Why are my vet bills always so expensive? Are the veterinarians out there just trying to earn our money? If they really do it because they love animals, why can’t they do it for free?
We get these questions A LOT from pet owners, sometimes it is purely out of curiosity, sometimes it is almost condescending. But most of the time, it is the lack of understanding of the veterinary industry and what THEY can do to prevent their pet’s medical bill to skyrocket.
For this post of mine, I’m going to share what YOU can do to reduce your pet’s veterinary expenses. There are many factors that contribute to the high veterinary costs and no one can better put it than The Dumpling Vet, who has very nicely explained them in one of her posts on “Why is veterinary care so expensive?”
Having a pet is a privilege, not a right. Know that it takes time, effort, love, space and, most importantly, money to care for them. Of course, I wouldn’t want you to be spending your money excessively on veterinary care that can be easily and cheaply prevented if only you knew better! So, cheers to learning together!
Sterilise your pet early
It can prevent your pet from contracting many diseases – cancers such as mammary, ovarian, prostate, testicular cancer, pyometra, enlarged prostate etc. Cancer treatment can be long-drawn and expensive, and you wouldn’t want that knowing that you could very well prevent them in the first place.
For unspayed females, one of the most common diseases seen is pyometra, the presence of pus in the uterus. The only possible treatment is an emergency spay surgery to remove both the infected uterus and ovaries. However, by then it’ll cost you a lot more than a simple routine spay surgery.
Spaying your female dog/cat before their first heat can greatly reduce the risk of developing mammary cancer. Dogs spayed prior to their first heat have only a 0.5% risk of developing mammary tumour(s). However, after a first or second heat, this dramatically increases to a risk of 8% and 26%, respectively(1).
Make a visit with your veterinarian so that she can better advise you when it is the right time to sterilise your pet. Each pet reaches maturity at different ages and when they can be sterilised differs. If you want to read up more on sterilisation – the pros, cons, risks, when to sterilise, have a read of my post on “Is sterilisation necessary?”
Be up to date with vaccination and preventions
Speak to your veterinarian on what types of vaccination and prevention are necessary specifically for your pet’s lifestyle. The most common types of preventions are against heartworm, flea, ticks, mites and intestinal worms.
Vaccinations for dogs and cats are mainly grouped into core and non-core. Core vaccinations are highly recommended for all dogs and cats due to possible risk of exposure in all dogs/cats, high fatality rate, difficulty of treatment and high cost of treatment. Non-core vaccinations are recommended on a case to case basis. It depends on the lifestyle of the dog/cat and thus the risk of exposure to the pathogen.
Keep yourself well-informed about the types of vaccination required and recommended for your dog or cat. Your veterinarian would be happy to help you weigh the pros and cons to decide the vaccinations your pet needs.
Heartworm prevention is highly recommended for your dog because of the possible fatality, risk of exposure to all dogs and difficulty of heartworm treatment. Treatment takes about 2 months or longer to complete and consists of a series of injections to kill the worms. Heartworm prevention is highly accessible and varied, making starting on it a no-brainer as it’s just so convenient. It can come in the form of yearly injections, monthly oral tablets or monthly topicals. Do what is most convenient and affordable for you. What’s most important is to place your dog on heartworm prevention! It can be started as early as puppyhood!
You wouldn’t want them to get viruses or illnesses and spend thousands trying to treat them which could so easily and affordably be prevented.
Feed high quality commercial diet
“Raw diet allows my cat to have such a smooth fur coat!” “ Home-cooked food is all natural and thus healthier for my dog!”
Diet may not seem important in the short term, but in the long term its effects compound and can cause significant impact on your pet’s health. It’s worth investing your time on researching the right diet for your furkid, rather than spending a bomb on their healthcare treatments in the future.
All natural or a complete and balanced commerical diet?
The term “all natural” has only come into the spotlight in recent years due to the hype of it in human nutrition. And that’s when raw diets and home cooked recipes for pets started emerging. Though it may be beneficial in human nutrition, it is almost meaningless (and even harmful) in animal nutrition. NutritionRVN has very nicely phrased and concisely debunked the myth of feeding commercial diets to your furkid in her blog post “Natural isn’t always best.”
Not saying that all raw diets and home cooked recipes are not well-balanced and complete in nutrients, it just takes a lot of added vitamins and minerals to make it complete. In which it requires professional help. A recent study showed that 95% of home cooked diet recipes available in textbooks and online were deficient in one or more essential nutrients(2). Raw diets also increase the risks of bacterial infection and intestinal worm infestation – which can thus add to your pet’s veterinary expenses. To keep it simple, stick to commercial diet. It does not make you a bad pawrent!
So how exactly do you find the right high quality, complete and balanced commercial diet for your pet? Use WSAVA guidelines to help you choose a quality brand of food for your pet. And of course, consulting your veterinarian should be the main deciding factor in choosing the right diet for your furkid.
