Taking in a stray kitten or paying ten dollars for a homeless puppy at the shelter may seem like an inexpensive purchase. But when you look at long-range supplies and expenses, your pet may be costing more than you think.
Food alone might cost twenty dollars each month, while bedding, flea shampoo, treats, and grooming supplies can rack up an additional fifty dollars or more. If you want to cut corners with pet fees, here are a few tips that might help:
1. Buy second-hand pet supplies. Shop the local thrift store or garage sale for used blankets or quilts for your pet's bed. Either use them "as is" or craft them into smaller, hemmed pieces that will line your pet's bed snugly and warmly. Be sure to wash the fabric first, since your pet may have nothing to do with it if there is a lingering human or animal smell that suggests it comes from someone else's "territory."
2. Buy pet food in bulk. Many large grocery stores featuring bulk items carry kitty litter, dog biscuits, and pet food in bulk amounts. That means you can purchase large quantities at a cost that is lower than what you would pay in a supermarket. Some stores require you to bring your bag or to bag your own purchases. If either of these is a problem, call ahead to find out for sure.
3. Ask your veterinarian. Some veterinarian offices publish newsletters or post ads from their clients that advertise pet products or offer discounts on purchases from a newly opened retail store. Doghouses, kitten scratching posts, pet carriers, and other types of supplies can be purchased at reasonable prices this way. Even if your vet does not offer these services, he or she may be able to recommend low-cost ways of finding such products from the catalogs or ads that come to the office on a regular basis.
4. Check with your local animal shelter or humane society. Funded by the county or by community contributions, some shelters offer free or very inexpensive products when you get a pet from their agency. Even over the counter medications can be purchased at a fraction of the cost you would pay elsewhere. Some services, like de-clawing and neutering, also can be purchased at discount from organizations like these. Look in the yellow pages for shelters in your area.
5. Shop second-hand. Newspaper ads, yard sales, community postings, and thrift stores frequently sell pet products at low prices. Why buy something that is new and expensive when you can get one in very good condition at a very low price? Feeding bowls, litter boxes, and even doggy sweaters often can be hard for a handful of change. Check out these options for saving money before heading for the usual chain pet shops.
Control your pet costs by picking up routine supplies at discount prices. Save the big tab spending for vet visits and other costs that can't be purchased in any other way.
