Credit: Shutterstock photoMy precious red heeler, Red, recently tore his ACL and needed surgery. Fortunately, we were able to get him the care he needed, but I was in shock when my husband called to tell me that the estimated veterinary bill was $1,016!
According to the American Pet Products Association, dog owners will spend approximately $786 this year on veterinary expenses. That’s a big chunk out of any animal lover’s budget. After you’ve paid for food, supplies and grooming each month, it can be hard to afford regular vet visits, let alone emergencies.
When a family member needs medical care, you want to focus on them and not your wallet. This goes for furry family members, too. So what’s a good pet owner to do? Here are two ways you can prepare for pet emergences without breaking the bank.
Holding accounts
To help clients plan for emergencies — including car repairs and medical expenses for family members and pets — I recommend that they start a holding account that they can draw on to pay irregular, infrequent expenses. A holding account should have a balance of $500 to $3,000.
To maintain your holding account, include a separate line in your monthly budget — $100 to $200 — for contributions. This way, you’ll replenish what you’ve taken out.
The goal of the holding account is twofold: to help you prepare for the unexpected, and to make sure you don’t need to use credit cards to pay unexpected bills.
Pet insurance
Pet insurance is another option to help families prepare for pet emergencies, although I tend to recommend against it. Odds are that your pet won’t incur enough veterinary bills each year to justify the insurance premiums. And if you have more than one pet, those can add up.
However, if you visit the vet regularly or your pet is a breed that is known for health issues, you might want to consider coverage. Below is a comparison chart that looks at three pet insurance companies. There are many more out there, but this gives you an idea of some key items to look for when comparing plans.
Quotes are based on a neutered male 3-year-old black Lab.
Quotes are based on a spayed female 4-year-old tabby
Pets bring joy, comfort and companionship to our lives. Why not celebrate them by planning for their future health needs? Whether you start a holding account or buy a pet insurance plan, planning for pet emergencies helps ensure that your pets are cared for when they need it, so that you can focus on what really matters — them.
This article was originally published on NerdWallet.com.
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The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.
