A healthy pet can cost up to $700 per year to own. Add in additional expenses like grooming or medical care and that cost can skyrocket. Accidents happen, so it’s important to be prepared for both the expected and unexpected. Here are 5 tips on how to deal with a pet’s medical expenses.

Pet Health Insurance

One way to be proactive about potential medical expenses is to purchase pet insurance. Pet insurance, depending on the plan, can cover anything from annual check-ups and vaccines to accidents and serious illnesses or diseases. However, pet insurance can be expensive depending on the policy chosen and may include monthly or yearly premiums and deductibles.

Savings Account

If the average pet insurance policy costs around $30 per month, then consider investing that amount or more into a savings account specifically for emergency pet expenses. For example, a dog owner who starts this practice when their dog is two months old will have $300 by the end of the dog’s first year.

By the time the dog is two years old, there will be $660 in the account and by the time the dog reaches age five, there will be $1,740 in the account. This can help seriously offset the cost of an accident or a majority surgery. However, pet owners should note that this may still not be enough to cover accidents, illness or disease, which can cost upwards of $3,000 or more in some cases.

Credit Card

Having a credit card for emergencies only is often a tactic employed by a number of pet owners. However, credit cards can have their disadvantages such as a yearly annual fee or high interest rates, so be sure to research the card thoroughly before opting for a credit card to pay for pet medical expenses.

Payment Plans

Being a loyal customer to a veterinarian can be beneficial in many ways. Should a large medical expense occur, some veterinarians will work with the owners to create payment plans. If the pet is in serious need of treatment, it is always worthwhile to ask if the veterinarian will set up or accept a payment plan. Most veterinarians would prefer a payment plan over not getting paid at all, or worse, not being able to give treatment to an animal in need.

Grants

Few pet owners are aware that there are some grants available to help offset their pet’s medical expenses. When looking for a grant, the owner should check with breed specific organizations, shelters and other pet foundations for more information. There may also be disease-specific organizations, pet store and other charities that may help with pet medical expenses. Though these places may be able to help, they can require proof of financial difficulty such as pay stubs, bills, veterinary bills or unemployment checks.

In short, pets can be expensive even without costly health condition. In fact, there will always be pets in need of medical care. It’s important for an owner to be prepared or have a backup plan in case of a medical emergency, as it could save their pet’s life.

About the Author: Jennifer Hamelink is a professional writer with a passion for pets and pet care. She also enjoys writing about personal finance, credit repair, and bad credit loans for those with poor credit histories.

Question: Is fat important to my dog’s health and, if so, what is the best kind?

Answer: Dietary fat is the most concentrated source of energy for the dog. It also provides essential fatty acids and aids in nutrient utilization and transportation. Fat is involved in cell integrity and metabolic regulation. So, yes, fat is important to your dog’s overall health!

Saturated fat is found primarily in animal sources while polyunsaturated fat is found mostly in plant sources. Saturated fat provides greater energy for the dog than carbohydrates. In fact, as long as the diet provides sufficient glucose precursors (amino acids, fats, etc.), dietary carbohydrates are not needed for growth and maintenance.

Fats (and oils) are composed of fatty acids, sometimes referred to as vitamin F. Fatty acids are found in both animal and plant sources. The two types of essential fatty acids (EFAs) most recognized as important to canine health are omega-3 and omega-6. Omega-3s include alpha-linolenic (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Omega-6s include linoleic acid (LA) and gamma-linolenic acids (GLA). Trans-fatty acids, dangerous free radicals, are formed when unsaturated oils are exposed to heat, light, or oxygen. Omega-3s are the most sensitive and are often deficient in cooked or processed pet food products. Thus, some dog guardians choose to add supplemental Omega-3 oils to their dog’s diet to replace those that have been destroyed during heat processing.

There are many types of oils available, but most dogs do best on one from an animal source such as fish oil. There are plant sources of omega-3s, but some dogs do not make the conversion within their bodies that is needed to make the plant form usable. If you choose to add EFAs to your dog’s food, please remember to choose the highest quality available. The oil label should state that it’s been tested free of heavy metals, PCBs, and other contaminants. Even though fats and EFAs are important to good health, too much can put a strain on organs such as your dog’s liver and pancreas. Avoid cooked fats (grease) or poor quality products. And remember that a little goes a long way!

Kymythy Schultze has been a trailblazer in animal nutrition for over two decades. She is also a human nutritionist and has helped thousands of people and their pets live happier, healthier lives. To learn more about animal and human nutrition, check out her best-selling books: Natural Nutrition for Dog and Cats: The Ultimate Diet and The Natural Nutrition No-Cook Book: Delicious Food for You and Your Pets! Find her website at www.kymythy.com