One of life’s greatest pleasures is having a furry friend by your side!
Pets are an important part of many people’s lives and are a great source of joy and happiness.
However, pets can also be a source of financial stress, as having a cat or dog can be very expensive.
On average, owning a cat or dog can cost you anywhere from $1,000 to $5,000 a year – a significant amount of money for most Americans.
However, there are ways to significantly reduce the cost of petcare expenses, from food to insurance.
To help you save your hard-earned money without compromising on the quality of care and supplies for your fluffy friend we’ve compiled a list of seven ways you can save money on pet expenses and supplies.
Let’s get into it!
As we’ve moved rapidly into the digital age, coupons seem to be a thing of the past for many people.
However, smart coupon usage can save you thousands of dollars a year if applied correctly at the right online retailers.
Whether it's a coupon administered by a store or a manufacturer coupon, there are many ways you can find ways to discount your pet supplies!
However, it’s finding these coupons that can be the difficult part as many people simply do not know where to look.
We recommend checking out platforms such as CouponFollow, who regularly have working Chewy coupons that can help you save money on a wide range of products including pet food, toys, and medication!
One of the best ways to save some money on your pet supplies is to ask your vet if they have any free samples for you.
Many pet food companies and medical companies give vets free samples of their products; however, these often end up going to waste.
If you have to put your pet on a specific diet or medication, check in with your vet and see if they have any free samples of what you’re looking for!
This way, you can test the product on your pet to see if it agrees with them without spending any money.
Plus, by using a free sample and not financially committing to a bulk supply of food or medication, you won’t be wasting any money if it turns out your pet does not respond well to the product!
Pet insurance is often one of the biggest costs associated with owning an animal, and can cost upwards of $500 a month.
As this is a necessary and recurring expense, it is a good idea to look for ways to bring the overall cost down.
One of the best ways to do so is to switch to a high-deductible insurance plan for your pet!
These types of plans are typically significantly cheaper, and can often cost half of what you would pay on a regular insurance scheme.
If you have a relatively young and healthy pet, then switching to a high deductible plan could save you over $1000 per year.
There’s no sugarcoating it: pet supplies are expensive.
However, you can purchase them at a discounted price if you know where and when to look!
As the pet industry is a niche industry, there are several sales that you may not know about.
On days such as National Dog Day (26 August), National Cat Day (29 October), and National Pet Day (11 April), you will often find pet retailers like Petsmart slashing their prices and offering great deals!
Additionally, don’t forget about your furry friend when you’re shopping for yourself during the Black Friday sale season! You will find that most pet supply stores will also offer crazy discounts during this period, making it a great time to stock up.
5. Ask Your Vet About a Wellness Plan
Depending on which vet you go to, you and your pet may have access to a wellness plan.
A wellness plan is a package in which you pay $50-$100 a month and have access to a certain number of (or sometimes unlimited) treatments for your pet!
Think of it like a subscription: instead of paying as you go, you pay a flat rate and get access to multiple treatments whenever your pet needs them.
Not all veterinary clinics offer this kind of package, so make sure you check in with your vet to see if it is an option.
If you’re anything like us, you love using Pet Smart to stock up on all the supplies needed for your pet!
However, many people do not know that PetSmart has a price-matching tool that can save you some serious money when used correctly.
Petsmart offers a price-matching guarantee, which means that if you find the same item for a cheaper price at another online retailer, they’ll match that price!
This is a great way to save some money on pet-related items while still buying from a reputable online retailer.
Next time you’re about to checkout at PetSmart, make sure you have shopped around to ensure you can’t find the items for a lower price somewhere else.
Subscriptions aren’t just for magazines and streaming platforms; they’re great for saving money on pet food too!
There is a high chance that your pet goes through a bag of food per month; however, instead of buying an individual bag each month, why not subscribe to a monthly shipment?
Most online retailers such as Chewy and Amazon offer a discount for opting into a monthly subscription package. These subscription packages work out to be significantly cheaper than buying pet food in individual bags, making it a great way to save some money on pet-related expenses!
Next time you’re buying your pet their favorite treats, check to see if a subscription plan is available for the product to help you save some extra money.