How to Save Money on Pet Food and Pet Products

Dec 30, 2013 on Frugal living tips

As a pet owner, you know how important your pets are to you and your family. However, you also know how expensive taking care of one or more pets can be. I’m always looking at ways to save money in my budget, and saving money on my precious pets is right in there at the top of the list. Besides saving on pet food, there are several tips for saving money on all kinds of pet products.

Save on Pet Food

Since I have several cats (I won’t say how many!) and a dog, I have a lot of mouths to feed, so I am always looking for sales on pet food. My favorite place to shop for dog food and cat food is PetSmart. I know that I could get cheaper foods at convenient supercenters, but I strive to feed my animals quality food, while getting it at a decent price. PetSmart is a friendly pet store (my dog loves going there!) that offers a number of high quality brands of pet food at the most reasonable prices around. Plus, the store has frequent sales, and I often get coupons in the mail for five or even ten dollars off on my next purchase. Often there are surveys on my receipts that give me three dollars, too, off my next purchase when I participate in the brief survey.

Similar deals at PetSmart can be found online. You can order your pet food and have it shipped right to you. With $10 OFF Petsmart Grooming coupon, you can save percentages on your order or dollar amounts just as customers can in the store. PetSmart is my go-to store for saving money on pet food. Sometimes I find some neat pet products—cat litter and cat toys, for example—on sale, too!

Save on Pet Toys and Other Pet Products

Having toys around for your cats and dogs is very important to keep them entertained and prevent boredom. I have found several ways to save money on pet toys. One thing I do is trade toys with my brother’s family pets. Like people, pets have their own preferences, so when they get tired of certain toys—or don’t like them to begin with—we see if another pet will like them. Trading toys back and forth saves money on new, expensive toys. I also pick up toys for my pets at yard sales. My dog loves small stuffed animals, especially the squeaky ones. One word of caution, though; make sure that any toys intended for children are safe for pets, too.

Climbing toys and hideaways are a must for cats. They love to scratch on the posts, climb where they can, and hide in any enclosed areas. Target has a good selection of such towers and hideaways for cats—at decent prices, too. The store has an impressive selection of other often needed pet products, too, such as cozy pet beds, steps for the aging pet, and gates to keep pets from restricted areas. From smaller items such as collars and poop scoopers, to larger purchases such as economy crates, Target is a one-stop shop for many pet products. Target coupons make shopping fun with dollars off the total plus free shipping.

Save on Pet Medications

 Medications for pets can be a huge expense. I have spent a lot of money on my pets during a really bad flea season, for example. Topical treatments for fleas and ticks are one of the most expensive meds for pets. Instead of purchasing them at the vet’s office, however, I have found that I can get packages of them online for much cheaper. Amazon has a huge selection of pet supplies besides these treatments. Their assortment includes creams and cleansers for skin and ear problems, eye issues and more. There are supplements such as herbs and vitamins for joint pain, diarrhea, urinary tract issues, or just for general health. There are shampoos and conditioners—nearly everything needed for a pet’s personal and medical care. Amazon generally offers discounted prices; with Amazon coupons, the prices are even better, and the shipping is often free.

 Save on Pet Products for All Other Pets

While I’ve mostly mentioned dogs and cats in regard to saving money on their needs, there are more pets out there, and the same tips for saving money apply. Target has lots of pet products for birds, including food, toys, and cages, along with foods for rabbits, guinea pigs, and squirrels, as well. PetSmart is a store sure to hook up the pet owner with needs for a variety of pets, even snakes—yikes! And Amazon doesn’t just have supplements for smaller animals. Have needs for your horse? Check out Amazon. And don’t forget PetSmart and Target for saving money on all your pet needs.

Need some more money-saving ideas? Here's where you can save money on pet products, including grooming and training supplies--and much more!