Most people don’t consider their dog or cat a major expense. But one in three pet owners spend between $800 to $1,500 each year on emergency veterinary treatment alone¹. Whether you’re an experienced pet parent or just getting started, this resource will help you plan for the unexpected, so you aren’t caught off guard.
The initial office call is either a routine checkup or a consultation based on your pet’s symptoms. The office call only covers the cost of setting an appointment and a physical examination of your cat or dog during regular business hours.
Much of the cost of checkups come from the type of visit, whether it’s a basic consultation, or also includes new vaccinations, or additional testing, all of which cost extra. Quotes may also differ according to the dog or cat breed.
Veterinarians will determine a vaccine schedule, including core vaccinations and boosters. Boosters are given to kittens and puppies for 3 to 4 weeks until they are at least 16 weeks of age. However, not all vaccinations require boosters.
Things to remember
Heartworm testing checks for parasitic worms, which can lead to heartworm disease. Protecting your pet requires a blood test to check antigen levels, as well as a Difil test, to check for the presence of microfilaria.
Fecal exams focus on finding gastrointestinal parasites rather than those in the blood. A stool sample will be collected from your pet and analyzed under a microscope.
Common types of parasites found in dogs and cats
Veterinarians will point out visible evidence of gingivitis in a cat or dog’s mouth. Yearly cleaning can prevent gingivitis and bleeding gums.
Dogs and cats over seven years of age may require geriatric screening, which is a more in-depth examination that includes blood work, a urine analysis, and X-rays
Pets can develop allergies just like their owners and may show symptoms, like sneezing, itching, or over-licking themselves. Veterinarians can detect allergy sensitivities with either a blood test or an intradermal skin test. Vets believe that skin tests have higher accuracy since a pet reacts to allergens directly.
Ear infections in cats and dogs are indicated by symptoms of constant scratching, ear-rubbing, discharge from the ears, swelling or redness, head shaking, and odor. Testing can determine the type of ear infection, and whether it’s mites, bacteria, or a yeast infection.
Flea testing usually just involves visual inspection.
Spay surgery prevents unwanted pregnancies, stray male attention, and even reduces the chance of breast cancer and uterine infections (pyometra). Neutering eliminates spraying, reduces prostate problems, testicular cancer, and can help temper behavior.
Diagnostic tests are essential, particularly lab tests, because the veterinarian needs a “baseline” check of a pet’s regular health to compare the results to changes later on.
Testing for serious diseases might require diagnostic imaging services, like an ultrasound or radiograph/biopsy. Some vets also offer genetic testing for certain breeds to determine their predisposition to diseases.
It may also help to consider each unique condition, according to the most common problems in cats and dogs, as well as problems genetically associated with common breeds.
Different breeds have a proclivity to certain conditions. Knowing which of these genetic influences will help you plan and budget accordingly.
Know which conditions your pet might be prone to
Know which conditions your pet might be prone to
The cost of an ER visit varies wildly depending on the situation, but you can almost count on a bill of $500 or more.
The 5 most common reasons dogs go to the emergency room
The 5 most common reasons cats go to the emergency room
Out-of-pocket costs for life-saving treatment can easily hit the $3,000 mark, especially if your pet has an ongoing condition that requires regular medication. Here are the most important things you can do to keep your pet healthy and prevent unexpected (and unnecessary) vet costs throughout your pet’s life.
The best thing you can do for your pet and your wallet is to focus on the basics of preventive care:
Buy high-quality food — A healthy diet is key. Talk with your vet about whether your pet has any special nutritional requirements.
Don’t skip wellness checks — Taking your pet to the vet before they’re sick is one of the best ways to make sure that you don’t spend tons of money at the ER later in life. Consider taking your pet for a wellness exam at least twice a year.
Exercise regularly — Walk your dog and play with your cat. Exercise and diet help prevent diabetes, obesity, and arthritis.
Keep your home free of toxins — Be mindful of potential toxins in your home, from cleaning supplies to food crumbs. Maintain your yard and clean the house regularly to reduce your risk of parasites.
Prepare for the unexpected by creating a savings account exclusively for pet treatments. This way, your budget won’t be affected, and you won’t accrue any interest from credit card payments or a personal loan. Companies like Pawp offer pet parents (of dogs and cats) an annual $3,000 emergency fund for a monthly flat fee of $19.
All vet clinics calculate their costs differently. Always shop around for a second and third opinion. You have a right to ask for a referral or even the contact number of another vet who can give a second opinion. It’s unlikely the vet is price gouging you, so they will have nothing to hide.
You can also ask for a written diagnosis rather than buying treatment in the office directly. Price compare medications from online stores, which don’t have to plan for store overhead and do frequently have much lower prices.
👉 Pet insurance can save you thousands on emergency treatment, but unlike human health insurance, it doesn’t cover routine and preventative care.
The main difference between human insurance and pet insurance treats is that the latter classifies your pet as property. This might not sound great (pets are family, after all), but it can be advantageous because you have complete freedom over the vets and policies you choose. There’s no such thing as an out-of-network vet.
Another thing to remember is that most veterinary offices require payment upfront. On top of that, most pet insurance providers make you pay 100% out of pocket, then give you a refund afterward. You can ask your vet office if they will postpone payment until the insurance company pays their portion, and it’s a fifty-fifty shot, depending on how well the veterinary staff knows you and what the total expenses are.
Most pet insurance companies will not cover pre-existing conditions.
Make sure the company clarifies what constitutes a pre-existing condition, and ask about what’s on your pet’s medical records since the insurance company will have access to them. Insurance companies typically require a vet checkup before providing coverage.
Waiting periods can range from 24 hours to 14 days, or even one year, depending on the type of medical condition covered.
Lastly, ask about maximum payouts, as these could be calculated per incident, or so many claims a year, or even a lifetime of the policy. The higher the premiums, the better the payouts, but premiums also rise with a pet’s advancing age.
The bottom line is that pet insurance is only worth it if you seek it out early on when a cat or dog is healthy and has been fully vaccinated and cared for most of its life. When a major disaster happens, you get the money back from the company — and on average, it’s more than the total of the premiums you paid over your pet’s lifetime.
👉 One of the best alternatives to pet insurance is Pawp — for $19 a month, pet parents get 24/7 and unlimited access to licensed vets, plus an annual $3,000 emergency fund.
🐕Breed guides
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