Pets can be such a wonderful thing. Adopting a fur baby is considerably one of the most exciting decisions someone can make. However, one thing that gets overlooked while picking out a pet is the vet bills that will come with it.
Whether you buy from a pet store or adopt a shelter, you first must bring your newest family member to the vet. Choosing a good vet can be just as important as choosing a pediatrician. If you choose wrong, you could end up with triple the number of bills.
How Can You Tell if Your Vet is Overcharging You?
When choosing a vet, be sure to check their reviews online. If they’ve overcharged others, then they’re sure to leave a comment about it. On the other hand, if they have a lot of good reviews, then it’s likely that they’re trustworthy.
If you’re suspicious of the reviews and still think your vet is overcharging, then ask for an invoice listing all of the services you’re paying for. Ask questions about what the tests are for and ask which ones are optional.
What Can You Do if You Think That Your Vet is Overcharging You?
If you’re still unsure whether or not your vet is overcharging you, another thing you can do is call other vets. Calling other vets in different areas to compare prices is one of the easiest ways to figure out if you’re being overcharged.
If you find another vet that is charging less, you can always switch to a new vet who won’t break your bank. Another thing you can do is look up mobile pet shot shops or your local pet rescue because those places typically charge significantly less than a vet would.
Can You Negotiate the Price with the Vet?
It’s not likely that your vet will negotiate with you. However, there are times when, if you find another vet doing the same procedure for cheaper, you can get the vet to match the price. If they decide not to, then your best bet is to just go to the other vet anyway.
Just remember that it’s okay to refuse a procedure. It’s okay to walk away and find a new doctor for your pet. Not all vets are the same, just like not all human doctors are the same. You have to decide what’s best for you and your fur baby.
Should You Switch to Buying Meds for Pets Online?
If you want to get meds for cheaper, you have to weigh the potential risks that come with that. Pet medications are not like human medications. You can’t just go to any random pharmacy to pick them up. You typically get your pet’s meds at the vet’s office.
That said if you are planning to buy the meds online, be sure to buy from a reputable place. Don’t buy Heartgard at the random Amazon shop that has no reviews. Instead, do your research and make the best decision you can that’ll keep your pet safe.
What Are the Most Common Overcharged Procedures at the Vet?
There are two very commonly overcharged procedures at the vet:
- Spay
- Neuter
It’s common knowledge that if you want to get your pet “fixed,” you should go anywhere other than your vet. But unfortunately, every vet charges at least double the cost of your local pet rescue because they claim to take more time making sure your pet is comfortable.
Your local pet rescue charges much less than the vet because they cut out all of the extra fluff that your vet would include.
They do this because they usually spay/neuter stray animals. They don’t have time to cater to your pet. The procedure is done very quickly and costs you less.
Final Thoughts on Knowing if Your Vet is Overcharging
If you’re worried about your vet overcharging you for procedures, then you should ask for an invoice listing all the expenses. Once you have that, you can call different vets and compare prices with each other.
Although you can’t negotiate vet prices, you can choose to go to alternative locations like your local pet rescue or a mobile pet shot shop. This is especially important for procedures like spay or neutering.
If you decide to buy your meds online instead of the vet, be sure to do your research. Only buy meds from trusted places and understand the risks that come with not taking the meds from your vet.
In the end, you just want what’s best for your fur baby, but that doesn’t mean you have to break the bank to do it.