Pet Economics 101 This veterinarian’s year-end pet expenses tally (and how much vets tend to save)
I’m a veterinarian so I get breaks on animal care. This I know. I operate under no illusion that the dozen backyard-raised eggs––delicious though they might have been––offered fair and just compensation for an expert ultrasound examination earlier this week.
Tulip’s ultrasound this past Monday was an inexpensive affair for me. Meanwhile, the owner of a diabetic patient spent $300 on the very same day when an ultrasound was performed using the very same machine by the very same veterinarian.
In case it isn’t clear, the point of this post is this: Veterinarians save lots on pet care. But just how much isn’t always clear. But while it may vary somewhat, the case is almost always that non-veterinarians think we save a whole lot more than we actually do.
To illustrate the point, here’s my year-end tally for my pet expenses:
- Dog food: $150/month = $1,800
- Dog supplements: $15/month = $180
- Goat food and supplements: $5/day = $1,825
- Chicken food: $20/month = $240
- Goat meds and vaccines: $10/month = $120
- Chicken litter and supplies: $10/month = $120
- Chicken coop: $500
- Fencing repairs: $600
- Stanchion: $150
- Dog supplies, misc (X-pen, new crate, new mats, etc.): $300
- Stray cat expenses (spay, neuter, testing and euthanasia supplies): $250
- Specialist’s lunches/coffee (gotta suck up nicely to get freebies): $200
- Staff lunches/coffee (more sucking up): $300
- Dog veterinary drugs and supplies: $250
- Veterinary laboratory expenses (bloodwork): $200
- Comfortis: $160
- Heartgard: $60
- Total: $7,255
That’s $7,255. Lots of cash, right? And that’s for mostly healthy animals. OK, so what did I get for “free” this year? Hmmm...
- One surgery on Slumdog (OK, two if you count the screw removal).
- Veterinary services on the ultrasound
- Veterinary services on Slumdog’s recovery from street life (derm consultation, etc.)
- Discounts on meds and supplies (almost none on foods)
So how much did I save? Given the obvious (that I never would have gone for Slumdog’s surgery unless I had the “in” with the veterinary surgeon boyfriend), I’ll move the surgical procedure off the list, discount the specialist and staff sucking up and estimate I saved about $1,000 to $1,500. No small change, but not the kind of savings you might expect, right? And when you factor in what I still pay for my student loans the "free" on some of those veterinary services is probably not an accurate description.
Here’s where I’m starting to think that getting pet insurance might deserve a slot on my New Year’s resolution list.
December 10th, 2009
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Add Comment16 Comments
I have pet insurance on my three cats. One cat -- the first one I got -- has a high end policy. The two claims I have submitted were paid. The other two have "indoor cat" policies. I just spent $450 on x rays and bloodwork (normal and special) for one of these cats but these costs are not covered by the policy. Argh. So my suggestion is to buy the most comprehensive policy you can afford. Will be interested to see if those of your animals with a history of anything other than perfect health can even get covered. Pet insurance is a lot like human insurance in this respect as I learned from experience.
Loki's mom December 10th, 2009 10:13:09 AM
Other ways to save money, none needing insurance:
-Identify which supplies are unique and what is really just an overpriced item with "DOG" written on it. PUtting a cute little mat in front of a littlerbox to collect litter, one with a picture of a cat on it, can cost a lot more than an ordinary door mat which does the same thing.
-Dog crates, chicken coops, and used yet servicable fencing are items frequently found on Craigslist, sometimes as a curb alert IE "FREE." ALso, there is a barter section that you could use. Heck, I had to throw our wire kennel away because nobody wanted it and Tina was "uncratable."
-For your "farm" supplies, going to a co-op or getting with a farmer that purchases at a much larger volume than you do, and working a deal with him/her or perhaps a barter.
Just some thoughts.
EAB December 10th, 2009 11:05:46 AM
PS: yes, you all read the above and thought "D**m, what a cheap skate. Umm, yeah, I am.
EAB December 10th, 2009 11:07:03 AM
I would be absolutely terrified to tally up what I spend on my pets annually. I have a good idea about the amount which must suffice. Some items I can get wholesale, but the vast majority is retail. We have cut back on some frivolous items (no Christmas collars this year) but will instead make a donation to pets in need. The $$ spent is a good trade-off for the love I receive in turn.
