The love and companionship of our pets is priceless, but taking care of them definitely has its costs! Between food, grooming, visits to the vet, and more, the costs of caring for a pet can add up.
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And since we could all stand to save a bit of money where we can, today I wanted to share some easy ways to save money on pet-related expenses. But more importantly, I wanted to share money-saving tips that don’t cut corners when it comes to your pet’s health and wellness.
Because saving money and taking great care of your pet shouldn’t have to be mutually exclusive! :-)
11 Ways To Save Money On Pet Expenses
1. Adopt, Don’t Shop
Buying a pure bred pet from a breeder can cost thousands of dollars. Consider adopting a pet from a shelter or rescue instead, which will not only be cheaper, but will also save an animal’s life!
Even if you have your heart set on one particular breed, you can still find ways to adopt or rescue one. All sorts of breeds end up in shelters, and you can even find rescues that work exclusively with one breed.
2. Spay/Neuter At A Humane Society
Getting your pet spayed or neutered can be a big expense. Getting it done at a local humane society instead of at the vet can save you quite a bit of money!
To find a low-cost spay/neuter program near you, use ASPCA’s locator tool.
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3. Use Price Matching
Use price matching to make sure you’re getting the best price on your pet supplies. Both PetSmart and Petco offer price-match guarantees!
Check prices at both stores, as well as at online pet supply stores like Wag.com and Chewy.com to make sure you’re paying the lowest price possible.
4. Exercise Your Pet
Pets that don’t get enough exercise can turn into troublemakers, or even become downright destructive! Replacing chewed up furniture is a massive expense, and you can avoid it by making sure your pet has a healthy outlet for all their energy!
Make sure to take your dog on regular walks, and be sure to give cats proper exercise too. Some cats love dangly toys, others love chasing laser pointers, and others prefer climbing. Try out a few things to find the best way to keep your dog or cat active!
5. Try A Subscription Service
As long as you buy the same products for your pet on a semi-regular basis, signing up for a subscription service is an easy way to save money. Here are a few popular pet supply subscription services and their features:
- Amazon – Save 5% through Subscribe & Save, and up to 15% off when you order 5 or more products in a given month to a single address.
- PetSmart – Save 5% on every autoship order, plus free shipping on orders over $49.
- Petco – Save 30% on your first Repeat Delivery order, plus free shipping on orders over $49.
- Chewy – Save 30% on your first autoship order, and get 5-10% off select brands in future orders.
6. Join A Rewards Program
Many brick-and-mortar and online pet supply stores offer rewards programs for their customers. Make sure to take advantage of these to save yourself some extra money!
- PetSmart treats – Earn points with every purchase and redeem them for discounts on products and pet services.
- Petco Pals Rewards – Earn rewards points and redeem them for cash rewards, and receive free shipping on repeat delivery orders.
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7. Groom At Home
On average, taking your dog to a groomer costs somewhere between $45-70. If you get your dog groomed every 6 weeks, that can add up to $400-600 a year!
Grooming your dog at home some or all of the time can be a big money saver. Invest in a few basic grooming supplies and watch some dog grooming tutorials on Youtube to learn how its done!
8. Save On Treats
Fancy dog treats are often expensive too. You can save money by supplementing those treats with treat-sized pieces of dog-safe human foods! Here are some healthy options you can try out:
- Sweet potatoes
- Ice cubes
- Baby carrots
- Watermelon
- Blueberries
- Green beans
- Homemade dog treats
9. Buy Cheaper Bags
When it comes to picking up dog poop, any ol’ bag will do. Since many dog owners have to buy poop bags frequently, make sure you’re getting a good deal on them!
You can often pick them up at dollar stores, or you can get a good deal by buying them in bulk online.
10. Keep Up On Vaccinations
It’s much cheaper to stay current on your pet’s vaccinations than it is to pay to fix expensive health issues down the road! You can even order certain pet medicines and vaccines online and administer them yourself at home to save even more money.
11. Brush Your Pet’s Teeth
Did you know that most dogs over the age of three show some signs of gum disease? Gum disease is not only painful for pets, but it can also lead to or worsen other health issues down the line.
Keep your pet’s teeth clean by brushing them with the proper tools and pet-specific toothpaste. You can also ask your vet to include a dental exam and cleaning as part of your pet’s yearly exam.
Tell me about your furry friends in the comments below!
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