Ask The Vet

Ask The Vet

Top 10 Ways to Save Money on Vet Care

Whether you’re feeling the pinch of a slowing economy or looking to trim household costs, your pet’s health is still a top priority. But how do you make smart decisions about budgeting for veterinary care? To help you protect your furry beloved and avoid “pet debt,” ASPCA experts have drafted a list of the top 10 ways to save money on your pet's veterinary care.

Here’s a sneak peek at their advice:

Prevention is truly the best medicine—it’s much more expensive and risky to treat illnesses than to protect against them.
Keep your pet smiling by regularly brushing his teeth. Chronic dental problems can lead to heart and kidney disease and pricey procedures.
Seeing a veterinary specialist in the early stages of a serious health problem can save time, money and heartache in the long run.
Pet insurance is a safety net, especially for those who can’t afford emergency vet visits. Research plans, but always read the fine print!
Overfeeding your pet is not only a strain on your wallet, but can lead to obesity and other costly medical conditions.

ASPCA Executive Vice President and Science Advisor Dr. Stephen L. Zawistowski cites spaying or neutering as an essential way to protect your pet. “It will have an important impact on your pet’s future health,” he says. “For females, it dramatically reduces the risk for breast cancer, and ovarian and uterine cancers disappear.” Spaying and neutering saves untold future dollars in treatment, not to mention the economic burden of an unplanned litter.

To prepare for the unexpected, Dr. Louise Murray, author of Vet Confidential and Director of Medicine at the ASPCA’s Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital, suggests creating a dedicated savings account for your pet’s medical expenses. “By putting a specified amount into a savings account each month,” she says, “you’ll build a nest egg should your pet need treatment.” Some employers will even deposit a portion of your paycheck directly into said account. As an added bonus, your contributions will continue to earn interest and grow beyond your monthly investment.

If the unthinkable does occur, and you find yourself caring for a sick pet and facing a heap of bills, don’t panic. Check to see if your vet accepts Care Credit, a program that allows pet owners to make monthly payments—similar to a credit card. Before applying, however, be sure you can cover the card’s monthly balance to avoid the added burden of finance charges.

“Cutting back” shouldn’t have to extend to our loved ones’ care and well-being. Therefore, it’s essential to provide for our pets in a smart and savvy way. To read our experts’ complete list of ways to save money on vet care, visit ASPCA online.

Please use the comment box below to submit your questions to the vet.As responsible pet owners, we agree to care for our furry friends in sickness and in health. But as the economy softens and veterinary costs rise, how do we do what’s best for our pet?

To help you navigate these troubled economic waters, Dr. Louise Murray, author of
Vet Confidential and Director of Medicine at the ASPCA’s Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital, and Dr. Stephen Zawistowski, ASPCA Executive Vice President and Science Advisor, offer the following tips to help you save money on your pet’s health care.

Schedule Regular Check-Ups
Remember the saying, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure?” Well, it applies to pets, too. Don’t skip your pet’s yearly exam. It’s much more expensive—and risky—to treat illnesses than to protect against them.

Personalize Your Pet’s Vaccines
Hard times are not an excuse to skip your pet’s annual shots, but it does make sense to talk to your vet about personalizing your pet’s vaccine protocol. Some vaccines are optional, while others are essential in preventing serious diseases.

Spay or Neuter Your Pet
Spaying or neutering your pet can save a lot of money by preventing serious health problems including uterine, ovarian and testicular cancer. Many local shelters provide resources for low-cost or no-cost spay/neuter surgeries. Visit our online database to find a low-cost program in your area. If you live in New York City, check out our mobile clinic.

Brush Your Pet’s Teeth
Dental disease—such as tartar, gingivitis, loose or infected teeth—can lead to heart and kidney problems and expensive procedures. Start a daily dental routine to keep your pet’s teeth and gums healthy.

Protect Your Pet from Parasites
Flea and tick infestations can cause a host of costly medical problems from minor skin irritations to life-threatening anemia. Stick with a topical flea and tick solution to keep the critters at bay.

Toss the Cigarettes
Secondhand smoke is no joke for pets—it can cause asthma, bronchitis, lymphoma and oral, nasal and lung cancers. Quit now and you’ll save money on vet bills. At the very least, avoid smoking around your pet.

See a Specialist
Pet parents can reduce costs by getting a pet’s condition diagnosed and treated by an expert as quickly as possible. Veterinary specialists are available for everything from skin disease to cancer, and will often work within your budget.

Consider Pet Health Insurance
If the cost of an emergency vet visit or serious illness would be a financial strain, consider investing in pet health insurance, while your pet is healthy. Be sure to read the fine print, though—not all plans are created equal.

Buy High-Quality Pet Food
A good quality pet food—formulated under the guidelines of the American Association of Feed Control Officials—is often more cost effective than a homemade diet. Avoid overfeeding your pet, which can lead to obesity and other health problems.

Shop Smart
Whether he’s looking for pet food, medicine or grooming supplies, the smart shopper clips coupons and buys in bulk. It’s also a good idea to shop veterinary practices by comparing fees for preventative care.