How to cut vet costs

My baby, Bosco, had to have surgery this week.  And while there was no question that she would get the treatment she needed, I decided to do some homework to see if I can cut the vet costs in the future.  Here’s what I learned…

1.  Plan ahead.  Don’t wait for an emergency to have a vet, and know your vet’s emergency hour policies.  - I have a vet already (have had the same vet for the last 12 years), and am pretty good about keeping annual checkup appointments, but I don’t know his emergency policy.  I’ll be sure to ask at our next appointment, which is about 3 weeks away.

2.  Keep records of your pet’s vaccinations and other visits to the vet.  If you switch vets, this can reduce the risk of having costly procedures repeated.

3.  Check with your vet about your pet’s vaccination schedule. Some vaccinations are repeated every 2 to 3 years, not every year. 

4.  Spay or neuter your pet.  In addition to controlling the population, spaying and neutering has health benefits for your pets, as they are less likely to contract certain diseases. 

5.  Shop around for pet medicines. Two good resources are Discountpetmedicines.com and DrsFosterSmith.com.

6.  Consider pet health insurance.  It works similarly to health insurance for humans with a copay and a monthly premium of approximately $10-30. Carriers include PetCare Pet Insurance and VPI Pet Insurance. - I’m not sure how I feel about pet health insurance, but thought I’d throw this tip in there for those who are interested.

7.  Get a second opinion, especially if it’s a costly procedure.

8.  Give your pet the right food for him/her.  Senior cats should eat different food than kittens, and some pet foods are tailored to specific pet needs, such as overweight pets, or food to help with urinary tract problems.  Eating the right food can keep your pet healthier (and your wallet lighter) in the long run.

9. Finally, learn as much as you can about your pet’s health so you’ll know when your pet is sick.  Early detection can help reduce vet bills or even save your pet’s life.

I hope these tips are helpful.  I know I learned a few things while researching this article.  In the meantime, I get to pick my kitty up from the animal hospital tomorrow morning.  I can’t wait to have her back home!

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