So, you bought a new pet. Or, maybe you’ve been unexpectedly gifted one. If there is one thing you should know is that pet care is expensive. Are you looking for some budgeting tips to help reduce some of these costs and eliminate any unnecessary ones? This article is for you.
Read on about some key budgeting tips that every new pet parent should know!
1. Adopt from a Shelter
Adopting an animal from a shelter is cheaper than purchasing one from the store, the breeders, puppy mills, etc. In addition to this, it is much more ethical to support animal shelters and rescue centers that truly care about these animals rather than any profit that they bring them.
2. Invest on Important Expenses
Pet care is costly, but not all aspects of raising a pet need to be expensive purchases, only those that matter. For example, the best pet insurance is not always the cheapest, but the one that benefits you and your pet most. Cooper Pet Care provides both affordable and high-quality insurance for you and your furry baby!
In addition, invest in good quality pet food. If you aren’t sure about the best options for your pet, schedule a quick consultation call with an online vet and get your answers right away!
3. Keep them Healthy
Keep your pet’s weight within a healthy range. This can help you avoid extra costs on more frequent vet visits for diabetes or other health-related treatments for them. Your pet’s diet is a primary factor in their health. Regulate what they eat and don’t eat, remembering that most animals will overconsume if they are allowed to. Keep all treats and snacks healthy, and make sure that treats and human food don’t make up more than 10% of your pet’s daily calorie intake.
In addition to this, playing and/or doing exercise with them is also beneficial for their physical & mental health. If you are adopting a dog, you will need to be much more active exercise-wise with them as opposed to having a cat. At the same time, cats also require playtime that boosts their serotonin levels and helps their mental health.
| Cat insurance from From | Dog insurance from | Coverage | Contribution | Own risk | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
€8.46 | €12.11 | €3.250 — €6.000 | 10% — 50% | €0 — €150 per year |
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|
€14.05 | €17.77 | €3.000 — €6.000 | 20% | €30 — €50 per year |
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|
€12.16 | €17.42 | €3.000 — €5.000 | 20% — 50% | €0 — €250 per year |
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|
€13.27 | €20,14 | €3.000 — €6.000 | 20% | none | View |
|
€13.86 | €14.67 | €2.500 — €5.000 | 20% | none | View |
|
€10.56 | €13.14 | €3.500 | 25% | €25 per claim |
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4. Neuter your Pet
Neutering or spaying your dog or cat is one of the smartest budgeting tips for pet parents. This one-time expense will save you money on any medical bills as a result of health risks associated with pregnancy, some cancers, fighting and roaming. In addition, it will save you the trouble of spending money on unnecessary costs such as unplanned pregnancies and raising puppies.
5. DIY it
Do you want to dress your furry baby up? Make them a shirt yourself and avoid needless spending on dog clothes or cat clothes! Moreover, skip expensive gourmet treats and switch to healthy homemade snacks! Some healthy dog treats or safe-to-eat cat snacks don’t even require much preparation!
Final Words
Having a pet is expensive, but there are plenty of ways to reduce many of these costs. At the end of the day, always make sure that you can afford to raise a furry baby before you make the decision (whether it’s impulsive or not) to adopt a dog or cat. At the same time, always make sure you pay for what you consider is best for your pet!
Hopefully, these budgeting tips can help you lift some weight off your shoulders!
Do you still have any questions about budgeting tips? Then schedule a video consultation with one of our qualified vets!