Pets
7 Tips To Help Keep Pets Healthy And Save You Money
From understanding the importance of pet insurance to having an emergency plan, these are things every pet parent should know.
If you’re like most folks, your pets are a part of the family. Our furry companions offer us unconditional love, but taking care of them often costs a pretty penny.
In 2020, Americans spent $103.6 billion on their pets, according to the American Pet Products Association. Of that amount, more than $31 billion went toward veterinary care. Fortunately, some extra planning now can help to save you money on pet care down the road.
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Here are seven tips to keep your pets healthy and save you some cash.
Find out what's happening in Across Americafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
1. Have A First-Aid Kit And Emergency Preparedness Plan In Place
Accidents can happen at any time, and if you're unprepared, it's easy to panic. One way to be ready for anything is to create a pet first-aid kit and keep it easily accessible in case of emergency situations. You can find pre-made first-aid kits at local pet stores or online, or you can assemble your own. The American Veterinary Medical Association suggests that your pet first-aid kit include the following:
- Latex gloves.
- Digital thermometer.
- Gauze roll.
- Non-stick bandages.
- First-aid tape.
- Clean towels.
- Eyedropper.
- A water-based lubricant, to protect wounds or eyes.
- Hydrogen peroxide.
- Saline solution to clean wounds — contact solution works.
- Milk of magnesia or activated charcoal to absorb poison. (This should only be used after consulting a veterinarian.)
Pet owners should also have an emergency plan for their pets in case of disaster, because their survival may depend upon it. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests pet owners have the following ready in case of emergency:
Food and water:
- Enough water and food to accommodate each pet for up to two weeks.
- A manual can opener.
- Food and water bowls.
Medications and veterinary information:
- Two weeks’ worth of medications for each pet.
- Contact information for your pet’s veterinarian.
- A month’s supply of flea and tick and heartworm medications.
- Copies of medical, vaccination records and rabies certifications — kept in a waterproof container or bag.
Other essentials to keep on hand:
- Photos of your pets, in case you are separated.
- Leashes and collars.
- Cleaning supplies in case of accidents.
- Pet carriers and blankets for each pet.
- Your name and the names of any emergency contacts.
- Cat litter, pan and scoop.
- Flashlight and batteries.
Because emergencies happen unexpectedly, it’s prudent to make sure your pet’s ID tags are up to date with current contact information. Microchipping pets is also helpful in case you become separated during a disaster. A veterinarian can inject a microchip under your pet’s skin, and the process is completely painless. The chip allows animal shelters and veterinarians to scan and gather addresses and phone numbers to reunite you with your pet.
2. Establish A Veterinarian-Client Relationship
Just as you want to find a doctor you like and trust for your own treatment, it’s important to find a veterinarian you think will provide the best care possible for your pets. Building a relationship with your veterinarian is beneficial in the long term because the doctor gets to know your pet as it ages, which can help when diagnosing and treating illnesses. An established relationship may also help if your vet offers telehealth visits.
When searching for a vet, you will want to consider criteria that are important to you, whether that is the distance from your home, their professional demeanor — whether they are quick and to the point or spend more time explaining — and their ability to provide emergency or after-hours care.
How To Choose A Vet
Choosing the right vet may depend on the care your pet needs and other factors such as their hours and rates. When choosing a veterinarian, you will want to consider:
- Your pet’s age.
- Chronic conditions that may require a specialist.
- If you want a veterinarian who specializes in holistic treatments, such as acupuncture.
- If you want a vet who specializes in your pet’s breed.
- Any concerns you may have about distance, office rates and payment methods.
If you’re still unsure about the best way to choose a veterinarian, you might also consider asking friends and family for recommendations, visit a veterinarian’s office to gauge cleanliness — and note how many pets and owners are waiting and for how long. You will also want to consider if you prefer a small practice where your pet sees the same veterinarian or a larger practice offering more vets and flexibility for last-minute visits.
3. Keep Pets Up To Date On Vaccinations
To keep your pet healthy, it’s important that they receive core vaccinations. Not only do vaccines help keep your pet healthy, but they also help keep people healthy, too.
