While pet adoption fees are often inexpensive, there are many other costs associated with pet ownership. If you aren’t financially prepared, you or your pet might suffer. It’s a good idea to understand the general prices for pet care, food, medical attention, and more so that you can begin planning before you begin the adoption process. Here is your guide to preparing financially before adopting a pet. 

Create a Monthly Budget

The first thing that you should do is create a monthly budget for your household. Make a list of your monthly expenses, including rent or mortgage payments, utilities, auto insurance, credit card payments, cell phone and internet, groceries and household items, and anything else you spend money on each month. This will give you an idea of how much you have left over each month for pet care costs. 

Factor in All of the Costs of Pet Ownership

Next, consider all of the costs associated with pet ownership. While every pet is different and may have different needs, the general things you will need to pay for may include:

• Veterinary examinations and diagnostic testing
• Vaccinations
• Preventive care like flea and tick control
• Annual licensing
• Pet food and treats
• Toys 
• Grooming
• Boarding, pet sitting services, or pet day care

Understand the Average Costs of Pet Emergency Care

In addition to routine expenses, you’ll also need to account for emergencies. If your pet experiences an emergency, your regular veterinarian may not be able to provide the level of care needed and you will have to take your pet to an emergency animal hospital. The cost of these services will depend on the specific injury or illness that your pet has and the treatment or care he needs.  

Purchase Pet Insurance and Start a Pet Savings Account

Pet insurance can cover a wide range of veterinary services, from annual exams and vaccinations to emergency care and dental cleanings. The coverage you receive depends on the company and plan that you choose. Some might offer a discount on preventive care, while others have you meet a deductible to qualify for partial or total reimbursement for specific costs. Purchasing pet insurance can give you a safety net for emergencies and make it easier to keep up with necessary preventive care like vaccinations and wellness check-ups. Starting a pet savings account can also help you prepare for potential pet emergencies, like illnesses and injuries. 

Talk to Your Local Veterinarian About the Cost of Pet Care

Finally, you should talk to your local veterinarian and emergency veterinary hospital about the cost of their services. While they probably can’t give you a set price list, they may be able to provide you with the average cost of common services, or a range of costs for specific circumstances. This will help you understand how much money you should save, and how much you should plan on spending each year on pet care. 

At Animal Emergency Clinic North East, we offer 24/7 emergency pet services in Humble, TX. We make every effort to keep our costs low so that pets can get the care they need, and we accept pet insurance as well as CareCredit and Scratchpay. We will provide you with a general estimate for services before treatment so that you can prepare. Come in right away for emergency pet care, or call us now to let us know you’re on your way.