Every pet owner knows that routine vet care is expensive, but when dealing with illness or injuries, the costs can quickly become overwhelming. Unfortunately, this often forces pet owners to make decisions about their pets’ health based on cost—and that’s not a pleasant position for any pet owner.
Quality vet care does come at a price, but there are ways to make those expenses more manageable so that you can provide the best possible care for your pet.
Pet Insurance
Subscribing to quality pet insurance is one of the best things you can do to make it easier to budget for the unexpected expenses associated with accidents or illnesses. Costs for pet insurance vary based on the age and breed of the pet and your location. Get quotes from a few companies and be sure to understand what is and what is not covered before making a selection.
Generally, it’s best to choose a plan that does NOT include routine care. The cost of routine care is easy to budget, and plans that don’t include vaccines tend to be much more affordable.
Lower Cost Medications
The cost of prescription drugs for your pet adds up quickly, especially when dealing with chronic conditions. Allivet offers the same prescriptions you get from your vet at the lowest prices. Allivet is a licensed pharmacy, and you can be confident that we maintain the highest industry standards for safety and quality.
In addition to lower-cost medications, you’ll also enjoy the convenience of having medications and other pet supplies shipped directly to your home. AutoShip makes it even easier by sending refills automatically based on a schedule you set up.
Low-Cost Surgical Clinics
Does your pet need dental care or surgery? Clinics that specialize in low-cost surgery and dental care are becoming more common. The clinics typically focus only on those services and, by narrowing their offerings, keep prices low.
Google something like “low-cost vet surgery near (your location)” to see if there are any such clinics in your area. If so, keep in mind that many don’t offer follow-up care (this varies by clinic), so you may have to pay your regular vet separately for aftercare. Be sure to compare prices, including costs not covered by the clinic, before making a decision.
Typically, the low-cost surgery clinics do not offer any emergency care and are only an option for procedures that can be scheduled in advance.
Telehealth
Your dog is limping or seems to have an upset stomach. Your cat is scratching at her ear or didn’t eat her breakfast. Do these symptoms warrant a visit to the vet’s office? You don’t want to take chances with your pet’s health, but you also don’t want to pay for an unnecessary visit. Telehealth services are an excellent option.
Access a licensed veterinarian through video, chat, or email. The vet will review your pet’s symptoms and prescribe care or recommend an in-person visit with your vet.
Preventative Care
One of the best ways to keep vet costs down is by keeping up with preventative care. Completing annual wellness visits and ensuring up-to-date vaccines help to keep your pet healthy and makes early detection of potential health problems possible.
These tips allow you to make decisions about your pet’s healthcare based on your vet’s recommendations rather than on your budget, so you can keep your pet happy, healthy, and active!