Pets are a member of the family however, most people don’t have insurance for their pets. This can often lead to sticker shock when you have to go to the vet. So, what do you do when you can’t afford proper pet care for your furry friend? Here are some ways to make pet care more affordable.
Change Clinics
Most people select a vet based on how close it is to their home.
These clinics can be more expensive depending on the veterinary services provided.
If you can’t afford to take your pet to your vet, consider other options.
Maybe there is a clinic that is more affordable. You can call around and price different clinics.
Some clinics will post their prices on their websites.
Just because a vet clinic is more affordable, doesn’t mean that you are sacrificing the quality of care that your pet will receive.
Your local humane society can give you recommendations on good clinics that are more affordable for your budget.
If you live near a veterinary school, they often provide care that is not as expensive as a traditional clinic.
Take Advantage of Discounts
Even if you decide not to change vets, there may still be an opportunity for discounts.
Some vets offer services at a reduced price on certain days of the week to get more customers in the door.
Ask if your vet offers any incentives that can help you to cover the costs.
Talk to your vet if you are having trouble paying your pet’s medical expenses.
Many vets are willing to offer a discount for their longtime customers.
Some vets even have a fund set up to help pets in need when their owners can’t afford to cover all the costs associated with care.
The Humane Society of the United States has a list on its website of organizations that offer financial assistance to people who are in need.
There are many opportunities that can be looked into for discounts even if you decide to stay with your current vet.
Try Generic Products
There are lots of good products that don’t cost as much as the big-name brands.
Generic foods offer the same amount of nutritional benefits to your pet as the name brand.
Just make sure to read the ingredients if your pet is on a special diet.
If your pet needs medication, request a generic brand from your vet.
Some medications can be purchased over the counter at local stores.
You can also buy some medication online that may be cheaper than purchasing directly from your vet.
Ask if your vet is willing to price match on medications.
When shopping for pet toys, consider buying a generic item that doesn’t come with a name-brand price tag.
You can save a significant amount of money by choosing a generic product over a name-brand label.
Emergency Funds
In the event of an emergency, you don’t have a choice about seeking vet care for your pet.
Maybe your pet needs a procedure that will save their life, and even with discounts, it will be a huge expense.
In these instances, if you don’t have the funds available and you can’t afford proper pet care, you may be left in a bind.
If you don’t have the money available now, but will within a couple of months, consider a payday loan like those from Power Finance Texas in El Paso.
This type of loan allows you to get the money quickly.
You will be expected to pay back the amount plus interest within the agreed amount of time.
This can give you peace of mind, knowing that your pet will receive the care that they need.
Having this type of emergency loan can make all the difference for your pet and for your financial situation.
Affordable pet care doesn’t have to be out of reach for you. Use these simple solutions to keep your pet healthy and happy.
CAlvin
Friday 25th of May 2018
Always good to note of these alternative back up options.
April Monty
Thursday 16th of November 2017
These are some awesome suggestions for those of us who can't always pay for our pet needs.
Rosie
Wednesday 15th of November 2017
Also, people should try to evaluate if they can really afford a pet to begin with. If you can't, it is better to enjoy dog sitting, etc., for your friends.
Cynthia R
Wednesday 15th of November 2017
So far I've been pretty lucky to afford my 3 cat's vet bills. Mostly routine stuff but getting into teeth treatments and blood tests and in a month spent $1000 on two cats. So I can see how vet bills will cause so much chaos with limited budgets. I know people that have done gofundme pages for their animal's care.