The following is a guest post by Elizabeth from 20-Something Saver.
A few weeks ago someone gave me a newspaper article about a $1,300 dog collar. Yes, you’re reading that correctly — a dog collar.
There is no doubt that people enjoy spoiling their dogs, and I’m no exception. I can tell you, though, that Cocoa and Oreo are not wearing $1,300 dog collars. They aren’t even wearing $20 collars. They are normal dogs who eat breakfast, walk a few miles a day, and love the dog park and cuddle time.
It seems almost impossible to watch your spending with Fido, but it’s certainly doable.
When dogs eat well, they aren’t sick as often.
Dogs don’t need table scraps, their health is best with regular dry kibble. Buy your dog food in bulk using coupons — many big brands like Pedigree, Purina One, and Nutrish offer hot coupons on their websites.
I know people who try to save money by feeding their dog table scraps and guess what? They usually end up spending a lot of extra money at the vet!
The best things in life are free.
Find a free dog park in your area. Go once a week and make it a special time for Fido. Do your research and save yourself some money.
The biggest expense is grooming.
We spend about $90 at the groomers each time Cocoa and Oreo go. Because it’s so expensive, they only go every eight weeks — which is wonderful. In between visits they are brushed weekly and given a bath if needed.
Splurge on the necessary stuff.
There are some expenses that are worth the splurge. For us, it’s their flea and tick medication. We splurge on that because we’re in the south and it’s hot — therefore, more fleas and ticks. It varies by family, but remember that you don’t have to splurge on everything.
My biggest tip…
Before making a purchase, ask yourself “Would I be embarrassed to tell someone how much I spent on this?” This worked very well when I thought about buying a $49 tuxedo for Oreo.
Remember, your doggies will be happy by just being walked, fed, and loved. They are simple creatures created by God!
Elizabeth is a 20-something learning to live on less. She blogs about her journey of saving money with her dogs at 20-Something Saver.
I would encourage pet owners to look into buying higher quality pet foods. While $55 for a 40lb bag of food may seem like a lot, they are made with better ingredients (and less fillers) so you don’t have to feed as much. I used http://www.dogfoodanalysis.org and was shocked to see that the “good” food I was buying was actually junk. Dogs are not meant to eat corn and chicken by-products.
Whoops. Make that http://www.dogfoodanalysis.COM
Science Diet, Pedigree, Purina, Eukanuba are all horrible, horrible dog foods.
If that is all you can afford, I understand and such is life. Costco sells grain-free dog food for under $1 a pound. That’s less expensive than buying the corn-riddled, by-product infused crap at Walmart or wherever you go to shop.
i can hardly see how $90 every 8 weeks on grooming is debt free or any of this for that matter. i have 3 dogs and wash, dip and groom them myself. yes it takes time but i would not spend that kind of money grooming a dog. and NO on cheap dog food.
another suggestion…if you live in a metro area, check around at country vets on their prices. it might just be worth a little gas and extra time to make a trip out of town. Also, our vet told us that unless you plan on boarding your pet, you can give most shots at home. We vaccinate for everything(except rabies which our city requires proof of) by buying the vaccines at alocal farm supply place. Dont be afraid to ask for a multi pet discount..we have 3 dogs and 3 cats, our vet will only charge for 1 office visit by us bringing all the dogs at once for their rabies shots, then all the cats. Also, like anything else, ask for a discount if paying in cash(which is what we done at the exotic vet for the oldest’s bearded dragon)
A small tip on saving HUGE money on vet bills: if you can find a large animal vet nearby they are WAY cheaper. They usually don’t have a fancy office, a lot of clerical/tech help to have to pay so you get to share the savings. It may not work in every situation but for basic and preventative care we spent about 1/4 what all the “regular” vets in our area charged. Also, because cats and dogs aren’t their main focus they don’t try to sell you a bunch of extra procedures, tests, etc.
Heartworm preventative is crucial — do not try to cut corners on this one. Dogs need it every month.
