Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Getting Started

6 great ways to save money on your pet’s vet bills

Paige Cerulli
By

During his life, your pet will need to see a vet regularly to keep him healthy and happy. Vet care is just part of owning a pet, and it’s an important investment in your pet’s health, comfort, and even in his life span. But just like human health care, vet care can be expensive, and those vet bills can add up quickly if your pet has a health issue or if you have multiple pets. Luckily, there are a few ways that you can save money on your pet’s vet bills. You’ll need to plan for some of them, but that planning can pay off with big savings.

Get quotes when choosing a vet

When you’re initially choosing a vet, get some quotes for basic services, like the cost of a wellness exam and routine vaccinations. You can use these quotes to get a sense of each practice’s rates, which may help you avoid practices that charge premium prices. Remember, though, that prices between different services can vary, and even if you’re given a rough quote for an exam, it’s possible that your vet may find issues that need to be treated. That can increase the price you’ll actually pay for the exam and those extra services.

Recommended Videos

It’s also important to consider whether the practice offers emergency services. Seeking emergency after-hours treatment at a vet’s office will usually be more affordable than getting those services at an emergency vet hospital. It may be worth it to pay a little bit more as a client at a vet that offers these emergency services, since you could save significant money if your pet ever does have an after-hours emergency.

Related
Brown and white dog wearing an e-collar

Strategically schedule appointments

When you can plan ahead, schedule appointments so that you can bring multiple pets in at the same time. Many vets will offer discounts for multi-pet appointments.

In addition to strategically scheduling appointments, make sure you keep up with those appointments so your pet sees the vet regularly. This regular care can help prevent health issues and ensures that you stay on top of your pet’s health. If your vet recommends routine testing, like blood work, that can also help identify any health issues early on. With an earlier diagnosis, you may save money over the cost of treating an advanced, more complicated condition.

Consider pet insurance

You might consider investing in pet insurance. Insurance can help cover some of the larger costs your pet might face if he gets sick or needs surgery. When looking into pet insurance, be sure to read each policy thoroughly. Make sure you understand the deductibles, the coverage limits, and any exclusions. If you’re worried about being able to pay larger pet health care costs, then insurance might give you increased peace of mind and help with vet bills.

Subscribe to your vet’s newsletter

Subscribing to your vet’s newsletter or following the practice on social media can keep you informed about important information. Some vets may offer special programs or discounts on services or seasonal items like flea and tick treatments. Your vet might also issue notices if there are rebates available for certain medications or products. Staying up to date may save you money.

Orange cat lying in a metal kennel

Look into prescription options

If your pet needs prescription medication, you may be able to fill that right at your vet’s office. However, you might want to look into filling that medication through a pharmacy. Some pharmacies offer lower medication prices, so do a little comparison shopping to find the best deal.

In some cases, your vet may prescribe a medication they don’t carry in the clinic’s pharmacy. Before you have that prescription filled, call around to local pharmacies for the best price.

Look for discount plans

You might also want to explore pet health discount plans. Plans like Pet Assure often offer discounts on vet care and prescriptions and at participating pet retailers. Prescription discount cards, like the GoodRx discount card, can also help you save on prescriptions bought through participating pharmacies. These plans have varying costs, and some are even free. Just make sure that any plan you’re considering covers the items and services that you’ll need for your pet.

Vet bills can be expensive, but they’re an essential part of owning and caring for a pet. With a little planning, you can save money on your typical vet bills. Keep in mind that it’s also important to be prepared for any emergency vet bills. It’s always a good idea to build up an emergency fund so you’re prepared for those unexpected expenses and can get your pet the care he needs right away. Vet bills can add up, but the price is well worth it for a healthy, comfortable pet.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Paige Cerulli
Paige Cerulli
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Paige's work has appeared in American Veterinarian, Business Insider, Healthline, and more. When she's not writing, Paige…
All about the incredible greyhound dog
Love the greyhound dog breed? Here's what to know about these canines
A greyhound on a fuzzy rug

The greyhound dog breed has a sweet but noble demeanor. These large-sized hounds are built for speed with a narrow, aerodynamic body perfect for running down prey. History traces these dogs back to ancient Egypt.

