Pets, protection and how to cut your vet bills

There’s little doubt we are a nation of animal lovers. It’s estimated there are 38 million pets in the UK, according to the PAWS report (from the fabulous vet charity, the Peoples Dispensary for Sick Animals), including 10.6 million dogs, 10.8 million cats and 800,000 rabbits.

Just over half of adults have a pet in their lives. Yet only 4.4 million pet insurance policies were taken out in 2024. That’s a real concern, because when your pet gets sick it can be very pricy indeed. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) found that vet bills had increased at twice the rate of inflation. Worryingly, recent reports have suggested that some vets are inflating prices by charging for unnecessary procedures.

The CMA has proposed a range of new rules to make vets’ practices more transparent about their charges and who owns them. But this doesn’t necessarily mean prices will drop for key treatments. So getting insured is vital to protect your pet, particularly if the breed is susceptible to certain long-term medical conditions.

Lots of people tell me they have been put off pet insurance by humungous premiums. Ten years ago this was certainly an issue as many insurers pulled out of the market and prices rose as competition dipped.

However, with more insurers entering the market, you may be able to get a better deal.

Pet insurance varies considerably, like all insurance products, but it makes sense to buy the best one you can afford – and that doesn’t always mean the most expensive.

There are four main types of pet insurance: Lifetime cover, maximum benefit cover, time-limited cover and accident-only cover

The best policy you can buy is a “lifetime” policy, which covers your pet for treatment for life, though only for a set amount each year. You may find there are other restrictions on the policies too.

Maximum benefit policies will pay out a capped or fixed amount for each potential medical condition your pet might have. You’ll be able to make claims up to the policy limit for each condition, but not beyond it.

Time-limited policies work in a similar way, but the policy will only cover you for a set timeframe (usually a year) from the start of treatment. Unlike a maximum benefit policy, once you hit the maximum payout or cross the time limit the claim ends.

If you’re on a budget, an “accident only” policy is worth considering. As the name suggests, you will only be covered for accidents, not illnesses. Make sure you read the policy thoroughly so understand what is defined as an accident and ask the insurer to explain anything that isn’t clear. You can also get add-ons such as pet theft policies.

If money is tight and you can’t afford a top-rated insurance policy, buy the best you can afford. You could consider putting aside some extra money each month in a savings app or account to cover unexpected bills. It’s very easy to do this and savings interest rates are pretty good at the moment too.

There are vet advice lines and apps out there like FirstVet and Joii, which can be a good way to establish if non-emergency treatment is needed or not. There are also online pet pharmacies which may allow you to purchase drugs cheaper than through your vet. As with online pharmacies for humans, you’ll need to do your research and make sure you understand just what you are buying.

The RSPCA may be able to offer advice and means-tested support if you need help with your pet’s medical treatment. The Blue Cross run pet food banks too (don’t forget to donate if you can afford it). And many charities supporting older people or those who may be more vulnerable can help you collect the items you need too.

Martyn James is a leading consumer rights campaigner, TV and radio broadcaster and journalist, read more from him at this link