Cutting Costs: Proven Strategies for Minimizing Vet Bills and Keeping Your Pet Healthy

Annual vet visits are an important factor in ensuring your pet lives a happy, healthy life. However, what pet parents loathe are costly vet bills that can leave you with less money for treats and toys. We’re sharing tips and tricks for minimizing vet costs and bills while keeping your pet physically and mentally healthy.

1. Regular Exercise for your Pet

2. Healthy Raw Pet Food

3. Never Give Pets Table Scraps

1. Regular Exercise for Your Pet

A study from the American Veterinary Medical Association shows that an overweight or obese dog’s lifespan is reduced by an average of 2.5 years. In addition, obesity increases your pet’s chance of injury. Because of the extra weight, they are more likely to tear a ligament or slip a hip leading to expensive surgeries, long recovery periods, and unnecessary discomfort for your furry friend.

We know we sound like a broken record, but it’s important to keep your pet active with regular exercise and fun activities that you can do together. Your pets love spending time with you, so the more you can incorporate exercise into your daily routine the better.

2. Healthy Raw Pet Food

The best diet for pet weight loss — and for overall health and wellness — is a nutritionally balanced raw meat diet. Since a raw meat diet is low in carbs and high in protein, your pet feels full longer. Raw food is naturally easy for your pet’s body to digest, easing digestive distress and soothing sensitive stomachs. Raw dog and cat food also help provide relief for your pet’s dry skin and coat while improving their oral health.

In addition, raw pet food is full of natural nutrition, so every bite benefits your pet. Pet foods like kibble have to supplement their food with synthetic vitamins and minerals. Vital Essentials freeze-dried food and treats are made with fresh meat, organ, and bone that contain vitamins and minerals your pet needs to thrive.

3. Never Give Pets Table Scraps

As tempting as it is to give our cutest family members a taste of what we enjoy every day, it’s not good for their health. According to the American Animal Hospital Association, feeding our pets fatty table scraps can trigger a dangerous condition called pancreatitis. Just because we humans can eat what we want at the dinner table doesn’t mean our pets can have the same foods.

American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) states that many people's foods are bad for pets, including avocados, chocolate, grapes, raisins, nuts, onions, garlic, and dairy-based products. An important reminder: this is not an all-inclusive list, so please avoid giving your pet table scraps altogether and reduce the chances of an emergency vet visit and costly vet bills.

By rewarding your pet with regular exercise, a healthy raw pet food diet, and no dangerous people food, your dog or cat will live a healthier, longer life with reduced vet bills.

For more information on Vital Essentials and our full product line, follow us on TikTok and Instagram. And if you have any questions, be sure to check out our FAQ page for answers. Together, we can ensure your pet gets the proper nutrition they deserve.