Top tips on how to keep your vet bills affordable

MARTYN JAMES YOUR CONSUMER RIGHTS CHAMPION

- Martyn James is a leading consumer rights campaigner, TV and radio broadcaster and journalist

Of all the subjects I write about, the cost of looking after pets always prompts the biggest response.

According to the latest report from the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA), there are 10.6 million pet dogs, 10.8 million cats and 800,000 pet rabbits in the UK alone, with over half of all adults owning a pet.

However, if your pet falls sick, it can be very expensive. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has been investigating the multi-billion pound veterinary industry and found evidence of inflation-busting prices, with charges of over £10,000 for some treatments. Other investigations revealed some vets were being pushed by their bosses to carry out unnecessary treatments.

The best thing you can do to protect your pets is to take out pet insurance. I'll cover that in a future column. But for now, here's how to cut your vet bills.

How do I cut my veterinary bills?

Some pets will prove to be more expensive to look after than others, so if you are considering buying a pet, do some research first.