5 Ways To Pay For Expensive Vet Bills

One of the biggest expenses of being a pet owner is vet bills. They can often hit us without warning and they’re not the types of costs you can delay. Regular vet check-ups may help to spot some health issues early and potentially allow you to explore cheaper treatment options, but this is not always a solution you can rely on. So just how should you pay for expensive vet bills? Below are a few funding tips.

Take out pet insurance

Pet insurance can help to cover much of the cost of veterinary treatment so that you don’t have to reach as far into your pockets. It does mean paying regular insurance bills, however these small monthly payments are a lot more affordable than a giant lump sum vet bill. The best time to take out pet insurance is when your pet is young and healthy. Don’t wait until they are old and already have health problems – insurance quotes will be much higher and likely won’t be worth taking out. 

Build an emergency pet fund

Having some emergency savings set aside for pet-related expenses could be an alternative to pet insurance. Even if you do have pet insurance, savings could still be useful for paying for deductibles or procedures not covered by your provider. Set up a high interest saving account and contribute a small amount of money each month. This could be used solely for pets, or it could be for general unexpected costs. Just make sure that you regularly top it up so that you don’t deplete these savings straight away.

Ask about payment plans

Some veterinary clinics can offer payment plans for treatment. This involves paying off the cost of treatment in installments without interest. A payment plan could be much more affordable than paying for treatment all in one go. While a lot of vets provide payment plans, many don’t advertise this service, so be prepared to ask vet clinic staff about this option. 

Look into loans

A loan is always another option for spreading out the cost. You will be paying interest fees on top, but you may be able to pay in smaller installments than you might with a payment plan. Take the time to compare online installment loans and look for the best rates. There may be some lenders out there that specialize in loans for vet bills and they may offer lower interest rates (you may have to show them evidence of a vet bill to apply for these loans). 

Start a fundraiser

You can also raise funds for veterinary treatment by asking for donations from family and friends. There are many fundraiser platforms that you can use to accept payments through. You can then advertise your fundraiser on social media. Be wary that it can take time to build up donations and therefore a fundraiser may not be suitable for funding emergency treatment (although you may be able to still use a fundraiser to pay off a loan used to fund vet bills).