Dog Care 101

21 Clever Ways To Save Money Every Day When You Have A Dog

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By Lynnette Walczak

Adopting/Rescuing A Dog,Bones & Sticks For Dogs,Canine Cancer Tips,Cleaning & Odor Tips For Dog Owners,Costs & Expenses For Dog Owners,DIY Dog Stuff,Dog Injuries & Emergencies,Dog Toys & Dog Chews,eBay Dog Items,Human Medications For Dogs,New Dog Owner Tips,Peeing And Housebreaking Tips,Pet Insurance,Veterinarian And Expert Dog Tips

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How to save money on dog costs when you get a new puppy.

How To Reduce Dog Costs

You want to keep your dog as happy and healthy as possible. Right?

Sure you do. But you don’t want to spend an arm and a leg to do it.

How Much Does It Cost To Have A Dog?

I’ve heard it said that we spend roughly $1,500 a year on each of our dogs, depending on size and the number of health issues over the course of the dog’s lifespan. Veterinarians tend to put that figure closer to $3,000 a year.

There are a lot of different factors that can affect these costs — but it’s safe to say that you will be spending somewhere between $20,000 on the low end and $40,000 on the high end during your dog’s lifetime. Of course, the costs associated with raising a dog tend to increase each year with inflation and our enhanced lifestyle changes as well.

We are all looking for ways to save money whenever possible — and that includes saving money on pet care too.

That’s why I’m so thrilled to share my favorite ways to save money when you have a dog!…

21 Ways To Save Money Every Day When You Have A Dog

Each money-saving idea starts out with my own unique tip based on personal experience, followed by some very specific action items that you can take to save money in the exact same way. Each link was specifically chosen because it contains unique and helpful information to help you save money on dog costs — and leads to even more ways to save money on everyday dog care!

#1 – Save money on a new dog by adopting from a shelter, rather than buying from a pet store or breeder.

While many pet stores and breeders are reputable, trustworthy, and produce healthy dogs… many do not. Adopting a dog from a shelter is the smartest option because not only are you rescuing a pet, but you will likely get some of the costly new dog expenses “included” with your dog adoption.

In most cases, all shots, and sometimes even microchips, state dog licenses and some training, can be included in one adoption price … Any animal over 4 months old is also spayed or neutered.

—The New York Times

If you’re thinking of getting a dog and you prefer to buy a dog from a breeder rather than adopt from a shelter, then this is the best way to keep costs down:

  • Choose an adult, short-haired dog that’s small — not tiny, but small- to medium-sized. 
  • Research dog breeds and choose one with as few expensive hereditary health problems as possible.
  • Research dog breeders near you and choose one who tests for hereditary problems. You may pay more for your dog, but you will save money in the long run. 

Keep in mind, even a FREE pet can be expensive to maintain. Remember to look at the annual dog care costs for the first year compared to typical dog care costs each following year.

#2 – Save money on dog grooming by doing it yourself at home.

It may take a little practice — and patience — but if you love your dog and you want to save a few bucks through the years, then you’ll want to start grooming your dog yourself. It’s best to start early. The younger your dog is, the quicker he’ll get used to the fact that “this is just something we always do” and he won’t put up a fight.

Save as much as $500 each year (the average cost of grooming) by doing it at home. Or, if you have a dog that needs an experienced groomer for that fancy clip, limit trips by bathing at home some weeks. Just make sure to brush and comb out tangles and mats before putting your dog in the tub.

—Boston Animals
happy-dogs

#3 – Save money on dog toys by making your own toys and rotating your dog’s favorites.

Truth is, you really only need 5 to 10 dog toys total — because dogs always gravitate to their favorite ones anyway. Once you find the type of toy your dog prefers (mine likes Kong chew toys, soft toys with floppy parts, and large squeaky tennis balls), simply replace that toy with a similar or identical one each time it wears out. BONUS TIP: Choose the most indestructible dog toys possible, and don’t give your dog access to all of their toys all of the time. Instead, keep some hidden away. Just like with kids, it’s best to rotate your dog’s toys every few weeks. That way, those toys will always seem “new” to your dog each time that they’re re-introduced.