Many rescues taking in dogs that are heartwork positive spend thousands on them. thousands that could have been spent rescuing more dogs if their owners would have been more responsible.
I definately think quality dog food is the way to gol $35 – $45 on a 40 lb bag of dog food may sound like a lot, but I think they eat less of the quality dog food. Or at least our dog does. The few times he’s gotten the cheap stuff, it seems like he went through it faster. He ate more and pooped more. We have a 45 lb dog that goes through a 35 lb bag of Science diet every 2-3 months. I don’t think that’s so bad. They frequently go on sale at Petsmart, so I can save $5 or so. My last bag had a petsmart gift card in it, which they seem to do periodically.
Since this blog is about frugality, I want to say that if you can live without one, the most frugal thing is to not have a pet. I’ve had pets in the past and they are expensive in many ways. If money is really hard for you to come by, I repeat, don’t have a pet. After you acquire one, it’s too late, you fall in love with it.
I work for a vet. The most common problems we see are over weight/obsese pets. Also dental issues. I have heard the Dr. say with my own ears, no matter which brand of food you feed( back of the bag) lessen it by a 1/3 cup. It doesn’t matter if it’s Science Diet or Ol Roy. I have seen major medical issues come from over fed pets ie: Pancreasitis (sp) to torn ACLs. The same with dental issues. Hope this helps some readers.
Hmm. I typed out a response and it disappeared. (I think.)
I don’t think I can remember it all, so I’ll summarize – I spend a lot on good care for my dogs, not on stuff. I shop around for the right vet for us – one who lays out ALL the options and costs, and lets us choose. One who truly has the dog’s best interest at heart, and ours.
But more than anything – it’s all worth it. Every penny. What they give me is worth far more – unconditional love and loyalty, never ending laughter, company when my husband is deployed, a sense of security, snuggles and kisses… they more than earn their keep, and I feel extremely grateful to be able to take such good care of them in return.
I love this post! We spend a lot on the health and care of our dogs, but not a lot of ‘stuff’ for them. I made their latest bed from decking scraps and duck cloth. We only get them a new toy durable toy a couple times a year. They are SPOILED, but with love, attention, snuggles, and the best care we can afford.
I recommend feeling out the vet for the best fit just like you would for your own doctor. Our vet knows us well, and she tries her best to save us money. She doesn’t push a lot of expensive procedures. She lays out all the options, all the costs, and lets up make our decision, no guilt trip. Each time we move, I ‘shop around’ for the right vet for us, and it makes all the difference if you have any chronic conditions, aging dogs, etc.
And when the costs start to add up, I remember just how much they are GIVING me in return for their care. Unconditional love, never ending smiles, a few headaches here and there that end up being great stories later, a sense of security… the list goes on and on. They truly earn their keep, and I feel so lucky to have them.
Oop, I meant Petsmart.
Orijens dog food is the best you can buy. It is expensive but I’m not going to take chances on the health of my dogs. I don’t buy junk for my family…and that includes our dogs. Grocery store dog food is pure junk and so is most of what pets art sells.
My dad is a Veterinarian, and I have heard him give lots of animal advice over the years, in addition to having my own pets until 2007. I would add:
1. Take your pet to the vet when they first get sick. The problem will be a lot smaller (and probably a lot less expensive) than if you wait until your pet’s symptoms get worse for a week. Keep their vaccinations up to date and give them a healthy lifestyle, and they will cost you less.
2. Choose the right pet for your lifestyle. If you’re never home, then don’t get a pet. If you don’t have much space, get a small pet. If you have a smaller income, get a smaller pet. Do your research and choose the right pet from the beginning.
3. Pure bred pets are great if you plan on breeding, but if not, there are dozens of great (inexpensive) pets at your local humane society, rescues, or elsewhere in your community that are lovable and looking for a good home.
