Pet Owners Can Save With These Simple Tips
You love your pets. What you don’t love is the costs associated with keeping them healthy. Here are some tips to make those furry friends more affordable to own.
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Groom Your Pet at Home
How much do you spend at the groomer? The average is $65 per visit, which is a hefty chunk of change you could be using for other purposes. By grooming your pet at home, you can cut that cost. And if you think it’s too much work, know that grooming is a lot easier than it seems.
Head over to YouTube and look up videos for how to properly groom your pet. You’ll find that cleaning your cat’s ears or trimming your dog’s nails is not only something you can do, but something you shouldn’t be wasting money on.
Skip the Pet Store
Pet stores are money-making machines since so many people have dogs, cats, and other critters at home. And while they may be useful, you can find alternatives to expensive pet store items that do the trick.
For example, instead of buying some decorated dish at the pet store that may be narrow and cause whisker fatigue, head to the thrift store. If you find a shallow gratin dish, you can use it for food. And if you see a large casserole dish, you can use it as a water bowl.
What about litter? An 18-pound bag of litter for cats or rabbits can cost $17. Grab a 40-pound bag of wood pellets at the hardware store for the same purpose, and it can cost as little as $6.
Save on Pet Meds
The next time your vet prescribes medication for a pet ailment, don’t buy it directly from them. Doing so will hit you with a markup, and there are cheaper options online.
Search for the medication you need online to see where it’s selling for less. Then stack those savings by looking for online coupons from a site like CouponFollow.com. It could result in deals from pet sites like Chewy.com and PetCareRX.com, which tend to offer discounts for first-time customers.
Pick the Right Vet
Standard veterinarian offices tend to be the priciest option. You can cut your costs in half by visiting a mobile vet clinic since they tend to have lower overhead, resulting in cheaper prices to the customer. To find one nearest you, search online or contact your local Humane Society.
Another affordable option is to find a local vet school hospital from AVMA.org. Such schools need live pets for their students to gain experience, and they may even offer free, safe service to achieve that goal.
Find the Best Deals on Pet Food
Keeping Fido fed can put a significant dent in your wallet. It’s a necessity, though, which is why finding deals on pet food is a must if you want to stay within your budget.
A quick trip to a site like Coupons.com can save you a ton of cash on pet food, as well as other essentials.