Do you have a dog or a cat? You are not by yourself! It is estimated that there are 78 Million dogs and 86 Million cats in the United States alone. WOW.
The pet industry is booming, bringing in an estimated 46 Billion (that’s right, BILLION) dollars per year, and each and every year that number increases. This number includes food, toys, accessories, and vet visits.
Lets face it; even in times of recession our dogs get dog beds rawhide chews and toys. Some dogs get clothes. Cats also get food, the occasional toy, litter, cat trees, and what ever else strikes the owner while in the store.
When I came across these numbers they were a little unbelievable to me, so I took a walk around my house just to see what all my pets have. (I own multiple dogs and cats). I was really surprised to see how many toys, beds, collars, leashes, treats and food is in my home.
A little simple math told me that I had about $350.00 worth of pet ‘stuff’. Since I do own multiple pets, I have learned how to save money when possible.
Food:
If the food you currently feed your animals is on sale, buy a lot of it. If feeding dry food, check the expiration dates on the bags then buy as many bags as you know they will eat by that date.
Toys:
Only buy toys when they are on sale. Trust me, your dog or cat does not care if he is playing with Santa Claus in April. (Seasonal toys such as Christmas, Easter, and Valentines go on sale for as much as 75% off after the season passes). The same goes for dog clothes.
Bedding:
Dog and cat beds go on sale about once or twice a year. If you own a cat, and dog beds are on sale, consider small size donut dog beds for your cats. The donut dog beds work for both animals. If your pet likes to cuddle in blankets, wait until spring and buy the really cheap (people) blankets on clearance.
TIP: If you own small dogs or cats, cut the blankets into 4 or 6 pieces; hem the cut edges. You now have 4 to 6 pet blankets that you spent less than $5.00 on!
Hopefully these tips will help you save some money. You can probably think of more ways to save if you put your mind to it!
