Trim your pet’s health care bills
Pets are often considered a family member, so it’s not surprising that people will generously spend money to keep their pets healthy.
In fact, 45% of pet owners spend at least as much on their animal’s health care as they spend on their own health care, according to a LendEDU survey.
Pet insurance can make these bills more manageable. But pet insurance isn’t right for everyone, says Janet Ruiz, director of strategic communications at the Insurance Information Institute. Here are ways to minimize health care costs.
Keep up with preventive oral care. “Dental disease can lead to heart and kidney problems and expensive procedures,” warns Lori Bierbrier, a veterinarian and senior medical director of the ASPCA.
Brushing your dog’s or cat’s teeth daily using a pet-friendly toothpaste can keep their gums and teeth healthy and help prevent costly surgery, says Wendy Hauser, a veterinarian and president of Denver-based Peak Veterinary Consulting.
Prevent diseases. Heartworm, intestinal parasites and tick-borne diseases can be costly to treat — and in some cases fatal. Protect your pet by making sure they receive an annual vet exam, vaccines and pills for tick, heartworm and flea prevention. And stay up to date on their booster shots, says Zac Pilossoph, a consulting veterinarian at Healthy Paws Pet Insurance.
Keep your pet at a healthy weight. Proper diet and exercise can help keep your pet healthy and out of the hospital — and keep hospital bills at bay. “When a pet is overweight, it can lead to an increased risk of diabetes, osteoarthritis, ligament and bone injuries, cancer, and kidney, heart and respiratory disease,” Pilossoph says.
Shop for medications online. Your veterinarian can prescribe and provide medications for your pet, but many charge top dollar for them. Online pharmacies, such as 1800PetMeds, VetRxDirect and PetCare Rx, tend to offer discounted prices.
Check for discounts on spay or neuter surgery.
Some nonprofits, including Friends of Animals and the Humane Society of the United States, offer discount vouchers for spaying or neutering. But check with your vet to make sure their clinic participates in the program.