Are your pets eating away at your money? Many of us spend hundreds and even thousands in vet bills, pet food and other pet-related expenses. Fortunately, there are many ways to saving money on your pets whilst still giving them the love and care they need. Here are a few cost-cutting petcare hacks to try.
Create DIY toys
It’s possible to make many makeshift pet toys out of waste products around the home. When it comes to dog toys, you can make your own tug rope simply by twisting a few old t-shirts together and knotting them at the end. When it comes to pet rodents, cardboard toilet roll tubes and empty cereal boxes can be turned into fun makeshift mazes. Such DIY toys could be useful if your pet is constantly destroying every toy you buy within a day.
Buy pet food in bulk
You can often save money on pet food by buying it in bulk. Local supermarkets may only stock small multi-packs, but by looking further afield you may be able to find bigger bulk pet food deals as found at Zooplus. Try to stick to brands that you know your pet loves – you don’t want to buy huge amounts of a food your pet has never tried only for them to turn their nose up at it. Also consider looking for a dog treat wholesaler to buy some great treats in bulk
Know when to invest in durable pet gear
There are times when buying premium pet products can save you more money in the long run. Cheap dog leads are more likely to wear out, whilst a premium lead could be something that lasts for life. That said, you may not always need to buy the most durable option – a fairly docile animal may not need expensive durable pet gear if they’re not likely to tug at a lead or destroy toys.
Keep your pets active
Regular physical activity is important for your pets’ health. Overweight pets are more likely to suffer from heart disease, diabetes and joint problems later on in life – by keeping your pets active you could keep their weight under control and prevent having to pay out costly vet bills in the future. Dogs in particular need to be regularly walked – some breeds need longer walks than other, which is something worth researching into. On top of exercise, you can also protect your pets’ health by not overfeeding them (you’ll prevent the need for later treatment costs and you’ll save money in pet food!).
Keep dogs groomed
When it comes to dogs, regular grooming can have health benefits that could save you money in vet bills in the future. Brushing your canine’s teeth could prevent tooth decay and reduce the need for dental treatment in the future, whilst regular brushing can reduce the risk of fleas. You can hire someone to groom your dog for you, but if you want to save money you could be better off learning how to do this yourself (you can use blogs and Youtube videos online to teach yourself).
Consider pet insurance
Vet bills can often be expensive – taking out pet insurance can often be worthwhile helping to cover these expensive treatment costs. You’re best taking out a fixed rate insurance scheme when a pet is young. Rates for older pets are likely to be higher and may not always be worthwhile – you could end up paying more in pet insurance fees than you would in vet bills. There are lots of insurers out there each offering different rates. You should compare pet insurance with Moneypug and other comparison sites in order to get the best rate. Some insurers may even be able to offer bundles for multiple pets whilst others may focus on niche animals such as horses or rats.
Shop around for treatment
If you decide to forgo pet insurance, you can still save money on vet bills by shopping around treatment. Every veterinary clinic has its own rates and you could find that there’s a clinic in your area offering much cheaper pricing on certain procedures. This could save you a lot of money when it comes to complex surgery or multi-stage procedures. There are also alternative ways to seek out vet treatment that you may be able to take advantage of including pop-up vet clinics at pet shows and veterinary schools. Take the time to collect multiple quotes so that you can seek out the cheapest option.
*This is a collaborative post*