4. Learn to wash and groom your pet yourself. My dad has an in-clinic groomer, but my family still does most of our pet-washing and grooming at home. Again, if you don’t want to pay for grooming, don’t buy a pet with hair that needs grooming.
We don’t have a pet right now because of our lifestyle and housing situations for the last 5 years, but we’re looking forward to getting more in the future!
I save hundreds per year by not having a pet.
We have a year and a half old Pitbull named Juliet whom we adopted from the local shelter a year ago. With her, our family has learned a few things:
1. Pet insurance is a MUST and it has saved us so much. Her plan even covers a certain amount and general Vet services.
2. Kirkland brand Dog Food from Costco is the very best. Her coat is shiny, her movements are regular, her breath does not stink, and the Vet says she is a very healthy dog.
3. Spending a little more to invest in good-quality, strong and durable toys goes a long way with a dog breed who has jaws of steel.
Elizabeth, thanks for such a great post! I love that you mentioned that each family will need to figure out for themselves where to splurge. When we first got married we got a puppy (a dachshund mix) and he lived for 16 years. We fed him table scraps, food bought with coupons (never even heard of Taste of the Wild), never once had him professionally groomed, bought his flee and heartworm medication at the feedstore and took him each year to the clinic that our county offered to have his shots. His only real vet visit was to stitch up a leg that had gotten cut when tried to go under some barbed wire. And yet he was never overweight and when he died he had all his teeth. The vet (at the clinic and the one who stitched up the leg) never mentioned that he was unhealthy – he romped around with the kids until about the last year or so of his life. He was so much a part of our family that I still (4 years later) ask the kids, “Have you fed Bob?” our current dog’s name is Rascal (whom we’ve had for 5 years), not Bob. I guess my point is that you CAN have a dog that is a part of your family and is loved and healthy and doesn’t cost hundreds of dollars each month. Each family really does need to take care of their animals as their conscience dictates – not out of fear of judgement from others – either because they don’t spend enough or they spend too much.
Dogs (and any other pets) can be a huge expense! But more often than not, they become part of the family, putting them into the “priceless” category. My family has had all kinds of expenses our English Bulldog (vet, grooming, and LOTS of food), and very few with the Mini-Daschund.
Regardless of what kind of dog you have, the idea of asking yourself, “Would I be embarrassed to tell people how much I paid for this??” is a great one, and I am going to use it from now on. It’s something that I have done in hindsight, rather than asking myself that before I bought it.
Some good advice on here, glad to see I’m not the only one who is so concerned about what their dog eats! My family has always thought I was crazy lol. As far as the meds, we live in FL so flea/tick/heartworm meds are necessary pretty much all year. But with anything, I recommend people do their research. Those meds all come with their own risks, you just have to weigh the costs.
I have a small dog with big hair, so grooming is a must. I usually stretch it to about every 3 months, she’s usually a little shaggy by then but not bad. I pay about $40, which I find is typical (and that’s from numerous groomers in 2 states). Well worth it to me, as she won’t let me do it myself lol.
One thing about bringing vet costs down, do your research on their shots. As most of us are these days, many dogs out there are over-vaccinated. Also, find a vet you can trust. As other people mentioned, talk to them upfront about the costs of everything they are doing. Do your research about any procedure they recommend doing, assuming it’s not an emergency situation. For example, just before Thanksgiving, my dog had torn ligaments in her knee ( a gradual result of aging & not injury) and she recommended surgery. It would have had a lengthy recovery time & run us upwards of $1000. After doing my research, I found out it would heal on it’s on, and the surgery did not promise much better results. Now about 6 weeks later, she is running & jumping again with no visible limp, and I am so glad we didn’t put her though surgery. Vets will almost always push a surgery option if there is one, as opposed to sitting around & doing nothing. Do your research for them as you would a human member of your family.
