To keep your four-legged
friend from licking your budget dry, follow these 9 savings tricks!
1. Sign up for loyalty programs.
Take advantage of rewards programs offered through your favorite pet
stores for freebies, special promos and dollars-off future purchases. Petco's
Pals Rewards program gives members $5 for every $100 in purchases, for example,
plus special pricing on products throughout the store. Your local pet store
might offer a loyalty program or points as well, so inquire about your options.
2. Double the discount with gift cards.
Sites like GiftCardGranny.com
sell pet store gift cards at a big discount - you're looking at saving up to 25%
off Petco gift cards and over 19% off gift cards to PetSmart. Use these
discount gift cards as currency and try to pair them with sale items, coupon
codes and/or reward bucks to keep your dog care items really cheap!
3. Look for low-cost clinics.
Routine check ups, vaccinations and emergency care for your four-legged
friend can get expensive. However, you may qualify for discount care available
at low-cost clinics. Search for a nearby accredited veterinary school through
the American VeterinaryMedical Association to find out about free care to pet owners in
need, or sliding-scale services. You can also find free or low-cost neuter or
spay programs using the ASPCA website locator tool. Finally, vaccination clinics are
held by select veterinary practices and Petco stores regularly, saving you
money on office fees.
4. Ask for generic meds and buy online.
Don't assume you have to fill your dog's prescription at the vet, as
prices on pet meds can have markups of over 100 percent in some cases. If your dog doesn't
need treatment immediately, compare med prices online. Sites like 1800PetMeds
and PetCareRX offer both generic and brand-name meds for less, plus you can
find coupons for extra savings. Search for coupon codes using Coupon Sherpa for such savings
as 15% off your qualifying purchase from PetCareRX, or 10% off plus free
shipping on $49 orders from 1800PetMeds.
5. Buy treats and chews in bulk.
Treats and chews represent healthy ways to reward your dog, but they can
be pricey! Shop for both these items in bulk to cut costs. You can buy rawhides
and dental chews from Costco and Sam's Club for over 40% less compared to pet
stores. Same goes with treats: a 25oz container of Milk-Bone Soft & Chewy
Treats is priced at $12.99 on PetSmart's website, while Sam's Club offers a
37oz container of the same treats for just $8.38.
6. Order food online.
Buying dog food in bulk will get you the best bang for your buck, but
there's nothing fun about hauling those oversized bags to and from your car.
Not only is ordering food online easier, but it can be cheaper, too! Many
pet-specific sites offer a discount to those who set up repeat delivery plus
free delivery. For example, Petco offers 15% off when you use their repeat auto
delivery program.
7. Set up a dog-emergency fund.
With average annual medical expenses for dogs costing $786, it's
important to set aside money for their care. Be sure to include extra funds for
emergencies, as unplanned visits to emergency clinics and overnight stays can
add up fast. A pet-specific emergency fund will alleviate any financial
pressure should your pet be facing an expensive surgery or medication to treat
a serious illness.
8. Use daily deals for grooming.
In addition to using coupons, daily deal sites like Groupon and
LivingSocial are great places to snag discount vouchers for grooming services.
For instance, you can save up to 54% at Furry Tails in New York City or pay
just $8 for a doggie bath ($15 value) at Bark Williams near Los Angeles via
Groupon.
9. Think outside the kennel.
Kenneling isn't the only option when you leave for vacation. Check out Rover.com to
find a local pet sitter who will care for your dog in their home. You can
easily find reviews for each person and rest easy knowing your dog is getting
one-on-one attention. If you want your dog to accompany you on your travels,
check Motel 6 availability at your destination (the "original pet-friendly
motel," according to their website), or filter VRBO results by "pet-friendly"
properties.