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Much like childcare, owning pets, whether a cat, dog, or small fish, will involve costs. A trip to the veterinarian is not cheap. Depending on the area of the country, they can be $200 or more. We love our pets, so we bite the bullet and pay for their care.
And the vet’s office doesn’t tell you how to save money. After all, they are a profit-making business. However, if you research it, there are some easy ways to save money on your next vet visit.
When we researched ways to save money, we found lots of ways to save money. We’ve listed 16 of them to help you care for the pets you love and not pay so much for the care.
Here are 16 clever ways we found to save money on pet care that your vet will not tell you.
Buy in Bulk
Pet food is one of the expenses you cannot skimp on, but you can save money in some ways, like buying in bulk. Just make sure that whatever food you’re buying in bulk is stored in a place that keeps the food fresh.
Some good places to buy pet food in bulk include PetSmart or PetWholesaleUSA.
Buy Second Hand
Accessories for dogs like leashes, harnesses, and jackets can add up quickly if you’re not careful. Consider buying second-hand supplies like beds, blankets, and toys for your fur babies.
Some good places to check include your local pawn stores or online stores like Facebook Marketplace and Gumtree. Your pet will be just as happy with second-hand as with new.
Don’t Skip Preventative Care
Don’t skimp on preventive care to save a couple of bucks. You may have to pay more if your pet suddenly develops a problem due to a lack of preventive care.
This could include regular vaccinations and healthcare checks. Even ear cleaning for dogs with narrow ear canals can prevent yeast infections.
DIY Toys
According to MarketWatch, the average cost of dog toys sets owners back between $10 and $330 per year, let alone other things like care and food. Instead of buying overpriced pet toys, you can make your own at half the price.
Do you have old socks or fabric you no longer use? Cut them into strips and braid them into a fun tug-o-war toy for your canine friend.
Pet Insurance
While it may seem tempting to skip out on pet insurance to save money, this is a bad idea. Why? You may save money monthly, but what happens if your pet suddenly needs medical care or a procedure, and now you have to pay for it out of pocket?
The average cost of pet insurance in the U.S. ranges from $720 per year for dogs to $384 per year for cats.
Groom Your Own Pets
Whether you have a dog, cat, or fluffy guinea pig, being a responsible pet owner means regularly grooming them. While grooming parlors or services can be more convenient, they cost more.
If you are able, consider grooming your pets at home. This includes washing, brushing, and clipping nails.
Look for Coupons
Coupons can save you money not only on monthly grocery bills but also on your pet care budget. Look for coupons for pet food or accessories from all your favorite stores.
For example, stores like Costco offer its members a variety of vouchers and discounts that can be used to purchase pet food.
Buy Generic
Regarding pet food and accessories, buy generic products instead of name brands. Who are you trying to impress? Your pet won’t be able to tell the difference between the brands. You can even shop for generics when purchasing medication for your pet, as long as the ingredients are the same.
Trade Services
One great way to save money on professional pet services is to barter services between friends and family. If you need a dog walker, why not ask your friend to do it in exchange for doing something they need help with, whether it’s helping clean the yard or moving furniture?
DIY Treats
Pet treats are known to be costly, but you pay for them anyway because your pets enjoy them. Did you know that there are plenty of cost-effective pet treats you can make from home?
For example, pet treats, including dog biscuits, can be made from bananas, peanut butter, oats, or frozen treats for your canine friends.
Prepare Homemade Food
Instead of buying pet food from a store that is filled with fillers and chemicals, you can make your own pet food at home that is healthy and cheaper. This is particularly good for pets with allergies, as vet-prescribed food is often costly.
For example, cat food can be made from a source of protein like chicken with added vegetables like pumpkin for vitamins.
Shop around for Medications
According to PetMeds, pet owners spend an average of over $3 billion a year, and dog owners spend at least $200 a year on vet costs, let alone the medication prescribed.
Before spending money on medicine, shop around to see where you can find it at a more affordable price.
Adopt, Don’t Shop
Pet adoption statistics in the U.S. this year are scary. According to Forbes, around 6.3 million animals enter shelters, but only two-thirds are adopted, about 4.1 million. If you want a new pet, consider adopting it rather than shopping.
Adopting is cheaper, and you’re giving a stray, neglected, or mistreated animal a new forever home.
Spay Your Pets
With such high numbers of animals entering shelters, all responsible pet owners who do not want or cannot fund multiple babies, like puppies, should have their animals spayed or neutered.
Baby animals like puppies are expensive as they need their vaccinations and can only eat specific food for puppies.
Brush Your Dog’s Teeth
Like dental work in humans, dental care for dogs is also a costly experience, especially if you don’t have pet insurance. Prevent expensive dental work by regularly brushing your dog’s teeth using toothpaste designed for canines.
If you’re battling to brush your dog’s teeth, hard chews made with mint can help clean their teeth without a brush.
Skip Pet Sitters
If leaving your pet alone while you’re out for extended periods, like going on holiday, is not financially possible, why not get one of your friends and family to pet sit for you in exchange for a home-cooked meal or a favor when they need it?
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