Cut Those Doggone Vet Bills

Dog owners spent an average of $785 on vet bills last year, while cat owners spent $516, according to the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association. (By contrast, on toys and treats, dog owners spent $115; cat owners $72. For more on cutting your pet supply costs see our column Hot Pet Supply Deals.)

Happily, there are plenty of ways to spend less on your veterinary bill without compromising the level of care your pet receives.

Find a vet you can count on
Sounds like common sense, but many people don't think about locating a vet until their pet becomes ill, says Dr. Daniel S. Aja, president of the American Animal Hospital Association. You can't expect any breaks from a vet who doesn't know you or your pet — and you may be subjected to an emergency care rate even in daytime hours.

The American Veterinary Medical Association estimates that only 10% of consumers choose their veterinarian by referral, but that's really the right way to go, advises Aja.

Ask about discounts
According to Consumer Reports, more than 60% of vets will discount services if you bring in multiple animals in one visit, while 50% give discounts if you (not your pet) are a senior citizen. Many vets will offer a price cut if your new pet is a rescued stray. For a new puppy or kitten, your vet may offer discount "packages" of all the services you'll need, says Nancy Peterson, an issues specialist with the Humane Society of the United States.

Even if your vet doesn't offer standard discounts, it's a good idea to talk about your budget limits so he or she can offer alternatives and ensure your money is well spent, says Peterson.

Schedule regular exams
Routine checkups are an important part of regular care, says Aja. A lot can change in that time — an annual exam for an animal is like an exam every seven years for a human. Plus, animals are very good at hiding symptoms. "If you can catch something early or prevent it, that's your best cost savings ever," he says. The longer you wait for medical care, the more expensive treatment is likely to be. Adult animals (ages 1 to 5), should have an annual exam, while senior animals (6 and older) should be examined twice a year.

You should also know what's normal for your pet, says Peterson. Pay attention to how your animal looks and acts normally. That way, if Fluffy's eyes look cloudy or Fido has a slight limp, you'll notice it right away. "The vet counts on you to pick things up early," she says.

Shop around for prescriptions
Markups on medication can be 100% to 250%, according to Veterinary Economics magazine. But getting a better price can be as simple as heading to your local pharmacy, says O'Keefe. "A lot of the medicines we [veterinarians] use are human medicines," he says. You can't use your insurance to cover your cat's medications, but you will certainly pay a lot less. "It's really a convenience factor" to buy from your vet, says O'Keefe.

Get a written prescription from your vet (be sure to ask about generic alternatives), and then price compare. Consumer Reports found that the best deals on pet prescriptions were found at KV Vet Supply, Eckerd and Costco. And, of course, you can get many prescription-strength flea and tick products at your local pet-supply store.

But that doesn't mean you should be giving your pet human medication without advice from your vet, warns Aja. "Some of those medications can create huge problems very quickly," he says. Tylenol, for example, is lethal to cats.

Learn the vaccine lingo
"Your pet doesn't necessarily need every vaccine out there," says O'Keefe — or need them every year. An indoor cat will need different vaccinations than one exposed to strays, for example. Talk to your vet about what's appropriate, and how often your pet should receive those vaccinations.

Do the math on pet insurance
According to a 2003 report by Consumer Reports, the considerable costs (deductibles, premiums and unreimbursed portion) and exclusions (wellness care, hereditary and pre-existing conditions) make pet insurance rarely worth the price. Unless your animal suffers some major accident or health problem during its lifetime, you'll end up spending more on vet costs than you would without insurance.

O'Keefe says the plans that are most worth it are those that cover well-care (such as basic health costs and preventative measures) as part of the package. To figure out if you'd benefit, talk to your vet about common costs for procedures, and compare those annual expenses with what you'd pay under insurance.

An alternative that both Consumer Reports and Peterson recommend is starting a savings account for pet expenses. That way, you'll have funds in case of an emergency — but it will be money saved rather than spent should your pet remain healthy.

Use local resources
You can often find low-cost options for common procedures, such as spaying and neutering, through the ASPCA, Humane Society, local animal groups and even pet stores. At the ASPCA's Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital in New York, says O'Keefe, the nonprofit is able to offer many services at somewhat lower prices than area veterinarians.

Pay by credit card
Consumer Reports recommends this trick, especially for bills of $50 or more. Plastic payment gives you protection under the Fair Credit Billing Act to dispute charges for unsatisfactory service.