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For many in the UK, the cost-of-living crisis is hitting hard. People and businesses are struggling as inflation and energy costs continue to rise and supply chain issues drive up prices.

We’re hearing from vets and veterinary staff concerned about the impact the crisis is starting to have; from the impact on animal welfare, clients and colleagues to the cost of running their businesses.

It’s a difficult time for everyone and it’s not clear how long this crisis is going to last. So before taking on a pet, people need to seriously consider whether they have the available resources to provide the care a pet will need. It’s another mouth to feed but it’s important to understand that to keep an animal healthy and reduce the need for medical intervention, preventative care is essential. And just like any service, accessing medical treatment comes at a cost.

Preventative care

Pet owners can help to reduce the need for vet visits by taking preventative measures. These can include brushing teeth; keeping a pet at the correct bodyweight, not letting them become obese; ensuring they are properly socialised and having regular vet check-ups.

Speaking to a vet early about any concerns can also help to avoid escalating situations – delaying treatment can result in more medical care being needed, costing more money and potentially increasing suffering for the pet.

Prepare for the unexpected

Animals are often considered to be a member of the family and can be a great support to all of us, particularly at difficult times. But paying for their care can also induce anxiety and increase worries about finances.

We appreciate that for many animal owners, vet fees can be one of the most significant unexpected costs they face and for that reason we continue to advise owners to protect themselves against this by taking out pet insurance whenever possible.

If your pet appears to be healthy, it can be tempting to save money by cancelling policies but unfortunately, accidents happen and pets can become unwell at short notice, resulting in the need for veterinary care out of the blue. There are many different types of insurance policy, so it’s always worth thinking about alternative policies before cancelling over concerns about cost.

The cost of vet fees

If your pet does become ill and you need to access medical treatment, the cost can often come as a bit of a shock at a time when you are already worried about the well-being of a beloved animal.

Vets provide a highly skilled service and unlike the NHS, equipment, medication and business costs are not paid for or subsidised in any way.  

Whilst the cost of accessing medical treatment may seem expensive, it’s important to remember that vet practices are businesses that need to cover their costs in order to be financially viable. Rocketing energy costs and rising inflation is also putting extra pressure on many businesses and this includes veterinary practices.

Recently we have also seen particular problems in the supply chains for veterinary medication, which has led to wholesale prices fluctuating and medicines becoming unexpectedly unavailable at short notice.

Veterinary medicine is a vocation and vets, registered vet nurses and all those who work in veterinary practices care deeply about animals and will always help when an animal is in distress. So please do talk to your practice if you have financial concerns.

Being open about costs

When an animal is unwell, emotions can understandably run high during veterinary consultations and it can be difficult to even think about money when a beloved pet is in need of treatment. Vets are all very used to working with owners to consider different treatment options to suit different financial situations. There is often more than one treatment option which can be tailored to a patient’s needs and the owner’s circumstance. Ask your vet to give an initial estimate of treatment and also ask for updates as things may change: medical treatment can be unpredictable.

Whatever your situation, it’s best to always be honest and up-front with your vet about financial concerns. We understand it can be a difficult topic to raise but by discussing it together, your vet will be better placed to find the right treatment for your animal and your circumstance, while ensuring the pet’s welfare remains the priority.