Dr. Tiffany Delacruz, DVM • Chief Executive Officer, RexVet • 2026-07-09 • 8 min read
Why Pet Parents Leave Banfield Wellness Plans — And What They Switch To
Research-based look at why pet parents cancel Banfield Optimum Wellness Plans — cost, contract structure, service quality, moving, and what alternatives they consider next.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Tiffany Delacruz, DVM
How the Banfield Optimum Wellness Plan works
Understanding the plan structure is important context. Banfield's Optimum Wellness Plan (OWP) is a 12-month prepaid service bundle — not insurance. You pay a monthly fee (typically $30-60 depending on plan tier and pet age), and in exchange you receive a set of in-clinic services: annual and semi-annual wellness exams, core vaccines, some diagnostic testing, and (on higher tiers) dental cleaning. Services must be redeemed at a Banfield location (locations are inside PetSmart stores).
Reason 1 — 12-month contract structure
- The plan is a legal contract for 12 months. Canceling before the 12-month mark triggers an early-termination balance — either remaining monthly payments OR retail cost of services used minus payments made, whichever is less.
- For some pet parents, learning about this after already signing up is the primary source of frustration
- Renewal is often automatic unless canceled 30 days before the renewal date
Reason 2 — Monthly cost adds up
- $30-60/month = $360-720/year fixed. For a healthy adult pet that only needs a physical + vaccines annually, some families calculate that pay-per-visit at a local vet would be cheaper.
- The dental cleaning benefit is a large piece of the plan's value; if your pet's teeth don't need cleaning, the plan is less economically attractive
- Multiple pet households find the math doubles per additional pet
Reason 3 — Location and service quality concerns
- Banfield locations are inside PetSmart stores; wait times and staffing vary by location
- Vet turnover at any national chain (Banfield, VCA, Petco) can mean you see a different DVM each visit — hard to build a relationship with one vet who knows your pet
- Some pet parents want a traditional independent vet where they see the same DVM for years
Reason 4 — Moved to a location without a nearby Banfield
- Banfield has ~1,000 locations nationwide but coverage is uneven, especially in rural areas and some smaller cities
- Traveling with pets is another factor — plan services are tied to Banfield locations
- This is a common trigger for switching to a service that travels with you (like online vet telehealth)
Reason 5 — Just wants pay-per-visit simplicity
Some families simply prefer knowing exactly what each visit costs at the time of the visit, rather than a fixed monthly bill for a bundle. This is a philosophy preference, not a value judgment on the plan.
What families switch to
- **Local traditional vet** — Pay per visit. $75-200 for an exam, plus itemized costs for vaccines, diagnostics, and services. Builds long-term relationship with one DVM.
- **Online vet telehealth** — $60-100 per video visit. Works for refills, allergy flare-ups, GI upset triage, anxiety scripts. Doesn't replace in-person exams. RexVet is one option in FL, NY, VA.
- **Another chain wellness plan** — VCA CareClub, Petco Vetco Total Care, etc. Similar bundle model; read cancellation terms carefully.
- **Pet insurance + self-pay for wellness** — Insurance covers unexpected illness/injury (accidents, cancer, chronic disease). You pay out of pocket for wellness. Popular with pet parents who want catastrophic-only coverage.
- **Combination approach** — Many pet parents keep a local vet for annual physical + vaccines and add telehealth (RexVet) for refills and quick questions.
How to make a good switch — checklist
- 1. Get your pet's complete medical records from Banfield (vaccines, exam notes, diagnostics)
- 2. Note your OWP renewal date — canceling near the renewal date usually costs less
- 3. Call Banfield OWP customer service (888-899-7071) and ask for a written calculation of your early-termination balance
- 4. Decide on your next care model before canceling so there's no gap
- 5. Update your pharmacy of choice (Chewy, CVS, Walgreens, local independent) so refills continue smoothly
About RexVet
RexVet (Rex Vets Inc., EIN 33-2469898) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit veterinary telehealth service licensed in Florida, New York, and Virginia. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or partnered with Banfield Pet Hospital, Mars Inc., or PetSmart. Our video visits are $64.99 with no contract and no monthly fee. Video visits are not a full replacement for in-person exams, vaccinations, or emergency care.
Emergency signals
When to contact a veterinarian
- This article covers plan-choice logistics — for a pet health question or emergency, call your local vet or a pet emergency hospital
- For pet emergencies, always go to a physical veterinary ER — telehealth cannot handle emergencies
Frequently asked questions
Are Banfield wellness plans considered insurance?
No. Banfield Optimum Wellness Plans are prepaid service bundles, not insurance. They cover a defined set of routine services at Banfield locations. Pet insurance (Trupanion, Nationwide, Embrace, etc.) is different — it reimburses unexpected illness and injury costs at any vet.
Can I switch from Banfield to a different vet mid-plan?
You can go to any vet you want at any time — you are not required to see only Banfield vets. However, services covered by your OWP are only redeemable at Banfield locations. If you want to fully switch, you can cancel your plan (with the early-termination balance calculation applied) and use another vet exclusively.
Will canceling my Banfield plan hurt my credit?
Not directly. Banfield doesn't report OWP cancellations to credit bureaus. However, unpaid early-termination balances can be sent to third-party collections, and collections activity can show on credit reports. Pay the final balance to avoid this.
Do I have to give a reason to cancel?
No. Under the OWP Terms, you can cancel at any time without giving a reason. The rep may ask for feedback but you're not required to answer.
Is it worth keeping Banfield if I mostly need refills?
Depends on your math. If you mainly need Apoquel, Simparica Trio, or other Rx refills — and no dental cleaning is planned — a pay-per-visit model (traditional vet or telehealth like RexVet) may be cheaper. Calculate: does the OWP monthly total exceed 2-3 pay-per-visit costs per year?
Can RexVet replace Banfield for me?
For refills, triage, allergy management, anxiety scripts, and follow-ups — often yes, if you're in FL, NY, or VA. For annual physical exams, vaccinations, dental cleaning, or emergencies — no, you still need in-person care. Many pet parents pair RexVet with one annual visit at a local traditional vet.
Is RexVet a wellness plan?
No. RexVet is pay-per-visit telehealth. There is no monthly fee, no annual contract, and no early-termination balance. You pay $64.99 only when you book a visit.
Continue reading
Related guides
How to Cancel Your Banfield Optimum Wellness Plan — Step-by-Step 2026 Guide
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Banfield Alternative — Online Vet in Florida, New York & Virginia (No Contract, No Monthly Fee)
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About the author
Dr. Tiffany Delacruz, DVM
Chief Executive Officer, RexVet
Licensed veterinarian and CEO of RexVet (Rex Vets Inc.). Practicing across Florida, New York, and Virginia via licensed telehealth. Reviews every clinical article on RexVet before publication.