There are many ways to save money as a pet owner. The first among them would be through sales and coupons. There is a lot of money to be saved. All you have to do is keep an eye out for the offers provided by the local pet supply manufacturers and stores.
A prominent example of a product where you can get a coupon or sale is cat litter. You can easily stock up on these items since they are non-perishable. You can be sure you have enough of such products till the next coupon or sale comes.
Money Saving Tips for Pet Parents
#1 Saving money on pet toys
Toys for cats and dogs can be rather expensive, especially when your babies are experts at destroying or de-stuffing such items. The first way you can save money is by purchasing toys that they cannot destroy. You can make your pet toys by spending virtually no money at all.
For example, you can make toys from your old socks. They would be beneficial for your cat as well. However, you would have to choose baby socks. You can check the dollar store in your neighborhood and see if you can find some cheap toys, either new or used barely.
#2 Saving money on pet beds
You can be sure that both cats and dogs appreciate comfortable pet beds. The comfier it is, the better it is for them. Older pets like a soft surface that lets them nap in peace. You can always shop for these on the internet, where you are sure to come across some great deals and sales.
However, you can save money by repurposing some of the products that you use at home. It can be beneficial when you have a big dog. For example, you can fold a full-size futon in thirds or half and let them sleep on it.
#3 Saving money by neutering or spaying your pet
If your pets are in good health, they experience fewer problems with their health. It means that their doctor bills would be lower as well.
They would have a lower propensity to bite, which means that you would have a higher chance of avoiding lawsuits that can prove to be costly. 80% of the cases where a dog bites a human, it is an intact male dog.
#4 Not breeding pets
These days there is less chance you would breed your dog or cat. It is true when you give the mother and her babies proper care such as extra food, deworming, vaccinations, and checkups that they need throughout the pregnancy period and in the first eight weeks of their lives. It would involve expenses.
Then there is a chance that your cat or dog could experience a complication during the pregnancy. It would increase the costs, and even if you sell the puppies or kittens, you may not recuperate the amount spent.
#5 Going for low-cost vet days
There may be certain days when your vet offers treatments, checkups, and procedures at low costs. All you have to do is ask your vet when these offers go down. Never compromise on the veterinary care of your dog or cat that can cost you a lot of money in the long run.
With this particular trip, you can save money on areas such as microchips and vaccines. As a responsible pet owner, you must provide these to your pet. Some doctors could offer discounts if you get multiple pets treated by them.
#6 Keeping them contained safely
If your cat goes outside, there is a possibility that they would get exposed to injuries and illnesses that could prove costly to get better from.
The same can happen to your dog if they run around in areas without any fences or such boundaries. Therefore, you need to keep them safe to help you save a lot of money in the bargain.
#7 Giving them high-quality pet food
In the initial stages, you would be able to save money with cheap pet food, but if you feed them high-quality pet food, they would be a lot healthier for sure. When they are healthier, it means lower vet bills for you.
If you did the math, you would see serving high-quality pet food costs more. You can save money compared to the low-quality pet food that costs less. It also helps that the expensive food is so much more nutritious.
#8 Getting the proper medical care
You may be thinking that since your baby looks healthy, there is no need to take it to visit a pet once or twice a year. You may not know there are plenty of issues a cat or dog suffers from that takes a lot of time to manifest.
If you can nip them in the bud, it can help save a lot of money later on and possibly when you get them checked by a vet regularly.
#9 Getting them insured
Here you would have to perform some calculations. A lot would depend on the policy you have chosen and if it would include your furbaby in the policy or not.
However, there is nothing to deny that this decision is as sound as any. It is just like having life and health insurance for yourself or insuring your home and car.
It is especially true when your pet is a purebred one. It is applicable when you take them outside regularly. The right insurance policy will help you save on medical costs spent on treatments of illnesses and accidents.