Owning a pet has a lot of benefits. It can literally help you heal from a lot of sickness. The unconditional love that a pet has for its owner can produce miraculous results that can keep depression away, lower blood pressure and deal with mental problems like Alzheimer’s. Some people will even attest to the fact that they can be better companions. They will not leave you and will remain loyal to you (at least, we believe this is true for dogs).
While the benefits of pet ownership makes it a rewarding experience, you need to realize that it also comes with pet expenses. Just like a child, you need to feed your dog, bring them to the doctor and attend to their other needs. They are just as helpless as a small child and they deserve your love, care, attention and your money.
But how can you afford all of this when you are trying to lower your monthly expenses? When you have a lot of debts to pay off, choosing between your pet and your financial problems may prove to be a very painful thing to do.
Good news is, there are ways to make your pet expenses more affordable.
How much will pet ownership cost you?
First things first, how much will pet ownership really cost you?
Based on the data we found on the AmericanPetProducts.org, expenditures in the pet industry amounted to $53.3 billion in 2012. They estimated that the the overall spending in the US will reach $55.5 billion in 2013. This estimation included the following:
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$21.2 billion on food
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$14.2 billion on Vet care
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$13.2 billion on supplies and over the counter medicines
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$4.5 billion on pet services
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$2.3 billion on live animal purchases
Of course the actual pet expenses will depend on the type of animal that you are keeping. ASPCA.org provides the following estimations when it comes to caring for the popular animals taken in as pets.
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Small dog: $1,314 (first year), $580 (annual)
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Medium dog: $1,580 (first year), $695 (annual)
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Large dog: $1,843 (first year), $875 (annual)
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Cat: $1,035 (first year), $670 (annual)
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Rabbit: $1,055 (first year), $730 (annual)
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Guinea Pig: $705 (first year), $635 (annual)
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Small mammal: $340 (first year), $300 (annual)
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Small bird: $270 (first year), $200 (annual)
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Fish: $235 (first year), $35 (annual)
Source: http://www.aspca.org/adopt/pet-care-costs
The first year pet expenses are bloated because there are capital costs that will only be spent one once. These include scratching posts for cats, aquarium for the fish, carrier bags, neutering, etc. But after this initial cost, it should be the same from year to year.
Compared to the other household expenses that you usually have to spend on, the cost of owning a pet is not so costly. This is especially true if you choose to owe a low maintenance animal. But the thing is, when you are strapped for cash and you need to squeeze every penny to pay off other financial obligations, you may think twice about these pet expenses.
Tips to lower the expenses needed by your pet
If you really want to take care of a pet, you do not have to worry because as we mentioned, there are ways for you to minimize the expenses. Your pet expenses are not supposed to be considered as bad spending habits because the benefits of owning them are quite priceless. You do not have to deprive yourself of their presence if you follow these suggestions.
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Give your pet the right amount of nutrition. The second expense is on veterinary costs and you want to keep this cost low if you can. One of the ways to ensure this is to keep your pet healthy. When we say healthy, it means giving them just enough food. Do not make them skip meals, but do not overfeed them too. Both will make your pet ill so avoid this as much as possible. Know how much your pet is supposed to eat. For instance, dogs should take in more dry food than canned.
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Buy their food in bulk. Dry food usually last long so it should be a good idea to buy in bulk. You will save more if you do this. Just be careful about overfeeding your pet. It is not a good idea – both for their health and your wallet.
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Cut back on the pet spa. These spas or even hotels need not be luxurious if it does not have to. Just make sure that they are reputable for taking care of pets by providing comfortable places for them to sleep and play. And make sure they are also sanitary. One way to really cut back on costs is to ask a friend to pet sit while you are out of town.
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Get discounts from your vet. Your vet may be offering a discount so don’t hesitate to ask. If you cannot find a private clinic willing to give one, look for a local veterinary school. They usually offer discounted prices to help their trainees improve their skills. Do not worry, they are all capable – just lacking the experience that private vets have.
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Opt for generic medication. If your pet needs medicine, ask for the generic name. Drug manufacturers are not allowed to change the formulation of medicines so your pet will get the same dose of medicine with a generic as it will with a branded one.
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Do not skip on their check up. Do not wait until the last minute to take your pet to the vet. It might cost you a whole lot more if you do. If you think that there is something wrong with your pet, then get them the medical attention that they need.
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Cut coupons for pet supplies. Most pet product brands offer coupons every now and then so make sure you know about them. Visit the website of the grocery store nearest you or the website of your favorite brand itself. If it can slash a couple of dollars from your grocery bill, it will be well worth the effort.
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Keep them clean. Just like humans, your pets are susceptible to germs and bad bacteria if they always stay in dirty and unsanitary areas. Make sure they sleep in a clean bed. Give them regular baths and basic pet grooming. You can actually do this on your own if you wish. There are many how to videos online to help you accomplish this.
One last tip is to always keep your pet happy. You will find that your pet expenses will not be too great if you do this. You do not have to buy them the expensive pet accessories. They will not understand that anyway. All they really care about is the time that their master will spend with them. They usually thrive better if you establish a routine with them. Take pet dogs along when you jog in the morning. Take out a ball of yarn and let your cat play wildly with it. Your time and attention should be enough to really keep them happy and thriving. A happy pet is more likely to grow healthy.
Having a pet at home will really help keep the stress off of you. Their innocence actually has the same effect as a small child. They may require a lot of attention from you but their adoration and loyalty will really be worth it.