Shockingly, according to a survey by Credit Summit, 83% of pet parents have borrowed money to pay for routine vet pet care. Yet, there are ways to cut dog expenses and stay on budget.
Dogs can be pricey, no doubt. Those unexpected expenses can often be the gotcha! But with some preparation, you can provide top-notch health care on a low-grade kibble budget.
A bit of knowledge about how to prepare for your dog’s future needs and even current expenses can be a game-changer! These tips and tricks all involve a great dog vet to help. A veterinarian can help reduce your costs and keep your furry friend healthy. Get ready to explore some great ideas for your wallet and dog!
Budget tip:
You may think that a vet is pricey and try to avoid at all costs. The truth is there are tools you can use to reduce these expenses such as pet insurance, pet savings accounts, and emergency funds. Additionally, you can find more economical ways to provide your pup with quality vet care. It's good for your furry best friend's health and great for your wallet. That's a major win-win!
How Do I Reduce the Standard Vet Expenses?
First, you can get pet insurance to dramatically reduce the costs of routine checkups, vaccines, and even emergency care. Check with your employer to see if pet insurance is part of your benefits.
However, if pet insurance is too costly for you, don’t worry. There are still ways to reduce your pet or dog’s vet bill.
1. Pet savings account
One great simple option is a pet savings account. It can be a regular savings account but for your vet expenses. A bonus is that you can automatically add funds to it each month. Thus, when your fur kid goes to the veterinary clinic, you can pull money out of that account to pay for it.
2. Emergency pet fund
The same idea applies to emergency pet funds. While this type of fund can also be a savings account, it’s a bit different. You will only use these funds if your furry friend needs urgent services, which are significantly more expensive. You can use this account when your regular vet visit is over budget.
3. Financial plans
You can ask your vet for a payment plan. These plans can come without financing fees. However, you can also use a specific credit card called CareCredit, which will give you longer to pay off your vet bills without charging fees.
Note: A benefit of pet savings accounts, emergency funds, payment plans, and CareCredit is that you can use them with or without pet insurance, so your pet is protected. It also reduces the possibility of getting any surprise vet bills.
When Is It Necessary To Take My Pup To The Vet?
Naturally, there are times when your dog will need to see a vet. Knowing what is an essential visit and not is a budget saver!
1. Initial consultation
When you adopt a new pet, request an appointment for your first vet office visit. This visit will provide information and direction for your pup’s care. While your vet provides a physical examination of your new pet or dog and gives you an assessment and baseline for his current health status, it goes further. This visit will include:
- Basic vitals check (pulse, temperature, heart rate)
- Microchip detection (and chip number provided)
- Parasite test (requires fecal sample)
- Weight
- Eyes
- Ears
- Skin
- Fur health
- Fleas assessment
- Heart health
- Teeth
- Joints (mobility)
- Soft tissue check (lumps and bumps)
- Alertness
- Overall well-being
- Pet-food consultation
- Vaccines needed
- Exercise evaluation
- Mental stimulation
- Daily care advice
- Annual/ wellness plans (these can be cheaper)
Think of this initial visit as your owner’s manual to properly care for your new pet.
Price: $25-190 (tests may be an additional cost)
2. Annual checkups
Again, this will show you any potential issue and nip it in the bud (or paw) before a pricey issue develops. At an annual visit, discuss:
- Current health concerns
- Behavioral difficulties
- Any lumps or bumps
- Food problems
- Mobility issues
- Eye health
- Ear or hearing evaluation
- Heart health (including a heartworm test)
- Flea and tick advice (if preventative care is advisable for your canine)
- Dental and teeth health basic exam
Note: Your veterinarian should give you the urgency of any issues and treatment options. For instance, if your dog has a small amount of tartar on his teeth, you might need to brush or even use a dental spray daily. This action can prevent a more pricey dental cleaning.
Price: $25-190
3. Vaccinations
Vaccines are vital for your fur kid. Some vaccines can be life-saving, such as rabies or parvo.
However, going to your regular dog veterinarian for vaccines can skyrocket quickly. You will be charged for a full-service visit, consultation, and the vaccines. Thankfully, there are ways to reduce this cost. Here are great options:
- Low-cost vaccine clinics
- Petco vet clinic
- Petsmart vet
- VIP Petcare clinics
- Local ASPCA and Humane Society
- Your rescue or shelter
- Pet insurance
- CareCredit
- Pet savings accounts
Low-cost clinic, per vaccination price: $20-50
Private vet, one single vaccine price: $40-240
4. Spay or Neutering
Yes, spaying or neutering your dog can reduce costs by not having more pets to worry about. Also, it eliminates the possibility of related tumors and cancers, which can be pricey to treat. In general, and as a bonus, having your fur kid undergo this surgery means they are usually better behaved.