Skip the fancy clothes and toys. Most dogs have a few toys that are truly their favorites — the rest are just “extra” or to make us pet owners feel good. So if money is tight, skip on buying your dog another toy. And your dog definitely doesn’t need any expensive gear just “to be stylish.” A simple leash, collar, bedding, and a bowl are all that your dog really needs — and your dog’s bedding might be just a $3 blanket from a thrift store! Saving money where possible will allow you to afford the expenses that really matter to your dog’s overall wellbeing — like food (every day) and veterinary care (when needed).

— Healthy Pets On A Budget

#4 – Save money on household cleaning supplies by wiping your dog’s paws before they enter your house after being outdoors.

You will save on carpet, floor, and upholstery cleaning this way!

When muddy dogs come running across your clean carpet it’s natural to reach for the cleaner and paper towels immediately, but scrubbing the paw prints while the mud is still wet will grind the dirt deeper into the carpet. Instead, allow it to dry. Once dry, most of the mess can be vacuumed up with ease. After removing the loose dirt, treat the stain with carpet-safe cleaner. Oxygen-based cleaners like OxiClean work especially well. Allow the cleaner to work for a few minutes, then blot up the stain using a clean cloth. Don’t scrub as this can make the stain worse.

—Sacandalife

#5 – Save money on dog food by buying pet food in bulk.

We switched from Nutro to Nature’s Select dog food several years ago. They deliver it to our house for FREE, and it doesn’t cost any more than the dog food we used to buy!

Food is the biggest ongoing cost of owning a cat or dog. Consumer Report’s survey respondents spent an average of $36 a month on food for dogs and $20 a month on food for cats. A significant part of the national pet-food bill goes for so-called premium and super-premium varieties. But “premium” has no legal definition in terms of nutritional quality. Pets with problems such as sensitive skin, digestive difficulties, or obesity might do better on special types of food, so talk with your vet. Even in those cases, you’re likely to find significant price differences among equally appropriate foods.

—Consumer Reports
save-money-on-pet-food

#6 – Save money on dog collars and leashes by resisting impulse buys and sticking to the highest-quality, most-durable ones that will last for years.

Truth is, all you really need is a simple dog collar that is easy to clean and not too expensive to replace. Here are some tips to help you choose the right collar for your dog:

I found some pretty convenient items for my puppy on eBay. I found dog life jackets for under $20 and we bought our dog a matching leash and collar set. We had looked at a few pet stores for a personalized ID tag for our dog’s collar, but didn’t really like what we saw. I found a seller who personalized all different shapes and colors of tags and got one for under $5.00 – and that included shipping. 

—Saving Advice

#7 – Save money on your dog’s health care by ensuring that your dog does not become obese.

Obesity in dogs can lead to several health problems — including diabetes, arthritis, and cancer, to name just a few. Those are costly health issues to treat.

Dogs, like humans, can become overweight if you “free feed” them or feed them more than their needed amount of food per day (or if you feed them too many snacks). And like humans, overweight dogs lead to more health problems and more trips to the vet, costing you more money. Also, if dogs are fed human food, they are more likely to get sick and have to visit the vet because often their stomachs can’t handle the richness of human food.

—Saving Advice

#8 – Save money on pet supplies by buying used dog items instead of brand new ones.

A few places to find gently used pet products for your dog are: Craigslist, eBay, Goodwill stores, Freecycle, yard sales, and friends. Don’t hesitate to ask a friend or neighbor whose dog recently passed away or whose dog has outgrown its puppy things. You can find dog leashes, bowls, collars, beds, dog crates, and many other items you need — for less money (or for FREE) this way. The same is true if you have pet supplies that your dog didn’t like or you don’t need anymore: sell them! And it’s worth noting that livestock feed stores typically sell pet supplies with a lower markup than pet stores.

