If you are like most of us, you are overwhelmed when you go to the veterinarian with your dog and the bill is more than double what you were expecting. Things like routine care (cleaning ears, teeth brushing, nail clipping) even cost a bundle. If you are looking to cut the cost of your dog’s heath care and maintenance there are a few things you can do.
Step 1- Use Free Clinics
A great majority of towns have a vested interest in making sure the dogs in their municipalities are vaccinated for rabies. If the town in which you reside does not offer a free rabies clinic you are likely to find one in your county for this as well. These clinics often offer a three year rabies vaccination. The average cost of this vaccination at a vet is $40 to $60.
Step 2 – Use Services at Chain Pet Stores
Places like Petco and Petsmart have grooming services that are significantly cheaper than high-end groomers and often have the same results. Petsmart also offers their customers the ability to have full grooming or simply basic care like nail clipping at a low cost. If you have a dog that requires regular grooming this will absolutely cut your dog’s maintenance costs.
Step 3 – Spay or Neuter Your Dog at a Low Cost Facility or Program
There are many programs that are dedicated to the betterment of animals. Some of these non-profit organizations will allow you to purchase a certificate for a low-cost spay or neutering for a fraction of what vets costs to perform the surgery. There are participating vets that work with these groups to provide this service. The price difference will cut your dog’s health care bill in half if not more.
Step 4 -Purchase Pet Insurance
Pet health insurance is a hotly debated item among pet owners. The problem is, it appears as though most individuals break even on what they would have paid for veterinarian for routine care. However, any disease or disorder can quickly find you paying bills that would equal a mortgage payment. Lower cost pet insurance can help defer the costs of some diseases and accidents. It is a great way to cut the costs of emergency medical care and some routine care.
-Gioia has owned dogs and cats for the last twenty years and has researched ways to cost effectively manage the health care of her pets.