Those who own dogs know that caring for them can be expensive. Dog food, toys, treats, bedding, housing, vet visits, training and grooming can all add up. If you are on a budget, here are some tips to help make dog care more affordable without sacrificing the health and happiness of your dog.
Prevention is key
Avoid expensive vet bills by exercising early prevention. Have your dog visit the vet for a checkup every year, even if there is no indication of trouble. Some diseases have no apparent symptoms at first, but a vet exam may catch a serious medical condition before it gets out of control and expensive.
Consider pet insurance
Just like humans can buy medical insurance to cover health care costs, you can buy pet insurance to cover most of your dog’s vet costs. Pet insurance is beginning to grow in popularity. There are about a dozen companies out there and each has different plans for you to choose from based on your dog’s health. None cover dogs with pre-existing health conditions, so if you have a dog with cancer or other serious illness, you will have to continue paying out-of-pocket.
There are several aspects that one should consider before deciding on pet insurance. First, look at what is covered. Certain conditions, especially hereditary ones, are not covered by pet insurance. There are may be some other limitations, such as the maximum amount that the insurance company will pay per annum. Most companies fully cover wellness and preventative care visits. Some may have age limits. They may refuse to cover dogs older than six years old.
The claims process is also important when choosing a pet insurance provider. Does it pay claims quickly? Are the representatives friendly and knowledgeable? Some allow you to pay a one-time annual deductible, while others have you pay a co-pay for each vet visit. Visit third-party websites to see reviews from other users before making a decision.
Cost is probably one of the most important factors. The premium should fit within your budget. However, don’t just choose the cheapest plan. By paying a little more, much better coverage may be available. Look through the various plans and choose one that best fits your needs and budget.
Ways to pay for vet visits
If you are stuck with a huge vet bill and don’t have pet insurance, you may feel your options are limited. However, there are various ways to go about paying it.
Many states have groups that offer financial services that help defray the cost of medical treatment. There are also national groups and groups that focus on a particular breed. If you are a long-term client of the veterinary clinic, ask if you can negotiate a payment plan. Perhaps you can pay a reasonable amount every week or month toward the bill. You may even offer to trade your services for the vet bill. For example, you can clean kennels or care for pets in the clinic until the bill is paid off.
You can also apply for credit. Care Credit is a credit card specifically for medical expenses, including those for pets. Care Credit offers no-interest plans and special promotions so you can pay a little each month toward vet expenses without racking up hundreds of dollars in interest fees along the way. As with any credit card, be wary of the fine print and what happens after any interest-free period ends.
The Humane Society of the United States has more information about ways pet owners can get financial assistance for vet costs.
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