The increasing cost to manufacture pet food, coupled with the high gas prices to transport food to stores, has forced pet food makers to shift the costs to consumers who are getting a one-two punch in the wallet.
Depending on the size of your pet and its preferences, you may be able to save about five to 10 percent buying at warehouse clubs like Costco or BJs. If you’re not a member or you don’t want to lug home a 50 lb bag of pet chow, large discount chains like Target and K-Mart offer lower prices than pet specialty stores.
If your pal likes a certain gourmet brand of food available only at large chains like Petco and Petsmart, sign up for their reward card or clip the store coupons. Buying online is also an option.
Local dollar stores often have an entire aisle devoted to pet supplies. Name brand items—from leashes to chew toys—can sometimes be found for pennies on the dollar.
Practice prevention to save money on vet bills. Make sure your pet gets plenty of exercise and good nutrition.
A local humane society may offer basic health services and proceeds from the visit will help protect endangered animals.
For prescriptions, try buying online at stores like 1-800 PetMeds.com. DrugStore.com also now fills pet prescriptions, often at deep discounts. If you see a better price online and want to save time and money on shipping costs, ask your vet to match it.
Hit the dollar store to save big bucks. The same chew toy found in the dollar store is $5.99 on sale at a big pet store chain.
For grooming, do as much of it yourself to save money.
