So, you’ve decided to become a pet parent? Congratulations! You’ll welcome a lovely furry (or scaly!) friend into your family and give them a new home, but don’t worry, you’re not going to have to spend a fortune on all the pet supplies they’ll need!
There are many ways to save on pet supplies, from discount websites to coupons, sales events, and homemade toys and costumes.
These tips will help keep your budget in check when you need supplies for your new pet!
1. Veterinary Care: Don’t Scrimp on Health
While this article is about saving money on pet care, good veterinary care is something you shouldn’t scrimp on. Veterinary practices have a lot of overheads and a lot of things to pay for – if you’re not convinced, check out Vetcelerator.com and look at the services section, there’s a lot that goes into running a veterinary practice!
It’s always best to find a good and well-priced veterinary practice and stick to it; that way, you can control how much you spend on veterinary care by deciding not to go to more expensive vet practices or buy additional services that may not be required. If you can find a vet you trust, you know that they will only have the best interests of your pet at heart – not their profit line.
2. Pet Accessories: Stick Only to What you Need
If you’re planning on taking your dog everywhere you go, buy a collar, leash, and harness with adjustable sizing. That way, you don’t have to worry about buying another later when they get bigger.
Don’t fall for the trap of buying clothes and accessories for your dog (or cat) unless they are needed for the weather. Some breeds need protection in winter, but most are absolutely fine. Head over to Blossom Costumes for more information on costumes for Christmas.
The same goes for beds, collars, leashes, and toys: only buy these as needed.
3. Exercise and Entertainment: Affordable Options
Most animals need exercise and as a pet parent, it’s your job to ensure they stay happy and healthy. Providing opportunities for your pet to exercise can actually save you money.
An dog whose mental and physical needs are neglected can end up being destructive and unhealthy, and if they are stressed, you’ll be spending money on training or replacing furniture and toys that they may have destroyed,
Luckily, there are fun and cheap ways to exercise your pet: you can walk them around the neighborhood or visit a dog park. If they are very energetic train them in dog agility and take them on hikes.
Dogs need mental stimulation too, which is why toys are important – particularly food puzzles. A cheap option is to teach them how to play hide and seek with their toys. Intelligent animals like border collies will love this game.
4. Grooming: Cut Costs at Home
Most dog breeds require grooming, but you can keep costs down by doing most of the work yourself. If you want to cut your dog’s hair, buy a set of clippers, learn how to use them (watch some YouTube videos) and get to work.
There are also cutting and shedding brushes so that you can remove a lot of fur by simply brushing over their coat. If you do this regularly you should be able to limit the number of times you have to take them to a professional groomer.