Support Your Emotional Support Animal: How to Save On Drug Costs for Pets

For many people, pets feel like part of the family. We would do anything for them just like we would for any other family member. Going to the vet and getting a diagnosis can be hard. It can be extra challenging to find out your pet needs to start a new drug.

Saving money on pet medications

Most people do not have pet insurance. And drugs for pets are a cost that can add up. For example, 1 study found that, on average, people spend $389 on drugs for their dogs per year. Luckily, there are options to help make your pet’s drug costs more affordable.¹

Talk to your vet

Vets have a lot of experience with pet owners and pet drugs. If you explain your scenario, they may be able to help. They might have valuable advice on the best way to get certain drugs or be able to suggest lower-cost alternatives. They also may be able to connect you to local resources for assistance.^2,3

Shop around

Vets may offer to supply a prescribed drug through their offices. But this may not be the most affordable option. It may be worthwhile to compare different places for buying pet drugs.^2,3

Just like with human drugs, some pharmacies will have better prices than others. To shop around, make sure to get a written prescription before you leave your vet’s office. This allows you to fill the prescription somewhere else.^2,3

Online pet pharmacies may have lower prices than the vet. Some drugs may have cheaper generic versions. Also, some drugs prescribed to pets are the exact same as humans take. This means they can sometimes be filled at your regular pharmacy for a lower cost.^2,3

Consider pet insurance

Pet insurance policies are very similar to human health insurance. The exact coverage and cost will depend on the policy. But they typically cover:⁴

• Drugs
• Imaging
• Surgeries
• Illnesses

Pet insurance can be especially helpful in emergencies, when it is easy to rack up a high vet bill. But pet insurance can also be helpful for reducing the cost of pet drugs. It may be worth looking into available plans to see if the benefits of insurance outweigh the cost for your pet.⁴

Search online for discounts or coupons

Like for many products, there may be coupons online for the drug your pet needs. A quick search might turn up coupons or discount websites. Sometimes online coupons can be honored in person as well. Discounts are usually easier to find if the drug your pet needs is the same as a generic drug for humans.^3,4

Look for financial assistance programs

If you struggle to pay for your pet’s care, there are programs that may be able to help. These include:^2,3

• Nonprofits that offer grants to help cover pet medical costs.
• Credit cards that can be used specifically for pet medical care. These cards are designed to have low or no interest to help give you time to pay off what you charge.
• Animal hospitals that offer financial assistance.
• Breed-specific organizations or rescues.
• Nationwide or state-based assistance programs.

For many of these programs, you will have to prove that you qualify for help. This process will vary depending on the organization that you use.³
Affording medical care for our pets can be stressful. But thankfully there are many resources available that can help us care for our furry friends.