[Aleksandra]

I’m looking for practical tips and advice on saving money while still providing the best care for my pets.

Whether it’s about affordable pet food, grooming, health care, or fun DIY ideas, I’d love to hear your suggestions.

How do you manage to cut costs without compromising your pet’s well-being?

[Sonia]

Be preventative. Fix them right way if they are not. That is the MOST IMPORTANT!

Also make sure to keep them vetted.

[Sasha]

I buy my pets food in bulk at the farm shops, it’s a lot cheaper that way. And have an emergency savings for any vet issues.

My cat toys are all handmade by myself.

They just love a cardboard box, shoe string and paper scrunched up.

I grow cat nip in the garden and dry it myself, all the little things add up … oh and pets at home do a repeat order which gives you so much off, if you have the VIP card from them they will constantly give you offers around the pet type you have.

[Sparkle]

I agree not to even have them. However, if you are a pet lover, see about foster options that pay all expenses or volunteer at a shelter.

You have to be strong though – don’t adopt and bring them all home.

[Sherri]

One way I save is learning how to trim hair and nails.
Another way is to get maintenance shots(rabies, distemper) at a clinic rather than vets office.

Diet is another way to save. Feed well and feed the right way.

Overweight pets have a lot of health issues. Our one cat had UTI quite regularly until we switched him to a food that was geared towards preventing UTI’s.

This was a definite savings.

Upkeep on your pets is a must. Brush them, keep them clean, and keep them safe.

You’d be surprised at how many “accidents” are preventable just by being attentive.

[Heather]

I have 2 cats – one has a sensitive stomach so needs gastrointestinal food, the other was diagnosed recently with an autoimmune disease affecting her skin and needs medicine for it every day now.

I got them 1-2 years old as rescues (both had families I think). They both had a broken tooth and other dental issues and needed cleanings and extractions done after we got them.

We didn’t know until we brought them to the vet for a checkup.

Pet health care is private health care, so seems very expensive to people who are used to using a mostly public system with OHIP and work insurance to cover many things.

I think that if people are not able or willing to pay for a pets health care needs, it’s best to consider not having one.

[Versie]

Our 14 year old little dog died October 2. I miss him terribly. I’ve noticed we are saving between $35 and $50 a month just on food, treats and shampoo for a ten pound dog.

He was our last pet.

We are at the age where a pet would have to go in our will.

[Lynn]

For my dog, I buy frozen bags of vegetables to add to her wet food. Steam them. She loves green beans and it stretches a can of food out longer.

Make sure you are brushing your dogs teeth to keep them healthy. Dental cleaning is expensive.

They don’t need lots of “treats”. I keep a bowl of her dry food on the counter and give her a few bits as a treat. She is perfectly happy with what she gets.

If you have a cat, they don’t need store bought toys. Mine are happy with a box, paper bag, ring off milk jugs.

Put a small amount in a separate account for unexpected medical issues.

Cats are prone to get UTI’s and respiratory issues. Stay current on vaccinations and preventative meds.

[Mac]

They will live a longer healthier life on a whole fresh food diet, avoiding highly processed dog kibble.

Just as highly processed “food like” items are not healthy for humans, it’s worse for dogs who can eat solely processed food and treats their whole life.

The book “The Forever Dog” by holistic veterinarian Dr Karen Becker explains how we can do better with many ideas and options for every budget.

[Jaide]

Do your research on breeds beforehand. For example, I would never get a dachshund because of back problems (even though they’re absolutely adorable)

I’d recommend a cat over a dog, they’re typically more hardy in my opinion and need less (including less amounts of food than large dogs).

The larger the animal the more it eats obviously.

Pet insurance can help in case something happens that’s unexpected. Also take into consideration how often you go out of town.

We’re going on a trip soon and it’s going to cost us $300 for a pet sitter, so keep costs like that in mind as well.

[Courtney]

It’s not always possible. My one dog has cost us thousands in surgeries for random incidents and things since he was little.

Now he’s almost 11 and most likely needs a surgery on his eye

[Nova]

I mean sometimes it’s unavoidable. If you aren’t prepared to spend money for emergencies and proper preventive care for them it’s probably best not to get them.

[Trisha]

I’d suggest shopping dollar tree for toys, bowls, leashes, etc. Whenever I’m at a pet store I search the items on Google as most price match, check petco or tractor supply for vaccine clinics for routine vaccines.

[Jeanine]

If you don’t have a couple thousands dollars a years to support a pet, please do not get one.

As others have said, like any other family member, they are an expense.

[Bri]

I got pet insurance on all three animals. My dog had enough issues as a puppy that it paid for itself that first year.

I’ll also only pay 10% of the cost for any stomach or skin issue for the rest of her life. (Trupanion)

I have my animals on good food, manage their weight, and keep them up to date on vaccines.

[Heather]

I buy 48# purina dog food from Sam’s for under $30. Beef variety because it’s easier on sensitive stomachs than chicken which is often grain fed and causes allergies to flair up.

Grab a rotisserie chicken for $5. Eat the chicken and use the leftovers and bones to make approximately 4 quarts of broth to pour over dry dog food to make it stretch and to add protein, nutrients and pure enjoyment to their meals.

[Kelly]

After my pets are gone I will only foster dogs/cats. (I do foster with my pets now) Benefits: 1. I can go on vacation w/o worrying about pet care

2. vet bills are paid

3. I’m saving lives/helping shelters

4. I still get the benefit of having pets w/o the financial responsibility. Its a win/win.

[Heather]

As an owner of 4 cats, 2 doxies…going on 3… they are cheaper then kids. Research you’re breed choice and there are many ways to be cost effective.

[Jenny]

I have an almost 12 year old little dorgi named Finn. I love him dearly, but he is expensive. Every month, I budget for his heartworm preventative medicine as well as his senior canned food.

I’ve found that both are cheaper when I order them via chewy. As for his vaccines, I plan to take him to the humane society when they are due.

I estimate they’ll charge around $100. The veterinarians where I live are insanely expensive, and I’m planning to use my tax refund to pay for his annual appointment.

I also plan to decline labs because they were normal when they checked them at his last appointment.

[Angela]

If your pets medication can be picked up at a human pharmacy, call and check the price. Sometimes the meds can be more cost effective there. Some pharmacies will allow you to use GoodRX as well.

Online pharmacies you need to be more careful with. Some of them get products from outside of the us and are not always the same.

In fact, there have been many cases of counterfeit meds with online pharmacies so be careful with those.

One last thing to consider – if you do get your medications from your veterinary office, you are reinvesting in that hospital, the team and the bonded relationship between doctor and client.

[Patti]

Take good care of their health. Have little issues looked at before they become bigger and more expensive issues. Take good care of their teeth. Bad teeth can lead to other issues.

Cheaper for teeth upkeep (brushing, greenies), rather than expensive dental fixing.

Learn to cut their fur yourself.

Feed them good food and if you see people sneaking them junk to eat, tell them NO! Enforce it!

[Author]

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