Across Denver, pet parents are feeling the pinch. Veterinary bills that once felt routine are now reshaping family budgets. Over the past decade, the cost of pet care has climbed more than 60%, and in the past five years, prices have outpaced inflation nearly two-to-one.
But beyond the numbers, something deeper is shifting. As vet costs rise, so do emotions: guilt, stress, and frustration for owners trying to do right by their pets in a city where everything costs more.
The Emotional Cost of Pet Parenthood
“We budget for rent, groceries, and now our cat’s dental cleaning?” one pet parent says.
For many, vet visits have become an emotional balancing act — the joy of loving an animal mixed with the anxiety of paying for its care. Pets aren’t just companions anymore; they’re family, part of daily life from city hikes to home offices. And like family, their health comes first, or at least that’s the goal.
But inflation and Denver’s rising living costs make that harder. Routine exams, dentals, and bloodwork now require budgeting once reserved for major bills.
Veterinary care costs are up 60% in the past decade and more than 40% in five years. Pet parents want to do more for their animals but increasingly feel they can afford less.
The Challenge of Preventive Care
Everyone knows preventive care — exams, vaccines, and diagnostics — keeps pets healthy and helps avoid emergencies. But for many, it’s the first thing to go when budgets tighten.
Skipping care now often leads to bigger, costlier problems later. And while younger pet parents in cities like Denver are more wellness-focused than ever, they’re also looking for affordability and flexibility.
According to CSU, 91% of pet owners in the state report financial stress related to vet care. A 2024 PetDesk report found that 42% of pet parents don’t receive reminders for appointments or vaccines, although 87% say those reminders matter. It shows a growing gap between what people expect and what clinics deliver.
Why Pet Parents Are Switching Clinics
In this changing landscape, 31% of pet parents, and 40% of those under 35, are considering switching vets this year. Not because they’re dissatisfied (only 4% report negative experiences) but because they want something better: digital-first, cost-predictable, and lifestyle-aligned care.
Denver’s wellness culture has raised the bar. Pet parents expect the same transparency, convenience, and modern experience they get elsewhere. They’re not leaving vets because they don’t care; they’re asking, isn’t there a better way to do this?
A Clinic Designed for Real Life
Enter Sploot Veterinary Care, a growing network of modern clinics across the Denver metro area reimagining what pet care looks and feels like.
Each Sploot clinic offers same-day appointments, extended hours, and digital communication that lets pet parents text directly with their care team. The clinics are bright, welcoming, and stress-free for pets and people alike.
“We’re not trying to reinvent medicine, just the way people access it,” says Dr. Jessica Apted, Regional Medical Director at Sploot. “It should be easy to get good care.”
Membership That Encourages More Care
At the heart of Sploot’s model is SplootPack, a veterinary membership plan that flips the traditional cost equation: the more you use it, the more you save.
For a flat annual price of $299, SplootPack covers essential wellness services such as exams, vaccines, and preventive care. It also offers discounts on diagnostics, dentals, urgent care, and more. Members can save hundreds each year while gaining peace of mind through predictable pricing.
“It’s like Amazon Prime for your pet — high-quality vet care with real savings built in,” says Gil Bolotin, Sploot co-founder. “For most families, SplootPack pays for itself after just a couple of visits.”
Many members say predictability is what drew them in and keeps them coming back.
“I used to delay appointments unless something felt urgent,” says a pet parent who’s used SplootPack for a year. “Now I can stay ahead of things without worrying about surprise costs.”
Another adds, “It’s one less thing to stress about.”
Sploot recently made the membership more accessible with an opt-out option for new users.
A Modern Experience for Modern Pet Parents
Younger generations of pet owners expect care that’s flexible, digital, and transparent, and Sploot has built its model around that.
A PetDesk survey found that 69% of 18- to 34-year-olds struggle to book vet appointments, and only 45% say they’re very satisfied with their current clinic. That gap between expectation and experience is exactly what Sploot aims to close.
With extended hours, multiple Denver locations, online booking, and real-time communication with care teams, Sploot makes vet care fit modern life.
For today’s pet parent, it’s not just about reducing costs; it’s about reshaping the experience to be easier and more human.
The Future of Pet Care
Denver has long been a hub for health and wellness innovation, and now that spirit is extending to pet care.
Membership-style models and tech-forward clinics are redefining what it means to be a responsible pet parent. While Sploot may not be the only one rethinking the model, it’s among the first to put prevention, convenience, and affordability at the center.
“We’re not trying to get people to come in more,” says Yoav Mordowicz, Sploot co-founder. “We’re trying to help them come in for the right reasons, making it simple and affordable to stay on top of preventive care so fewer visits turn into emergencies.”
The future of pet care may not look like a waiting room. It might look more like a wellness membership — proactive, simple, and designed for how people live today.
For pet parents in Denver, that’s a reason to breathe easier and a chance to rethink what great veterinary care can look like.
With its tech-forward clinics and membership-based model, Sploot Veterinary Care is proving pet wellness can be both accessible and elevated. For many Denver families, that shift is already underway.