We all know that being a pet parent can be an expensive endeavor. Providing our furry friends with the things they need to live a long, healthy life isn’t cheap, but there are ways to do it without going broke.
Today I’m focusing on veterinary care, and I’m sharing 5 ways to reduce vet bills for your pet.
5 Ways to Reduce Vet Bills for Your Pet
Preventative care
Benjamin Franklin said that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and that’s so true when it comes to your pet’s health. Regular vet check-ups and dental care will help to prevent expensive illnesses and treatments down the road. Your pet should see the vet at least once a year for a simple check-up to make sure she is healthy.
Address health issues immediately
If, heaven forbid, a health issue should arise with your pet, it’s always best to address it right away. Don’t put off seeking treatment in hopes that a problem will simply go away. Yes, that might happen, but all too often waiting will only make the problem worse and it will be more costly in the long run.
Take care of your pet
This really boils down to simply being a good pet parent, day in and day out. Make sure your pet gets plenty of exercise. Feed her a quality diet, and groom her on a regular basis. Pay attention to her dental hygiene. Doing all the things that keep your pet happy and healthy will save you money over the course of your pet’s life.
Start a savings account for vet bills
A great way to make sure you’ve got a little nest egg for those unexpected vet expenses is to start a savings account. If you save just $20 per month, that’s $240 a year that will definitely come in handy if unexpected bills pop up.
Pet insurance
Another thing that can really be a lifesaver in the event of hefty vet bills is pet insurance. As you can see from the infographic below, some common medical conditions can be extremely costly, and being unprepared will only add more burden to an already stressful situation. I strongly recommend checking with Petplan for an insurance plan that can help out in your pet’s time of need.
Do you have a pet first-aid kit?
In the event of an emergency, a pet first-aid kit can literally be a lifesaver until you can get your pet to the vet’s office. Putting together a first-aid kit is really simple, and you can get the instructions here.
How do YOU manage your vet bills?
These are just a few ways that I’ve found to be effective for helping to reduce vet bills. Do you have any tips for me? I’d love for you to share them in a comment below, or stop by our Facebook page and join in the conversation!
anna @ happyjackrussell says
June 5, 2017 at 8:48 amGreat simple advice that we should all follow.
I’d just like to add thet you can’t overstress the importance of your pet’s diet. High quality healthy food in apropiate amounts will do wonders for your dog’s well-being.