This shop, Simple Ways To Save Money As A Dog Owner, has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #CheckYourPetFood #CollectiveBias
Making the decision to be a dog owner is a big decision. There are so many things you need to think about. Can I afford to feed him good, quality food? What about vet bills and routine care? Can I afford all the toys he will want to play with? Where will he sleep? So many decisions. But I have good news for you – it is affordable!
Last year we adopted Zelda. She is a Black Lab, Boxer and Feist Mix. My kids fell in love with her as soon as they saw her picture. As soon as we said yes to adopting her, my brain started to think of all the things we needed to take care of a dog. Now that she’s a year old, I can look back and see that we have been able to give this puppy everything she could want and more and it didn’t break the bank!
Simple Ways To Save Money As A Dog Owner:
Adopt From A Local Shelter:
When we started to talk about adopting a dog, we knew we wanted to adopt a puppy from a shelter. The cost is much less than buying a pure breed dog. We even have an organization near us that also provides all the vaccines and neutering of the dog before you adopt it. They also put the dog through obedience training in our local prison. Plus they are a little older so they are much calmer and better behaved after obedience school.
We adopted our first dog from a place like this. He was a mutt – but a very well behaved dog. From day one he never had an accident in the house and never chewed up anything in our house even if we left him home alone all day – and he wasn’t in a crate.
Starting with a puppy is a lot more work and could be a much more expensive option. So check your local shelters first. Our puppy came from a friend’s surprise litter – so we have had to pay for everything. But I know I saved a lot of money in our first year.
Well Checks, Vaccinations, and More:
When we adopted our puppy, this was one of the biggest expenses I thought we would incur. A new puppy needs a lot of vaccinations, flea and tick repellant, etc. Get on the internet and search “discount vaccines for dogs” and your zip code and you will find places near you that offer discounted vet services. They are usually mobile clinics, and you can find out their schedule on their website.
Just show up during the posted hours, and they can give your pup all the necessary vaccinations and flea and tick care products you will need. The one we found even emailed me the medical records and sent me email reminders for her next appointments. The cost is a lot less than visiting a veterinary office.
Another large expense is to have your dog spayed or neutered. This is another simple Google search. Type in “dog neuter clinic near me.” We only paid around $100 for this, and they even clipped her nails and offered free vaccines if she didn’t already have them. Most of the time the places that offer these services are nonprofit clinics.
(Please note – it’s important to find a Veterinary doctor in your area for appointments other than vaccines and routine care procedures.)
Crates and Pet Beds:
Have you checked out the prices of dog crates? They are expensive. But they are one of those items that are easy to clean and last forever! So the first place I looked was our Facebook yard sale groups. If you can’t find anything, just ask. I did, and there were many people in my area that had dog crates that were just sitting around collecting dust. They made a few bucks, and I saved money.
While Zelda waits for the kids to get home from school she pretty much sleeps all morning in her pet bed. You could look online for a way to make a dog bed, or you can just find an old blanket and keep it in the corner.
Dog Food:
This is always a hard decision. There are so many choices – and there is a huge difference in the prices of foods. bags of food for as low as $8 and as high as $40+. We needed to find an affordable option that was made with good quality ingredients.
I found just what I needed at Meijer. They have everything I need, and the prices are always great. I can pick up dinner, dog stuff, and a new outfit for my kids! While shopping at Meijer, I came across Purina® Dog Chow Complete Adult with Real Beef Dog Food. The 20-pound bag was just $10.99! I was a little skeptical because that is so affordable, but I was shocked when I checked out the ingredients.
Why Purina Dog Chow Complete Adult with Real Beef Dog Food – Real Meat, Right Price
This food is made with real beef that helps Zelda maintain strong muscles. It also has essential vitamins and minerals that help keep her going. Plus she loves it!
If you are looking for a grain-free option, your dog will love Purina® Beneful® Grain Free With Real Farm-Raised Chicken Adult Dry Dog Food. It has a great taste with a simple recipe. It does not contain any corn, wheat, or gluten. Plus it’s a great value!
Meijer makes it easy for you to get the products you need and save money. I used this MPerk offer, and so can you. Until March 3, you can save on Purina® Dog Chow and Purina® Beneful® Dog food.
Order your products online, and either have them shipped to your home or to your store. Or you can shop online and do curbside pickup. This is a great way to save time and money on your grocery bill. Add everything on your grocery list and let Meijer get it all and load it into your cart for you. It’s so easy. (This service isn’t available in all areas yet. Check your local store for details.)
Having a dog is great for our family. Our kids love to play with her and take her for walks and more. If you have a dog or you are thinking about adopting a dog – I hope some of these tips to help you save money as a dog owner will help you save money. You can still give your pet the best food and care possible when trying to stay within your budget.
