Whether it's a loyal dog, a curious cat, or a playful hamster, owning a pet is one of life's greatest pleasures. These beloved furballs can teach us about companionship, loyalty, and love where they happily greet us at the door after a long work day. They also bring us joy with their silly antics and cuddly moments.
Therefore, you may feel tempted to splurge your hard-earned money on high-end pet supplies to make them feel special. After all, many people consider their pets their children. While doing this may seem tempting, owning a furbaby can be expensive. The typical annual cost of dog ownership ranges from $14,480 to $93,520, and the average yearly cost of cat ownership is about $634.
This case may be daunting for fur parents on a tight budget. Fortunately, there are different ways to save money as a pet owner. If you're ready to care for your pet without breaking the bank, this article will enumerate eight ways to save on pet expenses.
1. Buy Pet Insurance
Nobody wants to see their furbaby in pain due to accidents, injury, or illness. It can also be more stressful with the expensive veterinary bills. Therefore, you should purchase pet insurance to ensure they get the best medical care during unfortunate events.
While pet insurance typically costs between $30 to $50 monthly, it can vary depending on age, species, and breed. You could also find plans for as low as $10 or higher than $100 per month. Either way, you should select the right policy to save money in the long run.
Also, vets recommend getting insurance when your pet is young and healthy to maximize savings and ensure coverage for breed-specific diseases. Waiting until after a diagnosis may disqualify your furbaby from insurance coverage.
2. Shop Around for Medication Prices
Like medications for humans, prescription medicine can be as costly. Fortunately, intelligent pet owners can lower the expense of this essential pet supply.
You can inquire with your veterinarian about generic alternatives to the prescribed medication. You can request a prescription and compare prices from various pharmacies if a generic option is unavailable. Many pharmacies offer pet programs to assist with reducing medication costs. Additionally, you can utilize GoodRx coupons to obtain discounts on pet prescriptions.
3. Buy Pet Supplies at Discount Stores
Regardless of what furbaby you own at home or in your apartment, becoming a responsible pet owner means purchasing the right supplies for your little furball. However, buying them can be costly.
Fortunately, you can help your furbabies live happily and healthily without breaking the bank by shopping from discount department store chains like HomeGoods and Marshalls. These shops offer a variety of pet items at significantly reduced prices, often up to 60 percent off, as they receive brand-new products when there's excess stock. That way, you can find beds, bowls, toys, leashes, and crates, at a fraction of the cost.
4. Purchase Generic-Brand Pet Food
You don't have to spend much money to feed your pets high-quality food. Many expensive food companies also offer a generic brand that's just as healthy but less expensive. When shopping for cheaper food, ensure that meat is the first ingredient and avoid meat by-products and corn.
Corn and other filler ingredients are low-quality and provide little nutrition for pets. Grain-free food with sweet potatoes and meat is a good alternative. Cats should avoid seafood-based foods as the primary protein source due to potential nutrient deficiencies and allergies. Also, fish have higher toxin levels.
5. Sign Up for a Veterinary Discount Plan
If you can't afford pet insurance or assume it's not worth the cost, you can invest in a veterinary discount plan. These plans, like PetAssure, offer members a 25 percent discount on veterinary bills in exchange for a monthly fee of $7.95.
While it's like the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) for pet care, note that not all veterinary clinics accept these discount plans. You can find participating vets in your area by visiting the PetAssure website and entering your zip code.
6. Never Neglect Preventative Care
While other fur parents may consider preventative care unnecessary, vets argue it can save you in the long run. When you regularly visit your vet and stay on top of treatments for heartworm, fleas, and ticks, you can avoid expensive vet bills associated with parasite-related issues. You should also get regular blood work and dental care for pets to prevent future health issues and save money in the long term.
Moreover, immediately bring your pet to the vet when any health issues arise to prevent further complications and expenses.
7. Don't Buy Commercially Made Cat Beds
Cat beds are essential supplies that provide your feline friend with a comfortable place to lounge or sleep. While splurging on them may be tempting, you could waste a lot of money since your pet doesn't differentiate between a fancy bed and a simple pillow or box.
Therefore, as a financially responsible pet owner, you can save money by skipping the expensive pet beds and letting your cat find comfort in everyday items. You should also avoid spending on mass-produced pet toys to save money. Remember that cats can find entertainment in simple objects like tin foil balls, plastic tabs from milk jugs, or even a ping pong ball that is easy to bounce and can quickly move away with a gentle swipe, making it an excellent toy for cats.
8. Groom Your Furbabies at Home
Professional grooming can be expensive, depending on where you live and your pet. The average cost for dog grooming is between $80 to $100, while cat grooming ranges from $30 to $70, and these expenses can add up over a year. You can save money and reduce stress for your pet by considering grooming your pet at home and getting your pet accustomed to DIY nail trims and ear cleanings.
However, grooming your dogs or cats can be manageable or challenging, depending on the person and the pet. You can make it easier by starting these sessions when they're young and using good tools. You can also turn to YouTube grooming videos for help.
Conclusion
Being a responsible fur parent means giving our furry friends the needed pet supplies and care to help them thrive. However, this responsibility can be challenging, especially for owners with limited budgets. You can raise a happy and healthy furbaby without breaking the bank by investing in proactive medical care, learning to groom them at home, and being wise with the brands you purchase.
If you're looking for affordable pet supplies near Ann Arbor, visit Wags to Wiskers! We founded our community-based store in 2002, focusing on selling natural and holistic pet foods. Place your order through email now!