When Danielle Amos’ hamster Lyra was unwell, the first thing she did was talk to her vet.
Lyra had problems with her teeth, which the vet said would cost between £450 and £500 to remove.
But Danielle, from Sarn, Bridgend, who is on welfare, was unable to pay the bill which she described as “ridiculous”.
She’s not the only one. There are 16 million pet owners in the UK and the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has said that the cost of veterinary care is rising faster than other goods and services due to the cost of living crisis.
- Author, Kayley Thomas
- Role, BBC News
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BBC Wales spoke to other pet owners who have received expensive vet bills.
These include a dog walker who considered selling her flat so she could pay £4,000 for emergency treatment for her dog, and others who canceled their insurance due to the surge in cost arrow.
Image source, Danielle Amos
For Danielle, £500 to remove her hamster’s teeth was simply unaffordable.
“I would expect this for a dog or even a cat, but a hamster? It’s ridiculous, especially with the cost of living, and I’m on benefits,” she said.
Like many pet owners struggling with the rising cost of veterinary care, she took to the Internet looking for less expensive ways to help Lyra.
“I couldn’t find another vet in my area who would do it, so I decided to look for a YouTube channel on how to properly trim a hamster’s teeth and that’s what I do myself every month ” she said.
This DIY approach is not recommended by veterinarians and is a warning against which the RSPCA.
More than half of all UK households have a pet, and last year the RSPCA found four in ten said they had gone without food, used a food bank or had stopped seeing a veterinarian due to financial pressures.
There are things you can do to reduce veterinary bills.
Veterinary care charity PDSA has seen a surge in demand from pet owners needing help.
Her advice is to avoid home remedies, seek treatment early, and have an honest conversation with your veterinarian about what you can afford, in case alternative, cheaper treatment options become available.
Can I afford a pet?
Veterinarian Richard Hooker of the PDSA, which helps 430,000 sick or injured animals each year, said: “Things like pet insurance can help many people deal with unexpected costs that might arise.
“But when considering getting a pet, think carefully and do your research. Are they predisposed to costly illnesses that need to be treated as they age?
“Is this animal suitable for your lifestyle? Is it from healthy parents? Has it undergone all the necessary health checks and screenings?”
Veterinarian Cat Henstridge, who uses social media to share tips and advice with pet owners, said preventative care such as keeping your pet on a healthy diet to prevent it from becoming overweight and Brushing your teeth can help.
She believes veterinary consultations offer good value for money and allow vets to detect problems at an early stage.
Image source, Victoria Jones
Victoria Jones, from Fochriw, Co Caerphilly, thought she would have to sell her first home to finance the almost £4,000 bill for emergency surgery on her dog Biscuit’s intestines.
“It was a very stressful time. We didn’t know if we were going to lose her, but we also didn’t know if we might lose our house as well,” she said.
Image source, Victoria Jones
Victoria, who walks dogs, and her husband, Colin, had insurance but had to rely on family and friends to help fund the rest of Biscuit’s treatment once he reached his limit.
“The anxiety was high anyway, but not knowing what the bill would be in the end added to that,” Victoria said.
“There is no transparency when it comes to costs. When you take your pet to a veterinarian or other pet professional, it can be difficult to budget for it.”
Sam Davies, from Blackwood, also faced a eye-watering £1,000 bill to have his cat Moot have his teeth removed.
“We now dread visiting a vet because all our cats and dogs are quite old,” she said.
“I feel sorry for the veterinary staff because I know they don’t set the prices, but it’s becoming exorbitant to own a pet.”
Why are veterinary bills increasing?
Vets say they are highly trained so you are paying for their time and skill when it comes to caring for your pets, Cat Henstridge said.
It’s not just the UK that is facing a shortage, it’s a global problem that has been exacerbated by the increasing number of us acquiring pets, by the fallout from Brexit and by the ‘burnout.
The CMA said many veterinary practices are no longer independent.
There are six major business groups operating in the UK – CVS, IVC, Linnaeus, Medivet, Pets at Home and VetPartners – which collectively own more than half the market.
Over the past decade, the number of veterinary practices owned by these groups has increased from about 10% to nearly 60%, which can limit pet owners’ choices and weaken competition in some areas.
This is a subject that the CMA investigation will look into and it has the power to force these groups to sell some of their practices if their dominance threatens healthy competition.
Image source, Victoria Jones
Rescue dog Biscuit, 13, underwent surgery and is now fully recovered.
But his owner, Victoria, fears other pets won’t be so lucky.
She said: “My overall concern is the welfare of the animals and the fact that they are going to go without the care they need.
“You already see it in some places. I met a man on one of my regular walks whose dog needs surgery and he can’t afford it, so he just doesn’t do it and it’s just heartbreaking.”
Additional reporting by Rhiannon Eaves