A Pet Owner’s Guide to Savings

• Consider alternatives to veterinary care. If you can’t afford vet fees, check out humane society or university veterinary clinics which may offer thriftier medical services than private practitioners.
• Look out for specials such as reduced veterinary-service events sponsored by government agencies or pet stores. Also, some vets will give you a discount if you bring in several pets at once, so bringing in the whole brood routine check-ups and inoculations will save you time and money
• Tell your vet if your pet is a stray. Many vets offer a discount if a pet was an abandoned or homeless creature that you rescued. The discount is usually at least 10 percent off.
• Seniors should also ask their vets about discounts. Some vets offer seniors discounts as high as 20 percent!
• Reproductive reasons aside, spaying or neutering your pet decreases its chances of developing a number of illnesses.
• Keep track of your pet’s records such as inoculations and other health-care services. If you switch vets, you’ll avoid having costly procedures repeated.
• Be selective about follow-up care. Don't automatically follow up with expensive emergency-hospital staff (if you can avoid it.). See if you can instead follow up with your regular vet during normal business hours.
• Learn what constitutes a true emergency situation. For example, weakness and difficulty in breathing is an emergency.
• Consider purchasing pet health insurance. It works in much the same way as it does for people -- there's generally a deductible, a co-pay or both, and forms to be filled out
• Don’t settle for prices; shop around for medicines, online and locally.
• Seek a second opinion when your vet suggests a pricey procedure.
• Brush your pet’s pearly whites! Not only will your pet's teeth suffer if you don't -- it can seriously affect your pet’s overall health. Oral bacteria can lead to serious problems and complications.
• Ask your vet for samples.
• Consider your pet’s diet. Upgrading to higher-quality premium foods can pay off in health dividends.
• Take advantage of the free resources offered by your local pet-supply store. Their personnel tend to be animal lovers with a fairly good knowledge regarding a variety of pets.
• Read, listen and watch. Take advantage of other free resources, such as pet publications, informative email subscriptions, and TV and radio programs.