Got a sick cat? Need to vaccinate your dog? Or just want to check on that itchy patch your fur kids keep scratching?
If you have ever waited days for a vet appointment or paid more than you expected for treatment, you’re not alone, and there is a reason.
Malaysia officially has a shortage of veterinarians.
According to the Veterinary Services Department (DVS) as reported by The Star on 23 June, there are only 2,553 active vets in the entire country as of 2025.
With more pet clinics opening and farms expanding, the number simply can’t keep up with the growing demand.
So, what does this mean for you as a pet owner?
From Cat Moms to Fish Dads — the Numbers Are Rising
Pet ownership in Malaysia is booming.
According to the 2023 Standard Insights Consumer Report, over 51.1% of Malaysians own at least one pet, and more than a quarter have multiple.
Cats lead the list (77.7%), followed by dogs (14.9%) and tropical fish (13.2%).
Many now see pets as family, investing in better food, grooming, toys and of course, medical care.
But here’s the problem, while demand has grown, only two local public universities: Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) and Universiti Malaysia Kelantan (UMK), currently offer vet degrees.
Together, they produce 200–300 new grads a year, as Agriculture and Food Security Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Isham Ishak told The Sun.
And where are most of them going? Private sector.
This is quite common in Malaysia since private clinics offer higher pay than government service.
So Where Do Pet Owners Go?
Malaysia’s vet shortage is real.
As mentioned by DVS, we currently have only one vet for every 14,311 patients, animals and humans combined.
This sounds crazy.
Meanwhile, the industry is booming.
According to the Economic Census 2023, the pet care sector grew by 25% in 2022, earning RM38.5 million, while the veterinary industry brought in RM219.7 million.
Most of this growth comes from Selangor and Kuala Lumpur, but rural towns are still catching up.
Private vet clinics are rising fast, but they don’t come cheap.
They can be pricier than your own medical bills, especially for blood tests, surgery or long-term care.
But what about you?
Have you struggled to book an urgent appointment? Paid more than expected? Or skipped a visit because it felt too out of reach?
And for now, how much are you willing to pay?
Doris Tan (doristanwl@gmail.com) is a content creator under the Newswav Creator programme, where you get to express yourself, be a citizen journalist, and at the same time monetize your content & reach millions of users on Newswav. Log in to creator.newswav.com and become a Newswav Creator now!
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