It’s not news that the price of everything has gone up in recent years, from our own groceries to our pets’ food and medical bills. If you’re struggling to care for your dog financially, USA Today has found that you’re not alone.
Over 91% of dog parents have felt financial stress related to their pup, with some going into debt, borrowing from friends and family, or even taking on a second job to pay for their pet’s expenses. In this article, we’ll discuss how to save money while providing the best care for your pampered pooch.
13 Ways to Spoil Your Dog on a Budget
1. Adopt Responsibly
If you’ve yet to adopt a dog, doing your research prior to adoption can save you money in the long-term. Puppies from reputable breeders tend to have fewer costly medical problems throughout their lives, because reputable breeders complete genetic health screenings on the parent dogs. While the puppies may be more expensive up front, they’ll likely be less expensive long term.
This isn’t to discourage rescue–just know that rescue pups have more unpredictable health. Avoid puppy mills, pet stores, and backyard breeders at all costs.
In addition, some breeds are unhealthy no matter the breeder. For instance, short-snouted dogs are more likely to have a multitude of health problems than dogs with longer snouts. Other breeds are simply expensive, whether it’s food or veterinary costs. You’ll spend less feeding a Chihuahua than a Labrador.
2. Make DIY Toys and Treats
Dogs often don’t need fancy things. You can make a puzzle toy by filling a shipping box with some old tennis balls and tossing treats into the bottom for your dog to root for. Or, make a tug rope out of old clothing. There are so many options when it comes to DIY dog toys!
Training treats can be super expensive as well, but they don’t have to be! Cook up some unseasoned meat, such as chicken or turkey, and cut it into tiny pieces for your next training session. Or, make your own homemade dog treats.
3. Shop Sales and Buy in Bulk
Not everyone can buy in bulk. But if you can get a little stockpile of dog food going, it’ll be easier to shop sales and save money. Having a month or so of food stocked can also help you have time to get back on your feet in a financial crisis.
4. Participate in Savings Programs
Many pet stores have rewards programs that include lower prices on your dog’s necessities, as well as other perks like coupons or freebies. Some food companies, such as Purina, have rewards programs as well.
If you shop online, consider a browser add-on like Rakuten or Honey that offers coupons and a percentage back from each purchase. Upload coupons to sites like Fetch for more rewards.
Credit cards often offer a percentage back on your purchases as well, but this only pays off if you don’t accrue interest–so don’t forget to pay them off at the end of each month!
5. Learn to Groom Your Dog
Dog grooming can be super expensive! If you have time and can afford the equipment, learning to groom your dog yourself can eliminate an entire budget item.
Brushing long haired dogs regularly can also save them the pain and health issues that come with a matted coat, and make their professional grooms shorter and less expensive.
You don’t have to do everything at home, either! Even learning to trim your dog’s nails or bathing them yourself can make a difference.
6. Don’t Skip Wellness Vet Visits
While it’s tempting to skip wellness visits when you’re low on funds, this can backfire spectacularly. Unless you absolutely cannot afford the visit, it’s worth going.
Don’t turn down essential health testing, either. Your dog’s yearly exam should include blood work, fecal testing, and a prescription for flea and heartworm preventative.
These things can save you thousands of dollars in the long run by catching illness early or preventing it altogether. Your dog’s prognosis is often worse the later a diagnosis is made, as well.
7. Utilize Free or Low-Cost Veterinary Options
If you’re struggling to provide vet care for your dog, look into low-cost veterinary clinics in your area. They may not do everything, but they can usually cover the basics.
Also see if there are low cost spay and neuter clinics or free vaccination events in your neighborhood.
8. Shop Around for the Best Price on Medications
You don’t have to buy prescription medications directly from your veterinarian. Prices may be lower at other retailers, including human pharmacies. Savings programs such as GoodRx can also work on pet medications.
Never buy online unless you know that the pharmacy is licensed and reliable. Avoid sellers from outside of the United States and those that don’t require prescriptions.
Ask your veterinarian before purchase to ensure you’re receiving safe medication. For instance, some human pharmacists may not realize that ingredients common in human medications, like xylitol, are toxic to dogs.
9. Brush Your Dog’s Teeth Daily
Good dental health is about more than your dog’s teeth. Dental issues can also cause heart, kidney, and liver problems.
By brushing your dog’s teeth daily (twice a day if possible), you’ll reduce their risk of expensive and life-threatening health conditions.
10. Keep Your Dog Slim
If your dog is overweight, consider a diet! You’ll save not only on food, but future vet expenses. Obesity can lead to a host of health issues as well as a shortened lifespan.
11. Consider Pet Insurance
If your dog doesn’t have any pre-existing health conditions and you can afford the monthly cost, pet insurance may save you thousands of dollars in the case of an illness or emergency.
However, pet insurance also has drawbacks. Insurance companies can raise your rate over time, which is difficult to keep up with on a budget. There’s also no guarantee that you’ll get back what you spent.
12. Have a Back-Up Plan
If not pet insurance, your back-up plan for your dog’s care might be a pet savings that you fund when you can, even if it’s only $5 a week. Or, you may choose to take out a credit card for pet emergencies.
If you can, start saving well before you adopt your dog. You never know what’ll happen, and it’s best to be prepared.
13. Consider Fostering
If you don’t have a dog yet and aren’t sure you can afford one, consider volunteering as a foster for a local rescue or shelter. Your foster dog will live in your home, so you’ll get plenty of doggy kisses, playtime, and cuddles. But, the rescue or shelter will typically provide financially for most of your dog’s needs.
You’ll also get to hang out with a variety of dogs and save multiple lives by giving them a place to stay before sending them off to their forever homes. It may give you a better idea of what dogs cost as well, so that you know for the future.
The downside to fostering is that you won’t have legal ownership or control over the dogs in your care. Therefore, the rescue group may make veterinary or rehoming decisions that you disagree with.
Final Thoughts
Dogs are expensive pets, and there are no easy answers for those of us struggling to provide for both human and furry family members. However, we hope these tips have helped you to care for your dog, even on a budget.