Before you get a pet, you should consider the routine costs of pet ownership, as well as how you would budget for a pet emergency or unexpected illness, or injury. Pets have similar health care needs to humans, and veterinarians and other pet medical specialists get paid according to a similar structure as human doctors, surgeons, and specialists.
How Do I Know How Much to Budget for Pet Health Care?
The best way to determine how much you should budget for your pet’s annual healthcare needs is to talk to a trusted local veterinarian. They can give you a cost range for basic, routine annual healthcare needs. In general, it’s best to plan for $300-$1000 for routine healthcare for cats, and $500-$1500 for routine healthcare for dogs. These estimates do not include costs related to emergency care. They include routine healthcare costs, such as:
- Annual check-ups and exams
- Routine laboratory work
- Vaccinations
- Preventive care
- Treatment for general illnesses
How Will I Afford the Cost of a Pet Emergency?
The average cost of a pet emergency can range from $150-$5,000. While the cost of a pet emergency may seem very high, keep in mind that your pet’s emergency veterinarian and the other pet medical specialists on staff have invested thousands of hours in education and training, and that they continue to seek out the safest and most effective treatment options and technology for their clients. The equipment, supplies, and procedures they do can be as costly as ones for humans, and your pet deserves the highest quality care. If you are concerned about the potential cost of an unexpected illness, injury, or other emergency, you should start saving now or consider signing up for pet health insurance.
Protect You and Your Pet with Pet Health Insurance
One of the best ways to prepare for the cost of pet healthcare is to start budgeting and saving early. Consider reaching out to your veterinarian and local emergency vet clinic to get an idea of their pricing or request estimates for specific services. Another option is enrolling in pet health insurance, which typically involves paying a monthly premium in exchange for discounted veterinary services and/or full or partial reimbursement of certain healthcare expenses. Some pet insurance providers even offer a direct-to-vet payment option, making the process even more convenient.
Ask Your Veterinarian if they Offer Financial Assistance to Pet Owners
At Animal Emergency Clinic North East, we offer 24/7 emergency pet services in Humble, TX. We understand that paying for an unexpected pet emergency can be very stressful, and so we do whatever is possible to relieve your stress.
We accept third-party payment plans, including CareCredit and Scratchpay, to help you offset some of the cost. We have also partnered with Pawlicy Advisor to help our clients compare pet insurance options. Come in right away for emergency pet care, or call us now to ask questions about the costs of our services or to let us know you’re on your way.