Holiday Season and Saving Money
The holiday season is here and with the upsurge of new pet adoptions during the pandemic, many will be facing a new situation this year. Pet care costs! How do you keep them low in a world of inflation? Here’s some tips and tricks from Just Cats Veterinary Clinic to keep the cost of pet care to a minimum:
Have your cat’s food and medication auto shipped instead of going out and purchasing it. Many companies offer discounted rates if you are on a regular auto shipment plan. Just Cats has 2 portals for food: Hill’s and Purina you can use for both prescription and non-prescription food and one for medication. We also have one for medications. All portals offer auto shipment discounts!
See if your vet has Wellness Plans. Many clinics offer bundle deals to help spread the payments over the course of a year. Just Cats offers Wellness Plans to our existing clients. http://justcatsvet.com/services/preventative-care-plans.html
Take your cat to the vet consistently. The more preventive care your cat has, the more chances your vet will catch serious illnesses early while they are treatable. If you wait until your cat has a problem to take to the vet, it is less likely to be treatable and it may cost a hefty amount to diagnose.
Adopt, don’t shop! There are so many cats in shelters, especially around the holidays. Most shelters have low adoption costs and you get an opportunity to save a cat and give them a good home. Pure bred cats are expensive to adopt, and to care for as many have special needs. They will almost always be adopted out and are in high demand. Adopting a cat from a shelter is not only rewarding, it is much less expensive than purchasing a pure bred.
Join Pet Store’s loyalty clubs. Many pet stores offer cards with loyalty programs. Take advantage of the discounts!
Pay attention to rebates. Send in those rebate slips! It is a great way to save money.
Spay or Neuter your cat as soon as you can. The longer you go without spaying or neutering, the more potential complications your cat can have.
Exercise your cat! Cats love to play, but sometimes aren’t motivated to do so on their own. Get lots of toys and engage with your cat. This can prevent lots of diseases that can stem from obesity. It gives you bonding time with your cat and it is good for you to keep moving too!
Cat-proof your house. Don’t leave anything around that fluffy could easily swallow. Be aware of plants and flowers that are toxic. Keeping things that can harm your cat away from them can save you big time in veterinary costs. Check out our blog for a list of holiday hazards http://justcatsvet.com/blog/99226-celebrate-the-holidays-safely-with-your-cat
Schedule a telemedicine appt. at Just Cats to review and monitor new changes in your cat’s behavior or health rather than waiting until it becomes an emergency.
Purchase health insurance. The earlier you purchase insurance for your kitten, the more they will cover. Pet insurance rarely covers pre-existing conditions. If you wait until your cat has a problem, it is unlikely an insurance company will contribute anything. There are many companies out there that offer different types of coverage. Do your research and find the one that best suits yours and kitty’s needs!
Start saving now. Even if it is $10 a month, put some money aside for your cat like you would for retirement or a house repair. Many of our clients have a separate account for cat care!
Want to GIVE this holiday season instead of Save?
Just Cats has a fund to help our valued clients in need in urgent life-saving situations but don’t have the financial means to do so. If you are in a position to help others, donate today http://justcatsvet.com/just-cats-nine-lives-fund or read about our Nine Lives Fund success stories https://justcatsvet.com/blog/192891-greyson-how-your-donations-help.
