If the cost to keep your pets fed, healthy, cared for, and looking good has gotten so high, you’re the one coughing up fur balls, take heart. There are many little ways to cut the cost of pet care that will add up to big savings.
According to one survey, owning a dog costs an average of $1,480 in basic expenses annually. For cats, average annual expenses amount to roughly $902. Fish are the cheapest pets, coming in at about $750 a year to care for aquatic friends.
So, how can you afford to care for your furry, feathered, and scaled friends in sickness and in health? Make preventive maintenance your top priority as a pet owner and then carefully track every expense.
Consider these tips to help cut your pet expenses without risking your pets’ health or well-being.
Free Exams
Search for free initial exams. Local veterinarians often advertise a complimentary initial examination as part of marketing to attract new customers. Take advantage of the offer. This kind of office visit typically runs between $40 and $60.Mobile, Low-Cost Clients
Check around for low-cost or mobile clinics for vaccinations, microchips, and heartworm and flea preventatives. While you may want to stick with the same vet for annual exams, you can save a bundle on preventive services. Search “low-cost animal clinic near me” to learn if such a clinic is available for you and your pets.A fence or some other reasonable restraint is the best way to avoid big vet bills, advised the late Dr. David T. Roen, board-certified veterinarian and founder of the Clarkston Veterinary Clinic in Clarkston, Washington. “I see more dogs in my office because of injuries sustained while unrestrained than for any other reason. Dogs should always be leashed, fenced, or supervised,” he told me.
Choose the Right Food
Roen always advised his pet owners to skip all the fancy premium foods vets sell. Use name-brand pet food labeled “complete and balanced.” Or look for the seal of approval of AAFCO (the Association of American Feed Control Officials).When your pet’s food is on sale, stock up with enough to last until the next time it goes on sale. Stick with the same brand. Switching abruptly can cause health issues for some animals. And less is better, as slightly underweight pets have fewer health problems.
Spay and Neuter
Reproductive issues aside, the Animal Health Foundation reports that spayed and neutered dogs have fewer health and behavioral problems, which translates to lower vet bills and other health-related pet costs.Get 2nd Opinions
Even if it’s an emergency, get a second opinion if the estimate is for more than a few hundred dollars. If the estimate is for $800 and you can only afford $400, speak up, says Dr. Roen. There may be less aggressive and cheaper alternative treatments.Shop Around for Medications
Don’t buy medication at the vet, as most veterinarians who sell medications and supplements directly typically charge a big markup. Ask your vet for prescription drug samples to get started. Then call around to retailers such as Walmart or Costco pharmacies (many meds are the same for humans and animals) to compare prices.To save even more, sign your cat or dog up on prescription savings programs such as the ones offered by Walgreens, Kroger, Rite Aid, and Walmart.
