Service Animals and Taxes: Can You Deduct Pet Expenses?
Published Date: October 13, 2025
Published By: Jac Cantos, Upcloud Accounting
Animals bring joy to our lives and sometimes provide essential medical support. But can you deduct pet expenses on your taxes? Upcloud Accounting clarifies the IRS guidelines on service animals and tax deductions.
Service Animals and Tax Deductions: The Basics
Service animals can qualify for tax deductions if they assist with a specific disability or impairment.
Emotional support animals (ESAs) without specific training typically don't qualify.
Deductible expenses can include food, veterinary care, and more.
Do Service Dogs Qualify for a Tax Deduction?
Service animals, like guide dogs, are invaluable for people with disabilities. They alert owners to medical episodes, provide guidance, and offer emotional support to those with PTSD. While your pet may not be a dependent, you might be eligible for a tax deduction if you need a service animal.
What's a Service Animal According to the ADA and IRS?
ADA Definition: Dogs "individually trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability."
Examples: Guiding the blind, alerting the deaf, pulling wheelchairs, alerting during seizures, calming PTSD during anxiety attacks.
IRS Definition: An animal "primarily for medical care to alleviate a mental defect or illness" and qualifies as a treatment for your medical condition.
Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) vs. Service Animals
ESAs that solely provide comfort are generally considered pets and don't qualify for deductions. A service animal must be specially trained to perform a specific job or task.
Proving Your Pet is a Service Animal for Tax Purposes
Written documentation from a licensed health professional is crucial.
The IRS looks for:
Diagnosed Medical Condition: A physician recommended the animal for treatment.
Links Between Treatment and Illness: Established history of others using pets for similar treatments.
Effectiveness of Treatment: Records detailing improvement since getting the service animal.
Proximity in Time: The animal was acquired after developing a condition or injury.
What Pet Expenses Are Tax-Deductible?
If your pet qualifies as a service animal, you can deduct:
Food
Grooming
Training
Cost of buying the animal
Vet bills and medical care
Boarding
Supplies (leashes, vests, harnesses)
Miscellaneous costs
How to Write Off Service Animal Expenses
Itemize Deductions: You must itemize deductions on Schedule A (Form 1040).
Medical Expenses: Service pet expenses fall under medical expenses, which must exceed 7.5% of your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI).
Upcloud Accounting: Virtual Outsourced Accounting and Bookkeeping Services in the Philippines
Upcloud Accounting offers accounting, bookkeeping, tax compliance, and business licensing services specializing with startups and SMEs in the Philippines.
Our goal is to increase efficiency, automation, and transparency across the accounting and finance functions of our clients with our cutting-edge technology. If you want to move your company’s finance function online, contact our Team of Expert Accountants and Bookkeepers directly via [email protected] or visit www.upcloudaccounting.com to learn more about how Upcloud Accounting accounting services can support your PH business!
Disclaimer: This article or blog is only for general knowledge and guidance and is not a substitute for an expert opinion. For technical advice, please consult your tax / legal advisor for your specific business concerns. For comments, suggestions, and feedback, feel free to email us at [email protected].
