There are few things cuter than a puppy or kitten, but for
those seeking a new pet without giving an arm and a leg might want to consider
adopting from a shelter.
Read on for some tips on how to welcome a four-legged
friend into your home without burning a hole in your pockets.
Q: How can I save on food, toys and supplies?
Buying pet food in bulk is a good way to save over time,
but you'll want to make sure you're buying quality.
"Food isn't an area you want to skimp on," Scott
Giacoppo of the Washington Humane Society said. "I wouldn't recommend
buying the cheapest food the same way I wouldn't recommend someone to serve
Oreos at their Sunday dinner."
Giacoppo said your vet or employees at pet supply stores
like Pro Feed, Petco or PetSmart should be able to recommend food and other
supplies for your pet.
Also, remember that you don't need to buy everything for
your pet all at once. You might be able to start out with just bowls, food, a
collar and a few toys, and then learn more about your pet to determine what
else he or she needs. Of course, a dog will need a leash, and a cat will need a
litter box, but you don't need to spring for top-of-the-line models.
Sign up for deals websites such as Groupon, which often
have deals on pet supplies and services -- just make sure you actually need the
item; otherwise, you won't be saving money at all.
Also, search pet retailer websites for coupons or special
discounts. For instance, Petco.com offers 20 percent off for signing up to
receive emails, and free shipping for orders of $49 or more.
Learn how to perform basic pet grooming skills yourself,
such as nail clipping, to save on grooming fees. If you're able to, bathe your
dog yourself in your bathtub or outside in the yard. If you can't, consider
visiting a DIY dog-washing business, where you can use their shampoos and
professional-grade tubs for about $20 -- still cheaper than paying for
professional grooming.
Q: What are some preventative tactics I can take to avoid
mishaps and large vet bills?
One way to cut costs before you ever see the vet is to
adopt from a shelter, because "when you adopt, the animals are sterilized,
they're up to date on vaccinations and they've been house trained,"
Giacoppo said.
If you buy a puppy or kitten from a breeder, you'll pay for
these costs out of pocket. Sure, they're cute, but they can end up much pricier
in the long run than adopting an older dog -- and by adopting from a shelter,
you'll actually be saving two lives, not one (here's why).
The Washington Humane Society also provides one year of pet
health insurance and low-cost spaying and neutering if your new buddy hasn't
been altered already ($130 for dogs, $80 for cats).
Make sure to "pet-proof" your home so that any
hazards or harmless substances are kept out of your new pet's reach. And
remember that what's safe for humans might not be safe for dogs or cats. (See the Pet Poison Hotline's list here.)
Q: Which breeds of dogs/cats tend to be cheaper to care
for?
Generally, smaller ones. The cost of care for cats and dogs
doesn't vary much based on breed (unless you have a breed that requires
extensive professional grooming), but smaller animals simply tend to consume
less food than larger animals. Same goes for items like toys, treats and beds
-- larger ones usually cost more.
However, the best way to reduce costs is to take care of
your pet well, both physically and psychologically. Giacoppo says Parvo, for
example, is a life-threatening disease that can cost thousands of dollars to
treat, but can be avoided for a small price.
"Take a Saturday once a year, wait in line for an hour
and pay $10 for a shot that can save your pet's life," he said. The
Washington Humane Society offers low-cost vaccinations Tuesdays, Thursdays and
Saturdays.
Also, be sure that your pet has a social life and gets
plenty of exercise. Leaving pets tied up or left alone leads to psychological
problems and boredom, which can cause behavioral problems, damage to your home
or property, and ultimately physical problems that need treatment.
Q: Where can I find affordable pet insurance (and is it
worth it)?
Pet insurance can be tricky because there are a few
different kinds, and it's not necessarily about what injuries or illnesses your
pet could endure, as dog owner Sarah Kliff noted in a recent Vox article.
Kliff pays $40 to $50 a month for pet insurance and says the real question is
actualll "How much are you willing to pay to spend to save your pet’s
life?"
For her, it would be a lot. "If I got a very large
bill, I would likely pay it," Kliff wrote. "I would pay bills big
enough to make it difficult for me to put a down payment on a house."
To sum it up, you might pay a premium for pet insurance
that you never use to make a claim. But a few $400 trips to the vet or an
unfortunate $3,000 surgery to remove your pet's favorite toy from its stomach
could eventually surpass the price you paid for the insurance. Kliff also
points out that many people pay renters' insurance and never file a claim, but
the peace of mind can be worth it.
The website PolicyGenius advises
people on which types of insurance they should buy, advising some pet owners
not to invest in insurance at all.
Kliff writes that Jennifer Fitzgerald, the co-founder of
the site, said the right consumer for pet insurance has "low ability to
pay (to save their pet's life) but high willingness," so it's not for
everyone.
Alternative options include pet wellness plans. For
instance, PetSmart's Banfield Pet Hospital chain offers a wellness plan with a focus on prevention and early diagnosis, with potentially lower costs
than traditional pet care services. Plans include a set number of wellness
visits per year, may cover the cost of shots and offer discounts on other forms
of care.
Q: If I need to travel, should I take my pet, hire a sitter
or board at a kennel?
It depends. The cost of a travel crate can range from $30
to $100, and overnight care can be costly, too. Your best bet: Find friends or
family member willing to do watch your pets. Or, get to know a pet-owning
neighbor and offer to trade pet care: You'll watch their dog or cat for a
weekend if they'll do the same for you another weekend.
If you're thinking of boarding your pet, check business
reviews on a site such as Yelp. If you find several well-reviewed spots, call
around to get the best rate. And don't be afraid to ask about any special
deals: Will they give you a discount if you pick up your pet before a certain
time, for example?
If you hire someone to watch your pet at home, beware of an
apparent "bargain." Giacoppo said it's best to use a referral.
"You don't wanna hire someone who says they will just
come over for five dollars," he said. "You have no idea how they will
treat your pet."
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