As a veterinarian, pet parents often ask me what they should be doing in order to help keep their pets healthy while saving money. Here are some smart ways to reduce veterinary costs without compromising your pet’s health.

1. Yearly veterinary examinations
Annual examinations are as essential as food and love. Don’t wait for your pet to be sick before taking them to the vet. Bring your pet to your veterinarian for a wellness exam at least once a year. Older pets and pets with medical issues may need to be seen more frequently. Your veterinarian will examine your pet from head to tail to insure they are healthy and up to date on immunizations and other preventatives. In the long run, annual check-ups will actually save you money and a lot of  heartache by protecting your pet from preventable diseases and by detecting illness early when it is more treatable.

2. Immunizations
Most people wouldn’t skip vaccinating their kids. So don’t overlook vaccinating your pets. Immunizations protect our pets from devastating diseases caused by viruses and bacteria. Keeping your pet up to date on vaccinations helps prevent diseases that are not only dangerous to your pet but can be very costly! So be sure to ask your veterinarian which vaccines your pet needs based on their lifestyle and risk factors and how often they should receive booster vaccines.

3. Screening tests
Since animals can’t talk and tell us what is wrong with them, screening tests are important because they can allow us to detect disease early. Depending on your pet’s age, your veterinarian will recommend screening tests to look for problems like diabetes, kidney disease or thyroid disease. These tests allow your veterinarian to discover diseases your pet may have early, when they are typically easier (and often cheaper) to treat.

4. Dental care
Commit to keeping your pet’s teeth clean and healthy. What does this entail? First, take your pet to the veterinarian for a check-up at least once a year to make sure their teeth and gums are healthy. Second, brush your pet’s teeth regularly with pet toothpaste and give them dental chews to help keep their teeth pearly white in between visits. Routine dental care not only helps keep your pet’s teeth clean and healthy but also help prevent painful and costly dental problems in the future.

5. Parasite protection
Parasites are a common and important cause of disease in pets. They can be internal, like worms and protozoa, or external, like fleas and ticks. Besides making you cringe, parasites can cause significant morbidity in pets and can lead to death if not treated in the case of heartworm disease. Fleas can cause pets to develop costly hot spots and skin infections.  Fortunately parasitic diseases are easy to prevent with year round parasite preventatives. Keeping your pet on parasite preventatives not only protects your pet from diseases but again saves you money.

6. Microchips 
Not a huge way to save money, but super important!  While collars and ID tags are essential, they are not foolproof because they can break or fall-off. As a previous shelter veterinarian, I have seen way too many lost pets end-up in shelters. I am a strong proponent of microchips because they are the best way to improve the odds that your pet will be returned home if they ever get lost. Finally, don’t forget to keep your contact information up to date. A microchip isn’t very effective if no one can reach you to tell you they have your lost pet.

7. Spay and neuter your pet
Besides helping prevent pet overpopulation, spaying and neutering your pet has important health benefits and again can save you money in the long run.  For example, spaying and neutering lowers the risk of breast cancer, testicular cancer, and pyometra (an infection of the uterus). Spaying and neutering can also help with behavioral problems such as spraying, roaming, and aggression (injuries from dog fights can be expensive). If your pet isn’t already spayed or neutered, call your veterinarian to discuss whether spaying or neutering may benefit your pet.

8. Pet proof your home
Pets are curious creatures by nature, but sometimes their curiosity can get them into trouble. Make sure your home is safe for your pet by pet-proofing your home. Check the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center’s website list of the most common poisonous household plants to ensure that none of your houseplants are a potential hazard to your pet. Also, refer to their website to learn which foods and other household items may be toxic to your pet. Lastly don’t forget to keep all toxic chemicals stored safely away from your pets.

9. Exercise
Exercise is the best way for your pet to stay trim and healthy. Like us, pets can suffer from obesity and the problems associated with being overweight such as arthritis and diabetes. Make sure you exercise your pet and increase their level of activity. For dogs, go on longer walks, play fetch and let them run off-leash in a dog park. If you’re a runner, check with your veterinarian to find out if it’s okay to run with your dog. For cats, have them chase a laser pointer and play more with them. Exercise is the best way to keep your pet physically healthy and mentally stimulated.

10. Plan for emergencies.

Anyone who has ever had a pet knows, they have a knack for getting into things they shouldn’t! Unfortunately this can get them into serious trouble. Having a pet savings account that you fund monthly is a great way to pay any unexpected veterinary bills. Likewise, pet insurance can help you pay for unseen accidents or illnesses. We have health insurance and we insure our cars, and houses so why shouldn’t we make sure our pets have insurance too?

Hopefully these 10 tips will help you save while still giving your pets the care they deserve.

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