Today, the pups like to track down treats. However, the breed has been at the center of controversy -- through no fault of their own. Because of their speed, they’ve been used as race dogs, a practice now illegal in most states in the U.S.

Read more
7 Japanese dog breeds that could be your perfect pet
Getting to know Japanese dog breeds: Shiba Inu, Akita, and more
A black and white Japanese Chin stands outside in the grass raising one paw

If you were to ask someone to name a Japanese dog breed, we'd be willing to bet that they'd mention Shiba Inu dogs first. And for a good reason! Shiba dogs are becoming increasingly popular around the world, especially after one lucky "doge" went viral in 2013. But they're not the only breed worth mentioning.
There are more than seven Japanese dog breeds out there, of course, but we chose these seven so you can compare and contrast these pups' unique qualities. From gentle giants to teacup cuties and everything in between, there just might be your perfect fit right here on this list!
Here are seven Japanese dog breeds we know and love.

Shiba Inu dogs are quite possibly the most famous Japanese breed, thanks to a meme
Whether you knew it at the time or not, you've probably seen a picture of the famous "doge" internet meme which features a Shiba Inu giving some major side-eye. And as it turns out, this infamous sass can be common in this self-assured breed!

Read more
Does your pet need to visit the dentist? Here’s how a dog teeth cleaning works
It seems scary but they won't feel or remember a thing
Doctor cleaning dog's teeth with toothbrush indoors

In theory, we all go to the dentist every six months to get our teeth cleaned, which helps keep the pearly whites in check and also contributes to overall health. Surprisingly, our pets also benefit from annual (or biennial) dental treatments. While these cleanings do wonders for your dog's teeth, they can make owners nervous and burn a hole in their wallets to boot. Here's why you should schedule regular cleanings for your pup.
How do I know if my dog's teeth need cleaning?
Unless it's a really severe case, you probably can't tell just by looking. Instead, your vet will take a peek in your animal's mouth during their yearly checkup. Your pet's doctor may give your furry friend a dental grade between 0 and 4, with 0 being reserved for puppies that have perfect teeth and 4 meaning Fido will likely require more advanced care, including extractions. Once you have the assessment, you can better determine if your pup needs a cleaning, but it's frequently recommended.
What happens during a dental cleaning
Some of that depends on the grade and your specific beast, but the gist of it stays the same. The main thing is not to worry too much because your little guy will be well cared for, and even though there's always some risk to anesthesia, this is a routine procedure.
Getting your pup ready
Before you even begin, you should get pre-op blood work done to make sure they can handle being under anesthesia. Have your vet discuss any outside-of-range findings and figure out the best way forward. Some older dogs develop kidney and liver problems, and your dog doc might decide that a cleaning isn't worth the risk.
Prepping for the cleaning
Your little guy will likely fast leading up to treatment (just as you would if you were going in for surgery). When you arrive, your vet will go over the schedule and almost certainly give them a once-over to confirm they're ready. Then they will get a sedative in preparation to go under. Figure out what time you need to pick them up and then try to distract yourself for a few hours.
During the procedure
Most vets will take X-rays, clean the teeth, and perform extractions as necessary. Don't worry — your pet will be fully asleep and will not remember or feel a thing. If they do need any teeth pulled, they might get additional shots during the visit (again, just as you would get Novocaine while getting your mouth done). Your vet may also take this opportunity to clip their nails (since they are asleep), if necessary.
Aftercare
If your dog had to have any work above a cleaning, you'll have a couple of meds to administer, such as pain medication and antibiotics. Follow the dosage carefully, especially if you're dealing with strong meds like codeine. In some circumstances, they may have to wear the cone of shame to prevent scratching at their mouth.
How else can you help your dog's oral hygiene?
There's a lot you can do as the pet parent in between cleanings. Consider brushing their teeth, giving doggie dental chews, putting an additive in their water, or putting them on prescription food if the issues are really severe.

The most important thing is to stay on top of your furry friend's oral health, just like you would with any other issues. That often means not feeding them human food, which can cause decay, and providing dry dog food or even dog bones to chew. As long as you stick with the routine, hopefully, you won't need too much extra detail care.

Read more