Vet bills can be expensive. However, many people are unaware that there are actually several ways in which they could save money on costly vet bills. Here are seven of the best options.
Compare Different Vets
The costs for veterinary services can vary quite considerably from one vet to another, so one of the best ways of saving money on vet bills is to shop around for the cheapest vet in your local area. It may even be worth going with one that’s a little further away if it makes financial sense to do so. Compare the prices for individual things like lab work, ultrasounds, and diagnostic tests at different vets so you can have a detailed view of which vet offers the best prices.
Take Advantage of Special Offers and Discounts
When shopping around to find the best vet at the lowest cost, look out for any special offers different vets offer. Also, many vets provide discounts when you use their services for multiple pets.
Get Pet Insurance
The most expensive vet bills tend to come around when your pet has a serious problem and needs urgent treatment. So, it’s a good idea to consider getting pet insurance. Just as you should do with vets, compare different pet insurance policies to find the best pet insurance at the best price. When looking at the costs of pet insurance, be sure to evaluate whether you’ll get enough value from the coverage in relation to the cost of the premiums.
Use a Veterinary College Student Rather Than a Vet
If you have a veterinary college nearby, you could save a lot of money on your vet bills due to the fact that students will be handling your pet. Don’t worry, an experienced vet supervises the veterinary students. To find out if there’s a veterinary college near you, check out the list of accredited veterinary colleges provided by the American Veterinary Medical Association.
Visit a Pop-Up Clinic
If you do not have a nearby veterinary college, you could take advantage of a pop-up clinic and save on the cost of vet bills substantially. Organizations like the ASPCA and the Humane Society provide services like neutering and vaccinating throughout the year for low costs. You do not even need to make an appointment. Just show up to gain the discounted services for your pet.
Seek Out Animal Welfare Charities
If you are on a very low income and simply cannot afford the cost of vet bills, you can still get help for your pet through the services of animal welfare charities. Contact the Humane Society to find a list of charities that can assist.
Look After Your Pet
It should go without saying that you need to take very good care of your pets. But it is worth mentioning because the more you look after your pets’ health and welfare, the less likely they will need the services of a vet. In turn, that means you can save money on expensive vet bills. Most importantly, ensure your pets get the right amount of food and plenty of exercise to maintain their optimum weight. Whatever kind of pet you have, if it maintains a healthy weight, it’s less likely to suffer from things like arthritis, diabetes, high blood pressure, and cancer. You should also take your pet for yearly checkups. While that means spending money, you can save money in the long run because any potential health problems are caught early on.