Whether you are new to dog ownership or have previously adopted some pooches in the past, one thing is for certain: they come with expenses! As with us humans, dogs need food, entertainment, and occasional medical treatment. The thing is, some people end up paying a lot of money for their pet expenses.
If you’re finding that your dog-related costs are getting higher, the good news is that there are plenty of ways to bring them down. In fact, take a look at these 6 realistic ways to drive down the cost of dog ownership:
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- Bulk-buy your dog food
It’s no secret that the biggest ongoing expense you will face while owning a dog is paying for their food. And it’s also likely that you purchase their canned or dry food whenever you go grocery shopping.
Did you know that you could save a lot of money by bulk-buying dog food? For instance, many supermarkets often have special offers or discount promotions on dog food. It, therefore, makes sense to stock up when prices are lower.
- Buy online
The World Wide Web makes it convenient for us to buy the things we want whenever we wish. Of course, the other advantage of online shopping is that prices are often lower than in retail establishments!
What’s more, you could use discount coupons from sites like DontPayFull.com to drive down the cost of purchases from places like PetSmart. Paper coupons are seldom available for dog food, treats, toys, and medicine in the offline world as they are for products used for human consumption.
- Give your dog plenty of exercise
It doesn’t matter whether you own a dachshund or a greyhound. You should always let your dog have plenty of exercise each day. For a start, it stops them from getting bored and anxious if they are always at home. Second, it keeps them in peak physical fitness. And, third, it reduces the likelihood of them developing medical conditions, in particular, ones that are expensive to treat.
- Groom your dog at home
What’s the point in paying for expensive grooming sessions when you can do the work yourself? Aside from investing in the tools and shampoos that you’ll need, the cost of grooming your dog at home is minimal. Plus, your pooch will prefer that you groom them in familiar surroundings than somewhere strange. Take a look at Mutneys.com to get an idea of the costs of buying dog grooming accessories.
- Insure your dog
Despite your best efforts, unexpected events could mean that your dog may need to see the vet and get treated for ailments or injuries. With that in mind, it’s important to insure your pet so that your medical bills don’t skyrocket! With a plethora of insurers on the market, you’ll find it easy to seek out a provider that best meets the needs of you and your dog.
- Pay in advance for routine shots and pills
Finally, it’s worth asking your vet if they offer discounts if you pay in advance for future routine shots and pills. You will often find that vets provide 12-month schemes (or longer) to pre-pay for your dog’s routine treatments.
