How to Pamper Your Pets and Still Save Money

August 23rd, 2010

Buxr members are serious about finding the best deals, and shop wisely for all their family needs. A recent poll revealed that many of them also consider pets an important part of their family which brings us to the today’s topic: pet related expenses and saving money when you have a pet.

As this spreadsheet at ASPCA shows, average annual pet expenses can go as high as $875 (e.g. for a large dog) but Buxr members are nothing but average and you are going to see very soon that with a little effort it’s very easy to reduce the cost of pet ownership.

One way to do so is through coupons. There are quite a few places to find coupons and special offers that will save on food and supplies.

Store Loyalty Programs

Pet stores and grocery stores offer customer loyalty programs that guarantee discounts off featured products, print out pet-related coupons at checkout, and send out frequent bonus deals or coupons for a percentage or dollar amount off future purchases. A couple of programs you can sign up for are Petco PALS and PetSmart PetPerks, and you can enjoy those benefits either online or in the store. The discounts range from a percentage off the total order, free shipping for online purchases, or a dollar amount off when you spend a specific amount.  Often there are several price ranges, so the discounts are good for large or small purchases.

Coupons On and Inside Pet Products

Coupons for pet products can often be found inside a box of pet treats, on labels of canned dog food, or redeemable product “points” that can be removed from pet food bags. The accumulated points often qualify for free bags of food. A brass bone-shaped tag is a popular freebie offered on boxes of Milk Bone treats, free for 2 UPCs.

Join Manufacturers’ Clubs

Visit manufacturers’ web sites and sign up to receive their newsletters. That should generate free product samples and coupons for both current and new products.  Individual enthusiasts who care for 5 or more dogs, 5 or more cats, or breed one litter per year, are eligible to join the Purina Pro Club Inner Circle.  Or sign up with Nutro and they will send you a coupon booklet full of valuable savings off their products, and the option for a Buy 10, Get 1 Free program.  You’ll receive coupons, samples, and special offers when you join the Royal Canin club. Many of the other pet food brand manufacturers post a “coupon” section on their sites where you can instantly print coupons. Search Google for your favorite brand of pet food to find the sites and deals. 

Online Coupons and Samples

The usual free grocery coupon sites like Redplum or SmartSource that provide printable coupons online also include pet products. And the weekly grocery store online ads frequently offer them as well. Don’t forget to check the Buxr pet section for coupons, free offers and rebates.

Veterinarians

Veterinarians often have free samples of pet food and treats along with money-saving coupons for pet products, or free pet magazines containing coupons. Veterinary practices may also offer seasonal specials on dental cleanings, spays and neuters, and other services. For example, February is Dental Month, and cleaning rates are reduced.

Pet Insurance

You might also consider pet insurance or wellness plans, to help defray the cost of surgery or other pet care.  PurinaCare is one of several reputable pet insurance plans, and their site offers a comparison guide with other plans.  You have to decide if it’s worth the money to have insurance, or if the premiums exceed your annual pet health costs, but there’s a discussion about that here.

CareCredit is a GE Money Company that offers special financing and payment plans to cover expensive pet health issues.  Apply online and choose a veterinary provider from their group.

Other Services

If you have an otherwise healthy pet, you can give them shots yourself or visit low-cost vaccination clinics. Save the more expensive visits to the vet for thorough examinations and diagnosis of specific ailments. The Banfield Pet Clinics, many located inside PetSmart stores, offer a free new pet exam, as well as a wellness plan.  You can save on nail trimming, clipping, grooming, training, and other extras by doing them yourself.  There are inexpensive toothbrushes that you can use regularly to avoid needing professional cleaning.  Grooming your own pet is a great way to save money and bond at the same time.  There are lots of online tips to help you, and even some recipes for making your own dog biscuits.  If you want to stay informed about food safety or any recalls of pet and animal feeds, check the alerts posted by the American Veterinary Medicine Association.

Your pets will appreciate any savings you can achieve in this category.  If you think your pet can’t count, try putting 3 treats in your pocket and giving out only 2 of them. Every Buxrite should realize that saving $3 on any pet supply is actually $21 in dog money!

Entry Filed under: Shopping