Is It Cheaper To Go To a Vet or Animal Hospital?

As a loving pet owner, you are always responsible for the health and wellbeing of your pet, and you naturally want what’s best for you. Part of the responsibility of being a caring pet owner is making sure that your pet has access to the best medical care available.

When it comes to ensuring that your pet has access to the best medical care, there are a number of choices to choose from, there’s the option of attending a veterinary clinic or an animal hospital. Deciding between these two options can be tricky, as there are various factors to consider, such as the level of care available and the associated cost of each facility.

To help you to make an informed decision, we have put together a guide to which option is better - and cheaper. Read on for everything that you should know.

What’s the difference between an animal hospital and a veterinary clinic?

The main difference between an animal hospital and a veterinary clinic is usually the kinds of treatments offered there.

Usually, an animal hospital is a place where diagnostics and surgical treatments tend to take place, whereas a veterinary clinic is a facility that focuses on providing prevention, cures for simple illnesses, and alleviation of diseases through vaccination and other preventative treatments.

It’s also important to take into account the size of the facility, as not all veterinary clinics only offer preventive and simple treatments, some also include operating theaters and perform surgery when needed. For instance, Katy Vet Clinic offers a range of preventative services, in addition to internal medical treatments and surgical treatments.

What’s the price difference between veterinary hospitals and veterinary clinics?

When it comes to the price points between a veterinary hospital and a veterinary clinic, it tends to differ from practice to practice. Each veterinary hospital and clinical practice has the ability to set their own prices, and thus there is no set price range for each facility type.

However, as a rule of thumb, veterinary hospitals are usually more expensive than veterinary clinics by a significant percentage. This is usually because veterinary hospitals claim to be more equipped to deal with all manner of medical issues, whereas veterinary clinics may not always offer the same level of care.

That being said, more often than not, veterinary clinics actually offer the same level of care, without the high price tag, making them a better option for pet care. It’s also worth noting that a lot of animal hospitals are emergency only facilities, which means that they operate under higher rates, as their appointments are reserved for “emergencies only”.

When it comes to selecting the best care for your pet, it’s often about making a choice in regards to which facility type is best for your specific circumstances and budget. So it’s a good idea to take the time to think through your requirements and your budget, before making a choice regarding your pet’s care and what the best option is for them.