How to limit the cost of pet care
My children have been begging for a puppy for months. Because we live on a tight budget, I’m hesitant to get one because of the accompanying expense. Any suggestions to save money? (Your tips will determine whether my kids become happy!) – Marilyn Mom
Dear Mrs. Mom: Boy, did you place a hardship on me. Hopefully, my and Bottom Line Personal’s techniques to make pet ownership less expensive will make your family plus pet a happier one. Let’s go.
VET CARE AND MEDICATIONS
› Check into buying meds online or at more-affordable drug chains. Just as with some physicians do with human patients, many veterinary practices hike prices to help cover overhead expenses. Unless an emergency, check online at 180PetMeds. com and PetCareRX.com; both of these sites can save as much as 50 percent off the price. Most Costco, Walmart and Kroger pharmacies now sell vet medications at a lower price, though they don’t stock a humongous amount.
› Invest in a pill cutter and divide pills meant for larger pets. For example, because dogs come in all sizes, so do their meds — sometimes dramatically. Bottom Line’s example is a pill meant for a 100-pound dog likely contains four times as much medicine as one meant for a 25-pound dog, though it usually costs only a bit extra. Just be certain you okay the practice with your vet before splitting or self-medicating.
› Choose a small-town vet. If you live in a large city, chances are your vet’s services will cost more. Therefore, try to find one if you live close to a smaller town, for which savings could amount to $20$100 more per visit. Also, if an accredited veterinary college is nearby, visit there with the knowledge the vet students are overseen by highly experienced veterinarians.
› Check with local humane shelters and SPCA chapters about affordable pet vaccinations. Sometimes pet owners can get away with paying only
$10-$15 per shot, compared with $15-$30 (or more) for the same vaccine from the vet.
PET FOOD AND TREATS
› Choose foods based on price per serving, not price per pound. Avoid inexpensive food that contains “fillers,” such as rice and corn; the latter means giving the pet more of the food to ensure proper nourishment, but which ups the amount you must pay per bag.
› Beat grocery store prices by purchasing food online and in chains. Amazon. com, Chewy.com and Walmart.com, among others, often undercut both grocery and pet store prices and even offer low-or no-cost shipping. If you don’t like shopping online, Walmart and Tractor Supply Company often charge less for pet food than do supermarkets and pet-supply stores.
› Use a food dehydrator to create pet treats. Buy meat when it’s on sale and make el cheapo dried meat treats. Enter “dehydrator,” “treats” and “dog” or “cat” into a search engine to find recipes.
PET TOYS AND ENCLOSURES
› Forget “pet” toys. Take tennis balls, for instance; rather than buying in the pet-supply section, go to the sporting goods section to save money. Find stuffed animals by visiting thrift stores and picking up a bunch for a quarter or 50 cents apiece; just be sure to wash thoroughly before tossing them to Rover or Kitty. For DIY ideas, check “cat toys” or “pet DIY” for many options.
› Again, thrift stores are a great source for fish tanks or animal cages. Also, check out Craigslist to find significant deals of second-hand fish tanks. The same applies to animal cages, as well; just clean the tank or cage well before using it for your pet.
Contact Ellen Phillips at consumerwatch@ timesfreepress.com