Veterinary Burnout Statistics: Prevalence, Causes, and Impact

Burnout is no longer a background concern in veterinary medicine but a defining challenge. Across clinics and hospitals, veterinary professionals are reporting rising levels of emotional exhaustion, compassion fatigue, and job dissatisfaction (2023 Merck Animal Health Study).

The long hours, high emotional labor, and mounting administrative work have created conditions that make it hard for care teams to stay engaged and energized.

Burnout isn’t just about morale—it affects everything from patient care quality to staff retention and clinic profitability. In this article, we’ve consolidated the latest and most credible statistics from sources like AVMA, NAVTA, and Merck to help you understand what’s really happening on the ground. We’ll look at who’s most affected, what’s driving burnout, and how it's silently costing your clinic more than you might think.

Whether you’re a solo DVM, a multi-location hospital manager, or part of the veterinary support staff, these insights can help you spot risks early and take informed steps toward creating a healthier, more sustainable workplace.

Burnout prevalence in the veterinary profession

Burnout is clearly a pervasive issue across the veterinary field, impacting every team member—from DVMs to support staff.

• 30-40% of DVMs report high levels of burnout, driven by long hours, emotional exhaustion, and client demands (Merck Animal Health Study). 
  

• The 2023 Merck Animal Health–AVMA Veterinary Wellbeing Study found high levels of exhaustion among veterinarians, with 61% reporting higher exhaustion than the general U.S. population (32%), and around 84% experiencing low to medium burnout levels.
  

• 70% of vet technicians experience burnout, with 65% citing compassion fatigue as their top wellbeing challenge (NAVTA Survey). 
  

• Roughly 1 in 3 veterinary professionals have considered leaving the field, attributing the thoughts to burnout and poor mental health (2023 AVMA Report). 

Data from the 2023 Merck Animal Health Veterinary Wellbeing Study reveals most veterinarians experience low to medium levels of burnout, with exhaustion standing out as the principal and most severe dimension.

Contributing risk factors to veterinary burnout

Burnout in veterinary care isn’t caused by a single factor; it’s the result of multiple stressors that accumulate over time:

• Nearly one-third of veterinary professionals are on-call at least five weeknights or weekends per month, and being on-call correlates with significantly higher burnout rates.
  

• A Galaxy Vets survey reported that respondents euthanize an average of 17 pets per month, and 20% of those are economic euthanasias—staff performing these repeatedly report higher burnout.
  

• NAVTA's 2024 Demographic Survey highlights growing tension: while pay and credentials are top issues, wellness and workload are also significant concerns, indicating that client pressure and role confusion drive stress.
  

• The lack of schedule control is one of the strongest predictors of emotional exhaustion among technicians. Meanwhile, practices report DVMs and support staff spending multiple unpaid hours daily on charts and veterinary record keeping.
  

• The same Galaxy Vets survey noted that low financial stability—felt more acutely by female veterinarians—was associated with higher burnout.

Pro tip: Tools like CoVet aren’t here to replace the vital work of vet techs or support staff—they’re designed to support it. By handling time-consuming tasks like real-time documentation and streamlining communication, CoVet helps reduce the admin burden that often fuels burnout.

That means your team can focus more on patient care and client connection—without sacrificing the value they bring to the clinic every day.

Veterinary teams can quickly record, pause, and generate SOAP notes using CoVet’s AI-powered scribe

Demographic and role-based breakdown

Burnout in the veterinary profession doesn't impact all individuals equally; rates vary widely depending on specific roles, gender, and career stages. Understanding these differences is crucial for designing targeted support and prevention strategies: 

• Female veterinarians report higher burnout prevalence compared to their male counterparts, with some studies citing rates upwards of 45% versus 30% for males. Contributing factors include work-life balance challenges and gender-specific stressors (Merck Animal Health Study). 
  

• Early-career veterinarians experience significantly higher burnout risk, with burnout rates over 50% within the first 5 years post-graduation. Stressors include student debt, lack of experience, and long hours (Merck Animal Health Study). 
  

• Mid- and senior-career professionals tend to report slightly lower burnout but remain at risk, especially when taking on leadership or emergency roles.
  

• The growing reliance on locum veterinarians in multi-location clinics highlights operational challenges related to continuity of care and workload management.
  

• Practices managing multi-pet vet records face additional administrative complexity that can contribute to staff stress.

Mental health statistics

The mental health of veterinary professionals is closely tied to burnout, with significant concerns about emotional exhaustion, depression, and suicidal ideation across the field. 

• Veterinarians experience higher rates of serious psychological distress compared to the general population (AVMA). 
  

• Veterinarians working excessive hours exhibit higher levels of psychological distress (AVMA). 
  

• In a 2015 AVMA/CDC survey of over 11,000 U.S. veterinarians, 1 in 6 veterinarians considered suicide.
  

