Did you know that the average cost of taking care of a dog over the span of a year is over $1500? Between visits to the veterinarian, pet food, toys, and other supplies, it can really add up! The good news is that there are a few frugal ways that you can save money when it comes to taking care of your pet! All you have to do is follow these simple steps, and then look for other creative ways to save!

1. Take Your Dog to the Vet Regularly

Did you know that taking your dog to the veterinarian regularly can really help you to save a great deal of money? Sure, it will cost you some each time you go, but you should consider it as more of an investment in your pet’s health. Prevention is always going to be a lot less expensive than treatment options, so don’t skip that annual checkup this year! It is important, and could catch costly health concerns before they become a bigger issue.

2. Consider Recycling Pet Supplies

That’s right! Recycling is a great way to keep a few extra bucks in your pocket at the end of the week. Try some homemade toy ideas, make pet beds out of old sheets and clothing, There are always ways to cut corners when it comes to your pet supplies– just make sure that you are cutting the right corners! If you are crafty, then this could be a lot of fun for you. If you aren’t so crafty, then you might want to stick to something easy!

For example, here is how to create a tee shirt yarn dog toy:

3. Join a Message Board

You would be surprised how much insight you could get from other frugal pet owners! By joining a message board, you will be able to talk to other dog lovers about the ways that they save money. You can even share tips and tricks to help you save even more. If a message board is not your style, go to a local dog park, or just talk to family and friends that have their own pets. You really can never get too much advice when it comes to your pet. Just remember, what works for one dog may not work for yours, and not all advice is good advice. Use your common sense here.

4. Look for Discounted Spay and Neuter Clinics

There are a variety of different clinics all across the world that offer discounted spay and neutering services. Did you know that the risks associated with not spaying or neutering your pet far outweigh the cost of having it done. If you can’t pay full price at your vet clinic, then look into your local humane society for assistance with a low cost clinic in your area. Their goal is to keep the pet population under control, so they want to help you. Many of them won’t turn you away, even if you can’t afford to pay. It is worth looking into.

5. Shop Online For Pet Medications

If your pet takes medications regularly, it may be a good idea to shop online for their medications. There are many places that you can go to get pet medications at a better price online. You really just need to do your research. Aside from getting your pet’s medications, you can also get their flea control products online. Flea control is very important, and it can be very costly. Monthly preventatives are the best way to go, and you can find them affordably when you shop through an online retailer. Retail prices at local stores will always be higher, so it really does pay to do your shopping from the comforts of home!

As you can see, there are quite a few ways to be a more frugal pet owner! Put a few of these ideas into practice, and you will be surprised as to how much money you can save. You should take a look at your current expenditures, then use these methods for a few months, and compare the difference! You will be amazed. The key is to cut corners when you can, and also understand when you don’t need to. Don’t ever cut corners when it comes to getting your pet vaccinated, annual checkups, flea control and nutrition.

What’s your number one money saving tip?
Tell us in the comments below!