Tax season is upon us, and as you sift through receipts and forms, you might find yourself wondering if all those years as a loving pet parent can net you any savings from Uncle Sam.

While you still can't claim your pet as a dependent—despite them being arguably as dependent on you as any family member—there are several scenarios where Fido or Whiskers could indeed play a role in your tax deductions for the 2025 tax year. Let's unpack the nitty-gritty of pet-related tax benefits.

The bark and byte of pet deductions

First things first, the general rule of thumb (or claw) in tax law remains straightforward: personal expenses are typically a no-go for deductions. This includes the cost of that pricey, plush dog bed or the fancy cat tree. However, don't let that discourage you. Certain pet-related expenses do qualify under specific circumstances, and the IRS has clarified these rules for 2025.

When pets pay off at tax time

Wondering if your pet could snag you some tax breaks? You can indeed deduct pet expenses on your taxes, provided they meet specific criteria. Here are the costs you might be able to write off:

• Veterinary bills

• Medical treatments

• Food and essential supplies

• Training courses

• Grooming services

• Transportation costs

• Boarding fees

• Pet insurance premiums (for qualifying animals)

If your pet plays a special role in your life, either as a service animal, emotional support companion, or business partner, you could see some tax relief for the expenses that keep them healthy and able to perform their duties.

Common pet tax deductions for 2025

According to Newsweek, there are five main categories of pet tax deductions you may be eligible to claim in 2025:

1. Service & emotional support animal tax deduction

If you have a certified service animal, you can deduct costs associated with their care, including medical expenses, food, grooming, and training, if those costs exceed a certain percent of your adjusted gross income. The cost of acquiring your service animal can also be deductible.

Service animals perform specific tasks such as:

• Guiding a blind person

• Alerting a deaf person

• Assisting with mobility

• Protecting an epileptic person during a seizure

Important update for 2025: Emotional support animals may now qualify for deductions if recommended by a doctor with proper documentation. You'll need to prove they fulfill a necessary medical role to earn this deduction.

2. Working animal tax deduction

If your pet has a job—think guard dogs protecting a business or farm animals, or cats keeping commercial properties rodent-free—costs related to their upkeep can be deductible. This includes food, training, and veterinary care.

However, the IRS requires that the expense be ordinary and necessary for your business, so a guard Pomeranian might be a harder sell than a German Shepherd. You should maintain records of how many hours your pet spends working—essentially, a timecard for your fur-covered employee.

3. Performance animal tax deduction

Similarly, performance animals that entertain and captivate audiences—whether in commercials, movies, competitions, or even as social media influencers—may fetch tax benefits. If your pet earns you income through TV appearances, advertising, or influencer roles, their maintenance expenses can be considered business deductions.

Expenses related to their upkeep, training, and travel can be deductible if these activities generate taxable income. This means the costs to maintain your pet in top shape for the spotlight—veterinary care, grooming, and training—could be considered legitimate business expenses.

4. Tax-deductible moving expenses for pets

Though this is a niche category, if you're moving for a job and meet specific IRS criteria, moving your pet can be deductible as part of the overall moving expense. For the 2025 tax year, to qualify:

• The move must closely relate to the start of work

• Your new primary job location must be at least 50 miles farther from your old home than your previous job location

• After the move, you must work full-time at your new job for at least 39 weeks during the first year

It's important to note that this deduction is primarily available to active military members moving due to military orders.

5. Tax-deductible donations to pet charities

Pet parents who foster animals or volunteer with 501(c)(3) approved animal rescues can deduct out-of-pocket expenses that weren't reimbursed. This includes food, supplies, and even vet bills, provided you keep receipts and potentially a letter from the charity acknowledging your volunteer work.

Additionally, if you donate money, food, toys, pet beds, or other supplies to non-profit rescues or organizations that raise funds for animals, those contributions can be tax-deductible. Your charitable donations should not exceed 60% of your adjusted gross income.

For shelter volunteers, if you drive for a non-profit rescue (like transporting an adoptable dog between states), you can deduct charitable transportation costs. However, regular commuting to the non-profit to volunteer isn't deductible.

6. Pet trusts and estate planning

Here's a new one. If you're setting up a trust for your pet, the legal fees associated with establishing the trust may be deductible in some circumstances. This can be an important consideration for pet owners who want to ensure their pets are cared for if something happens to them.

It's important to note that routine pet expenses such as food and toys are still not deductible under personal tax returns, even when part of a pet trust arrangement.

(Psst- have you created your pet's legacy plan yet? Click the link for our downloadable form so you can leave detailed care instructions for your pet)

Is pet insurance tax deductible?

Because you receive tax forms from your own medical insurance, you might wonder if that applies to your pet. The answer is: Sometimes.

If your pet is a service animal, an emotional support companion with proper documentation, a performance animal, or a working animal, you may be able to write off pet insurance as a deduction. For standard pets that don't fall into these categories, pet insurance premiums are not deductible.

Are pet medical expenses tax deductible?

If your pet belongs to one of the qualifying groups mentioned above, then yes, veterinary bills and pet prescriptions could be tax deductible. As with other deductions, be sure to track down all bills and receipts as proof for any deductions you claim.

Maximize your pet-related tax savings

• Documentation is key: Keep detailed records of all qualifying expenses. Receipts, invoices, and relevant documentation are essential if the IRS has questions.

• Not all pets qualify: Personal pets, no matter how beloved, generally don't unlock tax benefits unless they fall into one of the specific categories mentioned.

• Consult the pros: Tax laws can be as complex as deciphering your cat's moods. When in doubt, consulting with a tax professional can save you headaches (and potentially money).

• Itemize for maximum benefit: To claim your pet on your taxes, you'll need to itemize deductions rather than taking the standard deduction. For 2025, the standard deduction is $14,600 for individual taxpayers and $29,200 for married couples filing jointly. If your itemized deductions (including pet-related ones) don't exceed these amounts, you're likely better off taking the standard deduction.

The bottom line

While our pets can't directly fetch us a bucket of deductions, there are paths through which they can contribute to our financial well-being in meaningful ways. As you tackle this tax season, take a moment to appreciate your soulful sidekick, not just for the joy they bring into our lives but perhaps for a little tax relief, too.

Remember, the average cost of pet parenthood typically runs around $1,000 annually (with costs often higher for puppies, seniors, or newly acquired pets). While tax deductions won't offset all these expenses, every bit helps in managing the financial aspects of pet parenthood.

Disclaimer: We're not tax experts, so don't take this as infallible financial advice. When in doubt, always consult with a qualified tax preparer for official guidance.

Lizz Caputo is the Manager of Content Strategy at Figo, animal enthusiast, and owner of a rescued senior American Bully. Her hobbies include checking out new restaurants in her area, boxing, and petting dogs of all shapes and sizes.