Of course, when your animal hospital does this type of surgery, it can be expensive. Therefore, use an experienced vet and reputable low-cost spay/neuter clinic. If you can’t find a low-cost clinic, contact your local:
- ASPCA
- Humane Society
- Shelter
- Rescue organization
- County or city animal control
A low-cost, reputable clinic can save you a lot of money!
Low-cost version price: $20-30
Private vet price: $260-580
5. Emergencies
There will be times when your dog suddenly becomes injured or ill and will require a visit to an emergency clinic. However, you can call your regular vet first for assistance or guidance. But, even if you go to an urgent vet clinic, which is typically more expensive, you can save money. Ask about:
- Discounts (think military, AAA, AARP, Alumni Associations, etc.)
- Financial plans (through the clinic and with CareCredit)
- Pet insurance (percentage of coverage or deductible)
- Regular visit
Note: Turning an emergency veterinarian hospital visit into a regular one means your dog won’t be an after-hours patient. Instead, the visit is a routine one, and this will shift from an emergency bill to a routine vet visit bill. A veterinary technician can make this decision at the animal care hospital. Often, an evaluation is done in the lobby waiting room. Still, rush to the vet and don’t assume anything.
Price: $150-5,000 (without insurance or discounts)
What Vaccines Does My Dog Need At Different Life Stages?
A low-cost vet clinic will drastically cut vaccine costs. However, some vaccines are strongly recommended and optional (yet encouraged by most vets).
6-8 weeks:
- Recommended: Distemper, Parainfluenza
- Optional: Bordatella (helps to prevent the highly contagious upper respiratory infection known as kennel cough)
10-12 weeks:
- Recommended: DHPP (a.k.a. 5in1 vaccine, which includes Canine Distemper Virus, Canine Adenovirus both 1 and 2, Canine Parainfluenza, and Canine Parvovirus)
- Optional: Leptospirosis (a.k.a. vaccine lepto for parasites), Bordatella, Lyme Disease
12-24 weeks:
- Recommended: Rabies*
14-16 weeks:
- Recommended: DHPP
- Optional: Leptospirosis, Lyme Disease
12-16 months:
- Recommended: Rabies*, DHPP
- Optional: Leptospirosis, Bordatella, Lyme Disease
Every 1-2 years:
- Recommended: DHPP
- Optional: Leptospirosis, Bordatella, Lyme Disease
Every 1-3 years:
- Recommended: Rabies*
*Note: The frequency of the rabies vaccine will depend on which vaccine they get. There are one and three-year versions of the rabies vaccine. Additionally, your local county, city, or state laws may dictate how often your dog receives the rabies vaccine, regardless of the version used. Also, if you are late with vaccines, your local laws may require you to start all over with vaccinations.
Can Microchips Add To My Dog’s Healthcare?
Yes! According to a study, only 22% of lost dogs without a microchip reunite with their families. However, those dogs with a microchip are reunited with their humans 52% of the time.
First, you will want your vet to check to identify if your pet is chipped. If not, you don’t need to chip your pup at your vet’s office. There are cheaper options. For assistance, check with:
- Petco
- VIP Pet Care
- Low-cost vet clinics (check with your local SPCA or shelter)
Note: Some cities and counties are now requiring all pets to be chipped. However, this requirement also often comes with free chipping. Check with your city or county to discover if you qualify for free microchipping.
Low-cost price: Free-$30
Private vet price: $50+
When Else Should I Take My Furry Friend To The Veterinary Clinic?
While you may need to see a vet, the issue may not be that pressing. However, you’ll need to decide whether your pup needs immediate attention.
New issues
A few times you will want to call your animal veterinary office and make an appointment include:
- A new behavior, such as aggression
- Mobility issues
- Suspect poisoning (eating something toxic)
- Not eating
- Injured, bleeding, unconscious
- Lethargic
- Suddenly anxious
- Or you just feel something isn’t right (trust your gut!)
Your pup’s health can improve with a vet visit. Of course, if you don’t know whether you need assistance, you can ask an online vet for advice. This approach is cheaper and will ease your mind on minor issues.
Note: If you suspect your dog has eaten something toxic, go to the vet immediately. You can also call the Pet Poison Hotline at 855-764-7661 or the SPCA Poison Control Hotline at 888-426-4435. However, both hotlines may charge a fee. But getting your pup immediate help is worth the price!
Seniors
When your best canine transitions from adult to senior dog, your board-certified dog veterinary team should check in on him at least biannually. It is preventative medicine. One of the two exams is more thorough, while the other is more basic. The more thorough exam can include X-rays, blood work, and needed biopsies. Although this can be pricey, it saves a more expensive bill later.
