Health & Wellness
Preventive Care
Regular health maintenance (vaccines, cleanings, check-ups) to prevent more expensive problems later.
Also known as: preventative care, wellness care, preventive services
What You Need to Know
Preventive care is investing a little today to avoid spending a lot tomorrow. Regular maintenance catches small issues before they become expensive emergencies.
Common Pet Preventive Care:
- Annual wellness exam: $50-100 (catches early disease)
- Vaccines & boosters: $200-400/year (prevents illness)
- Dental cleaning: $300-700 annually (prevents $2,000-5,000 dental surgery)
- Flea/tick/heartworm prevention: $150-300/year (prevents infestation & disease)
- Blood work & screening: $100-300/year for senior pets
ROI of Prevention:
- $600 annual dental cleaning prevents $5,000 surgery
- $200 heartworm prevention beats $2,000 treatment
- Annual exams catch early kidney/heart disease, extending lifespan
- Quality food investment can reduce vet visits by 30-40%
Senior Pet Prevention (Age 7-10+):
- Increase check-ups from 1x to 2x yearly
- Add bloodwork and ultrasound screening
- Monitor for medication interactions
- Budget 50-100% more for annual preventive costs
Takeaway: Prevention is cheaper and more humane than treatment. A few hundred dollars annually saves thousands and extends your pet's life.
Sources & References
This information is sourced from authoritative government and academic institutions:
- healthcare.gov
https://www.healthcare.gov/coverage/preventive-care-benefits/
Related Calculators & Tools
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