How to Manage Pet Health Care and Veterinary Costs

Health Care costs for pets can add up. However, there are various ways to save some money—or at least alleviate some of the burden—without compromising the quality of care. The following are some options.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Decide if pet health insurance is feasible for you and your pet. Research the different companies and weigh your options based on species/breed, age, pre-existing conditions and in some cases lifestyle of the pet (for instance, indoor or outdoor cat).
2. If insurance won't work out for you, check with your veterinarian to see if they offer a wellness package which includes discounted prices on routine services such as vaccinations and spaying/neutering. Some also offer geriatric health checkup packages, which is important for preventative maintenance in senior pets.
3. Look into discount programs such as Pet Assure (see Resources below). This is a national program that offers 25 percent savings on veterinary services and up to 50 percent on pet supplies and services. You must go to participating veterinarians and pet vendors to be eligible.
4. CareCredit is a program you can apply for that is accepted by vets nationwide. It is a special credit card to pay off your vet bills. This comes in handy if you don’t have pet insurance (see Resources below).
5. Most veterinarians provide the first examination free for pets that are adopted from shelters and rescues. Some also offer a discount if you have more than one pet.
6. Mobile vaccination clinics normally offer lower prices on shots than at a veterinarian's office. Or many vets have a vaccination clinic one day a week when shots are discounted. Find out which shots are required by law in your state. If your pet won't be boarded or around a lot of other animals, you can save money by skipping the optional vaccines such as bordetella (kennel cough).
7. Order non-prescription and certain prescription medications online. Basics such as flea and heartworm preventative are more costly at a vet or pet supply store. Companies such as 1-800-PetMeds offer the exact same products and will beat the lowest price you are quoted anywhere else (see Resources below).
8. Inquire with your vet about waiving fees for rechecks. Oftentimes when a blood, urine or stool test is abnormal, your dog is placed on medication and has to be rechecked within a week or two. Depending on the results, there may even be more testing. Vets normally charge for a recheck each time, regardless of whether or not they examine the dog. You could offer to bring in a urine or stool sample without your dog, which would eliminate the exam fee. Even with a blood tests, if you explain that money is tight and have to keep retesting, there's a good chance they'll consent to waiving the exam fees. You just have to ask!

Tips & Warnings

• Certain humane organizations, breed rescues and nonprofit groups offer financial aid to pet owners in need, such as those who have dogs with cancer. Check with a veterinarian or oncologist to see if they have a list of these organizations.
• Some veterinary offices keep an “emergency fund” for pets that get in accidents or in another emergency situation. If you are in need, it never hurts to ask.
• Most vets will probably allow you to go on a payment plan or postdate a check if they know you and you’ve already established a relationship with them. It surely doesn’t hurt to ask.
• If you have a service that you may be able to provide your veterinarian, check to see if they would consider a trade-out to pay off some or all of your bill. Again, it won't hurt to ask.
• Check with your local Humane Society or shelter to see if they are able to offer assistance from their on-call or staff vet, or they may have a list of veterinarians who offer low-cost or subsidized care to those in need.
• Many employers are offering pet health insurance benefits. This type of policy costs the employer nothing, because unlike with a traditional policy, the employee pays for it, and instead receives a discount for being a member of the group. If you work for a larger company, it might be a good idea to tell your employer about it in case they are unaware.