How to make veterinary trips more affordable

While we hope it’ll never happen, a visit to the vet is necessary if our pets get injured of become ill.

Unfortunately, our pets don’t have the luxury of free healthcare; meaning there’s a vet bill for us to pay following their treatment.

We look at how vet fees work, how insurance can help, and what options may be available if you can’t afford to pay a vet bill…

How do vet fees work?

Vets play a critical role in helping us look after our pets. However, vet fees are not currently standardised in the UK. Practices can set their prices and charges, which means that costs can vary between companies and locations – with evening or weekend appointments usually costing more.

What is also not as widely known is that other factors may affect the price of treatment:

• Size of your pet.
• Your pet’s breed.
• Your pet’s age.
• The condition or illness your pet is experiencing.

Can I shop around?

When you’re given an estimated price for your pet’s treatment, there’s nothing stopping you from checking other veterinary practices to find out how much they might charge.

It’s important to remember that vets are unlikely to commit to providing estimates for total costs without seeing your pet first.

If your pet is to be assessed by a new vet, it’s worth keeping in mind that an appointment is likely to include consultation fees and travelling your pet.

Do vets charge just to see your pet?

Most traditional vet practices do charge an initial consultation fee to see your pet before treating them. Consult fees vary from practice to practice, but it’s usually something you can find on their website. Alternatively, you could give the vet practice a call to ask how much it’d cost for your pet to be seen.

There are animal charities, like the PDSA, who may see your pet for free – though you must qualify for their support before you’re eligible to book an appointment.

Some pet insurers include free vet support with their policies. For instance, Animal Friends customers benefit from access to the Joii Pet Care app (more about this later!). Using free video vet services for any concerns or queries could potentially save you and your pet from an expensive and unnecessary trip to your local vet practice.

What if I can't afford a vet bill?

Should your pet not be insured and you can’t afford the bill for their vet treatment, you might be able to get help from certain animal charities, including:

• PDSA. 
• Blue Cross. 
• Cats Protection. 
• Dogs Trust. 
• RSPCA. 

Important: Access to certain vet fee support services will depend on your financial situation; but, if you fit the criteria, you could be offered reduced costs through certain vet clinics.

How can pet insurance help? 

Pet insurance exists to help protect you against unexpected veterinary bills.

While it’s not mandatory to have insurance when you own a pet, it’s always worth considering what you would do if the worst were to happen.

Consider whether your budget could cover any unplanned treatment if your pet suffers an accident or illness unexpectedly.

Avoid taking things into your own hands

Regardless of cost, please don’t be tempted to use home remedies or take advice from anyone who isn’t qualified (e.g. someone who isn’t an RCVS registered vet or vet nurse).

Unfortunately, many human products and medications can cause more harm than good when used on pets.

Remember: Only follow the advice of a veterinary professional.

Use Joii to help prevent unnecessary costs

As an Animal Friends cat or dog policyholder, you can access the Joii Pet Care app for expert veterinary advice from the comfort of your home, any time, for free.

The Joii app also offers a completely free pet symptom checker and steps on what to do next, depending on your pet’s behaviour and/or condition.

Is prevention better than cure?

We think so! Putting in place good pet healthcare routines (like vaccinations and preventative treatments), alongside the right nutrition and exercise plans, should keep your pet happy and could reduce vet costs.  

Plus, through seeking expert veterinary advice early, you might prevent potential problems from starting – keeping veterinary costs down and making sure your pet stays healthy.

Remember: Cats and dogs are unique individuals, which means they’ll each be affected differently by conditions and injuries. To learn more about ways you can help your pet feel their best, check out our Cat Advice and Dog Advice.