Flea and worm tablets - buying them as we go vs Vets4Pets plan?

[MrsBrill]

I've got a 5 month old rescue (pic posted previously, I know the rules ) who came to us with one spare tube of Advantage which we applied about a month ago. His next one is due very soon and he'll need his worm treatment in a couple of months (he was previously given Drontal).

Vets4Pets have a plan where you get the worm and flea treatments plus checkups (I think) and booster shots. It's about £10 a month. Is this a good deal? Or am I better off buying the treatments separately (and if so - where do you get yours?)?

I don't have pet insurance yet (will do soon as he's starting to go out a bit more) but are boosters and check ups likely to be included in that?

Boosters and checkups aren't included in insurance, same way as servicing/MoT/new tyres aren't on car insurance. For that matter, many insurers don't cover dental either.

Can't comment on the cost basis as mine are indoors only so only get an annual flea/worm treatment (Advocate) just in case at cat MoT time. But I would check which products are in use by your vet (they should have the local knowledge of which do/don't work in your area) and compare that to buying the same product on line. Also bear in mind that some of the better products will need a vet prescription to purchase on line, which the vet will charge for.

No, insurance doesn't include boosters and check ups, it covers accidents and injuries. I have insurance plus a vet plan for my 2 cats

I have outdoor cats and get monthly flea treatment (stronghold plus) and a worm treatment every 6 months (profender). They are both spot on treatments

We cancelled the vet plan as it didn't include the products we wanted for Harry so we just pay as we go. If he could have had the treatments we wanted I would have kept the plan but I wasn't happy about changing to different treatment.

Thanks all. It sounds like the vet plan is definitely worth doing, then.

I do it for my two. Even though I'm
A bit lax on flea and worm treating them as they are indoor cats. I share the flea treatments with a friends cats. They will provide the worker I prefer but they have to order it in specially.

I love my pet plan its £12 each.

I don't flea treat in the winter - we only ever get fleas during the spring and summer - so it wouldn't be worth it for me.

The healthcare plan offered by most vets is just a way of spreading the cost of all the routine stuff. They're usually value for money imo and as well as including flea/worm treatment and vaccinations they usually also offer between 10&30% off consultations/medicines and surgery, particularly neutering so definitely worth it for the first year at least. Insurance is entirely separate and nothing to do with your vet. You pick your insurer and the level of cover you want. Some vets will happily claim direct over a certain amount but only with particular insurance companies so worth asking about that. Don't delay though, I've seen lots of housebound pups and kittens rack up huge bills. They don't need to be outside to have an accident or succumb to illness.

You can calculate if it works out cheaper at your vet's - ask how much monthly flea and worming treatments are there, plus the cost of a routine consultation once or twice a year, and then see how it compares.

And do get insurance as soon as possible - any pre-existing conditions are excluded so it's best to get it on day one of having your cat to start from a clean slate as it were.

Deffo. I have it for my two and it includes the annual jabs, which for two cats gets expensive

20 per month for me is a total bargain.