Saving Money on Your Pets

“You know we cut costs just as much as you do with your kids, you do with your pets.,” says pet owner Barry Appet. “Not a ton, but every little bit helps.“

Nowadays, people are looking for creative ways to cut back on expenses. But the question is, are any of those cuts going to the dogs?

FINDING PET COUPONS

• Sign up for e-mail mailing lists from retailers like PetSmart or Petco.  They’ll often send coupons or hot deals.
• Doggie Coupon
• Coupon Cat
• Do a Google search for your favorite brand of pet food.  You can often find deals.  Also- try searching the maker’s website for coupons to print.
• Pet Coupons and Special Offers on About.com

According to Business Week, Americans spend an estimated 41 billion dollars on their pets every year. But in tough economic times, what are people doing to save?

Most pet owners spend money on things like food, toys, and vet visits. But the thing to remember is to prioritize your pet’s needs. Food is obviously a necessity. Toys aren’t!

Here’s some more advice for cutting down those pet costs.

Make sure to keep your pets up to date on their vet visits and checkups. A $30 dollar vet bill now is a lot better than a 300 hundred dollar bill down the road.

Also, shop around for your pet supplies. With all the major pet retail stores and the internet, you’re bound to find better deals if you take the time to look for them.

“We did some comparison shopping, especially with dog food in particular, and we found that we could buy dog food here a little cheaper than we could buy it anywhere else.“

And be sure to shop around when it comes to food…you might be surprised.

“There’s some generic foods that are made by the more premium pet food companies and they just sell it under a different label. So the best thing is to take a look at the ingredients and if you need to consult with your Veterinarian,” says veterinarian Dr. Robert D. Schachner.  “They’ll help you pick out the right diet.“