Owning a dog can be a very rewarding experience. But it can also be an expensive one. The annual costs of caring for a dog can range from $1,000 to $5,225 a year, says Rover. But you may have the ability to lower some of your dog-related expenses. Here are a few strategies to save.
1. Food
Rover says that the cost of dog food can range from $560 to $4,115 per year. Now, a lot of that will depend on the size and breed of your dog and whether they have special medical or dietary needs. But one thing it could pay to do is sign up for a dog food subscription where it’s delivered to your door every month, or at a regular interval that works for you.
Chewy is known for its competitive prices on dog food, so that’s one option to look at. But don’t discount Amazon as an option. You may find that your go-to brand is cheaper with the Subscribe & Save program than what Chewy has to offer.
2. Poop bags
As a dog owner, it’s your responsibility to pick up after your pup. But at a cost of $65 to $85 a year for poop bags, that’s a lot of money to be spending in this particular category.
Before you spring for those scented poop bags that may or may not mask the smell of your dog’s droppings, visit your local grocery store and ask to purchase a large roll of plastic bags — the kind you’ll see in the produce aisle. You may find that you’re able to spend $5 or less for a roll of hundreds of bags. Or, if you get a nice manager, they may even give you one for free.
3. Toys
Rover puts the average cost of toys at $5 to $125 a year. But depending on your dog, this is one expense you may be able to skip out on entirely.
It’s true that it’s a good thing to keep your dog active and engaged. But instead of dipping into your savings account to buy toys, try heading into your own backyard, finding a stick, and enjoying a good old game of fetch.
Furthermore, you need to know your dog in the context of buying toys. If they’re the type to destroy something within minutes, why waste your money? And don’t believe those so-called indestructible stuffies — they’re just as likely to get ripped to shreds as their much less expensive counterparts if your dog is the destroyer type.
That said, if your dog is one who might allow a toy to last, read reviews before buying yours so you’re more likely to end up with quality items with staying power.
4. Emergency vet visits
Unlike food and poop bags, which are given budgetary expenses when you own a dog, you’ll hopefully manage to avoid emergency vet visits for the most part. But should you need one, Rover warns that the cost could be up to $2,985 on average. That’s where pet insurance could come in handy.
The cost of putting that insurance in place will vary based on factors such as your dog’s age and breed. But you might pay a few hundred dollars a year for pet insurance only to have that policy save you thousands when an emergency arises. So it’s a good idea to shop around with different pet insurers to compare their premium costs and the level of coverage you might get.
There’s no question about it — it takes money to own a dog. But if you play your cards right, you might manage to lower some of your costs considerably.
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