Don’t Be Spooked, Be Prepared: 9 Ideas to Make Pet Costs Less Frightening

BONNINSTUDIO / Stocksy
Most good dog or cat parents know that having a pet is not a cost-free commitment. While adopting an awesome new family member from the shelter may not be expensive, budgeting for future spending is essential, as pets require a lifetime of care, including vet costs, food, toys, and other supplies (if you’re curious, find out the average costs of having a dog or a cat — it might be more than you think). Luckily, there are some smart ways to save money while still providing pets with an excellent quality of life. Sometimes paying a premium upfront can actually save you money in the long run. Below are some great ideas to cut costs and make pet costs less frightening.

How pet parents can save money:

1. Check for sales

Keeping an eye on your local pet supply stores and manufacturers’ websites can save you a lot of money. It’s an especially good idea to stock up on non-perishable items — such as cat litter — when they go on sale or you find a coupon, so you’ll have plenty to last until the next sale.

2. DIY pet toys

Dog and cat toys can be pricey, especially if you have a dog who’s an expert destuffer or destructor. To save some money, try buying indestructible toys or try making your own pet toys for next to nothing. Also, check out your local dollar store and yard sales for inexpensive new or barely used toys. For cats, you can get free sturdy cardboard boxes from stores (they usually just throw them away). All you have to do is turn them on their side, and maybe cut a hole or two, and your cat will be endlessly entertained.

3. Repurpose pet beds

Dogs and cats seem to absolutely appreciate a really comfy bed. Older pets especially benefit from a soft but supportive napping surface. You can shop online for sales and great deals, but often, you can save lots of money (especially for bigger dogs) by repurposing a human product for your pet. Some ideas:

• Buy a pet bed replacement cover only, and fill it with stained or ripped sheets, towels, and blankets (you can buy these inexpensively at thrift stores) or an “egg crate” foam mattress topper folded in half or quarters.
• Use couch cushions from old couches that are being discarded.
• Cats and small dogs often love a plush towel that’s been folded up to just their size. You can sew the sides together or (if you can’t sew) use iron-on hemming material to keep it from unfolding.

4. Spay or neuter your pet

Pets who have been spayed or neutered have fewer health problems, which means fewer vet bills. They are less likely to bite, avoiding potential costly lawsuits (80 percent of dog bites to people are from intact male dogs). They are less likely to try to escape and damage your home or yard, or cause a car accident. There are plenty of other reasons to spay or neuter, too.

5. Low-cost vet days

Some vets offer low-cost services on certain days — all you have to do is ask your vet, and potentially save money on services such as vaccines or microchips. Some vet offices also offer discounts for multiple pets (again, just ask). Skimping on vet care, however, can end up costing you more in the long run. 

6. Keep cats inside and dogs

Cats who go outside are exposed to costly illnesses and injuries. Dogs who run loose in unfenced areas are also exposed to those same dangers. Keeping your pet safe saves you money.

7. Quality pet food

While it might seem less expensive at first to buy cheap pet food, high-quality pet food typically means a healthier pet, and a healthier pet means fewer vet bills. Also, check out the feeding instructions and do some math; you may find the cost per serving of the “more” expensive foods actually works out to a lower cost per feeding for your pet, with better nutrition.

8. Regular vet care

You may think your pet is healthy, so why pay for an annual or bi-annual vet visit? Catching many health issues early on can be a huge cost-saving move. Especially in older pets, blood panels or even just a physical exam by a vet can detect symptoms early on and allow them to help you take preventative steps to avoid a condition progressing and becoming more costly (and difficult) to cure.

9. Pet insurance

This tip requires some calculation and depends on the policy you choose and what your pet qualifies for, but, just like having car, home, or human health insurance, having pet insurance is a sound financial decision for many pet parents. The right policy from a good pet insurance company can definitely save you money in case of an accident or serious illness.

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