Paws 4 Safety: When love has a price tag - growing older with our pets

BY KIM BRADLEY

Last week, we looked at choosing the best pet for the later seasons of life. We considered mobility, housing, travel and how much daily care we can comfortably provide. This week, as promised, we’re looking at another part of that decision that can be harder to talk about— money.

Pets enrich our lives in ways difficult to put a price on. They provide companionship, routine, purpose and an unmistakable reason to get out of bed in the morning. But while that relationship may be priceless, caring for an animal isn't. Food, routine veterinary care, grooming and preventatives are only the beginning. As pets age, expenses can increase considerably. Special diets, diagnostic testing, prescription medications, dental care, mobility aids and more frequent veterinary visits can become part of everyday life.

At the same time, their owners may be entering a season when their own expenses are increasing. Glasses, hearing aids, prescriptions and medical appointments may compete for dollars in a budget that became more fixed after retirement. Add an aging pet with several monthly prescriptions or a chronic condition, and suddenly two members of the household are accumulating healthcare bills.

Then comes the expense nobody plans on—an emergency.

An unexpected illness, injury or trip to an emergency veterinary hospital can cost hundreds or thousands of dollars. The emotional stress of a sick pet is difficult enough. Having to make medical decisions based primarily on what is or isn't in the bank account can make an already frightening situation much harder.

That’s why financial preparedness should be part of responsible pet ownership at every age, but it becomes particularly important as we grow older.

A dedicated pet emergency fund can help, even if it grows slowly. Pet insurance may be worth investigating before it’s needed. Understand what a policy covers, its exclusions and how reimbursement works. Knowing which emergency veterinary hospitals are nearby and understanding their payment policies ahead of time can also prevent surprises.

When considering adding a pet later in life, look beyond the adoption fee or purchase price. What will this animal realistically cost each month? Will grooming be an ongoing expense? Can those costs comfortably coexist with your own needs?

There’s also something the rest of us can do.

Financial struggles aren't always obvious, and sometimes people struggle quietly before ever asking for help. If you have an older neighbor, friend or family member who shares their home with a pet, pay attention. An extra bag of cat litter, a few cans of pet food or an offer to drive them and their pet to a veterinary appointment may seem like a small gesture, but it can make a meaningful difference.

Strong communities aren't only built through big programs and big gestures. Sometimes they're built one neighbor at a time. Helping someone care for an animal they dearly love can also be a wonderful way of caring for the person at the other end of the leash.

And if you are the person struggling, look around your community. Pet food pantries, senior service organizations, humane societies and other programs may help with food, supplies, or veterinary care. Asking for a little help today may help keep you and your companion together tomorrow.

Pet ownership in the later seasons of life should enhance this chapter, not suppress it. Financial planning isn't putting a dollar value on love. It's helping ensure we can continue providing the care that love requires.

Remember preparedness gives us and the animals who depend on us something incredibly valuable: choices.

Kim Bradley is the founder of Paws 4 Safety: a pet safety education initiative focused on helping pet owners prepare for emergencies and everyday situations involving their pets. For more information, visit the Pet Safety Learning Center at Paws4Safety.com or call 877- 829-1997. Because moments matter.