Ask a friend who once had a dog, but doesn’t any longer. Sometimes it is hard for people to get rid of toys or beds or leashes that belonged to their dog that passed away. But the opportunity to contribute to the needs of a friend’s new dog or puppy may be just the motivation they need to finally give up those items. Also, check with friends who brought home their dog as a puppy but is all grown up now. Most adult sized dogs can no longer fit in the beds, crates, leashes, collars, etc. that they had as a puppy. A new puppy is a great time to recycle someone’s no longer used puppy equipment.

—Saving Advice

#9 – Save money on future dog health issues by spaying your female dog or neutering your male dog.

The sooner you do it, the better.

Spaying reduces mammary tumors in female animals, and neutering might reduce aggression as well as some diseases in males.

—Consumer Reports

#10 – Save money on a dog walker by walking your dog yourself.

C’mon admit it… you need the exercise as much as your dog does! Who doesn’t?

Exercising with your pet keeps them from suffering the health effects of excess weight (for example, arthritis, which is very expensive to treat) and saves you money on gym fees, too. Studies also show that people who exercise with their pets to lose weight are more likely to adhere to their regimens and drop more pounds as a result.

—PetMD
walk-the-dog

#11 – Save money on sudden trips to the vet by dog-proofing your house.

It’s easy to overlook these very basic things that could save your dog’s life and save you big bucks:

Anyone bringing a puppy home to a house full of expensive electronics should take some time to dog-proof their nice things before the new addition has a chance to turn them into scrap. With just a few simple precautions, you can ensure that every one of your devices, from your phone to your laptop, will be able to weather the storm of a new puppy. 

–DogsNPaws

#12 – Save money on comfy dog beds by making your own.

Unless you’ve got a senior dog with arthritis or joint problems, then you really don’t need a special dog bed. Basically, you just need to get your dog’s hips off the hard ground.

So you have a lot of options when it comes to making a comfy dog bed:

Get one or two durable dog beds that can easily be taken apart to wash and replace the filling as needed. You can also make your own dog beds or use old comforters. Your dog just wants a soft place — she is not picky about style!

–About Dogs

#13 – Save money on dog training by searching for solutions to specific dog behavior issues as you need them (like “barking”, or “chewing”, or “basic dog commands”).

Search both online and in books. You’ll also find dog training DVDs by topic/behavior, as well as by dog training method/style. Be sure to only seek out sources that have good reputations — so ask local dog trainers, your veterinarian, and other dog owners for their personal suggestions before you waste any money.

A lot of people don’t think about dog training as a way to save money, but a well-trained dog will be easier to walk, will be calmer in most situations, and will be less likely to get into things he shouldn’t. Teaching your dog to stay by your side and to come when he is called proves far cheaper than paying for expensive emergency care caused by his running off―possibly into the street―and eating items that he shouldn’t.

–ASPCA

#14 – Save money on routine vet care by taking advantage of short-term promotions that veterinarians offer throughout the year.

For example, look for mobile rabies clinics each summer and discounted dental care during National Pet Dental Health Month each February.

When it comes to dental health care, an ounce of prevention truly is worth a pound of cure. According to VPI Pet Insurance, routine pet teeth cleaning bills averaged $122 last year among clients. The average vet bill for treating tooth-related disease: $227.

–SoulPup
dog-vet

#15 – Save money on dog meds by buying generic pet medications (like flea & tick prevention) through local retailers rather than buying name-brand products from your veterinarian.

I get my dog’s flea & tick medication (Frontline Plus) on the shelf at Costco for a much lower price than at other stores. I also recently discovered that the Costco Pharmacy can provide my dog’s heartworm pills for less than my veterinarian’s office. Most pharmacies will fill your dog’s prescriptions… just ask! So whatever meds your dog needs, be sure to ask your vet for a written prescription, then price shop both online and locally.

Shop online (mostly). Consumer Reports found cheaper prices at 1-800-PetMeds and PetCareRX than at Petco or PetSmart … Vets’ markups over wholesale start at 100% and frequently hit 160%, plus a $5 to $15 dispensing fee. If your pet is taking a medication that’s also prescribed to humans, as is often the case, you might be able to have the prescription filled inexpensively at a chain drugstore, supermarket pharmacy, or big-box retailer. 

