Spend Less Dosh On Your Dog

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The average dog owner spends £1770 per year on their furry companion. This cost includes various things from vaccinations to grooming. Of course, it’s possible to spend a lot less than this while still giving your dog a good quality of life. Here are just some of the big ways in which you can spend less on your dog.

Shop around for low-cost nutritious food

Food is one of the biggest costs of owning a dog. Many dog owners don’t think to look beyond the brands in their local supermarket when there are practically hundreds out there to choose from.

Some dog brands can be cheap and not very nutritious, but there are others that can be low cost and very healthy. The web is the best place to shop for this food. Some pet supplies sites will offer bulk deals that could bring down costs further.  

Do your own grooming

Some dog breeds need regular grooming. This can amount to as much as £240 per year when hiring a professional grooming service. By learning to groom your dogs yourself, you can save money. Check out this useful DIY grooming guide at PetMD.

Make your own toys

Toys can be a big cost - especially if you’ve got a very destructive dog. Fortunately, this is something that you can also DIY to save costs. Using household items like plastic bottles and old t-shirts, it’s possible to make your own dog toys. This Puppy Leaks guide offers a few ideas for DIY dog toys if you want to save a few quid.

Exercise your dog

Exercise is essential for every dog’s physical and mental health. This in turn can save costs on veterinary treatment by reducing the risk of health problems such as diabetes and heart disease. The amount of exercise that a dog needs depends on the type of breed (for instance, pugs need very little exercise while German shepherds can benefit from a lot of exercise).

Weigh up the cost of pet insurance

Veterinary treatment can also add up. Some procedures can cost hundreds and sometimes thousands of pounds. While some clinics may offer payment instalments schemes for these treatments, pet insurance tends to be a better way of spreading out the cost. You pay a small monthly rate and in return your insurer will pay up the full amount of any medical treatment that you dog needs whether it’s a vaccination or surgery. You should take out pet insurance on a dog when they are young. Taking out pet insurance on an older dog can be a lot more expensive and may not be worth the rates.