Maintain a healthy weight
Surprising to many, pets do not need to have an ‘ideal weight’. Your veterinarian will never tell you, “Oh, it’s a border collie, it should be 15kg.” What you should be looking at is their body condition score (BCS).
Again, following the WSAVA body condition score can help you gauge whether your dog or cat is within their ideal range. Always seek your vet’s advice when in doubt and how you can go about improving your furkid’s body condition.
Pet obesity is becoming more common due to the publicity of overweight, chonky and ‘cute’ dogs and cats on the internet. However, like us, overweight dogs and cats are prone to getting diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, arthritis and even cancer. These diseases not only reduce their quality of life, they require long term treatment which can add up to a lot of money. Obviously, you wouldn’t want that for your beloved furkid as well as your wallet.
Brush their teeth daily
By 2 years of age, 80% of dogs and 70% of cats have some form of periodontal disease(3). Most dogs and cats do not show symptoms. It is through the diligence of pet owners to bring their pets to the vet and regular dental checks by veterinarians to uncover this hidden but often painful condition.
Unlike people, the most common dental disease seen in dogs and cats is periodontal disease. Whereas in people it is tooth decay or cavities. Periodontal disease is the infection and associated inflammation of the periodontium (the tissues surrounding the tooth) due to the formation of plaque and tartar. Periodontal diseases begin with gingivitis (inflammation of the gums). When left untreated, the infection spreads deeper into the tooth socket, destroying the bone. Ultimately, the tooth becomes loose and may fall out over time.
The best way to prevent tartar build-up is through DAILY teeth brushing using toothpaste specifically designed for dogs and/or cats and is safe to be swallowed. Get them used to getting their teeth brushed early when they are in their puppyhood or kittenhood. It’ll make life easier for you and them in the future. Investing in a toothbrush and toothpaste is more sustainable than the sudden and huge dental vet bill you have to break your wallet for.
Remember, taking care of a pet is a privilege. It takes time and money to care for them. Brushing their teeth daily should not feel like a chore, treat it as a quality bonding time when you laugh and smile at their little quirks. Don’t forget the cuddles and hugs!
If brushing is not an option for you due to your pet’s temperament, you may use Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) approved chew toys, treats, food and water additives as the next best alternative.
Keep them cleaned and groomed
Basic hygiene care includes ear cleaning, nail clipping, brushing and bathing. Depending on the breed, lifestyle and whether it’s a cat or dog, the frequency of grooming and cleaning them differs. Consult your veterinarian to have a better idea on how to do it and the frequency required.
Keeping them cleaned and groomed can prevent bacterial and fungal infection from manifesting. Ear and skin infection is one of the most commonly seen cases by veterinarians. Many of these diseases can be prevented by proper and regular cleaning. Skin and ear consults can range from less than a hundred to a few hundred dollars (if recurring, it can be even up to a thousand dollars!) depending on how bad it is. So, why would you want to spend this amount of money on something so easily and cheaply prevented?
Nonetheless, when in doubt, visit a veterinarian early! Early vet visits can prevent the infection from worsening which can add to your vet bills.
Observe their behaviour
You know your pet the best. When they are acting strange and not being themselves, you just know it isn’t right. When your pet usually wakes you up in the morning but has recently stopped doing that. You know something’s not quite right. When your pet usually sleeps showing its belly, but recently sleeps curved up in a ball. You know it isn’t normal.
A change in behaviour can be an early sign of a disease, pain or discomfort. Let your veterinarian know, early testing and treatment can greatly reduce the cost of veterinary expenses. Once the disease is severe and difficult to treat, vet bills can pile up.
Keep them in a safe environment
Keeping them indoors when unsupervised. Depending on the breed and character of your pet, they may enjoy the outdoors. Feel free to do so but do it responsibly! I am not a fan of dog runs… Many pet owners leave their dogs running unsupervised and many dog fights happen from these outings.
Dogs or cats kept outdoors can be prone to skin infection when the weather is wet. And prone to dehydration and heat stroke when the weather is too hot. If allowed to free roam, they may get into fights or contract diseases from wild animals.
So is my dog or cat not allowed outdoors at all? Nope, they need their exercise and mental stimulation that most indoor environments cannot provide. Keep them leashed and always have a watchful eye when they are outdoors.
References:
1. Stoewen, Debbie, and Christopher Pinard. “Mammary Tumors In Dogs Malignant.” VCA Animal Hospitals, https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/mammary-tumors-in-dogs-malignant. Accessed 7 June 2022.
2. Wiggs RB, Lobprise HB. Periodontology. Veterinary Dentistry, Principals and Practice. Philadelphia: Lippincott – Raven, 1997, pp 186-231. Accessed 7June 2022.
3. Niemiec, Brook A., and Today’s Veterinary Practice. “Periodontal Disease: Utilizing Current Information to Improve Client Compliance.” Today’s Veterinary Practice –, 2012, https://todaysveterinarypractice.com/dentistry/practical-dentistry-periodontal-disease-utilizing-current-information-to-improve-client-compliance/. Accessed 7 June 2022.