12 MONEY SAVING TIPS FOR DOG LOVERS
Owning a Greyhound is a great experience but also an expensive one. Pets aren’t inherently expensive: more than money, it takes time to make sure they fit happily into our families. A 2019 survey revealed that nearly one out of four American pet owners have found themselves in pet debt. As inflation hits new highs every week, you might be wondering how to make pet care more budget-friendly and still pamper your beloved houndie.
A lot of this advice will be about preventative measures: taking care of your pup’s health to avoid expensive vet bills or getting serious about training to avoid replacing expensive items like furniture and shoes. We can save money on pets by acknowledging that they are alien creatures who don’t understand our strange human ways, and that it is our responsibility to teach them and be understanding of what gets lost in translation.
TREATS
A person could spend a ridiculous amount on treats, but the truth is, you can save a lot of money by making treats yourself. This post has some awesome recipes for homemade dog treats. Not only will you save money but you will also be providing your dog with a healthier option, which could later save on vet bills. There are tons of free recipes online that you can experiment with, as long as you use safe ingredients. Plus, this is great if your grey has a sensitive stomach — you’ll know exactly what to add to and remove from the recipe.
TOYS
Pets don’t care how expensive their toys are. Show your creative side and use simple household items to make fun toys for your pet. So don’t waste money on expensive toys when they’re fascinated by common household objects. See how to use recycling in this article: Dog Toys to DIY.
FOOD
First, don’t give them people food. The kind of processed foods we eat are just not meant for your pets. Dogs that eat people food get people diseases, which result in expensive health problems.
Instead of ordering pet food online, shop in person. Not only will you save money on delivery fees, but many pet stores will offer steep discounts—we’re talking 25-90%!—on soon-to-expire bags of food. Also try going online to your pet’s food brand website and see if they have any coupons or special offers you can print to save. Do get the best food you can afford though, to assure your pup’s continued good health. Whole Dog Journal is an advertising-free publication that does exhaustive research on dog foods – you can’t go wrong by following their advice.
GROOMING
Don’t outsource grooming and bathing. Yes, it takes some time and effort, but just think how much you can save! If extensive grooming is necessary, local pet supply stores often have rental bath stalls. On a warm summer day (like now!), you can have fun with the hose outside. You might find this article helpful: Greyhound Grooming
DENTAL
Greyhounds need dental care just like humans. This is another one to file under preventive care, as getting rotten or broken teeth pulled can be an expensive, harrowing experience. We want to avoid anesthetic if at all possible (anesthesia-free dental cleaning doesn’t really do the job). But dental additives for food or water can add up too, so brush your pet’s teeth (with special pet-grade toothpaste) or give them chew treats designed to clean their teeth.
Here are some posts about Greyhound teeth you might find interesting:
https://bit.ly/GHTeethCleaning
https://bit.ly/GHteeth-Alt-to-Brushing
DOG BEDS
You can DIY an economical dog bed by repurposing worn linens. Recycle a foam mattress topper - cut to size and cover with an old sheet or blanket. Search secondhand shops and peer-to-peer selling sites like Craigslist, Next Door, or even Freecycle (emphasis on the “free”) for leashes, bowls, and crates. And don’t overestimate your pet’s needs. Stuffing an old pillowcase with some worn-out blankets will do fine for a pet bed.
PET SITTING/DAYCARE
Find another Greyhound owner with whom to trade pet sitting services. It’s the perfect sort of friend trade because you can return the favor in kind, without guilt. You might think that a pet daycare center is an ideal place for your hound to interact with other animals, but you can save an astronomical amount by socializing him yourself. Remember, your pet doesn’t necessarily want you to spend money on them. They just want your time and attention. Take advantage of free services like dog parks, hiking trails, even car rides - all free.
Many Greyhound owners are leery of dog parks, but maybe you could organize some GH friends for a group walk or playdate. A friend used to have regular get-togethers, which we called “Hound-Ups”! Whether it’s changing your schedule around, waking up earlier, or trading off pet duties with family and friends, there are ways to cut back on spending in this area. Plan ahead and your wallet will thank you.
VET VISITS
One place you do not want to skimp is on veterinarian visits. Did you know that an estimated one in three American pets will need emergency veterinary treatment every year? With steep costs for emergency vet visits, it’s wise to schedule regular check-ups to avoid urgent care. Of course, this is better for your pet’s health, too! The best cost-reduction strategy is helping your hound maintain good health to avoid costly health problems down the road. Vets are expensive no matter what, so don’t waste energy trying to find the cheapest one. Find the best one for you. A Greyhound-savvy vet is worth their weight in gold!
Well-pet visits should happen once a year, and twice a year for seniors. Communicate with your vet that costs are a concern – they will be helpful in suggesting a regular pharmacy if you can get the same medication as the pet label with a cheaper human name. Once we had to give our Greyhound an anti-rejection drug for an auto-immune problem, and it was $250/month at Walgreens, but twice that for the veterinary label!
There are plenty of other resources and websites that can help you save on your pet’s medication. On sites like 1-800-PetMeds or RetailMeNot you can find great price points, coupons, and rebates. Buying your pet’s medicine online is not guaranteed to be a cheaper method but on some meds like flea prevention, buying online can save you a pretty penny. Invest the extra time in researching these options and reap the rewards.
Some veterinary clinics will give discounts for cash up front, or put your payments on an installment plan if you ask. And some cities will host free pet vaccination drives for low-income households. Check with your vet or on social media to see if any events like that are happening near you.
It is much cheaper to pay the little bit now for your pets flea, tick and heart worm prevention than it will be to pay for the vet visit later if they get lyme disease or have heart worms. It’s moderately expensive now but worth it in the long run.
PET INSURANCE
Pet Insurance can seem like a great option, especially if you own a breed that is more susceptible to health issues, but it may not be the smartest financial move. If your dog is at higher risk for health issues, most pet insurance policies require you to pay a higher premium (Greyhounds and osteosarcoma?) Click here to find out about Medical Differences in Greyhounds. Instead, consider opening up a savings account with a decent interest rate. You can put money into that account monthly instead of paying for insurance and will have an emergency fund to use in case of emergency, and you won’t have to fill out that endless paperwork. More here about Pet Health Insurance.
CARE CREDIT
Care Credit, a credit card that works solely at vets (there is a human option as well) and has 0% interest as long as you pay your bill within a fixed period of time (depending on the amount financed). It can be a great option, depending on your circumstances. Please note that as with all credit cards, it will show up on your credit report so make sure that is the best option for you. More tips on how to finance a big veterinary bill here: Financing a Big Vet Bill
PET STORE LOYALTY CLUBS
Chances are that your go-to pet store has a loyalty rewards card, and you might not even realize it. Whether you shop in-person or online, do your research to make sure you take advantage of sales, discounts, and other promotions. It’s free to join.
APPS
Use a price comparison tool for pet supplies. You probably already know about these apps and sites for other items in your budget, but use them for pet care expenses, too. Other apps cover a multitude of Pet Care Services. If you have a smart phone you can download this app for free and tap into your local pet services. It checks your current location and then shows you all the options for doggie daycare, vets, pet stores, and dog parks, just to name a few, and makes it easy to compare them.
Two take-aways: Remember, your pet doesn’t necessarily want you to spend money on them. They just want your time and attention.
The healthier your pet is, the happier they’ll be and the more you’ll save in the long run. Taking preventive measures to allow for fewer vet visits is always the right move.
Great ideas