Tips for Saving Money on Pet Care

by Aimee Amodio | More from this Blogger

23 Apr 2008 06:18 PM

A recent trip to Costco had me taking a good look at how much I spend on my pets compared to how much I spend on myself. I do tend to be more frugal for my own stuff, mostly because I can't explain WHY to my pets. They don't know high gas prices or cost of living -- they just know it's time for a treat.

Owning pets doesn't have to break the bank. Here are some tips to help you cut down on your pet spending (without denying your four-legged family members).

• Shop around for medical procedures. If your pet needs surgery, you might find a better price farther from a metropolitan area. Talk to your shelter, rescue, trainer, or breed organization -- they may be able to suggest a more affordable vet. Don't rule out veterinary colleges, either.
• Preventative care can save you lots of money in the long run. Annual exams, vaccinations, and parasite preventative can prevent you from shelling out big bucks for treating a preventable health issue.
• Rotate your toys. Don't have all the toys out all the time -- pick a few for your pets and hide the rest. Every few weeks, you can put out a "new" set of toys for your pet to play with.
• Try making your own biscuits. Crunchy treats are relatively easy to make! If you come up with a good recipe, please share it with me.
• Do your own grooming -- or take your pet to a do-it-yourself place. You can save lots of money doing the basics like bathing, brushing, and toenail trims. Mat removal or summer shaves may require an expert's hand.
• Take good care of those choppers. Dental problems are very common in pets! Offering crunchy treats and doing some at-home dental care can help prevent expensive dental issues.
• Buy things like kitty litter and kibble in bulk. I got forty pounds of kibble at Costco for about $20 -- which is what I normally pay for twenty pounds of dry food at Target or Wal-Mart. Twice as much for the same price sounds like a great deal to me!

Learn more about Aimee Amodio

Aimee is a fiction writer... dog lover... music lover...

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Courtney Mroch (9169) 23 Apr 2008 09:30 PM

Excellent article, Aimee!

davem (25) 25 May 2009 12:57 PM

I agree, in this time of financial struggles, we need to save anywhere we can. I personally shop at online pet-stores and keep an eye out for deals that are worthwhile. For example i needed to buy Flea and tick meds for both my Retriever and my kitten. Comparing prices, www.entirelypets.com came out the winner. Also when i did call in, i gave them the coupons that i recieved from their newsletter, and ended up saving $26.59 on my order! i can take coupons & free shipping anyday!

http://www.entirelypets.com/12monfronplu.html