A dog can be a wonderful companion and a much-loved member of the family, but they’re also a financial commitment. If you’re thinking about welcoming a pup into your home, you’ll want to ensure you’re prepared for the costs that come with it. Of course, you don’t have to blow your budget in order to be a good dog owner, but it’s important to be aware of the costs you’ll encounter. To determine whether you’re in a position to take on the financial responsibility, take a look at these five ways you can cut the cost of dog ownership:
1. Take Out Insurance
Vets bills can quickly spiral out of control, but pet insurance will ensure you have access to the medical treatment your dog needs. Although you’ll need to pay a monthly or annual premium, this can be far less than you’d need to pay in medical costs for your dog.
If you’re going to take out pet insurance, do double-check exactly what your policy covers. Some only run for a limited time, for example, while others only cover certain illnesses or conditions. By comparing a wide range of policies, you can find the best level of cover for your pet and the most cost-effective price.
2. Use High-Quality Dog Food
Feeding your dog high-quality food can enhance their health and help to reduce the risk of them succumbing to illnesses. If your dog is intolerant to wheat or grains, for example, the fillers and ingredients in standard dog foods could cause discomfort, IBS and even skin conditions.
Fortunately, it’s easy to find natural, healthy options when you feed your dog raw food. Bella & Duke found that 96% of their customers questioned reported an improvement in their dog’s IBS symptoms, for example, while 82% saw improvements in itchy skin. To find out more about the benefits of a raw food diet, you can learn more via their survey. With handy dog food delivery, treating your dog to a healthy raw food diet can be simple and stress-free too.
3. Take Dog-Friendly Trips
If you use kennels and board your dog while you’re going away, you can end up spending more on your dog’s vacation than you do your own! To avoid spending hundreds of pounds on boarding fees, why not travel to a dog-friendly destination instead?
When you take your dog on holiday with you, it’s easy to find suitable accommodation for your family and your pup. In a self-catering cottage, for example, you might only pay a £30-£50 surplus fee for taking a pet. As well as being far cheaper than sending your dog to kennels, your pup also gets to enjoy a fun holiday with you, so it’s a win-win situation for everyone.
4. Learn to Groom Your Dog
Grooming your dog doesn’t just keep them looking great, it’s an important element of caring for your pup. With regular grooming, you can ensure your pet’s fur doesn’t get matted or that their nails don’t grow too long and cause them discomfort.
However, regular trips to a dog grooming parlour can be expensive. If you want to avoid the cost, learn how to groom your dog yourself. You can pick up good quality tools relatively inexpensively and there are plenty of guides, videos and tips online. If you want to hone your skills, you can even sign up to a short course and learn everything you need to know about grooming your pup.
5. Have Your Dog Spayed or Neutered
Unless you plan on breeding from your dog, getting them spayed or neutered can be advisable. An unexpected litter of puppies will certainly increase your costs. After all, the average litter size is 5-6 puppies, which is a lot of mouths to feed!
As well as reducing your long-term costs, having your dog spayed or neutered can enhance their well-being too. Studies have shown that dogs who are spayed or neutered have a reduced risk of developing prostatic hyperplasia, uterine infections, and ovarian, breast or testicular cancers. If you’re unsure whether to spay or neuter your pet, be sure to get advice from your vet so that you can access all the information you need.
Are You Ready for Dog Ownership?
If you’re thinking about getting a dog, create a budget beforehand and factor in all the costs you’re going to incur, such as food, toys and pet insurance. Then, you’ll have a good idea of whether you’re ready to make the financial commitment.
Similarly, spend time thinking about your current lifestyle and how a dog would fit into it. No matter how much you’d love a pup, it’s important to make sure that you can provide them with the right environment. By evaluating all the critical factors beforehand, you can ensure that, if you do get a dog, you’re able to give them a happy and healthy life.
