How to be a thrifty dog owner

Let’s face it - dogs can be expensive!  But these days, everyone is trying to save money, so are there ways to save money on your dog expenses without compromising your dog’s care?

Of course!  You just need to be more creative!

There are some things I absolutely will no compromise on – my dogs get fed a super-premium kibble or home-made food.  Vet care is another thing that you just can’t scrimp on!

There are lots of things you can save money on though…

• Buy your dog food in bulk.  When I feed my dogs kibble, I buy the biggest bag possible – it can save you a $1 or more per pound, depending on the food.  If your dogs won’t eat it all within a month, package the food into smaller containers and freeze the rest.
• Buy second-hand dog equipment.  I once got a pricey name-brand dog crate for $20 that normally retails for around $85.  Check out Freecycle, your local paper or even the online classifieds for great deals on used dog stuff.
• Try the second-hand store for towels, blankets and bedding for your dog.  Does you dog really care what color the blanket is that lines their crate?  Using second-hand towels can save you a bunch!
• Bake your own dog treats.  There are tons of great recipes online – I’ve even found a few for you!  This is especially useful if you have a dog with allergies who requires specialty treats.
• Talk to your vet about the medications your dog is on.  My dogs actually get human medications, which are less expensive than the doggy versions.  This is to be done strictly under the guidance of your vet.
• Make your own dog toys.  My Corgi trashes $20 store bought toys in just minutes.  Why not make your own and save a ton of money?  As an alternative, you can pick up inexpensive kids stuffed animals from the second-hand store.  Just make they don’t have anything your dog could choke on (things like plastic eyes etc).
• Learn how to groom your own dog.  I began clipping my Cocker Spaniel because he has severe separation anxiety – but I keep on clipping him myself because it’s a great way to save money.  Of course, if you don’t have a set of clippers already, it may not pay off for you.  I bought a pair of professional clippers from a groomer, and then had them refurbished.  It ended up costing about half the cost of a set of new clippers.  Trimming nails is also a good way to save money.  How much do you pay for nail trimming every month?

You don’t need to be overwhelmed – just try and be a little more creative and you’ll be a thrifty dog owner in no time!

image: Stock.xchg