Lifetime of Care: Empowering Pet Health Through Every Stage

Pet owners often take a reactive approach to their pet’s health, focusing on the here and now, whereas a lifetime of veterinary care is proactive and founded on being prepared for the health and well-being of their animal through every stage of life. The concept is closely intertwined with spectrum of care, which emphasizes personalized veterinary treatment recommendations based on the individual goals and values of the pet parent vs. practicing “the gold standard” that is built on one definition of best-in-class care.

A lifetime of veterinary care requires veterinary teams and clients to commit and collaborate to achieve optimal health outcomes. In this article, we discuss care over a lifetime, how cost impacts care decisions, client communication strategies and the importance of offering financing solutions that help make lifetime care achievable.

Defining Lifetime of Veterinary Care

According to the Synchrony Lifetime of Care study, seven out of 10 pet owners view pets as family members or children, making our furry pals more important to the family structure than ever before.¹ Lifetime veterinary care recognizes the increasingly meaningful roles of pets in our lives, encourages holistic care through all life stages and provides the resources and education necessary to help achieve better health outcomes.

From first years to end of life

Veterinarians have the privilege of caring for patients from their earliest days to their final ones, providing all types of care to the pet — something few other health professions routinely experience. The underlying principle behind a Lifetime of Care is emphasizing how veterinarians can support pets throughout all life stages, from their first days to their last.

“We have a moral obligation to support our patients as they change over the arc of their lives and to enhance, lengthen and strengthen the precious family-pet relationship,” said Robin Downing, MS, DAAPM, DACVSMR, CVPP, CCRP, during a panel discussion outlined in Providing Care for a Lifetime, published by the American Animal Hospital Association in conjunction with CareCredit.

Lifetime veterinary care also considers the spectrum of care, or the idea that there isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution to pet health needs. Pet owners have individual values and budgetary constraints that guide their treatment choices, which is why offering a range of treatment recommendations helps provide a Lifetime of Care.

“Not everybody needs to drive a BMW. All you need is transportation," said Mike Paul, D.V.M., private practitioner and a leader in nonprofit veterinary medicine in Anguilla, British West Indies. "Some people don’t want the BMW level of care. They want their pet to be an enjoyable part of the family."

What a Lifetime of Care Is Not

Understanding the Lifetime of Care concept also requires recognizing what the concept is not. According to experts, lifetime care is not:

• Based on snapshots. Pet owners tend to only see what’s right in front of them and to handle medical issues as they arise. Veterinarians committed to lifetime care who expand their clients’ perspectives can help them understand how today’s care affects the future.
• One size fits all. Gold-standard care isn’t feasible for every family. Veterinarians can aim to stay open-minded and educate clients on their options to help them make informed decisions that work best for their unique situations.
• A guilt trip. A pet family should never feel guilty about choosing an alternate treatment plan or medication. Veterinary clinic teams should advocate for pets but ultimately respect and support client decisions.

Cost as a Barrier to Lifetime of Care

Veterinary care costs can cause financial stress for pet owners. The Lifetime of Care study shows that most pet owners see their pets as family members and want to provide top-tier care, but many underestimate care costs and overestimate personal financial readiness for pet ownership.¹

Veterinary team members who understand how pet owners think about vet care and how finances may impact their medical decisions can help clients find solutions to manage these limitations.

Here are a few key findings from the study that highlight pet owners’ financial concerns:¹

• As many as 7 out of 10 pet owners consider their pets family, but nearly half underestimate the cost of pet ownership.
• An unexpected $250 bill is enough to make 25% of pet owners (1 in 4) worry about payment.
• Startup expenses — such as supplies, vaccines and spay or neuter surgery — mean pets can cost between $961 and $2,803 in the first year alone.
• The lifetime cost of care can range from $19,893 to $55,132 for dogs and from $15,055 to $45,790 for cats — about the same as the cost of a new vehicle or a down payment on a house.
• More than 50% of pet owners would use a pet-specific credit card to help pay for veterinary care.

Learn more: For a deeper look at the financial realities of pet ownership and tips to support clients, view our infographic on the cost of pet ownership.

Solutions to Manage Lifetime Veterinary Care Barriers

Financial constraints can make it difficult for doting pet owners to provide their pets with care. However, if proactively offered education and flexible payment options, they can be empowered to choose care based on their pet’s best interests without compromising their budget. Discussing financing options early in the relationship can help patients be prepared to manage expenses and provide consistent care throughout their pet’s Lifetime of Care.

Empowering pet owners with education

Ongoing pet owner education sets the stage for lifetime veterinary care. It may benefit clients to understand the care their pets need at various life stages and how those needs evolve with age. For example, you can share information and resources with pet owners such as these downloadable checkup checklists for cats and dogs and this senior pet tip sheet. Additionally, a big-picture understanding of the costs for preventive care veterinary services and other common health issues, such as arthritis or dental disease, can help pet owners plan for these future needs.

Dr. Downing illustrated this point with dental care. “We have an obligation to educate our clients about the fact that periodontal disease is going to happen, and we have ways of preventing it," she explained. "We have ways of postponing when that pet will need a professional cleaning and polishing, but they are going to need a professional cleaning and polishing at some point, and it will cost X."

Building stronger relationships

When the pet family-veterinarian bond is strong, the pet owner feels at ease discussing financial concerns and arriving at a plan that works for everyone.

“A Lifetime of Care is not only making medical recommendations but making it possible for people to accept them,” said Dr. Karen Felsted, DVM, MS, CPA, CVPM, CVA.  

Improving care acceptance with payment options

Engaging clients with a lifetime care plan may include offering a reasonable solution to financial hurdles. The CareCredit health and pet care credit card fits the bill, offering flexible financing solutions* to help address cost concerns and can help pet parents say yes to your recommended treatment.

The CareCredit card helps pet owners pay for a broad spectrum of care, including wellness exams, emergency care and specialist treatments. By spreading the cost over time, it can help better equip families to provide care without financial strain.

“If we want people to pay for a Lifetime of Care, we have to offer affordable options, which can mean different things in different communities. Strategic pricing and payment alternatives are essential,” said Dr. Felsted.

Learn more: Watch for additional details on overcoming financial barriers to care.

A Veterinary Financing Solution for Your Clinic

Looking for a way to help your clients manage the cost of care that is needed for their pets? Consider accepting the CareCredit health and pet care credit card. CareCredit is a flexible financing solution that allows cardholders to pay for veterinary services over time,* while you get paid within two business days.

When you accept CareCredit, you will receive a custom link that allows clients to see if they prequalify with no impact to their credit score. Those who apply, if approved, can take advantage of special financing on qualifying purchases.* The entire process is mobile-friendly, leaving you free to focus on providing the care pets need.

Learn more about the CareCredit credit card as a veterinary financing solution or start the provider enrollment process by filling out this form.

Author Bio

Elizabeth Kowalski, CVT, has more than 10 years of experience as a certified veterinary technician. She combines years of practical knowledge with a talent and passion for writing, creating content for pet owners and veterinary professionals.

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