12 Easy Ways To Lower Your Vet Bill
Veterinary charges are one of the biggest expenses that dog owners have to deal with. The problem with vet bills is that you can’t budget for them in the way you can for food or other more fixed outgoings. A large vet bill can come straight out of the blue and hit a dog owner for six (or six thousand depending on the problem).
But there are ways that every dog owner can reduce their veterinary expenses, from simple practices that you can do at home to smart money-saving exercises that could be worth thousands of pounds. Holly Kernot explores the best ways to reduce that vet bill.
There are a variety of basic health checks and routines you can adopt in order to ensure your dog stays in optimum health.
Basic Health Checks.
Performing a regular health check on your dog will enable you to keep on top of any new or recurring health issues. Potentially serious and costly health problems can be nipped in the bud before they escalate into something altogether more sinister, which ensures that your dog will be getting a good level of health care and also, enables you to avoid costly vet bills.
Become familiar with your dog.
Become familiar with your dogs, and regularly check their body for any lumps which may have formed. When at the vets, as them to help you identify the signs of a dangerous lump, and what does not constitute as anything to worry about.
Grooming.
A healthy dog has a shiny coat, and you can help maintain this by partaking in a regular grooming exercise. Regular grooming gives you the opportunity to familiarise yourself with your dog and to carry out these checks.
Regular grooming not only removes unwanted hair and reduces the chances of the coat becoming matted, but can also indicate to you the telltale signs of skin conditions such as dermatitis, which can be costly to treat.
Dermatitis is often indicated if your dog is scratching himself a lot and can be as a result of wearing clothes (it may sound strange, but according to vet experts it is a rising problem), or if sores or rough areas appear on the skin. If this is the case, a vet should be consulted immediately.
Bathing your dog on a regular basis can ensure your dog’s coat stays healthy, using specialist dog shampoo to remove unwanted dirt and grime. Trim those nails.
Dogs nails do need trimming, and vets and grooming parlours do offer this service, but to save money, many owners buy clippers and do it themselves. However, if you exercise your dog regularly, on the pavement, this will keep the nails short anyway.
Dental Care.
As your dog is a carnivore, it is vital his teeth are kept in top condition.
Keep a close eye on your dog’s mouth and conduct basic health checks to ensure there is nothing wrong. For example, smelly breath, red gums which are swollen and teeth that are loose could all be potential indicators of gum disease. Changes in physical behaviour such as a loss of appetite or unusual chewing habits are all causes for concern. [According to Theresa James, of Dog Supplies Advisor.com.]
Vets do conduct teeth cleaning within the surgery, but to complement this treatment and to maintain optimum oral health, you could invest in a specialised tooth cleaning kit for dogs, consisting of a toothbrush and toothpaste [poultry flavour available!]
Ear Checks.
A dog with healthy ears can be identified as having odour free ears free from dirt and grime. If your dog is shaking his head or partaking in a lot of ear scratching, it could indicate there is an infection of some kind, such as haematoma of the ear flap, which is a build up of blood in the ear area, caused often by infection or mites.
Scratching of the ears can also indicate mites, which should be treated by a vet.
Eye Checks.
It is important to look out for changes in your dog’s eyes. A clouded eye lens could indicate the presence of a cataract, while an inflamed membrane covering the lining of the eyelid [and the eye’s white area] could signify conjunctivitis.
Exercise.
A good exercise regime is an excellent way to avoid obesity and mobility problems, which can both lead to serious and costly ailments. Ensure that the exercise regime that you provide for your dog is suitable to his situation. Over-exercising a young puppy can lead to joint and ligament issues, which can last a lifetime. Be especially aware when exercising puppies, as they will always be willing to go an extra mile despite what their bodies are telling them.
All dogs need exercise, so why not go to the park for free! Your dog will love socialising with other dogs, going out with their pack [that’s you] and their favourite games, such as fetch.
The benefits here are two-fold. You both get a good workout and your dog can behave in a natural way, chasing, hunting and ‘killing’ something [the ball in this case]. Providing your dog with toys does not have to be an expensive hobby, according to student dog trainer Alison.
She says: ‘‘Dogs need playing with but don’t buy expensive toys, an old T. shirt or piece of string can be a good toy.’’
Having said that, do not over exercise an old dog as this can lead to joint problems which can be expensive to treat, so change your exercise regime so it is delivered in smaller sessions which are manageable for your dog.
Avoid walking your dog in the height of the day, as the hot tarmac underfoot can be painful on paws!
Dog Food & Nutrition
A balanced and nutritionally rich diet can be the difference between good health and poor health. It is the key to your dog enjoying an optimum quality of life. But good food does not necessarily need to be expensive, all natural diets, for example, can be prepared relatively cheaply if you have the time and inclination. Life stage foods are also an excellent way for an owner to deliver the optimum nutrition to their pet.
According to Alison: ‘‘It’s a false economy to buy cheap food, it’s full of additives which can lead to dogs chewing and digging in the house [which in turn can be expensive if anything needs to be replaced] and can ultimately lead to behaviour problems.
She goes on to say: ‘‘Don’t be bamboozled by the food that vets sell, they can be keen to recommend food to owners which is only available from them and can be expensive- ask why they recommend it and check other good foods for ingredients.’’
Don’t overfeed your dog, as this can lead to obesity and further health-related problems.
Pet Insurance.
Pet insurance can be a real benefit when it comes to the long-term savings on veterinary bills. It’s worth investigating different providers and levels of cover to find one that gives your dog everything he needs while giving you peace of mind.
Flea and Dog Worm Treatments.
It’s important to know how to tell if your dog has fleas.
The RSPCA website asks the following questions to determine if your pets have fleas: ‘‘Is your pet scratching? Can you see tiny brown specs in its fur, are there small brown insects scurrying about, do you have unaccounted for insect bites yourself?’’
Once you know, it is possible to buy flea and worm treatments online or from other retailers other than the vets, so once you have identified if your dog has fleas, it’s relatively straightforward to get your dog back in tip-top shape.
First things first, you need to buy a good dog flea treatment. This will treat your dog’s skin and kill the fleas and eggs.
Next, you need to wash and treat everywhere your dog lies to get rid of the eggs which could be burrowed in between the fibres of your carpets, beds and well, anywhere your dog has walks, slept, jumped or run. If you don’t, the chances or reinfection are high. So it may seem like a daunting task to treat your home from top to bottom, but it is worth it – both for you and your family, aswell as your dog.
