For as little as $20 a month, pet insurance companies will foot about 80 percent of your yearly vet bills. Although most of these companies offer little to no coverage for routine care, even one major procedure your pet has to go through justifies the expense. Knowing you will get reimbursement for your expenses also gives you the freedom to choose the best vet around instead of going with the first one you can afford.
Learn First Aid
The Red Cross offers a certification in Pet First Aid. It consists of an intensive workshop, which you're encouraged to attend with your dog. It will teach you all the essentials of dealing with small problems such as cuts, bruises, and splinters, plus emergency responses (including CPR). Knowing how to treat small problems may save you unnecessary trips to the vet and would prove invaluable should you ever run into an emergency.
Be Informed
Do you know what constitutes a true emergency? What's the normal temperature for a cat? A dog? Can you recognize breathing difficulties? Vision problems? Knowing when you need to run to the emergency clinic and when you can wait for the more-reasonably-priced vet the next morning is priceless.
Consider the Extras
At some point, you'll want to go away on vacation. What happens with your pet then? You can either board him on a kennel or pay a petsitter to come and check on him daily. While both alternatives may cost about the same (from $15 to $40 a day, depending where you live), boarding is often stressful for the animal. If you can enlist a friend to stay over and keep Fido company while you're away, do so. Otherwise, look for a trusted petsitter that's willing to stop by twice a day.
Toys don't have to cost a fortune, either. Most dogs will be as happy with a $1 tennis ball as with a $25 one made with imported rubber. Catnip toys will keep a cat entertained for months. Keep an eye open for bargains --Many dollar stores sell pet toys, or check sales through online retailers.