The Cheap Cost of the Latin American Veterinarian

Expats often remark about "how much cheaper it is" to have healthcare done in Latin America than back home.

But is it cheaper to have property veterinarian care done down here than back home also?

Well, to be fair, I have had pets all my life in the US but never had to pay for them in the US nor have I ever owned or paid for pets down here in Latin America.

Due to those facts, I am obviously not personally experienced with the cost of veterinarian care down here in Latin America compared to the price of it back home.

But, over the years, I have contemplated the cost of having pets down here because, as I wrote here, I know it would make me feel happier to have a dog or a cat again.

In that time, I have at least gotten the opinion of others regarding how much veterinarian care costs down here.

Just out of curiosity, I have asked other expats I have been in contact with that happen to have pets to let me know how much I could ever expect to pay for that down here.

Of course, "down here" means Mexico City specifically.

Obviously, all of Latin America is different.

For all I know, perhaps the veterinarian costs in Montevideo, Uruguay are noticeably more expensive!

But I'd have no idea.

Though, given healthcare tends to be cheaper down here across the board regardless of country from what I have noticed, I can't imagine that veterinarian costs are significantly higher in every other Latin American country.

Prices sure do differ but, if Mexico City is any example to consider (especially given how Mexico City can be more expensive than quite a few Latin American cities), then I'd imagine that a similar cheap cost of veterinarian care could be seen in most of the region also.

Anyway, after having done some minor homework for this article out of curiosity for myself and to help others contemplate the costs (based on 2022 numbers anyhow), let's look into what the cost of veterinarian care COULD be for you down here with a quick story.

How to Fix a Vomiting Cat

Not too long ago I went to some little gathering at a bar where there were mostly other expats and a few locals.

During the time there, I encountered some Canadian gal who was asking me basic questions about my time in Mexico, how long I'm here for, etc.

When realizing I live here and not just a visitor, the conversation got a tiny bit deeper into life in Mexico.

One thing in particular that caught my attention was her experience going to the vet in Mexico.

Truth be told, I've wanted to have some pets for quite a while now.

It was only some odd months ago when I lived in another apartment of Mexico City and they had a dog at the place that I quite liked.

Since then, I've really wanted a pet in Mexico. I think it'd be good for me.

But, for several reasons, I don't think it's the right time to get one (especially given how long term committed you have to be to have one and I'd like to travel again at some point).

Though, in contrast to my life in Mexico, I always had pets growing up as long as I can remember.

Always cats though.

So, on this night, I got talking with some Canadian gal whose name I forgot that happens to live here also and she also has a few cats.

Out of curiosity, I asked her what it costs usually to have a pet in Mexico.

From what I remember in the US, it can be quite expensive to get proper care for your pets.

So she ended up telling me a few stories on some of the costs she has to put down.

In particular, one of her cats recently had an episode where it was vomiting.

She took the cat to the vet with about 5,000 pesos or 250 MXN ready to give as, from her experience, the cost for something like this could maybe cost that up in Canada

But, to her surprise, the cost was only 450 pesos and that even included the medicine for the cat.

Or roughly 225 USD.

Her cat though was fine overall.

It simply had an upset stomach from a change in her food to a cheaper brand.

Outside of that experience, she recalled to me other moments.

For one, she ended up  getting one of her cats checkups and vaccines and it was only 650 pesos or roughly 32.50 USD.

Outside of that, she also has one dog and has done some vet work for her also over the years she has been in Mexico (she's apparently been here for 9 years).

For example, she once had to get a "leg surgery and nail revived" for 6000 pesos or roughly 300 bucks for her dog after some accident.

But that's it really!

In hindsight, I suppose I could've asked about the cost of pet food, toys and other things but I didn't inquire too much beyond what she told me.

And, to be fair, it's interesting in a way.

I was a kid and a teenager when I lived with my parents who had pets and so obviously I never paid for any pet care myself.

But, in comparison to some of the things I remember my parents paying for over the years for our cats, vet prices do seem a little bit cheaper down here.

Though I can't really make any comparisons beyond that.

It seems cheaper down here anyhow similar to healthcare for us humans also.

Perhaps another benefit to living in Latin America.

If you got anything to add, drop a comment below.

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Thanks for reading.

Best regards,

Matt