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Understanding the cost of your pet’s care can help you choose the right preventive care package. Learn what’s included in Optimum Wellness Plans, how pricing works, and how you can save on routine veterinary services throughout the year.
How much do Optimum Wellness Plans cost?
The cost of an Optimum Wellness Plan depends on the plan you choose for your pet. They start at $31.95 per month, with an average monthly cost of around $63. Plans designed for pets who need more care, including additional preventive services, diagnostics, and dental, will have a higher monthly price.
Because Optimum Wellness Plans bundle your pet's routine preventive care, you get a minimum average savings of 30%.* Plus, you get a 5% to 15% discount on most other Banfield products and services not included in your plan.
| OWPs for Dogs | Average monthly cost | Average discount on services* |
| Puppy Early Care | $62.95 | 50% |
| Puppy Early Care Plus | $77.95 | 53% |
| Dog Active Care | $54.95 | 39% |
| Dog Active Care Plus | $69.95 | 49% |
| Dog Senior Care | $93.95 | 64% |
| Dog Senior Care Plus | $106.95 | 64% |
| OWPs for Cats | Average monthly cost | Average discount on services* |
| Kitten Early Care | $58.95 | 37% |
| Kitten Early Care Plus | $68.95 | 43% |
| Cat Active Care | $46.95 | 43% |
| Cat Active Care Plus | $65.95 | 49% |
| Cat Senior Care | $83.95 | 67% |
| Cat Senior Care Plus | $96.95 | 67% |
Looking for the most budget-friendly way to care for your cat? Banfield Access Plan™ includes unlimited office visits, yearly exams, and select preventive services to save you money and support your cat’s health. See Banfield Access Plan™
What affects the cost of your plan
The cost of Optimum Wellness Plans varies based on a few factors, including which plan you choose, your location, and customizations.
Selected plan: Different plans include different preventive care services, which affects the overall cost.
Location: Pricing varies by your area.
Customizations: They are added to your plan to customize it for your dog or cat’s needs. These packages are available at a discounted price compared to the individual retail cost. Customizations include services and products such as parasite prevention, spay or neuter surgery, or additional diagnostic testing. Explore more OWP customizations
The true cost of owning a pet
The cost of owning a pet goes beyond adoption fees and supplies. Pet owners should plan for both everyday expenses and preventive care throughout their pet’s life, including routine veterinary visits, vaccinations, parasite prevention, dental care, and unexpected medical needs.
Initial pet expenses may include:
- Adoption or purchase fees
- First-year vaccinations and veterinary visits
- Spay or neuter surgery
- Food and water bowls
- Bedding, leash, collar, toys, and other supplies
Ongoing petcare costs can include:
- Food, treats, and supplements
- Routine checkups, vaccines, and diagnostics
- Parasite prevention (fleas, ticks, heartworm, and intestinal parasites)
- Grooming
- Boarding or pet sitting
- Dental cleanings and oral care
Routine veterinary care, including comprehensive exams, diagnostic testing, and dental cleaning, plays an important role in helping your veterinary team monitor your pet’s health and catch potential issues early.
Unexpected expenses can happen, too. Pets may become injured, get sick, eat something they shouldn’t, or develop health conditions as they get older. Emergency visits, medications, treatments, and ongoing care for conditions like diabetes or kidney disease can add to the overall cost of pet ownership.
According to the Lifetime of Care Study by Synchrony published in 2025, pet owners spend an average of $22,125 to $60,602 over the lifetime of a dog and $20,073 to $47,106 over the lifetime of a cat.
While pets bring plenty of joy, planning for their care is an important part of being a responsible pet owner. Preventive care packages can help make routine veterinary expenses more predictable and support your pet’s health throughout their life.
By enrolling in a plan, you can save money* while helping your pet get the preventive care they need.
What is a preventive care package and what is included?
A preventive care package is a bundle of veterinary services designed to help support your pet’s routine health needs throughout the year. Optimum Wellness Plans (OWPs) combine recommended preventive care services into a package, helping make it easier to budget for your pet’s ongoing veterinary care.
Instead of paying separately for each preventive service at every visit, an OWP includes a set of services based on your pet’s plan. Common included services are:
- Comprehensive exams
- Unlimited office visits
- Routine vaccinations
- Diagnostic testing
- Parasite screenings
- 24/7 Pet Chat™**
OWPs also give you discounts on most other Banfield products and services not included in your plan. Learn more about what’s included in Optimum Wellness Plans.
Preventive care package vs. pet insurance vs. out-of-pocket vet care
There are many options for pet owners, and it can be hard to know which option makes the most sense for your needs. The truth is, preventive care packages, pet insurance, and paying out-of-pocket each serve different roles in your pet’s health journey. Here’s a side-by-side look:
| Option | What it includes | Payment model | When it's a good fit |
| Preventive care package |
Preventive care like exams, vaccines, diagnostics, dental cleanings, parasite prevention (varies by provider) |
Predictable monthly or annual fee; no claims process |
Great for routine care, budgeting for predictable costs, helping you stay ahead of illness with early detection |
| Pet insurance | Accidents, illnesses, emergencies, chronic conditions (coverage varies by policy) |
Monthly premium and deductible; reimbursement after claims |
Ideal for peace of mind against unexpected vet bills |
| Out-of-pocket care | Any service, but you pay in full at each visit |
Pay-as-you-go | Works best for pets with terminal health concerns or preexisting conditions not covered by insurance |
When does each work best?
Many pet owners find that the combination of a preventive care package and insurance helps pets stay healthy while making costs more predictable.
