Top 6 Practical Money Saving Tips For Dog Owners

We all love our dogs and would want to do anything possible to make them happy and comfortable. However, this doesn’t mean we have to blow up our budget or break the bank in order to take care of our lovely pet friend(s), hence, the need for Money Saving Tips For Dog Owners.

Some dog owners do find themselves in situations where they end up stretching their budget in multiple directions because of their furry friend.

According to research by CNBC, American dog owners spend up to $2,000 a year on routine care and maintenance for each of their puppies. In the event of a medical emergency, that sum might easily exceed $10,000. You may be wondering if you fall into this category but if you decide to sit back and do a little calculation, you may b surprised that you truly belong here. Below are some practical money saving tips for dog owners

Make Your Own Dog Toys/treats:

Making my own DIY dog toys and treats is one of the several ways to save money on dog general upkeep and maintenance. Most dog owners have a handful of dog toys that help keep their dogs busy.

Making your own dog treats and toys is a great money-saving practice for dog owners. It’s wonderful to know exactly what components are going into the dog treats you give your dog, and preparing your own allows you to choose the serving amount. Even for beginners, the internet is brimming with creative ideas for making toys out of home materials or cheap bric-a-brac. 

A single bag of goodies prepared from high-quality, locally sourced ingredients can cost more than $20! Making your own not only allows you to control exactly what your pet eats, but many of the materials are likely already in your kitchen. It’s an amazing way to save some bucks for other stuff

Make wise dog toy selection decisions

This applies when you cannot make some dog toys for your furry friend. If you want to save money on dog supplies, make sure to only buy long-lasting, robust dog toys. If your dog is a strong chewer, stick with long-lasting brands.

If you have a collection of dog toys that either get destroyed or are only used briefly before your dog becomes bored, it may be wise to make a longer-term investment in toys that can be used in a variety of ways and for canine enrichment.

Canine enrichment is primarily comprised of a variety of tasks that will test and hone your dog’s cognitive abilities. They increase and improve your dog’s mental condition and aid to exhaust them. They typically inspire your furry friend to solve problems, pick up new skills, and have more confidence. Instead of the plethora of adorable toys available on the market, investing in toys that can help with canine enrichment is always a plus.

Buy Your Dry/Wet Dog Food in Bulk and store it Properly

This applies when you cannot make some homemade food/treats for your furry friend. 

Similar to how buying a four-pack of cereal in the grocery store is less expensive than buying four individual tins, buying a larger bag of dog food will cost much less per kilogram than buying the smaller bag on a more frequent basis.

Despite the inconvenience of carrying around huge bags of dog food, the savings are worthwhile! As the weight increases, the price of kibble per pound usually decreases.

Buying in bulk is not enough you have to properly store them as directed in order not to run at a loss.

Check Your Portion Sizes & Weigh Your Dog’s Food

Pet obesity is very prevalent; in the UK, a study suggests that about 40% of dogs are obese. Yes, overfeeding your dog’s main meal could be contributing to their obesity, even though we love them no matter how they appear.

Let’s be honest, then. When was the last time you measured the food for your dogs?

Maybe you’ve been consuming the same brand for a while and believe you understand the serving quantities. Or maybe you switched brands, added new ingredients, and kept using the measuring cup from the dog food you previously used.

Most people assume that the weight of their new dog food and their old dog food is precisely the same in their trusty cup, but this is sometimes not the case, especially when it comes to meals like cold-pressed.

Be Clear About What You Are Spending on Your Dog

Having a clear budget o how much you are going to spend on your do will be o great help to you. In a poll carried out for dog owners, most dog owners were unable to know how much they spend for their dog’s upkeep and if you are looking to save money, then that right there is not the way to go. We all know there are emergencies however, this is not included.

Extend The Life Of Your Pet Shampoo

Almost all dog shampoos and conditioners are meant to be diluted, in case you didn’t know. If you utilize it as-is, you will be throwing money down the drain. Instead, pour a small amount into a plastic pitcher, combine it with warm water, and apply it to your dog.

Learn to trim Nails At Home

Professional canine nail trimming costs between $10-$20, which is not a significant outlay, but over time, these costs add up. If you feel at ease and have assistance, think about nail-trimming your dog at home. You can use a few different techniques to delay trimmings.

Schedule frequent Vet appointments

Take your pet in for routine checkups and upkeep of vaccines. Certain diseases can be extremely dangerous for an unprotected animal to be exposed to, as well as being quite expensive to treat and cure.

Use Gloves & A Squeegee For Hair Removal

When you have pets, it can be difficult to keep your house clean, but you can easily save some money by using some of your everyday things to remove dog hair. The best tool for removing pet hair from furniture is a pair of rubber gloves.

Squeegees and rubber dish gloves work well to remove shed hair from carpets and furniture, and you only need to buy them once. Additionally, using a roll of packing tape is an excellent technique to remove dog hair from garments (it lasts a lot longer than a lint roller).

Ditch the highly marketed ‘dental’ treats

Eliminate ticks and fleas. Consider using treatments like Activyl monthly spot-on flea control or Bravecto, which protects against fleas and ticks for up to 12 weeks with each dosage, to give your pet continuous protection.