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How to lower your vet bills
Seven free ways to spend less without skipping care your pet needs. We're not vets; ask yours what's right for your pet.
Ask for an itemized estimate first
Before non-emergency treatment, ask for a written, itemized estimate. Ask which items are needed today and which can wait or be skipped. Most vets will walk you through it.
Ask about payment options
Many clinics can split a bill or set up a payment plan if you ask before treatment. Ask the clinic directly about its own options first.
Try lower-cost clinics
Veterinary school teaching clinics, nonprofit and humane society clinics, and low-cost vaccine and spay/neuter events often cost less for routine care. Search your city plus "low-cost vet clinic."
Fill prescriptions for less
Ask your vet for a written prescription and compare prices. Online pet pharmacies and some regular pharmacies stock the same medications, sometimes for much less.
Prevention costs less than treatment
Dental care, keeping a healthy weight, parasite prevention and staying current on vaccines head off some of the costliest problems. Ask your vet which matter most for your pet's age.
Know when it's an emergency
Emergency clinics cost more than regular visits. Save your vet's after-hours number and the nearest emergency clinic, and call ahead: many can tell you over the phone whether it can wait until morning.
Build a vet fund
A savings account just for your pet, with a small automatic transfer each month, works like do-it-yourself insurance with no exclusions. For many owners, especially of older pets, it beats a policy.
Or plan ahead for the big ones
A vet fund covers a lot. For young pets or owners who couldn't absorb a large surprise bill, insurance can make sense. See if pet insurance is worth it for you.