Smart Ways to save on the cost of Pet Care.

The best way to keep costs down is with prevention.


1. Weight management: Like people, pet obesity has become an epidemic. It can lead to many diseases that are very expensive to treat and decrease the life expectancy of your pet. Keep your pet at an ideal weight with good nutrition and exercise. Regular exercise will encourage proper weight, muscle strength, and also reduces the incidence of behavior problems. Contact us to discuss what weight is appropriate for your pet. You will also save money by not over feeding your pet. That bag of food will last much longer!

2. Proper nutrition. The way to save when buying food for your pet is not to go cheap, but by buying larger quantities. To keep the food fresh, keep it in an airtight container. Also, pets tend to need less of a high quality food then cheap brands. Store brands often don’t supply all the nutrients the pet needs, leaving them at higher risk for illness. Also, beware of the many new brands that promote themselves as “All Natural”. Many of these foods don’t test to see if their product is digestible, leaving your pet without important nutrients. Our veterinarians can help you choose a diet appropriate for your pet.

3. Regular exams. Annual exams for young healthy pets and biannual exams for older pets can help catch help problems early before they become serious. Many medical conditions if caught early can be much easier and less expensive to treat. This is why Animal Hospital of McHenry always offers a FREE complete physical exam with all vaccinations.

4. Tooth brushing. As with people, brushing your pet’s teeth can save on professional teeth cleanings. Tartar and gingivitis can lead to serious oral disease as well as heart and kidney disease. If you have difficulty brushing your pets teeth, talk to our staff about other oral care products such as treats, diets, and rinses, that may be easier to use.

5. Address problems immediately. If a problem occurs make an appointment for your pet with us right away. If you notice a change in your pet such as a change in appetite, behavior, or appearance (i.e. rashes, lumps, limping), have them examined right away. Getting a diagnosis and treatment plan as soon as possible will save money in the long run. The longer a problem continues, the more damage it can do before it is treated.

6. Vaccinations for your pet. Fortunately there are vaccinations available for many of the life threatening disease that your pet can be exposed to. Which vaccinations your pet should receive is based on the diseases in your area, and your pet’s life style. The veterinary staff at the Animal Hospital of Mchenry can help determine how to best protect your pet.

7. Confine and spay/neuter pets. Many pets are killed each year by cars, other animals, fights, and disease. Cats should be kept indoors, and dogs should be confined with an appropriate fence and always walked on a leash. Having your pet spayed or neutered will decrease their desire to roam. It can also reduce the risk of certain types of cancers.

8. Pet insurance. Pet health insurance merits serious consideration. For a monthly fee, health insurance for your pet can cover the cost of preventive medicine and the treatment of illness and injury. There are a growing number of pet health insurance policy’s available offering varying degrees of coverage. When your pet is seriously ill or injured, pet insurance can relieve the economic stress and allow you to concentrate on what is best for your pet.

9. Save for your own pet emergency fund. This is often easier said than done, especially in tight financial times, but having some money put away for the unexpected veterinary expense can make a huge difference in the outcome.

10. Bathe and trim your pets nails at home. Learning to do basic grooming care at home can save both on costs as well as stress for your pet.