About a year ago, my husband and I found a tiny, six-week-old kitten all alone in a graveyard. She was mostly black, mewing pitifully and covered in fleas. Knowing what a slim chance any cat has of being adopted at a shelter, we said we would take her and find her a good home. And we did: in our house.
We are both “animal people,” and that cat has enriched our lives enormously; she’s beautiful, affectionate, and hilarious. We call her our “little comic relief character.” But when we come home from buying a load of pet supplies, truth be told, we also call her our “cute little burden.” There’s no way around the fact that pets are expensive, but there are ways to save. Here are our 5 favourite money saving ideas for pet care:
Image via Wikimedia Commons
1. Do Your Research
Before you seek out or take in a pet, you must know what you’ll need in order to give that pet a good life. Dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, rodents, rabbits, ferrets, horses and other animals all have unique needs that you should be fully aware of before you commit.
You should know what kind of food, supplies and veterinary care your pet will need, and how much it may cost. You should also know what your pet’s life expectancy is so you can get a grasp of what you’re committing to. Compare pet insurance policies and premiums to see if it would be worthwhile taking out pet insurance to help cover some of your pet care costs.
2. Pet Proof your Home
With almost any pet you bring home, a degree of pet proofing is required. Puppies and kittens are notoriously filled with mischief, but most pets can do expensive damage if you’re not careful.
A friend of mine had a chinchilla whose cage was in a corner, and though his owners didn’t know it, he was able to chew on the fine woodwork of their historic apartment. It was only when they moved out that they discovered the damage and faced some hefty repair charges. The old saying certainly holds true here: prevention is cheaper than cure.
3. Read Reviews
Before you buy any product or service, read reviews online and talk to friends and neighbors for opinions. Whether you’re buying pet food, litter, toys, or veterinary or grooming services, reviews will help you make the right choice the first time. Then you won’t spend double to replace a bad product or get a service done twice.
4. Price Compare
Reading reviews and price comparing go hand in hand. You don’t necessarily want to go with the cheapest product or service for your pet, but you certainly don’t want to pay too much either. If you’ve done your research, you can pick and choose where to splurge and save wisely.
For example, my husband and I usually pay quite a bill to take our cat to the vet, since we’d rather splurge a little to take her to a highly reviewed vet, ensure she’s healthy and keep her preventative treatment solid. But when the time came to get her spayed, we found a reputable, highly rated spay/neuter clinic. They did the procedure perfectly for about one sixth the cost compared to our regular vet. Sometimes, a bit of comparison shopping may really pay off!
5. Make It Yourself
When it comes to toys, beds and other pet accessories, try making them yourself. There are plenty of resources online to guide you in making your own pet toys, climbing structures for cats and small pets, perches for birds, etc. Just price your materials carefully so you don’t overspend.
Owning a pet is a wonderful, fulfilling experience when it is done responsibly, but taking in a pet you can’t care for properly is simply setting yourself up for heartbreak. When you’re sure your heart and your finances are both ready, you can experience all the joy and love a pet can bring without the budgetary anxiety.
