dog cost saving tips

Veterinarian Sign

“Dog owners spent an average of $785 on vet bills last year, while cat owners spent $516.”

—American Pet Products Manufacturers Association

Now, I’m not advocating skimping on your dog’s care. But, in today’s economy, we need to cut costs wherever we can.

My top 5 tips for saving money on Vet bills:

Get your dog vaccinated. Vaccinations are an effective way of protecting your pet. Your dog’s vaccination regiment depends on your pets’ lifestyle. Talk to your vet about which vaccinations she feels are necessary as well as the frequency with which they need to be administered.
Protect your dog against Heartworm. By preventing worms from infecting your pet you can avoid expensive x-rays, bloodwork, and injections that are necessary to treat heartworm.There are a number of heartworm medicines. Talk to your vet about the best course of action for your pet.
Clean your dog’s teeth. Just like you, your pet’s mouth needs to be kept clean every day. Infected gums and tartar can lead to more serious infections throughout the body. Make it a point at your next visit to the vet to ask about dental care so that you are equipped to do it at home. That way you can prevent expensive and painful extractions and infections down the line.
Give your dog plenty of exercise. Like us, increased weight in pets leads to heart disease, diabetes and a number of other ailments. With regular exercise and a well rounded diet, you can prevent weight-related illnesses and give your animal a better quality of life.
Don’t forgo wellness exams. Animals age more rapidly than humans and often do not outwardly show signs of illness. Use your annual visit to the vet to ask questions about the latest in treatments, nutrition and dental health so that you are in the know. Many illnesses are treatable if caught early on, so save yourself and your pet the pain and suffering and make that trip to the doctor.

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Got ideas of how to save money on Vet bills? We’d love to hear them—leave a comment.

Tagged as: dog care, dog cost saving tips

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We’re all looking for ways to cut costs these days.

If you’re like me, you’ve already eliminated those personal expenses that you can do without, your using coupons at the grocery store, and shopping for deals on other necessities. One thing I didn’t take into account until now, was cutting back on my pet’s expenses. Yes, my precious dog must do some penny pinching too!

Other than surgical procedures, we pet owners spend more on food for our pets than anything else. So, let’s start there.

Here’s some ideas on how we can save money on pet food:

Consider buying dog food in bulk. In most cases the larger the quantity you buy at one time, the less expensive it is per pound. Why not go in together with friends or neighbors when possible to cut down on the cost?
Keep an eye out for coupons, mailers, circulars and other discounts. There are some great pet food sales out there.
Purchase your pet food at your local supermarket rather than the pet store. You can often find the exact same product at a reduced price.
Feed your dog smaller portions of high quality pet food rather than larger amounts of poor quality food. High quality food will produce a healthier pet, which will ultimately lower your Vet bills.
Cut back on treats and table scraps. Less snacks can save you money and keep your dog healthier.