Pet Owners: 8 Simple Steps to Save Money

With our economy headed towards a recession, families everywhere are figuring out where they can cut costs. It’s not long before they look to the family dog. Between food, treats, toys, medicines and vet visits, it’s not cheap to own a dog. However, the rewards we reap from the human-dog relationship far outweigh the costs. Here are some practical tips to reducing the amount of money you spend on your dog.

Step 1: If you’re still in the process of choosing a dog, get as much information about the dog as you can. Knowing his health history and hereditary factors will help prepare you for possible upcoming costs.

Step 2: Do your research on the breed type. Knowing what troubles plague your breed can help you make an informed decision about adoption. Keep in mind that puppies cost more than older dogs during their first year of life as they require several rounds of vaccinations.

Step 3: Shop around for a good veterinarian. Get references, check the fees for office visits, ask if the vet provides discounts for multiple dogs and whether or not he provides samples to his clients. If you’ve been a longtime client, ask if he provides discounts for loyal customers.

Step 4: Find clinics in your area. Oftentimes vets will offer clinics for vaccinations and flea meds at a reduced cost. (Schools in our area host these clinics and benefit from some of the proceeds.) If nothing else, compare the costs of flea meds online.

Step 5: Feed your pups a high quality dog food. Preventing health issues through good nutrition and plenty of exercise is in your best interest.

Step 6: Do your own grooming. Those weekly or monthly trips to the groomer add up and you can do just as good a job at home with some shampoo and clippers.

Step 7: Entertain your dogs with inexpensive toys such as tennis balls. You can even make your own tug-of-war toys by knotting ropes.

Step 8: Consider purchasing health insurance for your dog to protect against future costly veterinarian procedures. Shop the policies online and ask your veterinarian about policies they endorse or accept.

With these cost saving tips in effect, you can begin looking elsewhere to save money. If you get really creative, maybe you can even find ways for your dog to make your family money!

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