The second exam will be about six months later. These exams allow you to be proactive with any issues and keep your pup healthy.
Euthanasia
Finally, when it’s time for your dog to cross the rainbow bridge, you may need to seek compassionate care from your regular animal clinic. Never let a pet linger in pain. Although difficult, it’s truly the best gift for your furry buddy.
However, you don’t need to say goodbye in a cold vet’s office. You can make an appointment with a mobile vet. Additionally, some low-cost veterinarians will come to your home and let your dog transition peacefully in a comforting environment.
Again, keep in mind that you can utilize cost-saving techniques for these additional vet visits (pet insurance, pet savings accounts, emergency funds, financial plans, CareCredit).
What Else Can I Do To Reduce My Dog’s Vet Bills?
Being proactive is always good. In other words, taking proactive actions regarding your pup’s health allows you to avoid something jumping up and snatching your wallet.
However, there are many tricks you can use to keep your vet bill in check. These include:
- Keeping your dog active both physically and mentally
- Brushing your dog regularly
- Bathing your dog monthly
- Grooming your dog (or taking your dog to be groomed)
- Checking your dog for lumps/bumps
- Providing the best food you can afford (never overfeeding)
- Cleaning your dog’s teeth daily
- Keeping your dog’s nails trimmed
- Training your dog to know basic obedience
You may be wondering about that last one. But when your dog comes, sits, stays, waits, does not jump, and even lies down, it can prevent an accident and avoid a costly and unexpected vet bill.
You can care for your furry kids and be part of the 17% who don’t need to ask for help with vet bills. It just takes proactive and preventative care, looking for affordable options, and financial future planning. Your furry companion deserves it, and you deserve the peace of mind. With this plan, your best friend can be happy and healthy while you remain wallet-wise! What could be better?
This article was written by Terri Rodefer and originally appeared on Hello Sensible.
So many great suggestions! We got pet insurance on our puppy and also have an emergency account just in case. Hopefully we never have to use it but it is available if we need it.
Yeah, I always like being prepared. I think it’s better to be over prepared than to be caught off guard. My fingers are crossed you never have to use your insurance or emergency fund. Thanks for sharing your experiences, Tiffany!
This is all such great advice. I was so happy when I had to get Jessie spayed. Our Vet quoted $1,000 but a low cost spay/neuter clinic at a highly reputable animal rescue nearby only charged $150 and did a great job – talk about savings!
Oh my! What a huge savings for Jessie’s spaying. I’m glad you didn’t take your vet’s quote as the final quote. $850 is a HUGE savings! Great job, Cathy!
I think my favourite suggestions are the pet savings account and insurance. We have had to major pet events in the past year that cost $4/5,000 apiece. Withut insurance we would have struggled and knowing this I would ‘do without’ some of my own little luxuries to have a small policy in place. If not a small amount into an account I would not touch would be so helpful.
Yes, you DO need to shop around, you need to look. An insurance policy with a lower excess may mean higher premiums, Low premiums flips it over and you need to pay a alrger initial amount. It’s about balancing your own books but insurance is essential.
Great insights into how valuable pet insurance can be, even if you think you’ll never use it. I’m sending you and your crew healing hugs and hope that all the illnesses and bills are over for the year. Thanks for sharing your experiencews, Marjorie!
Always such valuable and helpful information! I love that last one – basic obedience is so important. Coming from a Siberian Husky momma, with escape artist being second-nature, this is really important. Also, when you wrote about a pet savings account, I love that. Having had dog with epilepsy, and three others with torn CCLs, this is so important. So many times we don’t think about what “could” happen, but planning for it is the best, and hey, if one doesn’t need to use the pet savings account, it can always be used for fun with your dog when s/he is a senior!
With having multiple dogs, my vet offered a multi-dog discount, which was just 10% and the only stipulation was that they needed to be treated during the same timeframe (i.e. vaccines, annuals, etc.), but that really can add up after awhile with five! I was very thankful for that! And I so agree, keeping up with their annuals for check-ups is really a great way to stay on top of their health.
Always such great info, Terri, and the budget-savings aspect while caring the best for pets will be greatly appreciated! Sharing and Pinning so others can read, too!
I also appreciate your listing the vaccines…sometimes folks they need more or less of them, and always talking to the vet is key as one can also ask them to do titers for some.
Oh, you are absolutely right about the multiple pet discount. I often forget that one. I’ll do an update with that information. Yes, pet savings accounts can definitely be a game changer. They may not cover all the expenses, but can certainly help, especially if you don’t have pet insurance or you get hit with a larger vet bill.
Thank you so much, Dorothy for your continued support and encouragement. I greatly appreciate it!