An expert has explained how to reduce bills if you’ve got a pet
It’s estimated there are more than 36 million pets in the UK, from dogs, cats and guinea pigs to rabbits, snakes and ponies, with around six in 10 households owning at least one pet. But one expert has warned that many pet owners are overpaying hundreds over the course of their pets’ lives by making one simple mistake.
Eddie Holmes, founder of VetsCompared.com, which analyses costs across 2,200 veterinary practices, said independent vets were consistently cheaper for routine treatments than their corporate counterparts.
Eddie said: “Where possible, choose an independent vet as they’re almost always cheaper than corporate vets, or chains. For example, pet owners can expect to pay an average of 26% more for puppy and kitten vaccinations at corporate chain practices compared to independents.”
Reducing vet bills
For a typical dog owner, with typical annual vet costs — namely a vaccination, kennel cough vaccination, two vet consultations and one prescription — Eddie said independent vets would be more than £20 cheaper.
He added: “If you have multiple pets, as so many households do, the savings can quickly add up, especially if there are additional treatments required.”
Eddie also urged people to shop around locally rather than default to the veterinary practice that’s closest to their home.
He said: “Even within the same town, vaccination prices can vary by £40 to £50 between the cheapest and most expensive practice. In other words, a 10-minute phone call to three or four local vets before registering could save you hundreds over your pet’s lifetime.”
How to cut vet prescription costs
Another tip, Eddie said, for pets on long-term medication, is to buy prescriptions online.
He continued: “The median vet prescription fee across the UK as a whole is £20. For pets on long-term medication, getting a written prescription and buying from an accredited online pharmacy can save people significant amounts compared to buying directly from the practice.
“Many pet owners simply aren’t aware that they can ask for a written prescription and then buy their medicines online. They don’t have to buy from the vet who their pet is registered with. This approach is particularly useful for ongoing conditions requiring regular medication and can save people lots of money long term.”
Eddie also urged people to not skip their pets’ annual check-ups, even when they appear perfectly healthy.
He warns: “Prevention is far cheaper than cure. While the cost of a booster vaccination ranges from £60 to £73, out-of-hours emergency fees often exceed £300 before any medicines other treatments are considered. Keeping vaccinations up to date and catching health issues early is the single biggest way to avoid expensive emergency bills.”
