We understand that prices are climbing and money is tight these days. We personally are also feeling the pinch of inflation in our own lives as well.
That’s why we thought we’d put together 10 tips to save money at your vet clinic. Seems a little silly to do so, since we work at a vet clinic. But first, we are pet owners also.
- Shop around for pet supplies. All vet clinics usually carry the same food, and all clinics have different markups. It might be worth shopping around to compare the costs. We have an online store where you are able to browse our prices when we confirm your registration. Please allow 1 business day for registration confirmation. You don’t have to be an existing client to shop at our store. If you are interested you can message us and we can send you the link.
- Bring in a sample. If your pet is having urinary or diarrhea issues, bringing a sample to your appointment or bringing back a sample after the appointment means we don’t have to charge you to acquire one. You don’t want the hassle of collecting a sample? That’s A-OK! We would be happy to acquire one for you while your pet is here.
- Ear care. Ear infections are one of the most common medical issues our patients have. Keeping ear infections at bay usually just requires a little at-home ear care and one of our techs would be happy to help show you how. Ear cleansing and cleansers may keep you from spending big bucks on ear infections.
- Remove lumps when they are small. Lumps that are small are easier to remove than lumps that are big. Best to get lumps checked quickly so they can be removed when they are small, which means less work for us when they are bigger. And less anaesthesia for your pet!
- Be careful with human food. Holidays often plague us with multiple furry loved ones that got extra treats causing a bout of pancreatitis. This usually requires blood tests, fluid therapy, pain medication and staying at the clinic to treat. Don’t give high fat treats like gravy, turkey skin, ham, mashed potatoes, cheese, etc. Give them healthy special treats like carrots, a little white turkey or chicken meat, celery, fruits, etc.
- Feed a food that works for your pet. Your pet food should keep your pet lean and fit, allow for regular bowel movements with minimal gas, and give them a great coat of hair and healthy skin. If you don’t feel like your pet’s food is doing that for you, come see Suzanne! She is so knowledgeable and is going to be able to recommend a food that keeps your pet as healthy as possible. It seems silly to feed a food that will contribute to increased chances of health ailments. You can book an appointment to come see her here to make sure you can set your pet up for success. As Hippocrates said, “Let food be thy medicine and let thy medicine be food”.
- Don’t give your dog bones or antlers to chew on. Even though someone on the pet advice group said it is the best. Do you know how many thousands of dollars vet clinics make on extracting broken chewing teeth? It happens all the time. Don’t say we didn’t warn you. So, what do you do for your power chewers? Recently, someone posted to soak a giant carrot in bone broth and freeze it. They break down much easier than bones or antlers do. Currently, we haven’t had any teeth reported broken with that trick. We will keep you posted. There are also the extreme line of Kong toys that are really good too.
- Pick a vet clinic where you get good value for your money spent. Some clinics may seem cheaper but you aren’t always comparing apples to apples. Quality of care plays a big part in why things cost what they cost. We are proud to offer price info sheets for dozens of our services. This allows owners to compare costs more effectively between clinics because these sheets outline what is included for your dollar spent. These are available for services like spays, neuters, dentals, vaccines, parasite medications, etc. They are available upon request and can be emailed promptly during business hours. We strive to provide services that are top quality for your pet.
- Keep your pet lean. 80% of household pets are overweight. This will cost you big bucks in not only wasted pet food (why feed extra food when you don’t have to) but also in medical bills. Overweight pets are at risk for joint issues (cruciate ruptures), back issues, endocrine disorders, diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and the list goes on and on. If you need help getting your pet to slim down, come and see Suzanne!
- Get pet insurance. Pet insurance is an amazing tool to have when your pet is hit with an unexpected illness or emergency. We have heard so many great stories about our clients being able to provide top-level care for their pets without having to worry about the costs involved. If you don’t know where to start, we have a little info sheet that gives you some pet insurance basics to start your journey. If you are interested in looking at that, send us a message and we can email it to you.
But don’t get carried away! Here’s 3 things not to skip to save a buck:
- Don’t skip your pet’s annual exams. Doctors are well trained to pick up early disease processes when they are usually quicker and easier (cheaper) to deal with.
- Don’t skip preventative care. All preventative care money spent is money in the bank. Vaccinations, spaying and neutering, and parasite control help keep so many terrible, expensive to treat diseases away. A bit of an investment in preventative care will save you in the long run.
- Don’t buy the cheapest pet food. Buy the one that works best for your pet. This may not be the most expensive one. Pick a food that doesn’t cause allergies, gastro upset, or any other issues. Paying for issues that an appropriate food would help keep at bay is money down the toilet.
And if you have made it this far, we hope that these tips will help! We know money doesn’t come easy these days and your money is valuable. Reach out to us if you have any questions or comments.