—Consumer Reports

#16 – Save money on dog chew bones by getting them from the local butcher.

You can also ask the folks in the meat department at your favorite supermarket if they have any leftover beef marrow bones that would be safe for dogs. Personally, I visit the local butcher every few months with a $10 bill and say I want that much worth of dog bones. I always walk out with 2 plastic grocery bags full of fresh beef bones! I only get the femur bones, so my dog can get the marrow from both ends. If they’re in the process of cutting bones when I arrive, I even get to tell them how long or short I want the bones to be.

Chewing and eating raw bones is actually extremely healthy for dogs when fed properly. It can be very dangerous to feed a dog bones that are inappropriate for them… or cooked bones. NEVER FEED DOGS COOKED BONES! When cooked, bones become sharp and brittle.

–Natures Menu

#17 – Save money at the veterinarian’s office by taking your dog to the vet every year (even when they’re healthy) rather than only for illnesses and emergencies.

This way, you will find out about your dog’s health problems early — which will ultimately increase the life of your dog.

Something else many veterinarians offer is a multi-pet discount. If you have more than one dog, be sure to ask if they offer this type of discount.

–Pawnation
dog-vet-specials

#18 – Save money on pet sitters by asking someone who loves dogs to come to your home 2-3 times a day, instead of taking your dog to a pet boarding facility.

I know my dog does better in his own home, rather than staying at a kennel away from home. (We learned this after 2 years of professional kenneling when we traveled.) If you’re lucky, you’ll find a responsible teen or next door neighbor who wouldn’t have to go out of their way to help. You could even offer to watch their pet when they’re away — that way, no money is ever exchanged. We found a professional pet sitter who lives in our town. She comes twice a day (morning and evening) to let our dog out, fill up the food & water bowls, and play with him a bit. Our dog sitting expenses were cut in half this way!

Start by asking your veterinarian for recommendations, and also consider looking at Pet Sitters International or the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters. You’ll want to be sure your sitter is bonded, insured, and certified by a professional organization.

—CS Monitor

#19 – Save money on puppy training pee pads by housetraining your dog as soon as possible.

Sure, it’s convenient to not have to take your dog outside every time he’s gotta go, and potty training a dog on their schedule is a pain. I agree. But there are downsides to using wee pads — in addition to the cost. Because it’s so easy to rely on the piddle pads most of the time, your dog may never fully become housebroken. Plus, it becomes a real inconvenience when your dog goes to other peoples’ houses (because they’ll expect to find pee pads there too) and when other people come to your house (they see — and smell — pee pads everywhere). If your dog continues to use pee pads most of their life, I can guarantee that your inside world and your dog’s inside world will be a smelly one. Dogs inevitably miss the pad at times, and it usually goes unnoticed — until weeks and months later when the smell begins to permeate the room because it has seeped into the flooring!

If you train your dog to “go” outside of your house, you don’t have to waste money buying expensive pee pads and you’ll be using less cleaning solvent for the messes that accidentally spill from the pad to the floor.

–Savvy Sugar

#20 – Save money on pet accessories by making them yourself.

For things that you don’t necessarily need right away, you could take a little extra time and make them yourself. That way, you’re able to make them specifically to the exact sizes and dimensions that are best for your dog’s size, and you can take pride in knowing that it’s a quality piece that will last forever.

Whether it’s sprucing up your home to make it that much more pet-friendly or creating a craft or toy to please your furry friend, there are all sorts of easy do it yourself projects that can enhance life with your dog.

–Petside

#21 – Save money on emergency pet care by investing in pet insurance OR by starting a savings account for your dog’s health care.

In the event that something tragic suddenly happens to your four-legged friend, pet insurance (or your pet savings account) will cover most issues including veterinarian charges for accidents, illnesses, hereditary conditions and behavioral treatments. To keep pet insurance premiums low, insure your dog while he’s still young — especially if you have one of these most expensive dog breeds based on vet bills!

The true cost of owning a dog - in hard dollars. Plus, how to save money on dog costs from the day you bring your new puppy home. Got a new dog? Start here!

Here are even more ways that pet owners are saving money every day.

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