5 Money-Saving Tips for Dog Parents

Money-Saving Tips for Dog Parents | Having dogs at home is a great way to keep yourself happy and healthy. With their unconditional love and endless affection, they add so much warmth to our personalities. However, taking care of a dog can put a dent in our wallets. Everything is a bit too pricey, from dog food and regular visits to the vet to their bathing products. Often, their cute faces tend to make us forget how costly it gets to look after them. Therefore, it is best to plan out your finances beforehand to prevent yourself from going broke.

5 Money-Saving Tips for Dog Parents

Being a dog parent is not an easy job. It adds up many extra chores that require special tools and cleaning agents to keep up with good hygienic practices at home. As a result, the additional monthly expenses compel many people to give up on their dogs and put them in a shelter to save money. In such circumstances, you don’t need to think about leaving your dog to resolve financial matters. We have compiled a list of ways to manage your expenses while staying with your sweet canine friend at home. Here is a list of money-saving tips for dog parents.

1. Say No to Impulse Buying

Often, new dog parents go overboard in buying expensive products, toys, clothes, and gifts for their dogs. Later on, it hits hard when the total bill exceeds their overall expenditure. Instead of overspending your hard-earned money all at once, you need to control your urge to buy everything that looks cute for your little dog.

Look out for different ways to keep your dog active and excited every day rather than making it dependent on costly items. For example, taking your dog out for a walk every day can help improve its health and social skills. By doing so, your dog will make new friends outside while spending quality time at a nearby park. It will help your dog become physically healthy and emotionally satisfied, as staying indoors can become exhausting after a while. Using this cost-effective technique, your dog will be much more content with its life without creating a hassle for you in the longer run.

2. Work on Creating a Monthly Budget

Creating a list of essential things required for your dog every month will help you manage your monthly expenses better. Once you have jotted down your dog’s monthly essentials such as food, hygiene products, and other supplies, you will better understand how much more you can spend on buying new toys or gifts. Your dog can stay happy and cheerful even if you skip the idea of buying expensive toys. It is best to invest in new affordable treats every month instead of getting gifts for your dog.

3. Avoid Buying a Dog from a Breeder

The decision to get a dog can be executed using some clever tactics. For example, instead of buying a dog from a breeder, it is better to adopt the dog. On average, the estimated cost of buying a dog may exceed over $1,000 at minimum. On the other hand, adopting a dog will cost around $250 only, based on your location. Staying up-to-date with the latest events at shelters will help you get a dog at discounted rates. Also, the sponsorship of dogs can cover the expenses that come with the process of adoption. By doing so, you will save lots of money while providing a good life to a dog living at the shelter.

4. Select a Good Veterinarian

A lot of new dog parents are not very familiar with veterinarians. Although most vets are expensive, you can select a good vet that provides an excellent service at a moderate price. Instead of heading to the nearest vet, you can search online for the most affordable vet in your city. Be sure to check their payment and insurance policies as they can add up to the overall cost. It will help you save money spent on regular checkups and medications for your dog.

5. Keep Up with Your Dog’s Hygiene and Habits

Maintaining good hygienic practices at home is a great way to avoid potential infections, viruses, and other illnesses from getting to your dog. Veterinary care is expensive; hence, a healthy lifestyle can reduce the chances of your dog getting sick. It is best to make sure that your dog remains neat and tidy after defecation and urination, as it may spread germs and become a source of infection for your dog. Similarly, bathing your dog upon getting back home from a walk can help eliminate all the bacteria piling up on your dog’s body.

Regularly brushing your dog’s teeth is essential to prevent the risk of tooth decay and other dental problems that may cost hundreds of dollars. See what kind of toothbrush and toothpaste works best for your dog. You can reduce its intake of sweet foods that may result in developing cavities. Also, be sure to train your dog regarding edible items. Many dogs are likely to chew anything lying around them. From artificial plants to small decoration pieces, your dog may find it intriguing to explore new stuff to eat. It is best to teach the difference between food and other objects ahead of time before it ends up swallowing something detrimental to its health.

The abovementioned tips will effectively minimize the additional expenses that may arise due to a lack of planning and management with a dog at home. It is always a good idea to keep your finances in check before going broke every month. With time, your monthly expenses can increase due to the economic changes in the world. However, using these money-saving tips, you can improve your budgeting skills while spending a minimal amount on your dog every month.


by Bobby J Davidson || You can’t buy love, but you can rescue it™

Facts About Animal Homelessness:

  1. Only 1 out of every 10 dogs born will find a permanent home.
  2. The main reasons animals are in shelters: owners give them up, or animal control finds them on the street.
  3. Each year, approximately 2.7 million dogs and cats are killed every year because shelters are too full and there aren’t enough adoptive homes. Act as a publicist for your local shelter so pets can find homes. Sign up for Shelter Pet PR.
  4. Approximately 7.6 million companion animals enter animal shelters nationwide every year. Of those, approximately 3.9 million are dogs and 3.4 million are cats.
  5. According to the National Council on Pet Population Study and Policy (NCPPSP), less than 2% of cats and only 15 to 20% of dogs are returned to their owners.
  6. 25% of dogs that enter local shelters are purebred.
  7. About twice as many animals enter shelters as strays compared to the number that are relinquished by their owners.
  8. It’s impossible to determine how many stray dogs and cats live in the United States. Estimates for cats alone range up to 70 million.
  9. Only 10% of the animals received by shelters have been spayed or neutered. Overpopulation, due to owners letting their pets accidentally or intentionally reproduce, sees millions of these “excess” animals killed annually.
  10. Many strays are lost pets that were not kept properly indoors or provided with identification.
  11. According to The Humane Society, there are about 3,500 brick-and-mortar animal shelters in the US and 10,000 rescue groups and animal sanctuaries in North America.

Here are a some adoptions for consideration:  puccicafe.com/adoptions