• 18% of DVMs experience high rates of burnout, and 16% experience very high burnout rates (AVMA). 
  

• Despite high levels of distress, only about 30% of veterinarians seek professional mental health support, indicating barriers such as stigma and time constraints (AVMA). 

*If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, please seek help from a mental health professional or contact a crisis helpline.

Take a look at our article on veterinarian facts: key stats, trends, and insights for context on why vets face pressure

Financial and operational impact of burnout

Burnout in veterinary professionals affects individual well-being and has significant financial and operational repercussions for veterinary practices, impacting productivity, staff retention, and overall clinic performance.

• The Merck Animal Health Veterinary Wellbeing Study estimates the total cost of burnout in the veterinary profession is approximately $1.93 billion annually.
  

• While exact figures vary, multiple studies estimate that burnout costs veterinary practices an average of several thousand dollars annually per affected employee in lost productivity, turnover, and indirect costs.
  

• Overworked and emotionally exhausted staff may struggle with client communication, leading to decreased client satisfaction and loyalty. This can translate into lost revenue and damaged practice reputation over time.
  

• The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) reports that exhaustion levels among veterinary team members are notably higher than the general population, with 72% of veterinary professionals experiencing exhaustion compared to 32% nationally.
  

• Burnout has been linked to increased medical errors and workplace accidents, raising malpractice risks and insurance premiums, adding further financial strain.
  

• High turnover and staff burnout can disrupt client relationships and service continuity. The AVMA emphasizes that addressing burnout is crucial for maintaining client satisfaction and trust in veterinary services.

Burnout prevention and support strategies

Addressing veterinary burnout requires a proactive and multi-faceted approach that supports mental health, improves work conditions, and leverages tools to reduce administrative burdens. 

• Mental health support programs: Providing access to counseling services, employee assistance programs, and mental health education can help staff manage stress and emotional challenges effectively. Organizations like Not One More Vet (NOMV) offer critical resources and community support tailored to the unique mental health needs of veterinary professionals.
  

• Peer support groups and resilience training: Facilitating regular peer discussions and training in emotional resilience equips veterinary teams to better cope with the unique pressures of the profession.
  

• Scheduling and workload management: Implementing fair and flexible scheduling practices reduces long working hours and zero downtime, key risk factors for burnout.
  

• Work-life balance initiatives: Encouraging boundaries between work and personal time and promoting wellness activities help sustain emotional and physical well-being.

  
  

• Technology and admin relief tools: Veterinary dictation software like CoVet streamline clinical documentation and reduce administrative overhead, freeing up time for patient care and personal recovery. For more on that, read our guide on vet clinic software and helpful fools to streamline your operations.

Generate clear discharge summaries in one click. CoVet lets you quickly select key sections like treatment plans and follow-up steps—saving time while keeping clients informed.

Addressing veterinary burnout: Key insights and actionable next steps

Veterinary burnout remains a significant challenge impacting the well-being of clinical teams and the operational health of practices. The data shows elevated burnout rates across roles, with serious mental health implications and considerable financial costs. However, understanding these statistics and their root causes empowers veterinary leaders to take targeted action.

After reviewing the latest veterinary burnout statistics, practice managers, hospital managers, and team leaders should:

• Assess burnout risk factors specific to staff roles and work environments

• Prioritize mental health support programs and peer resilience initiatives

• Implement scheduling and workload adjustments to ensure sufficient downtime

• Explore innovative tools like CoVet to reduce administrative burden and improve workflow efficiency

By proactively addressing burnout through these strategies, veterinary practices can foster healthier teams, reduce turnover, and maintain high-quality patient care.

Frequently asked questions about veterinary burnout statistics

What is the burnout rate for veterinarians?

Around 30-40% of veterinarians report high levels of burnout, with many experiencing emotional exhaustion, compassion fatigue, and job dissatisfaction due to the demanding nature of the profession.

What are the statistics for job burnout?

In veterinary medicine, 66-70% of technicians and support staff report burnout symptoms. Approximately 1 in 3 veterinary professionals have considered leaving the field due to burnout.

What percent of veterinarians are happy?

While many veterinarians find fulfillment in their work, studies show only about 50-60% report overall job satisfaction, as burnout causes significant emotional strain.

What is the stress level of a vet?

Veterinarians experience high stress levels due to long hours, emotional labor, client demands, and administrative work, contributing to elevated burnout rates.

What is the hardest thing to do as a vet?

Many vets find euthanasia emotionally challenging, especially when economic factors influence decisions, which is a key burnout cause in the profession.

What is the best country to practice veterinary medicine?

The best country depends on individual preferences, but those with strong veterinary support systems, fair pay, and manageable workloads tend to have lower burnout rates.