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.

Save Money on Pets when times are tough

In many cases when an economic downturn occurs, we will curb our spending, set budgets and try to save as much money as we can. For those of us who own pets, it can be even tougher to cut the budget because of the required care our pets need. With the list below, it will help you to provide your pet with the things they need without breaking the bank.

Buy items in bulk – This can include pet food and kitty litter. If you compare the price of larger bags of food to the smaller ones, you will find that the price per pound can be substantially less. This is also true when it comes to cat litter. Buying in bulk is a good deal. When shopping for food and litter, purchase the biggest bag you can. If you have room in the freezer, you can rebag portions of the food into Ziploc bags and store in your freezer for a longer shelf life.

Save on Routine checkups and procedures – If you need to have your pet spayed or neutered, contact your local shelter instead of your vet. In many cases they will offer a discount on the procedure. Another way to save is on routine vaccinations. Veterinary professionals are now recommending that you have pets vaccinated every 3 years instead of annually. If you follow this recommendation, this can save money annually. Some states do require annual rabies boosters for pets to be licensed. Make sure that you are providing all vaccinations that are necessary.

Consider searching for Surgeries – Going to your local vet for a scheduled surgery may not be the best idea when it comes to cost savings. By doing some research outside of your area, you may be able to find the same services at a fraction of the cost. It is not uncommon to save hundreds of dollars by traveling outside of your area to have these services performed. If you have a long-standing relationship with your veterinarian, they may be able to offer a payment plan for you. CareCredit is a payment plan that is available through many vet clinics and helps spread the payments over a longer period of time.

Forgo the Groomer Trip – Groomers can charge up to $45 or more for appointments. For most breeds it is not necessary to have your pet professionally groomed. To save money, purchase over the counter pet shampoo and wash your pet at home. If you do not have the room or resources, look for do-it-yourself pet washing services. These will be more than doing it at home, but still less than having a professional groom your pet.

Save on Dental – Dental care for pets is very important for health. This can be a very expensive procedure due to anesthesia costs. Make sure to prevent dental disease by brushing your pet’s teeth or providing dental chews to avoid the necessity of a dental prophylaxis.

There are many ways to save money and still take care of your pet. Budget accordingly, use common sense and talk to your vet for more ways to save some money.