Having a dog or a cat is like having a new member of your family that will always love you unconditionally. However, raising an animal can be quite expensive because they require high maintenance costs to meet all their needs.

You have to spend a lot of money on food, medicine, vet check-ups and grooming tools, but if you take the time to read this article you will learn new things that could help you save money and keep your pet healthy and happy at the same time.

The truth is that some expenses are essential for their well-being, but in some cases, you can find other alternatives that are just as efficient.

So, to help you prioritize your spending and save more money, we collected some tips and tricks that will definitely help you do just that. Read on for more info!

You should know the breed of your pet

As you already know, purebred animals are more likely to develop some health problems, especially because they are genetically transmitted from generation to generation. So, before adopting a purebred animal you have to know exactly their breed and you should learn more about their characteristics and what diseases they are prone to. After this, you should take their potential diseases into consideration and try to prevent them.  

“Many purebred dogs and cats are genetically prone to developing certain health problems,” says Roberta Gleicher, a certified animal advisor who has a degree in animal husbandry. “Pet parents who have purebreds should know what these potential conditions are so they can take specific steps to reduce the likelihood they will occur.”

Pay attention to its weight

As you already know, obesity in pets occurs when excessive adipose tissue accumulates in the body. We can say that an animal is obese when its body weight is at least 20% greater than its optimal body weight. Unfortunately, with the onset of obesity, other health problems will develop gradually and not only will they be really dangerous for our pets, but the treatment involves a lot of costs in the future. “Obesity leads to a variety of health problems,” says Gleicher.

There are some studies that suggest that 25 percent of overweight dogs can develop serious joint complications. They can develop arthritis, hip dysplasia, diabetes mellitus, heart disease and increased blood pressure, difficulty breathing, decreased stamina and liver function, digestive disorders, decreased immune function and other skin problems. 

So, if you want to prevent these diseases, try to invest in high quality food that keeps your dog healthy and happy. 

Don’t skip vet check-ups

You should never skip vet check-ups if you want to save money in the long run, as this will prevent complications or other major illnesses in your pet. 

“Annual examinations will actually save you money in the long run,” says Dr. Judy Morgan, a holistic veterinarian and author. “By being proactive and finding problems early, many things can be treated before they become major, expensive problems.”

But you should ask your vet what the necessary procedures are and what is recommended and focus on the ones that are really important to your pet. 

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the American Animal Hospital Association, some of the most important procedures are vaccines for distemper, parvo and rabies. They should be done every year or every three years – your vet will decide it. So, “why pay for something your pet doesn’t need?” said Morgan.

You can start a pet emergency fund

If you don’t want to opt for pet insurance, you can start a pet emergency fund that could help you in the long run. You can put aside a few dollars each week to cover small emergencies.

“Be sure to include extra funds for emergencies, as unplanned visits to emergency clinics and overnight stays can add up fast,” said Woroch. 

“If the pet continues to stay healthy, the money continues accumulating,” she says. “If pet owners start making weekly deposits when their pets are young, they should have enough money to provide proper veterinary care by the time their pets develop age-related health problems.”

Find other effective alternatives

First of all, you should ask your vet if your pet needs immediate treatment and if not, you should search on the internet for veterinary pharmacies that have lower prices, because sometimes, you can find better prices online. 

However, another great solution to save more money and keep your pet healthy is to ask your vet if there are some alternatives to those meds that are just as efficient. In some cases, there are some alternatives that contain the same substance and are cheaper, so you can buy them. Unfortunately, most of the time, we pay for the name brand, not the meds per se.   

“Don’t assume you have to fill your dog’s prescription at the vet,” says Andrea Woroch, a money-saving expert. “Prices on pet medications can have markups of more than 100 percent in some cases.”

Find a good clinic in your area

First of all, you should know that there are a lot of efficient and quality low-cost clinics in your area, so you don’t have to go to another city just to pay more money on the same treatment and consultation. 

In addition, you can find an accredited veterinary school that could help you with free consultations and treatment or reduced-price care. You can also save some money if you opt for vaccination clinics. 

You can opt for pet insurance

Pet insurance is a healthcare policy for animals that reimburses you for certain medical expenses. If you opt for pet insurance, you don’t have to pay high medical care fees. Moreover, if you can’t afford a certain surgery for your pet, insurance will help you. So, having insurance can be a lifesaver. 

“On average, pet insurance will cost between $18 to $22 a month, depending on the type of pet and its breed,” says Micah Pratt, lead insurance consultant for Obrella.com. “Ask your employer if pet insurance is an optional employee benefit. If it is, take advantage of it.”