Every pet parent knows that a poorly animal, as well as being upsetting, can really hit your wallet.

Costs are on the up too. And these costs arrive at times when we just don’t need them.

Here we look at how vet fees work, if it pays to compare, some real treatment prices, we’ll ask why people insure their pets and what happens if you can’t pay a vet bill.

But first, can we help prevent vet costs?

This means we aim to prevent disease, we promote better environments for pets, we understand what breeds need what care, and we guide better lifestyle choices.

When you see a Joii vet, your pet benefits from a full, interactive health check from the comfort of your own home. All of our vets are RCVS registered and offer tailored treatment plans with expert tips.

Calls to Joii vets are just £24 at any time of day or night. And with our partner insurers, calls to Joii vets are free. Why? Because insurers believe in the power of preventative care too.

Vet fees are not standardised in the UK, so they vary from one practice to the next. Costs are different due to where you live, the size of your pet, breed and age, conditions, treatments and the practice itself.

You can check vet websites to look at charges and you can make phone calls. But vets are unlikely to be able to make commitments on costs without seeing your pet first. This may include a trip to the vets and consultation fees. If you're unsure what help your pet needs, you can speak to a Joii vet first. If we can't resolve the problem, we can help recommend what course of action is best for your pet.

Vet treatment costs vary depending on what care your pet needs. The Animal Trust is a not-for-profit with a pretty straightforward pricing structure. These prices are from their website in July 2022 and will give you an idea of the kind of costs associated with different treatment types.

• Dog vaccine and worming £51
  
• X-ray £369
• CT scan £929
• Fracture repair up to £1849
• Hip replacement £5900

If your pet gets sick or injured and you are uninsured and can’t afford the bill, you might get help from the PDSA, Blue Cross or the RSPCA. If you’re eligible for benefits, it is worth researching what options are available to you from these organisations as well.

Joii works with some UK pet insurers and this can be a real saviour when it comes to expensive treatments. Do a bit of research and find out what policies work best for you. And remember that you can’t buy insurance after you find a problem.

Choosing better pet healthcare routines, food, exercise plans and seeking earlier advice are great ways to keep your vet bills down and to reduce the likelihood for potential problems. Talk to a Joii vet today about your pet's needs and they can give you the best advice to help prevent future problems for your pet.

With Joii, you have access to free 1:1 consultations with a vet nurse. They can help advise you of the best next steps if your pet is unwell. Our symptom checker is also a free tool that tells you what the likely problem is with your pet. Answer some questions about the problem in the Joii app and we will suggest the best course of action. And of course our vets are on hand 24/7, 365 days a week. Chat to them about preventative care to help reduce any future vet bills.