Carol December 10th, 2009 12:25:20 PM
I'm glad to see that I am not the only one that totals up how much money I spend on my animals every year. I about had a heartattack this year since I increased to 3 dogs, 3 cats, and 1 horse. It does help you make better decisions on spending when you see how much you actually spend. I just cut corners on other parts of my life before my pets go without, as I am unable to have children these are my babies.
DNS83 December 10th, 2009 02:35:03 PM
Student loans is the absolute worse! If your looking at pet insurance, take a look at Trupanion: http://www.trupanionpetinsurance.com Thats who I have and it definitely saved me a lot on some vet bills, especially when my dog broke her arm. Man, life is expensive!
Sandy December 10th, 2009 03:50:08 PM
How much would a non-vet owner with the same pets/livestock have spent on veterinarian office and field calls? That should be included as savings, at least to the extent that it would have been more than the expenditure on "sucking up" items.
What you spent on student loans? Nope, not buying that one. That is/was an investment in you that allowed you to save on those regular visits (and on many other things you may not even realize) AND it needs to be amortized over your entire life, not the term of the loan - accrual v. cash, important distinction.
PJB http://pjboosinger.viviti.com/ December 10th, 2009 06:06:13 PM
Ah, but you're not counting all the times that regular pet owners pay exam fees to check out things that could be treated at home by an experienced caregiver, and certainly a vet.
For example, I'd bet you don't worry about bills for hotspots, broken toenails, simple injuries like scratches or muscle strains.
Kim December 10th, 2009 06:58:16 PM
What the heck, this year has been one of my best pet-health-wise. My tab for veterinary expenses has been reasonable, although I havn't tallied it--never do!
I only have 5 dogs , 3 of which are seniors and had some extensive healthcare in '08, along with my long-lived elderly dog.
No need to replace or buy equipment, as a matter of fact, have donated some.
But my hugest and never imaginable veterinary-related expense has been attorney(s) fees to bring the three year old case "Pocket's Story" to civil NH Superior Court (Rockingham County).
Hopefully the long-term outcome will have some meaning to future consumer/clients in my home state and raise the level of veterinary care to ethical, honest, and compassionate care for all.
Barbara A./NH December 10th, 2009 08:05:42 PM
My vet has made a fortune off of me this year ... $8000+ in vet bills for 2 sick cats in the last 6 months, and neither one of them is getting better (in fact, the treatment for one of them caused a host of other expensive problems)
That's not counting the food ($3/lb for 4 cats), kitty litter, etc. It's been a bad pet year, and shows no sign of improving any time soon.
Sarah December 10th, 2009 10:25:42 PM
Hmm, I'm certain I paid no more than half that $300 for the ultrasound preg checks on my mares several years ago. So, either prices have gone way up, you're much, much more expensive further down the state from me, or different uses of ultrasound are priced differently. Point being, I doubt Tulip's preg check would have cost you $300 even at full price.
With my "little old ladies," as my mom-in-law has started calling them, I don't dare tally up my total pet expenditures. Cushing's, incontinence, a stroke, a cardiac consult, a tumor, Horner's...it's been a long year.
Galadriel December 11th, 2009 12:02:01 AM
Galadriel: True on a preg check. It's normally about half (or less) of a full cavity ultrasound.
Dr. Patty Khuly December 11th, 2009 06:44:11 AM
you have to deduct the cost of all the savings you get by having the fresh eggs, milk, cheese...
and if you had paid for those "freebies" your vet costs would have easily doubled...
I average $4000.00 vet care alone, and that's with a discount...I don't tally my pet food/litter/toys/supplies nor does that include anything more then the smallest unexpectedness...
You really are saving quite a bit, and I have to agree with PJB your student loans don't count as vet/pet expenses any more then unreimbursed CEUs or convention costs would...different category.
LorriM December 11th, 2009 08:10:50 PM
@EAB: If you're a cheapskate, so am I! I hadn't thought of sharing costs on chicken food, but I do have a neighbor with chickens, so that's a good idea for me.
Julie in OH December 12th, 2009 10:17:14 PM
petinsurancereview.com was the only site I found when I was looking to compare pet insurers. I would start with the consumer reviews.
I would also go with a high coverage, high deductible plan. I got $20,000 in annual coverage, $200 per incident deductible, 0% co pay, for about $200 per year for young pets and $400 for a 7 year old dog.
I would never buy insurance for routine costs, unless the insurer is willing to lose money on it.
Erich Riesenberg December 13th, 2009 04:37:26 PM
I wish I wasn't worried about Uggs having poisonous materials in them..they would certainly make better looking chew toys than a fashion accessory.
Susan H December 17th, 2009 05:26:14 PM
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