improve health and wellness for people and pets. Wainberg sees every day how preparedness and flexible financing can shape a pet’s care he explains, when owners can focus on treatment instead of cost, pets (and their owners) tend to have “a longer and hopefully happier lifestyle.” ¹ Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) and Zoetis, New Research Confirms the Strong Bond Between People and Pets is a Global Phenomenon, 95% Worldwide Say Pets Are Family, January 16, 2022.The post When Pets Need Care, Cost Shouldn’t Stand in the Way first appeared on Washingtonian. ...read more read less