Ways to save money with pets / afford your pets (Grooming & Vet )

[O RLY]

- Buy high quality food
- It will save you from serious health issues from poor nutrition.

-Get your pets Groomed often
-Groomers will hopefully spot issues before they become a major problem

- Look for affordable grooming at Grooming schools or Grooming Academy's
- Most will give you HALF off what Petsmart will charge you, plus most of the upgrade packages are just a few dollars compared to $20-25 for petsmart. It may not be perfect but they will give your pet more attention than most other places with groomers rushing trying to make as much money as possible.

-Take your pets in for regular checkups
- Catch things early

-Consider pet insurance while your pet is young and still accepted
- Most (do research) cover HUGE and Expensive treatments.

- Put aside money for just in case moments, like last minute boarding needs, or yearly shots.
$25 a month helps in the long run!! Just let it pile up.

- Look for affordable clinics for vaccinations and spaying/neutering .
- You will save money, these things are cheap!

- Adopt your pet
- Most adoption fees cover major expenses (spaying for instance) and vaccines

 

[Teresa Pitman]

Here are my tips:
Buy your dog food at Costco. They have high quality food under the Kirkland label much cheaper than most other places.
Get a breed of dog that doesn't require grooming.
If you do opt to get a purebred dog, do your research to make sure there are no genetic diseases being passed down to your dog.
I'm inclined to think that regular check-ups make more sense for animals than they do for humans, since they can't tell us about the symptoms they are experiencing that we might not be aware of. So I agree with that - and with pet insurance if you make sure it covers what you need.

 

[havaneselover]

I saved money by buying an expensive dog from a very good breeder. She's eight and we've had almost no vet bills besides annual check ups. Our other dog was purchased from a breeder but really it was more like a kennel. She's had 4 cystotomies ($4K total), cataract surgery ($3k--still went blind at 11), 2 er visits, etc. It's not a guarantee, but odds are better of getting a healthy dog if you go through a very good breeder.

I also buy the healthy dog's food at costco, fill rxs at costco (eye drops and heartworm), and buy the largest frontline plus and measure it out by weight.

 

[JenB1104]

Dental is what kills us - it is now up to 400 dollars with older dogs to get teeth cleaned with IV and anesthesia.

 

[Echo queen]

Great tips.

 

[SharonZ]

Apply for the CareCredit card. It can be used at most Vet offices and anything over $200 qualifies for 6-12 months interest free financing, depending on your vet's policies.

 

[Echo queen]

Thanks I knew I would learn great tips here. I already have a care credit card.

 

[O RLY]

Here are my tips:
Buy your dog food at Costco. They have high quality food under the Kirkland label much cheaper than most other places.
Get a breed of dog that doesn't require grooming.
If you do opt to get a purebred dog, do your research to make sure there are no genetic diseases being passed down to your dog.
I'm inclined to think that regular check-ups make more sense for animals than they do for humans, since they can't tell us about the symptoms they are experiencing that we might not be aware of. So I agree with that - and with pet insurance if you make sure it covers what you need.

Exactly, you don't have to spend a bunch to find good food. Just look at the ingredients.

 

[yoopermom]

Less expensive but still nutritious dog food is also available under the Diamond Naturals (only naturals, not regular Diamond) brand. No corn, no wheat, no soy. My three seniors are on it, and it's the most reasonably priced one I've found that I can also buy locally (Tractor Supply, Menards, etc). I wish I lived closer to a Costco, since I know their Kirkland brands are very good, too.

Our hounds live regularly into their early teens, and I place that first and foremost on good genetics (if they don't hunt well, they aren't used for breeding, period). Good quality food, early socialization, regular exercise, spay/neutering at appropriate age, regular dental care and preventive medicines, learning to recognize the signs of vet care needed, and deciding ahead of time about major health issues are all important, too.

Shots are also a point of contention for some people. We give the puppy shots, and then have titers drawn thereafter to check levels. Rarely do we need to revaccinate and, if so, we do it ourselves. I personally believe that vaccinating yearly is overkill for the majority of dogs. Due to state regulations we continue to have the vet give the rabies every three years per the law. In this area we have a huge amount of dogs with either blastomycosis, anaplasymosis, Lyme's Disease, etc. We know the signs to watch for, and start medication immediately for the symptoms (since all are lifelong, but tend to flare and then lay dormant).

Very important is to build a good, regular relationship with a veterinarian that you trust. Don't just call in the middle of an emergency, and expect them to take you in if you're not a regular client. My vet knows us, knows what we are and aren't willing to do, is willing to work with us on a conservative method of treatment, and can be trusted to have both ours and our dogs' best interests at heart. In return we pay our bill immediately and with a smile, since we know we can trust her.

A pet is for life.

Terri

 

[JenB1104]

Less expensive but still nutritious dog food is also available under the Diamond Naturals (only naturals, not regular Diamond) brand. No corn, no wheat, no soy. My three seniors are on it, and it's the most reasonably priced one I've found that I can also buy locally (Tractor Supply, Menards, etc). I wish I lived closer to a Costco, since I know their Kirkland brands are very good, too.

Our hounds live regularly into their early teens, and I place that first and foremost on good genetics (if they don't hunt well, they aren't used for breeding, period). Good quality food, early socialization, regular exercise, spay/neutering at appropriate age, regular dental care and preventive medicines, learning to recognize the signs of vet care needed, and deciding ahead of time about major health issues are all important, too.

Shots are also a point of contention for some people. We give the puppy shots, and then have titers drawn thereafter to check levels. Rarely do we need to revaccinate and, if so, we do it ourselves. I personally believe that vaccinating yearly is overkill for the majority of dogs. Due to state regulations we continue to have the vet give the rabies every three years per the law. In this area we have a huge amount of dogs with either blastomycosis, anaplasymosis, Lyme's Disease, etc. We know the signs to watch for, and start medication immediately for the symptoms (since all are lifelong, but tend to flare and then lay dormant).

Very important is to build a good, regular relationship with a veterinarian that you trust. Don't just call in the middle of an emergency, and expect them to take you in if you're not a regular client. My vet knows us, knows what we are and aren't willing to do, is willing to work with us on a conservative method of treatment, and can be trusted to have both ours and our dogs' best interests at heart. In return we pay our bill immediately and with a smile, since we know we can trust her.

A pet is for life.

Terri

We also switched to Diamond Naturals Lamb and Rice from the Nutro Brand and it is much cheaper.

 

[havaneselover]

We also have a low cost surgery option in Richmond, Va. That includes dental cleanings. And if your income meets the requirements (which really aren't that low) our local spca has a clinic.

All this said I love my dogs dearly but I probably won't get more due to the expense. I probably spend $2,000/year on my two and that's a lot for a single mom who needs to save for retirement, braces, kids' college, etc.

 

[Gigi22]

We adopted from our local Humane Society, so adoptees are "of unknown parentage" and breed in many cases. The adoption package for each pet includes a subsidized spay or neuter and insertion of a microchip. The HS will also perform any needed dental work for older pets before releasing them for adoption.