Owning a pet is more than just putting some food in a bowl and paying for a vaccine once every couple of years. Your pet counts on you to provide good overall care, including balanced nutrition, good grooming and care at home, regular checkups, and medical care when needed.
Preventing accidents and illness is the best thing you can do for your pet. Be sure to keep your pet's home environment free of toxic and dangerous substances. For instance, always be sure to put away your sewing thread and needles where the cat can't get to them. Make sure the kids don't leave Lego pieces or other small toys out where the dog might chew or choke on them. Keep any toxic houseplant species where pets can't reach them, or discard them completely to be extra-safe. Clean up even the smallest antifreeze drips in the driveway or garage. Don't allow your dog or cat to roam free near roads where they might get hit by a vehicle or in the woods where they might encounter dangerous wildlife.
Be familiar with how your pet feels and acts so that you notice abnormalities right away. Feel your pet regularly to check for lumps or sore spots. Inspect ears, teeth, skin and feet regularly and have any problems checked before they become severe. Be aware that sometimes home remedies or human medicines can be harmful to your pet, and check with your vet before administering any over-the-counter drugs.
No matter how hard you try to keep your pet safe and healthy, sometimes accidents and unexpected illnesses happen anyway. How would you handle it if your pet was sick or injured? You probably want the best for your pet. Like human medicine, modern veterinary medicine can be expensive. A simple ear infection can cost $60 to $80 to treat, while a major traumatic accident can cost $400 or more. Don't wait until an emotional moment to decide if your pet is a beloved part of your family or a replaceable animal. Believe it or not, health insurance IS available for pets through several different companies for less than $10 a month. Would this be a worthwhile investment if something happened to your pet, or are you prepared to pay for your pet's expenses out of pocket?
You can plan ahead for your pet care expenses, just as you would for any other family member, by paying into a savings account on a regular basis. Hopefully, you will never need this fund. But if tragedy ever befalls your beloved pet, you will be glad you did!