Is PetSmart ripping us off?

Question

We have their "basic" plan which we pay $21.95/month for and it includes him gettin' fixed however last week we went for boosters, rabies, flea & tick medicine and heartworm medicine and walked out paying a wooping $87.

We bought 6 months for heartworm and 4 months flea & tick. The boosters and visit fee were incl. in our plan. I know coworkers that go to private vets and they pay less. I am in this darn plan for 1yr.

Answer 1

That depends entirely on your location and what exactly/how much you got. Veterinary costs vary from region to region depending on the cost of living and whether you live in a rural area (unlikely if you're going to Petsmart for vet care) or a suburban or urban area.

At my vet, there's a $40 office exam fee, plus $12 each for shots, $10-13 each for one dose of flea/tick medicine (depending on size of dog), and $4-7 each for one dose of heartworm preventative (again, depending on size of dog). So at my vet, you'ld be looking at $78-84 for an exam, two shots (rabies and DHLPP), and one dose each of flea/tick and heartworm preventative. So $87 sounds about right for my area and for the services you describe. If you get more than one dose of the preventative medications, then your bill will be higher. If you get more than two shots, the bill will be higher. I have no idea what this "plan" is or how it's supposed to benefit you as far as covering veterinary costs. But if it's anything like most health insurances (both human and animal) then you probably have to pay a certain amount of money before the "plan" kicks in and starts to cover costs.

Answer 2

You have to look at what the basic plan includes, definitely the neutering which would run you around $300 at PS (their rates are based on areas and states) then shots about $20 for a DHA2PP (this should be done at the breeders at 4, 6, 8, 12 wks then 16 wks at 6 mos then 1 yr of age) and probably that much for rabies (done between 3-6 mos. depending on vet). The plan includes general worming and fecal exams. It does not include heartworm med and that can run about $30-$50 or more depending on the size of dog and for how many months supply you bought but it does include a heartworm test ($20). Flea and tick med? or do you mean Frontline or Adavantage...they will run another $30-$50 or more. If it was medicine that different and wouldn't be included in the basic plan and price varies. The plan is 12 x 21.95=$263.40 thats not bad- it includes the neutering, shots and exams for a yr. AND MORE read what your plan includes...so NO they are not ripping you off

Answer 3

Find out what the 'basic' plan covers.

Normal cost on neutering is $90. Rabies shots are $10, the distemper booster is $15 and is usually a 3 year booster so only given once every three years (the rabies can be a 3 year as well, find out which was used). An exam is around $35.

Flea & tick treatments are a combined thing and run $10 (get this from a vet, not the pet supplies stores, those usually are expired or not properly mixed).

Your basic plan may only cover an exam and the neutering. You need to find out what they actually offered to you. It's up to you to call around and ask different vet offices what they charge, they'll all tell you right up front what their costs are. A lot of people price shop around to get the best bargain. I've seen neutering costs anywhere from $25 to $150 on a male cat, so there is a range out there. Ask about low cost care for people on a budget too, some places have a sliding scale for those who don't have a lot of cash.

Answer 4

What cost you so much was the cost of the heartworm medication NOT the rabies and boosters. They charge the same as any vet clinic for the heartworm/flea medication but do not charge a office visit fee. If its your pets first time on heartworm medication odds are they had to do the heart worm test on your pet. I take mine to petsmart for rabies only 10 dollars each dog no office visit and I order online with the RX my heartworm medications

Answer 5

I know vet care is expensive, but this sounds a little extreme to me. The thing I object to most with Petsmart is that they are part of the Banfield Corp. My vet says a quality vet who is truly concerned for animals would not work in a setting like that. They don't ever get to know any of the dogs or people personally. I do know that several years ago in the state where I live, there was a huge lawsuit because a lady had used Petsmart for her dog's shots and microchipping. The dog was removed from her yard and then abandoned by teenagers who thought it would be "funny". The poor dog wound up in a pound and was euthanized because the scanner at the pound could NOT read the Banfield microchip. When asked, Petsmart said that yes, they did use different microchips but would have made the scanner available.
If nothing else, I would make certain that your dog's microchip is scannable by ANY scanner.

Answer 6

do no longer MUZZLE YOUR canines in case you're away. it ought to reason a limit in respiration and dehydration. purchase toys like a Kong. make optimistic the treats you shove interior are super and caught. That'll save her busy for a collectively as. There are great video clips you are able to attempt if there's a television around which will save her interest - some are looped. There are deterant sprays inclusive of bitter apple you need to use. Use a new child gate. in case you have toys out, rotate them. placed some down, and each week or so placed down a sparkling set so she will have the means to no longer become bored of them. attempt getting her a uncooked disguise. do no longer permit her chew this continuosly - as quickly as each week or so - her stool could get delicate and eating to lots could make her ill yet from time to time won't harm her. She could be afflicted by seperation tension. Does she bark excessively once you go away? set up a recording gadget to make certain if she does. it would be as much as an hour or longer. attempt leaving on some song which you in many circumstances hear to, it ought to calm her. A better half (yet another canines or perchance a cat) ought to do her properly. Are you exercising consultation her adequate 30 min - one million hour an afternoon. That makes a great distinction. good success

Answer 7

depends..how much HW and flea medicine did you get?

average cost at vet:

$30-35 exam fee
shots.. around $15-30
rabies $5-15
flea and tick $10-15 per dose
HW preventative $3-10 per dose.

unless you bought several months worth of the HW and flea medicine, I think you are getting ripped off.

Answer 8

I don't think PetSmart is a bad store or anything - but their vet stuff is REALLY expensive. I would never take my dogs to their vets or buy any sort of medicines there.
You can definitely find a lot more reasonably priced veterinary services. Just shop around & find a vet whom you like & ask him for a price list.

Answer 9

That sounds expensive! My dog got the exact same thing about a month ago and we paid under $100 Canadian with no type of plan. You might want to look into it further!

Answer 10

they r rippin u off i got rip out of that same plan wen me dog had a bill of a whoppin $150 jus fer rabies n vaccine