15 Ways Single People Can Save Money On Their Pets
If you're single and own a pet, you know pets can be an invaluable source of companionship and joy. However, the costs of pet ownership can quickly add up. You can consider the financial costs such as pet food, toys, vet visits, and grooming. If you're looking to cut back on these expenses without compromising the well-being of your furry friend. Here are fifteen ways single people can save money on their pets!
Adopt, Don’t Shop
One of the biggest expenses associated with getting a pet is where you decide to get your new pet from. While you might be tempted to get a specific breed from the store, consider adopting from a shelter. Adopting a pet is often less expensive than buying from a pet store.
Standard pet costs when you purchase from a store include vaccinations, spaying/neutering, and microchipping. Plus, you'll be giving an animal a second chance. You save money by not having to do all of the initial vaccinations or spaying/neutering when you adopt.
If you want to adopt, check out your local animal shelters. You can also use websites like Petfinder and Adopt a Pet to find pets seeking a home if you are looking for a specific breed or type of pet.
DIY Pet Supplies
Pet toys, beds, and accessories quickly damage your bank account. Here is an opportunity for you to get creative! You can make pet toys at home with items you already have.
For example, you could make a cat scratcher out of cardboard boxes. You can use an old T-shirt to make a dog toy.
YouTube is a great resource for DIY pet projects where you can find channels like Gone to the Snow Dogs for creative pet toy ideas.
Buy in Bulk
You can purchase pet food in bulk. Buying in bulk is a great way to save more money. If you know what your pet likes, you can shop for deals at stores like Costco or online retailers like Chewy. While the upfront cost may be higher, you'll save money in the long run.
Additionally, some pet food brands offer subscription services that provide a discount if you set up automatic deliveries. This not only saves you money but also ensures that you never run out of food.
Opt for High-Quality Food
You can decide to buy high-quality pet food when trying to save money, but investing in better nutrition can lead to fewer health problems. Pets with a well-balanced diet are less likely to develop expensive health issues, saving you money on vet bills in the long run.
Preventative Care
Routine vet visits allow you to discover potential health issues early. Finding a health issue before it becomes problematic can save you costly treatments later.
You can keep your pet healthy by following your pet's vaccination schedule, using flea and tick prevention methods, and routine dental care.
Pet clinics offer pet wellness plans, including routine care, for a fixed monthly fee.
Pet Insurance
You have insurance, so why shouldn't your pet?
Pet insurance is a lifesaver! Pet insurance helps you financially plan for a pet's unexpected medical expenses. While pet insurance plans come with a premium just like human insurance, having insurance for your pet protects you from the financial burden of emergency surgeries or treatments.
You can shop for the best pet insurance plan for your budget and pet's needs.
Groom at Home
Grooming your pet is critical to their well-being. Professional grooming services can be expensive.
Instead, you can invest in a few grooming tools. Purchase pet grooming tools like a quality brush, nail clippers, and pet shampoo.
YouTube has plenty of tutorials for different types of pets and coats, making it easy to learn the basics.
You are then ready to groom your pet at home!
Exercise and Mental Stimulation
Keeping your pet physically and mentally active can prevent behavioral issues that might lead to costly damage or the need for professional training.
You can regularly take your pet on a walk. You can schedule playtime or playdates for your pet. You can buy interactive toys to keep your pet entertained and out of trouble.
Consider activities like fetch, agility training, or puzzle toys for dogs. For cats, laser pointers, feather wands, and cardboard boxes can provide hours of entertainment.
Pet Sitting and Boarding Alternatives
If you travel frequently or work long hours, pet sitting and boarding costs quickly add up.
You could ask a friend or neighbor to pet sit your pet. You can offer to care for each other's pets when traveling. Pet sitting can save you and your friend money from dealing with the high costs of professional pet services.
Another option is to join a pet sitting network like Rover or PetSitter. Pet sitting platforms can help you find a pet sitter or a pet sitting service where you live.
Use Coupons and Cashback Apps
Just like with your shopping, use coupons and cashback apps to help you save on pet supplies.
You can look at websites like RetailMeNot and Coupons.com for deals on pet supplies you need to restock.
Be sure to sign up for pet store loyalty programs. You can earn points from every purchase made at a major pet store. You can then redeem them for discounts on your future purchases.
Homemade Treats
Store-bought pet treats can be expensive, and some contain unhealthy additives. Making your own treats at home is cost-effective and allows you to control the ingredients. Simple homemade pet recipes use peanut butter, pumpkin, and oats. You can make your pet's favorite recipes in batches and store them for later.
Shop Secondhand
Just like you can save money buying used clothes or products, you can save additional money by shopping secondhand for your pet.
You can look online, at a local secondhand store, or ask around in your community. Be sure to look for gently used pet items. You will want to completely clean and disinfect any items before your pet uses them.
Train Your Pet
It is essential to train your pet. Proper pet training can prevent destructive pet behaviors that can cost you money or hurt your pet.
Training your pet to understand simple commands such as "sit," "stay," and "leave it" can protect your dog and your belongings.
You read ASPCA's Pet Care section to learn how to train your pet. You can watch pet training videos on YouTube. One pet training channel is Zak George’s Dog Training Revolution.
Build a Pet Emergency Fund
Just like you should have an emergency fund, you can build a rainy day fund for your pet. You can make it a financial goal to save
You can start by setting aside some extra money at the end of each month to create your pet's emergency fund. Having a rainy day fund for your pet can be a lifesaver. You never know when your pet may have an unexpected medical expense.
While pet insurance can help, there are often out-of-pocket costs that you'll still need to cover. Having an emergency fund for your pet ensures that you're financially prepared for any situation that may happen to your pet.
According to Better Pet, an emergency surgery for your pet could cost more than $5,000. Having a pet raining day fund prevents you from having to dip into your personal emergency fund or decreases your need to use a credit card.
Consider Pet Sharing
Have you ever thought about sharing a pet?
If you're not ready for the full-time commitment and cost of a pet, consider pet sharing. Websites like BorrowMyDoggyhelp pet owners find people who want to spend time but don't want the full responsibility of caring for a pet.
Pet sharing is a great way to experience companionship without having to deal with all of the costs of a pet over its lifetime.
Summary
Mastering personal finance is vital for single people to learn. You can use these money-saving strategies when you decide to buy a pet. Pet ownership teaches you many things. One lesson can be financial education.
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The views expressed in this article are the author's opinions and views and do not reflect the views of Secure Single. It is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Secure Single does not give health, medical, relationship, travel, or financial advice. Secure Single does not provide advice of any kind. Always consult and speak with a professional.