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Having pets has seriously enriched my life — but I can't say the same thing about my bank account, 'cuz I'm sure I've spent a small fortune on my cats over the years. I definitely don't regret it, but sometimes I wish I'd figured out some ways to spend a little less, you know?
So I asked the BuzzFeed Community to share what helps them save money on the things their pets need. Here's what they had to say:
Remember, just like every pet has different needs, what's worked for one person's budget might not make sense in yours. So look at these tips as inspiration, and do what works best for you.
1. First things first, if you're thinking about adopting a pet, take a good look at your budget and lifestyle to make sure you're really ready to make the commitment.
"For people who don't have pets yet: Don't get a pet unless you know you can afford everything that comes with them, including potential vet bills. Also, take into consideration any lifestyle changes, such as having to move, no longer working from home (will you need a dog walker?), and how that will affect owning a pet. I've heard stories of people who got a dog at the beginning of the pandemic and [are] now surrendering them because they are going back to a 'normal' life and don't have time for a dog. You're committing to a pet for their lifetime, so make sure you know you can not only afford it, but can take care of it the way it deserves."
"Just know that there’s no such thing as a ‘free’ pet. The cost of food, litter, other supplies, spaying/neutering, basic vet care, not to mention EMERGENCY vet care, really adds up."
2. And it's a good idea to make sure you've got the essentials covered (like food and medicine) before you drop any cash on toys, beds, or treats.
"I’d say cutting down on the amounts of fancy pet supplies you get them. Prioritize their medical care and grooming and the necessary stuff, and then use some leftover money for toys and special beds and special treats. Dogs are just as happy with a tennis ball that they found on the side of the road as with an expensive dog toy."
3. Sometimes your pets will get more enjoyment from playing with (or sleeping on) things that you already own than they will from the things that you buy for them.
"Just think before you buy your pet something expensive. My cat loves playing with a cork; it's her favorite toy. I know some pet owners who bought expensive pet beds and were disappointed when their beloved cat decided to sleep on an old sweater."
"My rabbit would rather play with crumpled balls of shipping paper than any toy I've ever gotten her, so I highly recommend making toys out of safe materials like that instead of spending money on fancy toys. Of course, critters like rabbits need stuff to chew to keep their teeth short, so make sure hay is always available."
4. You can make your pet's meals or treats yourself; just check with your veterinarian first to make sure you're only using safe and healthy ingredients.
"Whenever I have leftover roast or chicken that isn't enough to make a second meal or leftover lunch, I label and throw it in the freezer to use to make homemade cookies later that I know contain minimum additives. I have also used packaged chicken (read the label for salt/additives first!) for [the] same purpose."
"Freezing my bearded dragon's salads, so I'm not stuck buying new vegetables every two days because he won't eat them before they spoil."
5. Feeding your pet a healthy diet and taking care of their teeth can help prevent costly problems down the road.
"I feed [them] high-quality food but keep them slim. Being overweight can lead to health issues. I also only have rescues. Purebred animals are riddled with problems. And brush their teeth!"
6. For dental care, see if a specialist can offer their services for less than your regular vet.
"Look for businesses that specialize in pet dental work. I saved hundreds of dollars by having my dog's teeth cleaned at [a] place that only does dental work instead of our regular vet."
"This! My vet quoted almost $1,000 for TWO TEETH to be extracted. Next month I’m taking my dog to a place two states away that specializes in dental work, and the entire package will cost me $355 with all costs included, plus no cost for any additional teeth they think should go. The reviews are really good too."
7. If your pet needs regular grooming, see if you can do some of it yourself. Trimming your cat's nails or giving your dog a bath at home can help you cut grooming costs.
"Doing some regular grooming activities at home helps. When I had a cat, I learned to clip her nails myself at home.
For my dog, she needs haircuts, so she still has to go to the groomer. But combing and brushing her regularly at home to make sure she doesn't develop mats saves money when she goes.
If your pet needs to be boarded or checked on during the day, you can also try Rover. People sign up to do dog walks, pet sitting, etc., and their rates can be lower than kennels."