The American Veterinary Medical Association says core vaccinations for dogs include:
- Canine distemper
- Canine parvovirus
- Canine hepatitis
- Rabies
Cats should receive these core vaccinations:
- Feline panleukopenia
- Feline viral rhinotracheitis
- Feline calicivirus infection
- Rabies
The rabies vaccine is one that both dogs and cats must receive. Often, pet owners think that if their animals aren’t going outdoors or interacting with other animals, it’s not necessary; but there is always a risk that a pet will escape from their home, or situations where bats get inside a home and pets can be exposed. If you have pets at home other than dogs or cats, be sure to check with your veterinarian regarding any vaccinations that they may need.
4. Use GoodRx For Pets To Save On Your Pet’s Prescriptions
When your pet needs a prescription, GoodRx for Pets makes it simple to find the most affordable prescription options online or in your area. GoodRx brings together prices from major online pet medication retailers, local pharmacies and other sources to find you the lowest prices on all your pet medications.
Related: Check to see if you’re getting the best price for your pet’s medication at GoodRx Pets!
5. Protect Pets From Fleas And Ticks
Pets that spend any time outdoors should be treated for fleas and ticks. While most people think that fleas are only a problem during warmer months, they can be a year-round annoyance. Ticks are more likely to be found in wooded areas but can also be found in cities. Ticks can transmit diseases to a pet, and those can be passed to people and other animals.
GoodRx can help you get the best price for your pet’s flea and tick medications. With GoodRx Pets, you can search and find the lowest prices available online or in your area.
What Type Of Flea Preventions Are There?
When it comes to protecting pets from fleas there are three options: oral medications, topical medications and collars.
1.Oral medications — These are given by mouth, typically once a month. Some common brands are Comfortis, which works great for cats, Nexgard, Simparica and Credelio. Another option is Bravecto, which is given orally and only needs to be given once every three months.
2. Topical medications — If your pet hates taking pills and is picky when it comes to treats, topical flea medications are another option and are applied directly to their skin. Most topical medications are given monthly. Some common topical flea medications include K9 Advantix II, Vectra 3D, Activyl, Advantage II (great for cats) and Cheristin (great for cats). Bravecto also has a topical formula that is applied once every three months.
3. Flea collars — If your pet will not tolerate oral medications and has skin issues, a flea collar may be another option to consider. Flea collars do not require a prescription; not all collars are effective.
Note: If you are using flea medication for a cat, always read the label, because flea medications meant for dogs can be toxic to cats, even causing death.
What Type Of Tick Medications Are There?
Treating your pets for ticks is important because ticks can transmit diseases, and often it is difficult to know when a tick has attached to a pet, especially if a pet has a lot of fur. Ticks transmit diseases including Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, ehrlichiosis and cytauxzoonosis. Once a tick latches on and begins to feed off of your pet, it is too late and the risk of the tick transmitting an infectious disease is much higher.
The type of tick medication that is best for your pet depends on your ability to give them to your pet. Some of the best options for protecting your pets from tick bites include:
Oral medications — These tick medications are given to your pet by mouth, usually in a tasty, chewable tablet. Most are given monthly. One flea and tick medication, Bravecto, on the other hand, is given every 12 weeks. When giving oral medication to your pet, it is still possible they may be bitten; but when a tick attempts to feed, the medication acts as a poison and it is passed to the tick, causing them to fall off before they can transmit diseases. Some highly effective oral medications available by prescription only include:
Topical medications — If your pet has a sensitive stomach or is fussy about what they eat, you may need to consider topical medications. Some good options for topical medications include:
- Bravecto (also available as a chewable medication)
- Vectra 3D
- Frontline Plus
- K9 Advantix II
Tick collars — One other option is a medicated tick collar, which can be effective in protecting against ticks. In order for the collar to work, it must make contact with your pet’s skin. You will want to make sure the tick collar fits properly, not too loose or too tight. To make sure your pet is getting full protection, be sure to read the instructions before using. Some collars, such as Seresto, last up to eight months but must be replaced to provide protection.
If you’re unsure what the best flea and tick treatment options are for your pets, be sure to talk with your veterinarian so you understand the different types available and what will work best for your pet.
6. Purchase Pet Insurance
Pet ownership comes with a lot of responsibility and sometimes the medical bills for your furry friends can be higher than you anticipated. Pet insurance can be a cost-effective option to help put your mind at ease, especially in case of emergency situations.
What Is Pet Insurance?
Pet insurance works similarly to your own health insurance and is a financial product that helps cover the costs of veterinary care for your pets. Just like your health insurance, a pet insurance policy will have a deductible, co-insurance — which determines how much you pay out of pocket — and a monthly premium. Most pet insurance policies will not cover the cost of preventative care, vaccinations or regular checkups.
