Vets' fees have doubled in the past 10 years, which means if your furry friend gets sick, you could be looking at a bill for hundreds, even thousands, of pounds.
If it comes to the worst then you could be faced with putting your pet down or paying out for treatment. Thankfully there are ways to save money when protecting your pet - we explain below!
Free treatment
If you get help with your rent payments with Housing Benefit or Council Tax via support or reduction then you might qualify for free PDSA Vet Care services. You can register your pet if you live within a catchment area or request special support if you don't. For more information visit: pdsa.org.uk/pdsa-vet-care/eligibility
Don't leave it too late
Kittens and puppies under six months old are 60% more likely to require veterinary treatment than those aged between one and three years old, according to research by Direct Line. The insurer said that some owners are leaving it until their pets are aged just over three years old before considering insurance. Younger animals' immune systems are still developing so they may be more prone to illnesses such as respiratory or gastric upsets. So it's important to check with the vet as to what preventative care is needed such as vaccinations, worm and flea control.
Pre-existing conditions
If your pet has already suffered from an illness or injury then it probably won't be covered by insurance for further treatment for this. Also, most insurers will cap the amount of time or money you can claim for a condition. Watch out for this when getting insurance.
Squirrel it away
You could put a similar amount to what you'd pay in an insurance premium into a savings account every month. But this could be dangerous because your pet might need treatment before you've built up enough money, leaving you short.
Find the best policy
Use comparison websites, like GoCompare.com and Comparethemarket.com, to search for policies. Also check insurers that don't appear on comparison websites, like Aviva and Direct Line. Check the terms and conditions before taking out any insurance. Don't forget to check cashback websites, like Quido and TopCashback, to see if they have any deals on insurance and flea and worm-control products.