8. Autoship can help you save on items you buy regularly, like food, flea prevention meds, and litter.
"Look into autoship options (Chewy, Amazon, Petco) for food/treats/litter/etc. A lot of retailers offer discounts, and you can usually add additional products (toys, beds, accessories) to orders as needed. Definitely check non-pet stores too! Tractor Supply consistently has affordable pet items. I got a Furminator brush there for $9, and it's $30 on Amazon.
Supplement food/treats with food you already have (this requires some research to make sure you are providing the right nutrients!). If I need egg whites for a recipe, I save the yolks for my dogs' dinner. Ugly carrot? Cut it up for the dogs.
Medical expenses are tough, since even routine meds can require a prescription. But you can ask them to write you a physical prescription and price shop! Costco has a lot of pet meds, and of course there are online retailers like 1-800-PetMeds or Chewy. Sometimes the base price is the same as the vet's office, but the outside retailers may offer deals and/or coupons!"
9. Look for toys, shampoo, and other products at discount stores — they often have much better prices than pet stores.
"You can find a lot of affordable supplies at Marshalls. The same toy that’s $20 at the pet store is like $7 at Marshalls. Also there’s a lot of good shampoos, conditioners, and sprays for dogs at good prices. As well as good deals on poop bags, even biodegradable ones.
As far as medical things, asking your vet if they have a plan is good. Typically all vaccines, office visits, regular workups are included.
There [are] also agencies that provide affordable spay and neuter services; for example, in New Jersey there’s the Pittie Project that provides free spay/neuter, vaccines, and microchipping."
"This is for fish, but I like to go to the dollar store for my aquarium rocks for aquascaping instead of spending $50 for a bag of rocks!"
10. Tractor and farm stores can also be a great place to find more affordable pet supplies, especially if you can buy in bulk.
"If there's a tractor/farm store near you, check out their pet food selection. One of our dogs is allergic to wheat and chicken, so it's a challenge to find foods that work for him. The tractor/farm store 15 minutes away not only has THREE options (a rarity), but they even carry them in 35–40 pound bags, which saves both trips to the store and $$."
11. It can be a lot of work, but some people get free or discounted products for their pets through social media.
"I started an Instagram for my cat. After a while, a pet food company reached out to us with a contract, and now we get free food and treats for advertising for them. That’s saved me a lot of money!"
12. Consider taking out a pet insurance policy or signing up for your vet's wellness plan to help you cover your pet's medical costs.
"Dude, seriously get pet insurance or see if your vet has a wellness care plan. It's $30 a month and really helps out for those emergency visits to the vet right after you've paid rent. Instead of paying $200–$600 per visit, you pay $0. It's so worth it, because let's face it; there are so many emergencies when it comes to pets."
"I had pet insurance when my pug was a puppy (now 12!), and it was a great idea! It covered having him fixed (and since obviously that’s a one-time thing, it then covers a dental once a year under the same benefit). Since he was so little, the policy was totally affordable. And since I was just starting out, it was good to know he’s covered just in case. As he got older, though, they covered less, and it didn’t make sense to keep it (I just put aside emergency money instead). He’s a very good pup. He is diabetic and mostly blind, but he has a very happy life and is the sweetest little dude."
13. And see if you can find a cheaper vet through animal groups in your area.
"Most communities have a low-cost vet care clinic, usually run by their local humane society."
14. And finally, if you can't make a payment plan with your vet, look into services that can help you spread your pet's medical bills out over time.
"I recommend the CareCredit credit card. It’s accepted by a lot of vets and people doctors as well. I don’t have to worry about if pet insurance will cover something, and I can still get the care my pets need without worrying too much about the money.
I’ve also used a company called Scratchpay. They pay your vet bill, and then you can make monthly payments. I had a cat that needed to go to the emergency vet. I was able to pay his bill over time, and it gave me such peace of mind knowing it could be affordable. Emergency vets are so pricey!"
Note: Submissions were edited for length and clarity.
What helps you save money while still giving your pet a great life? Share your best tips in the comments.
And for more money tips and tricks, check out the rest of our personal finance posts.