Introduction
Anyone with pets knows just how strong the emotional bond between a pet and its owner is. Our furry little friends bring us joy in life. Coming home from a tiring day at work to a greeting from your pet is an incomparable feeling. They are always there for you no matter what emotional roller coaster you are going through.
Our pets become entwined into our family and daily lives. We care for them as much as our own kids and more. To most of us, they are our only family, and we commit to meeting their daily needs, take care of their health, and loving them unconditionally.
Pets make us responsible, and without us, they have no reason to exist. Their world revolves around their human, and they have no idea what’s beyond your wall, nor do they care about the world outside your neighborhood. You are their only concern and making you happy is their only purpose.
So, when something happens to them or when they get injured or sick, you are their only support. They know that only you would protect them because only you can. Since most of don’t know anything about the treatment and medication, we are supposed to rely on vets, and all the warm and fuzzy feelings are thrown under expensive veterinary costs.
While dealing with an emergency, the owner is under a lot of stress. They are rushing to the vet, concerned for their little friend’s life. There is no time to think about the bill. But the bill for a pet’s treatment could be thousands of dollars and though pets don’t get sick that often when they do, it costs you more than you expect.
Some people spend big bucks on their furry friends, but others can’t. Despite loving their pet unconditionally, people choose not to go under debts and sacrifice their savings. But if you are educated enough to know where to get help in situations like these without having to put yourself through financial troubles, things get easier.
Some clinics like https://veterinarianoverlandparkks.com/offer monthly memberships which include various discounts and free vaccines.
Let us guide you to an affordable way to take care of your pet’s health without being stuck in a huge amount of debt.
Prepare in Advance
The sooner you prepare the better. We will give you a few tips so that you are ready for any situation in advance and know where exactly to go and what to do. There is not much left to do when you are facing an emergency, and it is better to prepare yourself and explore your options in advance.
Deciding Where to Adopt Your Pet
The adoption place or shelter home for animals, where you adopt your pet can have a significant impact on the amount you spend on your pet’s care. Some local shelter houses offer a discount pet clinic for any animals who were adopted from there. Some offer a discount to low-income pet owners as well. Adopting from a shelter like this helps you save a good amount of money from initial costs, routine check-ups and other emergencies.
Veterinary Schools
Vet schools are typically cheaper than vet clinics and animal hospitals and should be the first place to look for affordable and reliable healthcare. You can contact the local vet school and ask which procedures their students perform since obtaining a degree needs plenty of theory as well as practical experience.
There are no pet hospitals, so at the end of their training, these graduates work in vet schools because they need to spend more time treating pets. And because your pet is being treated by a yet unlicensed professional, you get a good discount. These schools do everything from basic check-ups to advanced surgeries, all under the supervision of licensed professionals.
Shop Around for Cheap Vet Care
Finding affordable healthcare for our pets is something most of us only think about while holding a $3000 bill in hand.
Vet prices vary a lot, and you can find the same service or checkup at varying prices, some much more affordable than the other. So, having a list of affordable and professional vets and alternatives in-hand can save you thousands of dollars in an emergency.
Alternative Treatments
Some alternative treatments are better. For instance, you rush your dog to the vet as soon as you find out that he/she ate a piece of chocolate. The vet provides you with two treatment options. First one is that they’d pump your dog’s stomach and you can take them home after it. You will have to monitor him/her for 48 hours and add activated charcoal in the diet to absorb toxins, and your pet will be fine.
The second option is that you leave your pet in the hospital overnight, and they flush her kidneys so that there is no chance of blood poisoning. Both options are good, but the cost of both the treatments vary significantly.
Low-Cost Alternatives and Charities
Local animal welfares, rescue groups, and shelters often offer low-cost vaccinations, spaying and neutering, and other services.
Also, if your pet requires an expensive treatment which you cannot afford, you may be able to get help from a charity. There are several animal welfare organizations that help owners with expensive lifesaving procedures.
Try a Healthcare Plan
There are dozens of healthcare plans available for your pet, and even though getting insurance for your pet sound silly, it does pay in the long term. The insurance costs anywhere from $30 to $120 a month, which is still better than having to pay thousands of dollars at once.
Low-Cost Prescriptions
If you are getting your pet’s medications directly from your vet, there’s a big chance that you might be overpaying. Shopping online for pet medication can save you big bucks.
But be careful while buying medication online and get them from trustworthy sites only. Be sure of the quality of medication since the wrong or expired ones can seriously damage your pet’s health.
Conclusion
There are other steps and measures you can take to protect your pet’s health. Spaying and neutering are recommended at an early age since it prevents many infections and cancers. Pet-proof your home and avoid brining toxic plants. There are certain foods that a pet should not have, including chocolate, nuts, avocado, caffeine, alcohol, and dairy etc. Visit this link to find the complete list of foods that are harmful to pets.
You can also start a saving fund for your pet if you don’t want to buy insurance. Some clinics, as we mentioned earlier, offer membership discounts which are a good option as well.
By following these guidelines, you can provide good healthcare for your pet without going broke.
