Rising Veterinary Costs Turn Hyderabad Pet Owners Toward Insurance

Hyderabad pet owners are increasingly grappling with steep veterinary medical bills, prompting a closer look at pet insurance as treatment expenses escalate across the city.

For several residents, medical emergencies and prolonged care have led to substantial expenses. Pet parent Pronita spent around ₹1.2 lakh over three months treating a rescued cat diagnosed with FIP, after paying ₹8,000 for the initial diagnostic tests alone. Another surgery for an injured rescued cat cost her ₹60,000 to ₹70,000, followed by months of paralysis care, physiotherapy, and medication.

Hyderabad-based doctor and pet owner Nabat Lakhani noted that routine diagnostic investigations for animals often cost significantly more than human tests. While human X-rays typically cost ₹200 to ₹500, she recently paid ₹1,000 per X-ray for an injured stray dog. Similarly, Liver Function Tests (LFT) or Kidney Function Tests (KFT) that cost between ₹200 and ₹700 for humans can exceed ₹2,000 for a pet. Dr. Lakhani's family spent ₹7,900 on dressing and four X-rays for an injured stray dog, followed by ₹22,000 over three days at another facility for dressing, saline, and boarding.

Another pet parent, Mukesh, spent approximately ₹40,000 when his puppy contracted Parvo, a viral infection requiring intravenous treatment every two hours and a ₹3,000 injection.

In response to mounting care costs, pet insurance is emerging as a potential financial cushion. Products available in India cover surgery, hospitalisation, specified illnesses, OPD treatment, mortality, theft, and third-party liability. Bajaj General Insurance lists 35 dog breeds across size categories as eligible for coverage on its website.

Sravanthi, co-founder of Hyderabad-based Petsfolio, said rising veterinary costs make insurance increasingly relevant, particularly for medium and large breeds prone to conditions such as hip dysplasia, bone issues, and accidental injuries. She noted that policies handled by her company provide up to ₹3 lakh in surgery cover, up to ₹50,000 for hospitalisation, and up to ₹30,000 for OPD.

However, unlike cashless human health insurance, pet policies in India generally operate on a reimbursement model. Petsfolio assists clients with documentation, with claims typically processed within 15 to 20 days.