Are Tariffs Increasing Your Vet Practice Expenses Without You Knowing?

Tariffs seem to be everywhere in the headlines. From nightly news segments to industry updates, the topic keeps popping up. For veterinary practice owners, the real question is simpler: how does this affect my day-to-day business?

Let’s unpack what tariffs actually look like inside a veterinary practice. While tariffs may sound like a distant economic issue, their effects can quietly show up in operating costs, purchasing decisions, and long-term planning.

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The Familiar Pressures: Staffing and Rising Costs

When practice owners are asked about their biggest concerns, the answers are consistent. Staffing (finding, retaining, and supporting great team members) remains at the top of the list. Close behind is the rising cost of just about everything it takes to run a practice.

Medications, supplies, technology, and equipment all continue to trend upward. While tariffs are not always the first thing owners think of, they can be part of the reason certain expenses feel heavier than they did a few years ago.

Where Tariffs Tend to Show Up Most

The clearest impact of tariffs is often seen in technology and equipment purchases. Items like computers, diagnostic tools, and other advanced equipment rely on complex global supply chains. Many components are manufactured overseas, assembled elsewhere, and distributed through multiple layers of wholesalers.

As tariffs affect those manufacturing and distribution relationships, suppliers are often faced with higher costs. In many cases, those increases don’t stay behind the scenes and they’re passed along to the end buyer. For veterinary practices, that can mean paying more for upgrades, replacements, or expansions than originally anticipated.

Some manufacturers are actively working to rethink sourcing strategies and reduce exposure to tariffs, but those changes take time. In the short term, price increases can still land on the practice owner’s desk.

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Transparency Matters More Than Ever

One key takeaway here is the value of open dialogue with vendors. Not every price increase is tariff-related, but without asking questions, it can be difficult to tell the difference.

Some suppliers may not be impacted by tariffs at all, while others may be. There’s also the possibility that broader market conditions create opportunities for price adjustments that aren’t directly tied to tariffs. That’s why transparency is so important right now.

Asking vendors straightforward questions—Where is this product sourced? Are tariffs affecting this price? Has anything changed in your supply chain?—can provide clarity and help owners make more informed decisions.

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The Value of Shopping Around

Big-ticket purchases deserve extra attention. Different suppliers may source similar products from different regions, which can lead to meaningful price differences. Taking time to compare options can reveal alternatives that better align with a practice’s budget and goals.

Shopping around isn’t about mistrust, it’s about understanding the market. By exploring multiple vendors and comparing not just price, but also sourcing, service, and long-term support, practice owners can protect margins while still investing in the tools their teams need.

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Staying Proactive in a Shifting Landscape

Tariffs are just one piece of a much larger financial picture for veterinary practices. They may not always be visible, but their influence can quietly shape purchasing decisions and operational costs.

By staying curious, asking thoughtful questions, and keeping vendor conversations open, practice owners put themselves in a stronger position to navigate rising costs. Awareness and flexibility go a long way in a market where global factors increasingly influence local decisions.

In a time when every dollar matters, understanding what’s driving costs and where there may be room to adapt can make a meaningful difference for the health of the practice and the people who rely on it.