A vet has shared 4 cost saving tips pet owners should follow (stock image) (Image: Getty)
A vet has revealed four of his top tips to help pet owners keep their animals in good health – without spending a fortune. Millions of people across the globe choose to bring animals into their homes, with pets becoming a beloved part of the family.
Popular choices range from dogs and cats to rabbits, guinea pigs, and many more. Whatever animal you opt for, it’s essential to register your pet with a vet so they can receive appropriate care and routine check-ups whenever needed.
Many people turn to social media in search of expert advice and guidance on animal care and, fortunately, there’s no shortage of professionals eager to share their knowledge and insight with audiences online. One popular pro is Ben, a vet who has accumulated more than 218,000 followers on TikTok, where he regularly posts videos covering a broad range of pet-related subjects.
Recently, he uploaded a video focused on the “things you can do to keep your pet healthy and save money”. Speaking directly to the camera, he began: “Here are four things a vet wants you to know to help keep your pet healthy and avoid unnecessary costs.”
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He then confirmed his role as an ambassador for animal welfare charity Blue Cross, before highlighting the damaging effect the cost of living crisis is having on pets. Ben proceeded to outline his recommendations.
1. Keep on top of vaccinations and boosters
Ben began by emphasising the significance of vaccinations for pets. Much like humans, animals require immunisations and boosters to protect them from dangerous, contagious and often fatal illnesses.
Ben said: “Keep your pet’s vaccinations up to date. To some, these might seem like a waste of time and money but keeping their vaccines and boosters up to date can help prevent them getting some serious illnesses that can lead to costly vet bills.”
2. Keep pets in shape
Ben then urged owners to “maintain” their pet’s “body weight” as when an animal is “in shape”, it can contribute significantly to their overall wellbeing.
He said: “An overweight pet will be more prone to a variety of health problems which can lead to unexpected vet bills.” He further noted that should your vet advise your pet needs to “shift some pounds”, they’re “saying it for all the right reasons”.
@ben.the.vet 4 Things a Vet Would like you to know this World Vet Day to keep your pet healthy and save on unnecessary vet costs. As an ambassador for Blue Cross, I’m supporting their work to raise awareness of the hidden challenges many pets and their owners are facing. With rising costs, more people are struggling than you might realise, so here’s a few suggestions for how you could potentially avoid some of those surprise vet bills. Please note: This is general advice and isn’t specific to any pet, breed, or problem. You should always speak to your vet about their affordable options. @Blue Cross UK #LearnOnTikTok #Veterinary #WorldVetDay #Pets ♬ original sound – Ben The Vet
3. Do your research
Ben’s third tip was to “research” a breed “before you bring them home”. There’s a wide variety of dog breeds available and some are considerably more susceptible to health issues than others.
Ben explained: “More and more pets are being owned for the way they look with little regard for the health issues they may have. Make sure, when researching your breed, you find out if they’re predisposed to any health issues that may need vet care in the future.”
He noted “breeds like French bulldogs, pugs and dachshunds have a high risk for health conditions that can be very costly to treat”.
4. Socialise your pets
Ben’s fourth and final piece of advice was to “take time to socialise your pets”. The vet elaborated: “Behaviour issues are a common problem and can mean having to budget for a trainer, animal behaviourist, or even an unplanned vet trip due to an accident caused by behavioural issues.
“Both puppies and kittens need socialising. Consider investing in puppy classes and do your research using reputable sources.”
In the caption, Ben included a disclaimer: “Please note: This is general advice and isn’t specific to any pet, breed, or problem. You should always speak to your vet about their affordable options.”
