Most pet owners will tell you that the best thing they ever did was to get a pet. We got our bunny Willow during lockdown, and that little critter makes us smile every day.
And apparently, getting a pet was a wise choice. Studies have shown that dog owners have more than a 20 percent lower chance of death, and my guess is that rabbit owners live even longer. 😉
The downside? Caring for our furry, feathered, and reptilian friends can be expensive, but with National Pet Day coming up, we thought we’d share some easy ways to save money on pets.
Compare prices
Take the time to compare prices for pet food and other essentials. Check pet supply stores, grocery stores, big-box stores like Walmart and Target, wholesale clubs (see below), and online.
Stock up during sales, like the ones you’ll find on National Pet Day!
Once you find the foods and treats your pet likes, you’ll probably find that you’ll save the most if you take advantage of subscription and loyalty programs. For example, with Chewy’s AutoShip program, you’ll save 30 percent on your first AutoShip order (20 percent off medicines) and then 5 percent thereafter. Amazon’s Subscribe and Save service offers up to 15 percent off your first order, and then 5 percent thereafter.
Buy in bulk/recurring orders
If you belong to a wholesale club, like Costco or Sam’s Club, see if they carry your preferred brands of food, litter, and other supplies. Buying wholesale can save you up to 40 percent.
There are also online wholesale retailers, like Bargain Wholesale, that are worth a look. Amazon also sells some items in bulk. Keep in mind, however, that if you have a small pet, a 50 lb bag of food may not be your best bet. The food may expire or lose its freshness before your pet has the time to eat it all.
Monthly boxes can be a convenient way to stock up on essentials. BarkBox.com allows you to customize the box, and you’ll get freebies if you sign up for multi-month deliveries.
Chewy’s Good Boxes are for dogs and cats. With autoship, you’ll save 35 percent off your first order (up to $20) and 5 percent off future orders. New customers can often get $20 off orders of $49+ with code WELCOME or GET20.
With Bullymake.com, you’ll save 40 percent off your 1st box, and if you join their mailing list, you’ll save an additional $10.
Toys
When you’re buying your food and other supplies, get in the habit of checking the sale or clearance section for toys — they’re going to get destroyed anyway, so they don’t have to be the latest style or even in perfect condition. Online pet retailers, like Chewy, offer Daily Deals or quantity deals, such as Buy 3 Get 1 Free.
If you’re a little handy, make your own pet toys and treats and save big. A simple YouTube or Pinterest search will yield countless tutorials and recipes.
Grooming
Professional grooming for certain breeds can cost a fortune, so try – “try” being the operative word – to do it yourself. And you may not be great at everything. Maybe you’re a whiz at baths and haircuts, but nail clipping and teeth cleaning are too much. At least you know you’re saving money by doing some grooming yourself.
And when it comes to baths, if you can DIY but don’t want the mess, see if there’s a self-service pet wash nearby. It will be cheaper than a pro bath, and you’ll avoid a messy bathroom.
Big box pet stores also offer in-store grooming and have coupons, such as 20 percent off a bath or a bath + haircut at Petco.
Pet Sitting/Boarding
Pet sitting is pricey even for a tiny bunny, but there are a couple of things you can try. If you need ongoing service, ask if the service provider offers discounts for regular customers.
There are also platforms, like Rover.com, where you can find local animal lovers to care for your pet in their own home, which can be less expensive than boarding your pet at a facility, and less traumatic for your pet.
We hire the teenage kids of our friends to care for Willow while we’re away. We pay them for their time, but less than we would an adult. Bonus, young teens usually come with their parents (until they can come on their own), so it’s like having two people care for your pet!
Don’t want to leave your pet behind? Find pet-friendly hotels (often with deals!) on BringFido.com.
Vets & Meds
Shop around, ask your friends and neighbors which veterinarian they use and why. I found that a highly recommended vet in a neighboring town had lower rates for visits, surgeries, and boarding. It’s a 20-minute drive, but the savings are worth the trip. Also, ask your vet if they have a referral program. It could be beneficial if/when you recommend them to someone down the road.
One of the first big medical expenses you’ll have for your pet is spaying or neutering them. You can save on spay/neuter services at one of PetSmart Charities’ approved clinics. Or, if you’re adopting a pet from the ASPCA or a local shelter, don’t rule out a pet that is already fixed.
If you get your medication from your veterinarian, be sure to ask for manufacturer’s coupons and rebates (they usually have a stack of them). Online stores all offer various savings plans and subscription services, so do a quick search to see who has the best deal for your pet’s meds.
GoodRx.com/pets and RXSaver.com have quick search options to help you compare pricing and find the best coupons. 1800PetMeds.com offers sales and will also honor a competitor’s price. With PetCareRX’s PetPlus Plan, members pay a $99 yearly subscription to get wholesale prices and free shipping — or you can pick up prescriptions at your local pharmacy! This link will give you a $10 credit!
Allivet.com offers up to 70 percent off, and you can save an additional 5 percent off with auto-ship. Or try the Pet Drug Card, which is a free program. Just join and print your card to get up to 75 percent off your prescriptions at 60,000+ participating pharmacies.
Pet Insurance
You can quickly find and compare policies with PetInsuranceQuotes.com or PetInsuranceReview.com. Discounts for multiple pets are available with Nationwide’s PetInsurance.com, EmbracePetInsurance.com, and ASPCAPetInsurance.com. Your homeowner’s insurance may also include pet coverage.
There are typically three types of pet insurance coverage: Wellness (for routine vet visits and vaccinations), Accident & Illness, and Accident-Only plans. Because premiums have increased in recent years, it’s common to purchase an Accident & Illness or Accident-Only policy because treatments for accidents and/or illnesses tend to be expensive.
When you’re shopping for insurance, pay close attention to the following:
– Deductibles: you’ll pay per incident or yearly. If your pet is accident-prone, then a yearly deductible makes the most sense.
– Reimbursement rate: the low end is 70 percent, and the high end is 90 percent of costs.
– Maximum payout.
Pet insurance is typically reimbursement-based, which means you must pay your vet or animal hospital first, then submit your receipts to your insurance company for reimbursement. Ideally, set aside some savings for pet-related expenses.
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