How to Save Money As a Dog Owner

Owning a dog or dogs doesn’t have to break your piggy bank—there are plenty of money saving ways to care for your best friends. Here are some steps to cutting costs without compromising quality.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Get vaccinations at a low cost mobile clinic. Although shots come but once a year, it can still be costly at the vet, especially if you have more than one dog. Mobile vaccination clinics have lower overhead and can therefore pass the savings on to you.
2. Have your dog spayed/neutered through a city-sponsored program or low cost clinic. This is a relatively routine procedure that doesn't have to be done at your regular vet's office. Some veterinarians also provide discount spay/neuters on certain days of the week.
3. Take Fido to a do-it-yourself dog washing facility if you can't bathe him at home. They provide the luxury of waist high tubs as opposed to your own that only comes to the knees, long water hoses, chains to secure your dog from jumping out and getting hurt—and for the finishing touch—pet blow dryers. This is definitely cheaper than having someone else do it and easier than doing it in the tub.
4. Try an express bath. Certain pet stores that provide full service bathing and grooming offer a basic wash without the dry—for a price that’s better on the pocketbook.
5. Buy food in larger quantities. You don't have to feed your prince or princess the standard grocery store fare. Many feed stores and discount pet supply stores offer a wide variety of specialty brand dog foods at more affordable prices and you can save even more by buying larger quantities.
6. Order non-prescription and certain prescription medications online. Basics such as flea and heartworm preventative are more costly at a vet or pet supply store. Companies such as 1-800-PetMeds offer the exact same products and will beat the lowest price you are quoted anywhere else. The order usually goes right out and is sent via USPS Priority to your door (and shipping is usually free!) It's also fun when the package arrives—for your dog too; it comes with a complimentary biscuit.
7. Take advantage of coupons. Pet Supply stores often include them in mailers and manufacturer's coupons can be found inside dog food packages. Certain premium brands have frequent buyer programs that qualify you for free food after so many purchases.

Tips & Warnings

• Many pet supply stores host low cost mobile vaccinations either inside the store or out front. Check with the store for a schedule as mobile units normally rotate locations. Some veterinarians also offer discounted vaccinations on certain days of the week.
• Heartworm preventative requires a prescription to purchase. Take your dog to the vet or mobile vaccination facility for a heartworm test (and provided it's negative) purchase it from an online company to save money.
• Veterinarians are required by law to provide you with the prescription and you are free to purchase the heartworm preventative anywhere you like.
• If you are planning to get vaccinations from a mobile clinic, make sure it's under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian (they normally are).