Why January Is the Worst Month for Unexpected Vet Bills

By: Sheila Zapata, Social Media Intern, and Deniza Marcinkevica, Manager Business Development, Skytails.com

In December, stores advertise their sales to encourage people to shop more for their friends and families, and when January rolls around, people realize that their bank accounts are lower than they were before. It would take someone weeks or months to rack up their savings back to where they were before the holidays, but what happens if your pet needs to go to the vet?

It is very common for pets to get sick during the holidays. There are many decorations that are not safe for pets to be around, such as candles, tinsel, and ornaments. There are also unsafe foods that get cooked for guests that pets can accidentally consume, such as chocolate or fatty foods, and added stress from loud and crowded parties. It might not show up immediately, but over time, your pets could get sick or have a sudden mood change as weeks pass.

The sudden cold weather could also play a factor in your pet's sickness. If you live in locations with a yearly cold climate, your pet’s respiratory system could be at risk if they are not bundled up correctly during walks or if there isn’t good heating installation in your home. Dogs have a higher risk of respiratory infections, while older pets could have arthritis flare-ups if their joints aren’t properly warmed or if movement isn’t implemented daily. If your pets have any already existing conditions, the weather could make them worse, which could lead to emergency vet visits. There is also the probability that owners might have procrastinated vet visits during the holidays because of busy schedules or financial stress, which, by January, could become a much bigger issue than it was a few weeks ago. 

Some insects that worry about would be fleas and heartworm that can survive cold climate conditions, and prevention for these insects would be skipped due to scheduling. If owners wait to visit the vet, the cost for it would increase drastically. Vets get bombarded with visits in January to the point where after-hours care would be necessary. With multiple diagnostics and emergency fees, the bill for treatments can pile up and reach the hundreds and even thousands.

Conclusion: In short, January is not the best time for your pet to get sick. During December, your pet is at high risk of getting injured or sick because of dangerous decor and unsafe foods. The weather is also against you, as your pet’s respiratory system could be in danger, and insects, such as fleas and heartworm, could survive this climate. With the busy schedule of the holidays, owners can be caught procrastinating, taking their pets to the vet and this could result in minor injuries becoming bigger ones that become more expensive at the same time. 

SkyTails Connection: SkyTails cares about you and your pets. We want you to have full confidence that you can bring your pet to the vet and not worry about them and the bill that follows their treatment. You should not worry about whether to worry if your pet is okay and if you can afford to make them okay, so we are here to help. 

#SkyTails #pethealth #vet #petcare #savings