With economic hardship affecting most of the United States, pet owners are making some really tough choices. With a little thought and more effort, pet owners can save some green so it will be easier to afford having a pet. Below are some topics discussed in the past, but are now more relevant than ever.

Food – It is important to feed your pet the right kind of food. Don’t skimp on this. Buy the largest bag that the food comes in and put half in the freezer if you have a small dog or a cat. With so much hardship, many shelters and pet food banks are giving food away for free. Contact your local vet or shelter for more information.

Toys – Pets really don’t care what kind of toy they play with. Get your dog a shiny new tennis ball and a cheaper toy from the store. Rotate between the two to increase longevity and keep your dog interested in both. It has been my experience that cats like rubber bands and feathers more than anything purchased from a pet store. You can find cheap feathers at craft stores and rubber bands in the junk drawer. Just make sure not to leave the rubber bands around for your cat to chew on and swallow, as this can lead to an expensive trip to the veterinarian.

Pet Care – Vet visits are important to make sure your pet is healthy. Keeping your pet healthy with regular visits to your veterinarian will help avoid an expensive visit because of a preventable illness. Another way to save some money is to eliminate grooming visits, or learn how to do it yourself. Groomers can charge $40 or more per visit, and many times it is not necessary for the health of the pet.

Getting a new pet – If you are in the position to get a new pet, but want to save some money, consider adopting a pet from a shelter instead of purchasing a purebred. Most shelters will include spaying/neutering in the adoption fee and will provide you with some food and discount coupons for pet products. If you must have a purebred, research many different breeds to determine possible health costs in the future. Purchasing pet health insurance may help alleviate some of these costs as well.

While these tips are only a few ways to save, there are many others that can help save money. With a little creative thinking and some research, you can save lots of money on pet ownership.