Having a pet is undoubtedly fulfilling. However, pet care can be expensive as well. No, pets don't cost as much as human children, but they'll still take a decent bite out of your bank account.
So, the question is: how can you budget your pet's care? There are a number of frugal pet care strategies, including the following.
1. Learn How to Do Some of It Yourself
Not all pet care has to be left to the professionals. Some of it is simple enough to facilitate yourself. As such, by learning some aspects of your pet's care, you can save a decent amount of money over time.
For instance, you could learn how to clip your pet's nails. Or, you could brush his or her fur consistently. You could also learn how to brush your pet's teeth, a small action that could save you thousands of dollars in the long run.
2. Save Your Change
You're going to have to pay for pet care services at some point. Even checkups will run you between $50 and $200.
How do you save money for these appointments? One option is to save your change. Every time you make a purchase, round the purchase price up to the next dollar and find the difference.
This will only look like a few cents when you're doing it. But, over time, it will add up, and provide you with a fairly substantial amount of money.
3. Search for a Discount Vet
Vet services run the gamut from free to expensive. The key is to find a veterinarian who can treat your pet at your price point.
If you can prove that you have a low income, you might be able to receive vet services at a free clinic. If you don't meet the criteria for a free clinic, you should Google "discount vet services [name of your city]". There are almost sure to be some options available.
4. Make Sure Your Pet Is Getting Exercise
One of the cheapest ways to reduce pet care bills is to ensure that your pet is getting exercise. The more exercise your pet gets, the healthier he or she will be, and the smaller chance there will be of sickness arising.
If you have a dog, make sure to take him or her for daily walks. If you have a cat, have him or her chase a string. Regardless, make sure that your pet is moving around each and every day.
5. Cut Back on Your Extra Spending
Having a pet is a bit of a sacrifice. You'll have to sacrifice not only some of your free time for your pet but some of your money as well. Fortunately, the cost sacrifice isn't much.
Really, all you have to do is cut out a single cup of coffee every week. This will save you $3 weekly so over the span of a year you'll have saved over $150. Imagine if you cut back daily!
If you don't feel like cutting back at all, you could just start a side hustle. You can market yourself through social media, which can be extremely effective and low in cost.
Budget Your Pet's Care With These Helpful Strategies
If you need a better way to budget your pet's care, using one of the above-reviewed strategies would be wise. These strategies will save you a good amount of money, allowing your pets to thrive on the cheap.
Looking for other such info on budget-friendly? Our website has you covered. Check out our other articles on frugally caring for dogs, cats, and other pets now!