A trip to the vets is something every pet owner – and pet – has to go through at some point. Whether it’s a routine procedure at different life stages of your pet, or treatment for an injury, it’s a vital part of pet ownership and care.

It can also be very expensive, which is why pet insurance is always worth considering to avoid those unexpected vet’s bills. You can find out more about that in this post, as well as some other useful information.

When you get your pet, find a vet

When you buy or adopt a new pet, you should register it with a local veterinary practice. This is vital for getting routine care and advice for your pet, on everything from diets to flea treatments, as well as making sure you have somewhere to go if they get injured or ill.

There are veterinary practices all over the UK, and it’s easy to find one near to you with a tool like Vet Help Direct, and you can often find them inside or next to a local pet store chain, too. All vets need to be registered with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS), so always check they have the right certifications.   

How much does a vet visit cost?

The cost of a visit to the vets will vary depending on your chosen practice, and the reason for your visit. A routine check-up cost can vary and most practices will usually have a standard appointment fee. It’s worth checking what a vet charges for an appointment if you have a few practices to choose from.

When it comes to treatments for injuries or illness, bills can quickly run in the hundreds of pounds for both cats and dogs, which is why it’s always worth considering insurance when you get a new pet.

Is it worth having pet insurance?

An emergency visit to the vet, or having to book in surgery for a condition, can easily end up costing hundreds – if not thousands – of pounds in bills. Without insurance, you’ll have to pay these bills out of your own pocket. Even if you have a naturally robust breed of dog or cat, accidents can still happen.

Pet insurance can provide cover against those big bills so you won’t have to worry if your pet gets into a scrape, but every policy is different so always check exactly what is covered before buying. It’s worth remembering that most pet insurance policies don’t cover things like vaccinations, neutering, or microchipping, so there will always be some veterinary treatments you have to pay for.

What if I can’t afford the vet?

This is something you should consider long before adopting or buying a pet. Going to the vet is an essential part of pet ownership, so if you think you might not be able to afford visits, you should very carefully consider if it’s the right thing for you.

While insurance can help with the big, unexpected bills, many vets also offer health care packages to cover things like regular vaccinations or check-ups, which can help to reduce the cost of routine visits.

Find out more about Asda Pet Insurance, for both cats and dogs.