9 ways to save money on your pet’s medical care

When adopting a pet, it’s important to know the costs that may incur from their medical care – so how can you prepare? The ASPCA has 9 tips for cutting pet care costs, and they aren’t all what you’d think.

1. 

   Schedule Regular Check-Ups:
   Contrary to popular belief, seeing your veterinarian less, won’t help cut pet care costs. The ASPCA advises pet owners not to skip your pet’s yearly exam. They say it’s less expensive to protect against illnesses than it is to treat them. For information on getting connected with a veterinarian, visit http://gotapetgetavet.ca/

2. Personalize Your Pet’s Vaccines: Make sure you’re aware what vaccines are required by local laws, or mandatory for your pet’s protection. From there, the ASPCA says you can discuss with your vet what optional vaccines may be advisable for your pet to get.
3. Spay or Neuter Your Pet: By spaying or neutering your pet, you can prevent serious health problems, including uterine, ovarian and testicular cancers, which can cost a lot to treat. For information on the Ontario SPCA’s spay/neuter services please visit ontariospca.ca/spayneuter
4. Brush Your Pet’s Teeth: Just like how you’re advised as a human to brush your teeth regularly, pets need a dental routine to keep their teeth and gums healthy. The ASPCA says dental disease can lead to heart and kidney problems and expensive procedures. Discuss with your veterinarian what products would be best for your pet.
5. Protect Your Pet from Parasites: This is so important! In Ontario, ticks especially are active during more months of the year, and can carry Lyme disease. The ASPCA says flea and tick infestations can cause anything from minor skin irritations to life-threatening blood loss, which can be costly to treat. Consult your veterinarian for the best medication for your pet.
6. Toss the Cigarettes: Smoking around your pet can be toxic for their health. According to the ASPCA, it can cause asthma, bronchitis, lymphoma and oral, nasal and lung cancers.
7. Consider Pet Health Insurance: The ASPCA also advises looking into pet health insurance if an emergency vet visit would be a financial strain. If taking this route, do your research on the best plan for your lifestyle and pet.
8. Buy High-Quality Pet Food: Look for good quality pet food to feed your pet, and be careful not to overfeed, which can lead to obesity and other health problems. Visit the ASPCA’s Dog Nutrition Tips and Cat Nutrition Tips pages to learn more.
9. Groom Your Pets at Home: Though going to a professional groomer can be beneficial, get in the habit of regular nail-trimmings and brushing at home. It’s good for your pet, and will reduce the amount of hair in your home as well!

For more helpful tips from the ASPCA, visit their website!