Dealing with cat health care costs

One of the biggest expenses of owning a pet can be the veterinary bills. If your dog gets stung by a bee and has an allergic reaction, for example, it may cost you $80 to get the dog a shot. When times are tight, and finances are not stretching as far as they used to, health care for animals seems to go out the window. So, instead of allowing your cat to get unhealthy, or ignoring their health care needs, what can you do to make their health care more affordable?

First and foremost you can practice prevention. Cats tend to be healthy, and do not require a lot of pricey health care, especially if you do what you need to in order to keep them healthy.

So, beyond their yearly exam, and keeping them up to date, you can avoid much medical attention if you do a few simple things:

1. Keep them indoors. Cats are more likely to get injured or sick if you let them spend significant time out of doors. They might get in fights with other cats, step on something that injures their paw, or pick up a bacteria or virus.

2. Protect them from sunburn. Cats can get sunburns just like humans, so make sure that you do not take them out into direct sunlight during the times of day when the UV rays are most harmful, between 10 am and 2 pm.

3. Feed them a healthy diet. Cats can have all kinds of problems if they do not eat a balanced diet. So talk to your vet about what you should feed your cat and make sure they are eating properly.

Second, if you have a cat that tends to have health issues, consider investing in pet insurance. While you do have to pay a premium, and thus it can cost you some money, it is also going to save you money if you visit your veterinary clinic often. You can get pet insurance through national pet store chains, or you may be able to purchase it through the vet or clinic you take your animal to for care. Just as you would your own medical coverage, be sure to carefully review any policies you consider to determine if they are going to be a good fit for you.

Third, look for some help. If you can't afford your cat's healthcare you sometimes can get subsidized care through local shelters and animal hospitals. This might mean bigger discounts, or they will pay a portion of the care for your cat.

Fourth, look into veterinary school discounts. Vet schools can offer services to the public at a lower rate than a fully certified vet. So, consider looking for a local veterinary school and finding someone in their later years of schooling to care for your cat at a reduced rate.

Fifth, last but not least, you always have the option of a payment plan. It may not reduce the amount of your overall cost, but can make it more affordable to you.