Pets are a wonderful addition to any family, large or small. Whether you’re a “cat person,” a “dog person,” or even a “bird person,” you probably have a strong attachment to this adopted member of your household. So, when people suggest that having a pet is too expensive, you know that the expense is well worth it. That doesn’t mean, however, that you can’t do your best to minimize the cost of your pets.
Rescue your new pet. Savings on pet expenses can begin before you’ve even chosen a new friend. Rather than spending hundreds of dollars on a pedigreed pet, you should consider selecting a pet from a local animal shelter. Not only will you be able to save money on the cost of your pet, you’ll be able to enjoy the satisfaction of knowing that you’ve already made a huge impact on your pet’s life.
Get your pet good preventative care. You don’t need to see the vet every time your pet shows the tiniest sign of a problem. However, you should take your pet to a veterinarian immediately following its adoption to make sure he’s healthy. Once you’ve determined what, if any, health issues your pet might have, you and your veterinarian can draft a care plan for your pet. Then, unless your pet’s health changes or deteriorates, you can care for your pet yourself. Of course, you’ll still want to make your annual visit to keep tabs on your pet’s health.
Buy regular pet medications online. Once you’ve visited your veterinarian to determine what medications or treatments your pet will need regularly, you can save a great deal of money on these treatments by buying them online. A popular site for pet prescriptions is 1800PetMeds.com.
Save on pet food by buying in bulk. If you have room to store it, the larger bags of pet food are much more cost-effective than the small six or eight pound bags. You’ll even get a workout carrying the larger bags.
Skip trendy toys. Don’t be too quick to buy a lot of unnecessary pet toys. A dog needs a chew toy and a bed. A cat needs a litter box and a little toy to chase. Other than these types of basic accessories, your pet doesn’t really need you to buy a ton of toys. He’d much rather have your attention at playtime than fancy toys.
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