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Alex Hawkins is an avid writer and researcher specializing in solar, pet insurance and home improvement. When he isn’t surveying homeowners to understand their pain points or speaking with professionals in the industries he covers, Alex can often be found creating videos for his YouTube channel, Analysis with Alex, or attending a heavy metal show. Dental Rx
Dana Getz is a seasoned editor with nearly a decade of experience writing and editing content. She has a background in journalism and worked as a fact-checker for prestigious magazines such as New York and Chicago. She holds a journalism and marketing degree from Northwestern University and has worked across numerous categories within the home services space.
Angela Beal, DVM, loves using her writing to help pet owners provide the best possible care for their furry companions. Angela has worked in private practice and taught veterinary technicians for 15 years. Since 2020, she has worked full-time with Rumpus Writing and Editing, a veterinary-specific writing and editing company. Angela lives in Columbus, Ohio with her husband, two sons, and their spoiled Chihuahua mix, Yogi.
Chances are, your pet will need X-rays at some point during its life. X-rays help vets view your pet’s bones, tissues and internal organs so that they can diagnose issues such as broken bones, bladder stones and swallowed foreign objects.
X-rays can also help vets detect certain tumors, pregnancy and enlarged organs which may lead to a diagnosis such as heart disease or cancer. While your primary concern is your furry friend’s well-being, you probably also want to know how much you can expect to pay for the service.
Vet X-rays cost an average of $103 to $383* but can fluctuate based on various factors. In this article, the Guides Home Team breaks down these factors and recommends pet insurance companies that can help you save money.
*All cost ranges are calculated as averages from various 2022 reports, including Canine Journal, PetKeen and Pawlicy Advisor.
Vet X-rays generally cost $103 to $383. Dog X-ray costs range from $126 to $300, while cat X-ray costs range from $100 to $267.* These price ranges are estimates, and the cost of your pet’s X-ray will vary depending on their size, the area being X-rayed, the injury’s severity, whether sedation is used and the type of practice you visit.
As mentioned above, multiple factors can affect how much an X-ray costs. Below are some of the most common factors affecting X-ray costs.
Two of the most significant impacts on cost are the location and severity of your pet’s injury. t. Some parts of the body are easier to X-ray than others, and the price depends on how easily your vet can reach the body parts being X-rayed. For example, your pet’s paw and leg are easier to X-ray than its head.
The type of vet office you visit and its location also influence X-ray costs. For example, an emergency hospital will charge more than a general practice veterinary clinic. If cost is an issue, look for local animal organizations that offer low-cost dog and cat X-rays .
Sedation is sometimes necessary to X-ray your pet. Some pets may be in extreme pain or incredibly nervous, so they won’t sit still long enough for the vet to take X-rays. If this occurs, your vet might recommend sedation or anesthesia. Your pet may also need to be completely relaxed for a clear image of its skull or teeth, in which case your vet may also recommend anesthesia. Sedation or anesthesia generally costs an additional $50 to $220.
There are many reasons why your pet might need an X-ray. X-rays are often used to diagnose common health problems, such as tumors or bladder stones. Below are some of the most common reasons cats and dogs need X-rays.
The most common reason cats and dogs need X-rays is to identify broken bones. Fractures often occur in the leg bones, and an X-ray is the best way to confirm a fracture’s location and severity.
X-rays can also help vets spot certain types of tumors. Dogs and cats can develop tumors in almost any body part, such as their kidneys, lungs, and bones. An X-ray can help your veterinarian detect a tumor, so they can pursue additional diagnostics to determine whether your pet has cancer and whether the tumor should be removed.
X-rays are standard for pet dental care. Both dogs and cats require sedation for dental X-rays. Even if your pet has no visible dental problems, vets still recommend annual X-rays since the majority of each tooth is buried. X-rays are essential to fully evaluate the tooth root, periodontal structures, and surrounding bone and can identify dental problems such as tooth fractures, abscesses, tumors, bone loss or tooth-root abnormalities.
Swallowing a nondigestible object can cause life-threatening health problems for a pet. An abdominal X-ray can provide your vet a visual image of the object in your pet’s stomach or intestinal tract to determine whether surgery is necessary for removal. If you suspect your pet swallowed a foreign object, contact your veterinarian immediately.
If your pet starts breathing abnormally, a chest X-ray can help your vet identify potential health conditions like bronchitis, pneumonia or fungal infection.
X-rays aren’t only for emergencies; they’re common diagnostic tools that support your pet’s health. Your dog or cat may need dental X-rays during routine vet visits, and you never know when a broken bone, hip dysplasia or severe intestinal issues can occur, which may also require an X-ray.
We recommend choosing a pet insurance policy that covers the costs of X-rays and any associated procedures that may follow, such as blood work or treatment for orthopedic issues. Learn about our top recommended pet insurance providers below.
Lemonade is an excellent option for pet parents looking to save money. The company provides some of the most affordable pet insurance plans, including X-ray coverage. Lemonade also offers a user-friendly smartphone app to manage your claims and keep track of your policy coverage and billing. The company covers X-rays as part of its diagnostic coverage in its standard accident and illness plan, including blood tests, urinalysis, MRIs, labwork, CT scans and ultrasounds.
To learn more: Read our Lemonade Pet Insurance review
We recommend Spot Pet Insurance for those interested in personalized coverage. The company’s policies are more customizable than many competitors, with annual limit options ranging from $2,500 to unlimited. Spot’s policies also cover a few items that many other pet insurance providers don’t, such as exam fees and microchipping.
To learn more: Read our Spot Pet Insurance review
Trupanion is a nationwide pet insurance provider that offers unlimited annual coverage caps, customizable deductibles and direct payments. Though pet insurance typically requires you to pay your entire vet bill and get reimbursed later, Trupanion’s $0 deductible option allows you to pay only your percentage of the bill at checkout. Trupanion provides one comprehensive pet insurance plan with accident and illness coverage—including X-rays—for dogs and cats up to 14 years old.
To learn more: Read our Trupanion Pet Insurance review
Based on our calculations, X-rays with sedation for dogs cost between $153 and $603. This price will vary depending on factors such as the clinic location and the area of the body that is X-rayed.
Yes, pet insurance companies typically cover X-rays under their standard accident and illness plans.
Like human health care, pet veterinary care prices vary according to the type of vet office and the procedures being performed.
We review each pet insurance company based on factors most important to pet parents like you. To inform our reviews, we surveyed 1,000 dog and cat owners nationwide to determine the most important elements of pet insurance coverage. Our process includes in-depth industry research about each provider, such as comparing coverage options, gathering quotes online to determine pricing and reading reviews to assess customer service.
We then score each provider on a 100-point scale and divide the final score by 20 to calculate an overall rating out of 5.0 stars. Here are more details about the factors we consider when reviewing pet insurance providers:
We use our rating system to compare each company we review and determine the best pet insurance companies in the industry. To learn more, read our full pet insurance methodology for reviewing and scoring providers.
Alex Hawkins is an avid writer and researcher specializing in solar, pet insurance and home improvement. When he isn’t surveying homeowners to understand their pain points or speaking with professionals in the industries he covers, Alex can often be found creating videos for his YouTube channel, Analysis with Alex, or attending a heavy metal show.
Dana Getz is a seasoned editor with nearly a decade of experience writing and editing content. She has a background in journalism and worked as a fact-checker for prestigious magazines such as New York and Chicago. She holds a journalism and marketing degree from Northwestern University and has worked across numerous categories within the home services space.
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