Dog Blog

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The money I spend on my pets can really add up. Because of this, I keep track of what I spend on them each month and make sure to buy only what they need. Trust me, they do not know the difference, and they are still spoiled. Here are some tips for saving money on dog care.

1. Make a list of everything you spend on your dog.
I keep a monthly budget for all my expenses, including what I spend on my pets. Doing so makes it clear what I’m spending, and when it is a little out of control. It doesn’t have to be a very complex budget, even just a list of everything you spend on your dog is fine. It’s just good to be aware of where your money is going. Think about everything you spend on your dog, such as food, training, toys, vet bills, grooming, health-care products, treats, daycare, boarding, beds, kennels, cleaning supplies and replacing things he destroys. Once you have a list, you can decide where you can cut back.

2. Shop for toys at thrift stores.
My mutt’s favorite toys are tennis balls, which cost less than a dollar, and stuffed animals. At a pet store, stuffed dog toys might cost anywhere from $10 to $50. Instead, I buy Ace’s stuffed toys at thrift stores and garage sales for about 50 cents per toy. Usually they appear to be brand new. The cheaper they are, the more I buy.

3. Use less expensive brands for flea and tick prevention.
Your vet can recommend a flea and tick prevention formula that works just as well as the leading brand, but for less money. For example, I used Frontline on my dogs for years. For a 60-pound dog, Frontline costs about $45 for a three-month dose. Now I use cheaper brands that work just as well, such as BioSpot. You can find most brands online for a reduced rate, as well. Just make sure you do research and ask questions before you use any chemicals on your dog. Some dogs have allergic reactions to Frontline or BioSpot.

4. Groom your dog yourself.
In order to save $40 a month on a professional grooming bill, I bathe Ace in the bathtub at home. I use an $8 bottle of shampoo that will probably last a year, a sponge and a bucket to pour water over his back. Ace is 60 pounds and I have no problem washing him in the tub, so if you have a smaller dog, it should be even easier. Ace does have very short hair, however, which makes my job pretty easy. Maybe you could bathe your dog yourself every other time, or only bring him to the grooming shop  when he needs a haircut. Otherwise, you could buy an electric trimmer and cut your dog’s coat yourself. If my mom can do it, you can do it. When I worked at a grooming shop, I couldn’t believe how many people paid over $125 to have their long-haired dogs groomed every month. If I don’t spend that kind of money on a haircut for myself, I am not going to spend it on my dog!

5. Clip your dog’s nails yourself. 
Vets and groomers charge $10 or so for a nail trim. To me, this seems ridiculous, but people pay it. Ten dollars per trim adds up over the dog’s life. Just buy a $10 nail clipper, and learn to trim your dog’s nails yourself. It’s not that bad!

6. Buy treats and chew toys that will last the longest.
I use pieces of dry cat food to train my dog. This lasts much, much longer than a bag of dog biscuits or jerky, and he likes them more anyway. As far as chew toys, Ace chews on hollow bones or Kongs filled with peanut butter. That way he can reuse them. I buy him rawhides now and then, but not too often because he eats them in minutes. Hollow bones can last Ace weeks and Kongs last for years.                

7. Walk to the park instead of driving.
It’s easier for me to just drive a few miles to the park with Ace rather than walk. But this wastes gas. Plus, I find it hard to justify driving somewhere, when the whole point of getting there is for exercise. Why not exercise on the way to the park? In my case, it’s a ten-minute walk or a five-minute drive, so I might as well just walk.

8. Walk to the store.
Since you are going to walk your dog anyway, why not get something done in the process? I don’t do this, but it’s about time I start. I could walk to the post office, walk to PetSmart or walk through the bank drive-thru. It would be great exercise and I’d save gas money. Plus, it would make a routine walk a lot more fun.

9. Read about obedience training rather than taking a class.
Each dog obedience class costs around $50. If you are disciplined, you could train your dog on your own. There are dozens of books, online videos and blogs on dog training to help you out.

10. Hire a dog walker or go home on your lunch break.
To save money on dog daycare, which can cost more than $20 per day, I go home from work during my lunch break to spend time with Ace. As another option, you could hire a dog walker to let your dog out. This will cost a lot less than daycare. When I was a dog walker, I charged $5 for a half-hour walk. This makes a big difference over a year.

What are some ways you save money on dog care?

Related posts:

1. 30-day challenge: Walk your dog every day (Days 22-23)
2. 10 things to look for when choosing a vet
3. 30-day challenge: Walk your dog every day (Days 15-18)
4. 30-day challenge: Walk your dog every day (Days 13-14)
5. 30-day challenge: Walk your dog every day (Day 1)

This entry was posted on Thursday, March 27th, 2008 at 6:00 am and is filed under BioSpot, Exercise, Frontline, boarding, dog care, dog daycare, dog walker, grooming, petcare, toys, treats, vet, walking. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.