What Types Of Pet Insurance Coverage Are There?
Most pet insurance will only cover your pet in case of an emergency or a serious illness. There are two types offered: comprehensive and accident only.
Comprehensive coverage — This coverage offers the most benefits, which includes coverage for:
- Accidents
- Injuries
- Infections
- Chronic illness
- Emergency care
- Hereditary issues
- Diagnostic care
In 2020, the North American Pet Health Insurance Association said the annual cost for comprehensive coverage averaged about $594 for dogs and $341 for cats.
Accident-only coverage — This type of pet insurance policy is best suited for emergencies and it usually does not cover most illnesses. An accident-only policy has limited coverage, which may include:
- Accidents
- Injuries
- Bites from animals or insects
- Swallowed objects
- Accidental poisoning
The cost for accident-only pet coverage is less expensive annually, and the average cost — based on 2020 premiums — was $218 for dogs and $134 for cats.
What Factors Into The Cost Of Pet Insurance?
As with any insurance policy, the deductible you choose, the annual maximum benefit and reimbursement percentages will directly affect how much you pay for pet insurance. If you have a higher deductible, you will pay less for your monthly premium than if you had a lower deductible. If your pet needs major medical care above your annual maximum, you will need to pay out of pocket. And if your pet insurance company pays a higher percentage of your vet bills, you can anticipate paying more for your insurance rate.
The cost of your pet policy can be affected by factors and characteristics directly related to your pet. Those include:
Breed: Some dog and cat breeds are prone to certain health issues — for example, golden retrievers and German shepherds are known to suffer from hip dysplasia.
Species: Dogs and cats are the most commonly insured pets, but there are policies that will cover other types of pets such as gerbils or bearded dragons.
Age: As pets age, the insurance premiums tend to increase. This can make pet insurance too expensive for most people. And most insurance companies will not insure a new customer’s pet after a certain age, usually if it is 14 or older.
To determine if pet insurance is a good choice for you and your pets, you may want to estimate your cost of vet visits compared with the cost of insurance, keeping in mind whether the types of care your pets need and require will be covered. You may want to research if there are low-cost veterinarians in your area. And also take into account — in a worst-case scenario — would you be able to pay for high-cost care or surgeries for your pet?
7. Spay Or Neuter Your Pets
To help keep the pet population under control, spaying and neutering is an important part of pet ownership. Not only do the procedures help keep a dog or cat from having unplanned pregnancies, but spaying and neutering is also beneficial for your pet’s health, protecting against medical issues such as uterine infections, breast tumors and testicular cancer. It can also help with behavioral issues, such as pets straying in order to find a mate.
How Much Does It Cost To Spay And Neuter A Pet?
The cost to spay a female dog or cat is typically more expensive than neutering because spaying is more invasive, requiring surgery to reach the pet’s reproductive organs. Neutering a male dog or cat is less invasive and faster to complete.
Costs to spay and neuter can vary from free, when done through organizations such as the Humane Society, to $500 or more when done at a private veterinary clinic. In many cases, pets adopted through rescue groups have already been spayed and neutered.
Spaying through a private veterinarian will range from $300 to $500 for a dog and about $290 for a cat. Neutering a dog at a private veterinary office will cost between $250 to $450, while the cost to neuter a cat is around $225.
Are There Any Low-Cost Spay And Neuter Options?
The Humane Society of the United States has a database with organizations that provide low-cost spay and neuter services. Also, Petsmart Charities has a searchable database to find spay and neuter clinics.
Another option to find affordable spay and neuter clinics is to check with your state or county. Many states, counties and even some cities have affordable spay and neuter programs meant to address pet overpopulation.
The Bottom Line
Planning ahead and doing a little research can go a long way toward saving you money on the cost of annual pet care. Knowing your pet is getting quality care and that you can afford the medications they need is sure to help set your mind at ease. GoodRx for Pets is a great resource for comparing prescription costs and finding the best price for pet medications.
For your own care, the GoodRx app lets you compare prices at area pharmacies and get free coupons — no printing required. With GoodRx, you can find the lowest price available. When you pick up your prescription, simply show your coupon to the pharmacist, who will enter the coupon code for your discount. The app is easy to use and, most important, it’s free. Find out more about how to save money on prescriptions and get the health care you need at GoodRx.
