Tight Budget? Economize on pet care cost!

1. Take care of some pet needs yourself. For instance, brush your pet's teeth regularly and avoid dental-cleaning visits.

2. Trim your pet’s claws/nails yourself. If you ask your vet to do it, the cost adds up and it’s really easy to do during your regular grooming. The regular grooming helps anyway – including reducing hairballs (my favorite) and loose hair around your home.

3. Clean your pet’s ears if they are prone to infection. I have a small dog with long ears and he was prone to ear infections. A few moments with the vet gave me the information I needed to keep them clean and it’s sure a lot cheaper.

4. Check with your vet to see which annual vaccinations you really need. Guidelines on this have changed to recommend some every three years instead of annually. Not only will it prevent over-vaccination, but it helps save on the budget as well.

5. Shop around for meds and supplies. Call your local pharmacy or look online for lower prices. Pharmacies fill prescriptions for millions of animals every year. When comparing prices, be sure the quantity and dosage are the same.

6. Comparison shop for vet services. Fees are usually competitive on a local level – so ask about service charges before making an appointment. It doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice quality – just make sure you compare the same services.

7. Shop around for pet supplies. Use the weekly specials page to plan trips to the pet store. That means comparing a local grocer with brand name pet stores or online alternatives. You may find bulk sizes that are cheaper, but it’ll mean having a place to store larger containers.

8. Your dog doesn’t care about fashion. Special pet clothes, fancy bags and unusual beds are a complete luxury – and your pets don’t care. Some 80% of us buy gifts for our pets, but a better idea may be simply taking a walk with them.

9. Regular care can help avoid emergency clinics. Prices at emergency clinics or hospitals are usually higher than at your regular vet. If it's an emergency, you’ll have to go. But if it's between 8 and 5, give your regular vet a call to ask for advice or for your pet to be seen.

10. Think about the cost before adopting another pet. Regular costs will increase and you don’t get economies of scale with more pets. Big-ticket items like food and vet care are things every pet needs, so they’ll increase your overall costs.

11. Don't buy the cheapest food. Higher-quality food may help keep your pet healthier, but it doesn’t have to be the most expensive. Today, some pet owners are opting to feed some food prepared at home. If that is your choice, remember to research ingredients and needs of your pets before eliminating commercially prepared pet food. And DO read all labels – so you’ll know exactly what you’re feeding them.

12. Don't overfeed. Feeding your pet the right amount will save on food costs since it represents about 40% of the total cost of caring for a pet. Feeding the appropriate amount also reduces the chances of obesity-related illnesses.

13. Spay or neuter your pet. Neutered pets have fewer health problems like prostate or ovarian cancer as they age. They’re also less likely to roam so they're not as likely to get hit by a car.