Pets are a wonderful addition to a family, but with them comes expected costs: Veterinary care, pet food, grooming and more. Combined with a tough economy, its no wonder pet owners are looking for ways to save on pet care. Adopting is one way to save from the start, as the costs is far less than purchasing from a breeder, and the fees usually include vital vaccines and spay/neuter. Make exploring your local shelter or rescue group your first stop when searching for your next pet. Here are a few tips to help you make the most of your money while providing your pet the care they deserve.
Food- Unfortunately, pet food costs have gone up, like many other items. One idea is to buy food in bulk. Although you may pay more upfront, you can save by purchasing in larger quantities. Price shop through online sites like Amazon or Chewy to compare prices and take advantage of discounts. Online stores can be significantly less than retail stores, and you may even qualify for free shipping. C.A.R.E. and other local shelters also provide a food pantry service to serve the community, made possible through generous donations. This can be a great help vs letting a pet go hungry. You can also incorporate natural food to help cut costs. For example, try a raw egg on top of your pet’s food, instead of canned food, to get their appetite going. You can use your own food processor to blend appropriate proteins, fruit and vegetables, and rice. Be aware that there are some items pets should not consume, so research these or check with your veterinarian first.
Veterinary Care- Vaccines and Spay/Neuter services are a must. They can help keep our pet population under control and healthy. Fortunately, you can take advantage of low-cost vaccine and spay/neuter offered at Claws and Paws 4 a Cause http://clawsandpaws4acause.com. You can also utilize The Spay Neuter Project serving Jefferson County: http://wwwproject.org/ Donations are always needed to keep these vital programs running. In our area, dealing with pests and parasites is a year-round battle. Even though keeping your pet on flea/tick and heartworm preventatives come with a cost, it’s far less to keep them on this, than to pay later in treating heartworm, skin conditions, and tick-born illnesses later. Shop around, ask about generic options, and buy in bulk can be more cost-effective than purchasing a single dose. You can also opt for filling prescriptions online, which can offer savings over the convenience of filling prescriptions at the clinic itself.
Grooming- Our pets look, smell, and feel much better with regular grooming. This is one area you can save on if you are willing and able to put on the gloves to give your pet a DIY spa day. If trimming the nails is out of the question, your vet or groomer can trim them for a nominal amount. There are numerous videos available on how to properly groom your specific breed.
Toys and Bedding- Explore your local thrift and discount stores for pet supplies. Ceramic pet bowls are cute, but for the price, you can find some quality dishware at your local thrift store that will serve the purpose. If you are handy, there are some DIY articles on building your own dog house or cat condo, so put those skills to use! Discount stores often offer pet beds, toys, and other supplies for a fraction of the price of pet specialty stores.
We wish you and your pet a happy and healthy new year!
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