Our Optimum Wellness Plans can help you save a minimum of 30% on preventive care.* That’s especially helpful for new puppies and kittens who need more vaccinations, will be spayed or neutered, and have developing immune systems. It’s also helpful for older pets who benefit from more in-depth diagnostic testing and dental care. Routine preventive care throughout gives your vet a baseline to know what’s normal for your pet and helps catch issues early before they become a more expensive issue later.
Opting for pet insurance is a smart choice for certain pet breeds that are prone to hereditary issues like hip dysplasia, cancer, or diabetes. Dogs with active lifestyles are also at risk for injury, such as tearing a ligament that would require surgery to repair. Insurance can help shield you from some of the financial burden, and it can offer peace of mind for pet owners.
Common misconception: Preventive care packages are not insurance, which covers accidents or emergencies. And insurance usually doesn’t include routine care like exams and vaccines unless you purchase a wellness add-on. Together, though, they can offer more complete care for your pet. Read more about the differences
While preventive care packages and insurance offer valuable benefits for many pet owners, there are situations when paying out of pocket may be a better choice. If you’re caring for a pet temporarily — such as fostering or providing end-of-life care — you may not need the ongoing services that a wellness plan provides. Additionally, if your pet has preexisting health conditions that aren’t covered by insurance, paying for veterinary care as needed can sometimes be more practical and cost effective. Every pet’s situation is unique, so it’s important to consider your pet’s health needs, your financial circumstances, and how long you expect to provide care before choosing the best option.
Early Care plans include age-appropriate preventive care as they grow through puppy and kittenhood. They include essentials like vaccinations, exams, 24/7 access to veterinary professionals, and unlimited office visits to give you peace of mind during that first amazing year. Early Care Plus has all the same services, plus a spay or neuter.
Active Care plans are best for healthy adult dogs and cats over six months. They include age-appropriate services like vaccinations, exams, 24/7 access to veterinary professionals, and unlimited office visits. Active Care Plus also includes dental cleaning, more testing, and bigger discounts. These plans are designed to help protect your dog or cat from harmful diseases and give them a foundation for wellness.
Senior Care plans are our most comprehensive package, providing extra support as your pet ages and needs more detailed monitoring. It includes six types of diagnostic testing for detecting changes in organ function and overall physical health, in addition to the essential petcare services included in our other plans.
How does cost differ between OWPs?
Pricing varies between plans based on the included services and your region. Plans start at $31.95 per month, with an average monthly cost of around $63. Plans that include more services may cost around $100 per month. For exact pricing, get started answering a few questions (find the link)
How Banfield helps you save more on preventive care
Optimum Wellness Plans help make routine veterinary care more affordable by bundling preventive services into one plan. With benefits like unlimited office visits and 24/7 Pet Chat™*, OWP members always have access to professional advice and support throughout the year.
OWP members also receive discounts on most Banfield products and services that are not included in their plan. Discounts vary by plan and range from 5% up to 15% off. These savings can help with additional care your pet may need, such as prescriptions, additional diagnostics, or other recommended services.
You can also personalize your pet’s preventive care with customizations, including parasite control. With options that fit their lifestyle, health needs, and risk factors, you can get tailored care that's as unique as your pet.
Managing your pet’s Optimum Wellness Plan is simple. You can enroll online, access your pet’s medical records, schedule appointments, and manage payments through the Banfield app or MyBanfield account.
Ready to enroll your pet? Get started
How to estimate costs near you
Want to know how much an exam, vaccines, or other services cost in your area? Find a Banfield location near you for pricing.
FAQs about Optimum Wellness Plans cost
How much does an Optimum Wellness Plan cost?
The cost of an Optimum Wellness Plan depends on the plan you choose, your location, and any added customizations. Plans start at $31.95 per month, with an average monthly cost of around $63 and higher-cost plans reaching around $100 per month.
You can choose to pay monthly or annually, depending on what works best for your budget. OWP members also receive 5% to 15% off most other Banfield products and services not included in their plan.
Can I pay monthly or annually?
Either! Optimum Wellness Plans can be paid monthly or annually, depending on what works best for your budget. Monthly payments help spread out the cost of your pet’s preventive care, while an annual payment allows you to pay upfront.
Are Optimum Wellness Plans worth it?
Definitely! Optimum Wellness Plans can be a valuable option for pet owners who want to stay on top of their pet’s preventive care while making routine veterinary costs more affordable. OWPs bundle essential preventive services — including comprehensive exams, routine vaccinations, and diagnostic testing — into one package. Pet owners save a minimum average of 30% compared with individual service prices when they use all included services.
Plans also include unlimited office visits and discounts on most other Banfield products and services. The best value comes from choosing a plan that fits your pet’s life stage, needs, and recommended care throughout the year.
Do prices vary by Banfield location?
Yes. Optimum Wellness Plan prices vary by Banfield Pet Hospital location.
Can I cancel an OWP early?
Optimum Wellness Plans are annual plans that spread the cost of your pet’s preventive care over 12 months. If you decide to cancel your OWP before the end of the plan term, you are responsible for the difference between the retail cost of services already used and the payments made toward the plan.
Before enrolling, review your plan agreement for details about cancellation and payment terms. This can help you understand your plan benefits and responsibilities throughout the year.
Ready to make petcare more affordable?
See how much you could save on your pet’s preventive care with plans designed for puppies, kittens, dogs, cats, and senior pets.
*Minimum average savings of 30%. Savings are based on our individual service prices compared to discounted service prices in Optimum Wellness Plans. Savings are based on using all services included in a plan.
**Due to state telehealth laws, Pet Chat may be unavailable or limited in some states.
Important Notice: The information provided on this page is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. Always consult a veterinarian with any questions regarding your pet's health or medical condition. Never disregard or delay seeking professional veterinary advice based on information from this page.
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