My Dog Costs More Than My Kid!

Currently, we are the proud owners of two cats and two dogs.  We owned three of the four before we had children and they were spoiled: everything from dresses for the cats (yeah, I'm serious) to costumes for the dog to nice food bowls to pretty beds.  The cats ate expensive cat food to protect their sensitive tummies and the dog ate the good dog food since she is only seven pounds so she barely made a dent in the bag.  Then came our children.  Then came the second dog (unexpectedly, I might add).

Once we had children, the pets dropped lower on the totem poll.  Don't get me wrong.  They are still ridiculously spoiled, but I have slashed the price of owning them by about $100.00 a month to $25.00 a month.  Here are a few of my tricks:

• Switch your pet food. This is the easiest one.  Go to the store, read the ingredients of the brand you are currently buying and then read the ingredients of cheaper brands.  Find the closest match (mainly focusing on the first two or three ingredients) and switch to that one.  Make sure you change the food gradually so the animal does not get sick.  Trust me, they won't mind at all.  I recommend steering clear of brands that list "corn" as the first ingredient.  That is a nutritionless filler.  You still want a healthy pet!
• Adjust how much you feed them. Most people just feed their animals, especially cats, when they are hungry.  This can lead to health problems in the pet and less money in your wallet.  Read the label on the bag and feed them the amount specified; no more.  This may save you a bit of money and also help extend your pet's life.
• Buy cheap cat litter. Think about it.  Why are you spending so much on something to be defecated in?  I used to buy the expensive stuff until I asked myself why.  The "less dust" feature was nice, but I own a vacuum and, let's face it, kitty litter gets everywhere no matter what.  Don't like breathing it in?  Wear a face mask when you change the litter.  I also like the odor-busting offered by the expensive brand.  Then I learned I could just use the cheap stuff and sprinkle in some baking soda.  It is safe for the cats and it absorbs the odors.  I currently buy Special Kitty Cat Litter for $2.97 per 25 pound bag.  Works great.
• Quit buying expensive toys. For dogs, take some old socks, tie a couple knots in them, and they make great toys for dogs of all sizes.  Buy a couple stuffed animals from Goodwill or Salvation Army.  Find an old deflated basketball at your local transfer station or waste management plant (seriously, my old dog loved those things).  For cats, tie those old socks to the end of a rope and dangle them.  Shine a flash light and let them chase the light all over the room.  Put some popcorn kernels in an old plastic Easter egg for them to bat all over the house.
• Cloth diapers. Yeah, I mean for your dog.  My little dog has a little bladder so we have her trained to use a piddle pad.  We used to buy the disposable ones until we realized how much money we were throwing away.  If our kids could use cloth diapers, so could our dog.  We bought cheap cloth diapers (since softness is not a concern like it is for children) and laid them on the floor in place of her piddle pad.  We just wash them regularly as instructed.
• Spend less to spay and neuter. First, call your local ASPCA.  Often times they will offer a coupon for a percentage off spaying or neutering your pet.  Second, call around for the cheapest option.  You do not have to have the procedure done at your regular veterinarian.  Since it is such a standard procedure, call around and find the cheapest place.  Take the pet there for the operation and then return to your regular vet for all other needs.  We did this and actually wound up switching vets because we liked the cheaper one better.  It was a win-win.

• Customize their shots. Chances are, your animal does not need every vaccination available.  Think about your specific pet's lifestyle.  Are they always indoors?  Are they ever boarded or around other pets?  Are they elderly?  Do you live in the country versus the city?  Obviously, always vaccinate for rabies.  Otherwise, does your dog really need the kennel cough vaccine if you never have him boarded?  Does your cat need feline leukemia if you live in the middle of nowhere and have never seen another cat?  Also, a lot of vets push yearly vaccinations when they are not necessary.  Kennel cough is only needed every three years.  Rabies also has a vaccine good for three years.  Do your research.  Most vets mean well, but they are still a business.

Above all, keep your pets healthy and happy, but recognize that spending more is not always the key to achieving this.  As with many of my money-saving tips, every little bit helps.

Note that I only addressed dogs and cats because that is all I own.  If you have money-saving tips for any pets, please share!  How do you save money and still love your furry little creatures?

For more frugal living tips, check out: Life as Mom