There are so many things to consider when you are adopting a fur friend into your home. What would be the best type of pet? Does your home have restrictions as to the type of pet you can have? Where will the new pet sleep and who in the family will assume the main responsibility for our new friend? And one thought we often do not consider is can we afford a pet?
Pet ownership can come with many costs, some expected and some unexpected. Most of us expect the basic costs, such as yearly veterinary care, food, toys, bedding and necessities that all animals require, but what about the unexpected?
Basic veterinary care generally runs between 150-200 dollars per year. This is annual wellness, vaccines, flea and worming medications. The first year of ownership can be a little more expensive because a new puppy or kitten needs 3-4 visits and shots at each of those visits to insure a healthy start to a long life. Prevention is the main ingredient to raising healthy pets. Another large cost in the first year of ownership is spaying or neutering. Depending on the species, sex and size of your pet, this surgery can cost between 200 and 600 dollars. We recommend spaying and neutering for a number of reasons, most importantly is it is better for your pet’s health in the long run. On a broader note, pet overpopulation is a real problem. Spaying and neutering stop accidental pregnancies.
One way to help with the yearly costs of your pet’s care is a Wellness Plans. We offer a range of plans for the young pet and even the senior pet. Each of the plans offers services that are recommended at different stages in your pet’s life. Purchasing a wellness plan can lower the cost of your yearly veterinary bills.
What about the unexpected veterinary visits? These visits can range from minor issues such as ear infections and upset stomachs to more major problems such as ingestion of a foreign object or broken bones. These types of visits can be quite costly depending on the need for services and/or hospitalization. These costs can sometimes be staggering if you are on a limited budget.
Some ways to deflect unexpected veterinary bills are Pet Insurance. There are several companies that offer pet insurance which can cover illness and accidents. It’s best to purchase these plans while your pet has a fairly clean bill of health. Many pre-existing conditions are not covered in these insurance plans. Other means of helping with sudden pet expenses include CareCredit and Scratch Pay. Both of these plans offer financing help for major veterinary bills.
Hopefully, with good preventative care your pet will go through life without any major health problems, but when considering adoption of a pet, it is important to consider cost of care and how it will fit in your budget. This is the first step to responsible pet ownership.