Editor’s Note: This is a guest post by Sarah May, from smileandconquer.com
Pets are excellent additions to any home, but they don’t come cheap. Between Vet Bills, Food, treats and toys you can easily find yourself with thousands of dollars of additional expenses each year. And that’s just for regular expenses. Unexpected medical expenses can easily double or triple that depending on what you are dealing with.
Before committing to a pet, it’s vital that you know what you’re getting into and can afford any and all expenses that will come up. Doing your research on how much your desired fur friend costs will help you understand what you’re in for. It can also be tempting to splurge when you get a new pet, especially if it’s your first one, but there are ways you can save money. As the happy (and thrifty) owner of two dogs and two cats, I know how to get the best bang for your buck.
Shop Around For A Vet
There are no official guidelines governing the cost of vet care so charges can vary significantly depending on which vet you see. It‘s worth the time to call up a few vets and ask what they charge for standard procedures, like annual check-ups and vaccinations, before deciding where to go.
There may also be specialized clinics in your area that have reduced rates for specific procedures. I know where I live there is a clinic that only does spaying and neutering. They are significantly cheaper than if you go to any other clinic.
Choose A Nutritious But Affordable Food
The most consistent expense you will have for your dog is food. Vet bills will crop up but every month or so you’ll be stocking up on that big bag of kibble to keep your pet fed and healthy. The cost of food can vary depending on the brand you choose. You want to strike the right balance between nutrition and affordability.
An excellent resource for helping you choose a food is the Dog Food Advisor website. They rank almost every food you can buy and will help you narrow down your options.
You’ll want to look at not only the cost per bag but the cost per serving. Some of the foods that may sound like a steal are packed with filler, so you end up feeding more per meal. Feeding your dog a more nutritious food will mean feeding them less and could potentially save you on costly vet bills in the future.
Crate Train To Avoid Destruction
Puppies, and sometimes even older dogs, can destroy your house if they are given free run of the place. Crate training them early on will prevent them from ruining your furniture, walls, etc. Not only will it prevent chewing, but it can also make house training that much easier.
When we adopted our second dog, she was a year old but had only lived outside. Being inside stressed her out so she would chew anything she could get her paws on. This led to a destroyed couch and more shredded dog beds than I can count! Having to buy a new couch because your dog chewed up all the cushions is not cheap and is something than can be avoided. Life lesson: even older dogs can have behavior problems.
Adopt
Everyone has heard the ‘adopt don’t shop’ line when it comes to purchasing a pet, and it really is a good idea. Not only will you be providing a home to an animal that doesn’t have one, but it is the much cheaper option.
If you buy a pet from a breeder or a pet store, you will pay much more than if you instead go to a local shelter or animal rescue group. It’s not rare to pay over $1,000 for a purebred dog from a breeder. At a shelter or rescue group, you’re likely looking at only $100 to $300, and they often come vaccinated and spayed or neutered.
Even if you have your heart set on a specific breed, you can get lucky at a shelter. People give up their pets for all kinds of reasons, and this includes purebreds. You’ll need to pay close attention to the incoming animals, but I’ve often seen purebreds available at local groups in my area. And it’s not always old dogs that are up for adoption; very often full litters of puppies will be available.
You may have a better idea on size and characteristics of a purebred but mutts are often hardier and don’t have the same medical conditions that can be passed down through breeding.
Stop With The Fancy Toys
Baby animals are undoubtedly adorable, and it makes them so darn hard not to spoil. But you know what? They don’t know the difference between a $2 and a $20 toy. Instead of hitting the pet store use your creativity and see if you can come up with DIY toys that will keep your new pet entertained and out of trouble. I’ve learned the hard way that even the expensive ‘indestructible’ toys don’t last long if you have a chewer.
Need a few ideas? For a dog, you can use a disposable water bottle filled with kibble or treats instead of buying an expensive puzzle toy. Tennis balls are favorites in my house, and I get my mom’s castoffs when they’re no longer functional on the court. Cat toys tend to be cheaper, but they will also be entertained with an empty box, ping pong balls or a piece of yarn (not unattended though).
Owning a pet will never be cheap, but there are ways to reduce your out of pocket expenses and still raise a happy and healthy animal.
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