10 Sure-Fire Tips For Minimizing Pet Medical Costs

Last week we took my five year-old Rhodesian Ridgeback, Major, to the veterinarian for a complete lube, oil and filter.   To be more specific, Major was placed under a general anesthetic and the vet cleaned his teeth and worked on repairing a couple of malfunctioning anal glands.  I know.  Adding insult to injury, he also got neutered.  Poor pup.

When my faithful pooch finally awoke in the recovery room, I told him it was the Honeybee’s fault.  That was five days ago and he is still ignoring her!  

Ironically, when I got the final vet bill, I felt like it was me who had been given the full lube, oil and filter treatment.   The cost of the medication and services came to $653.01!

Yes, Major’s breath is once again fresh and clean and he has also stopped licking in embarrassing places.  Still… $653 is a lot of money!  I shouldn’t really be so amazed; the amount of money spent last year alone on vet care is estimated to be $11 billion.

So how do you keep the cost of medical services for your pet manageable?  The best course of action is to implement a two-pronged strategy consisting of prevention and cost-control. Here are ten tips that cover both approaches:

Prevention

Tip 1.  Spay or neuter your pet. “Fixing” your pet helps prevent breast, uterine and testicular cancer and the corresponding future vet bills that would come with it.

Tip 2.  Maintain good dental hygiene. Major’s breeder recommended regular vet dental cleanings every four years.  That’s because, like humans, teeth full of tartar can lead to gum disease that may affect other parts of your pet’s body.  My vet normally charges a little over $150 as a stand-alone procedure, before discounts.  To me, the price was well worth it; after the procedure, Major’s breath had absolutely no odor and his teeth were sparkling white.

In between professional cleanings, you can brush your pet’s teeth at least three times a week.  There is even special pet toothpaste available that you can use with gauze around your finger or a super-soft toothbrush.

Tip 3.  Pamper their paws. Grooming and trimming nails regularly helps prevent many types of infection, and because dogs and cats lick their paws to keep them clean, experts recommend washing your pet’s paws after walks to prevent ingestion of potential carcinogens that they might pick up.

Tip 4.  Give your pets plenty of exercise. Pets that get regular exercise will maintain a healthy weight and avoid the orthopedic problems that come with obesity, as well as diabetes, heart disease and other disorders.

Tip 5.  Control food quantity. Ask your vet or breeder for the proper amount of food that your pet should be fed on a daily basis to avoid overfeeding.  And don’t leave food out all day; pets that are allowed to graze all day long are fatter, on average, than pets that aren’t.

Cost-Control

Tip 6.  Take advantage of vet specials. Yep.  Veterinarians run specials.  Our vet was giving a 25% discount to anybody who booked a dental cleaning during the month of February.   Many vet hospitals also offer package deals for very young and very old animals.

Tip 7.  Use low-cost clinics. Spaying, neutering, and vaccinations can be done at veterinary schools, and free/discount clinics.   Check to see if there are any of these options near you so you can take advantage of them.

Tip 8.  Use the Internet. Try saving money by ordering medications online rather than buying them at a veterinarian office.  Otherwise, try asking if your vet has free samples of any drugs he prescribed.

Tip 9.  Shop around. Trust me, my experience has found that costs that vets charge for the same services can vary by as much as 300%.  Yes, 300%.

Tip 10.  Ask about alternatives. If your veterinarian suggests an expensive treatment, ask about less-costly methods that could also be effective.

For the record, on average, cats are cheaper than dogs.  The American Pet Products Manufacturers Association notes that, with respect to vet fees, dogs are more expensive than cats.   In 2006, dog owners spent on average $453 at the vet on surgeries, as opposed to only $363 for cat owners.

What about insurance?

Consumer Reports recommends that because of substantial deductibles and exclusions in pet policies, pet owners might be better off putting what they pay in monthly premiums into a savings account.  But unless you want to insure against catastrophic conditions that would require expensive care, pet insurance is not a financially sound option.

By following these tips, you will not only keep your pet healthier longer, but also minimize the costs of future veterinary visits.

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