That’s great your dog’s torn ligaments healed!! I agree in this situation – from what our vet said and the research I’d done, surgery wasn’t a great option for that particular injury. Two years ago, our now almost 16-year-old dog had torn her knee ligament and surgery was recommended. We decided to give her some rest, pick her up so she wouldn’t have to jump, and research it. It seemed to be slowly improving and then 2 weeks later she herniated her spine and was paralyzed! She had spinal surgery, and due to the long recovery from that, her knee totally healed, as did her back. 🙂
My husband really wanted a dog… so we carefully did our research and made sure it was a good choice for ours family. Buying a pet if it’s not a good fit isn’t good on the budget. We found a rescue that could recommend a dog to us. We went this route- even though it cost $250 and the trip to pick him up, because he was with a foster family. He was around kids and other pets so they knew what his personality was like. We didn’t want a dog where we didn’t have a good idea of what he was like. I’m very glad he is still mellow, lounges on the couch, but still runs 10 miles at a time with my husband.
We decided to feed him better food- Nature brand. It’s $50 but lasts ~6 weeks. He’s a 55 pound, “high-energy” breed- but he eats less of it because it is a better food (similar to how humans are).
When he is exercised regularly he never needs his nails trimmed. Walks and runs keep them from getting too long. Unfortunately, this hasn’t happened recently as I’m 6 weeks away from giving birth and my husband has been sick with sinus issues and pneumonia for 6-8 weeks!
Because of my allergies we needed a dog with little hair, no shedding, or hypoallergenic. Luckily, he is a low shedder so he also has pretty much no grooming needs. Every couple of months I’ll wash him to keep him from really stinking.
I bought him one toy- which he tore up and distributed around the house… now he gets tennis balls my husband no longer uses when playing. 🙂
Dog food is a controversial topic, much like the food we all choose to feed our families, right?! Some of us scoff at processed foods and would never buy or eat them, others don’t think twice and have them at every meal and are just fine with that. For instance, we never eat cereal in our household. Others eat it every single morning. The results of our diet are not usually immediate unless it’s a weight gain issue. Diabetes, heart disease, and cancer take years of bad diet (and other factors) to show up in our bodies
I think it’s important not to make anyone feel guilty or stupid about what they choose to feed their family, including the 4-legged family members.
I do feel very strongly about feeding my dogs the best quality I can afford, and after doing years of research on the subject as well as watching their health either decline or improve based on the foods I fed them, it became very clear to me that corn, wheat, soy, byproducts, preservatives like BHT, and any ingredients I couldn’t pronounce, spell, or would want to eat myself would NOT be going in my dogs’ mouths. Of course dogs eat trash, rotten things, and poop but that does not mean any of that is good for them! High quality dog food does not cost much more than the lower quality brands due to the fact they will eat less quantity because more nutrients are being digested and less vet bills in the long run.
My 70-pound husky/lab mix Onyx lived to 17 years old and I can tell you she didn’t achieve that eating Ol’ Roy or Science Diet! When she passed she was a 3-year cancer survivor — the tumor was not completely removed 3 years prior but never spread and I fully believe it’s because I eliminated all grain from her diet when she got the diagnosis. She had had kidney disease for over 5 years that was not progressing — the vet used to try to sell me Science Diet K/D food for kidney disease but he gave up when he saw how great she was doing without it. Besides, that Science Diet stuff doesn’t have any magical ingredients to cure or prevent kidney disease!
Last summer at a routine vet visit, our vet told us that our dogs were his oldest clients and he wanted to know what we fed them. A couple weeks later he called me at home to find out if there was anything else I was doing supplement wise. This from a guy who tried for years to sell me Science Diet!
I currently have a nearly 16-year-old, 45-pound basenji/border collie who just had perfect blood work and excellent physical exam according to the vet, and other than a funny little bootie shake when she walks from a previous back surgery 2 years ago, she has no chronic diseases and takes no prescription medications.
When my parents were my age (40s) they were already on prescription medications for hypertension, diabetes, thyroid, and high cholesterol. My mom had a heart attack when she was 59. I was raised on processed cheap food (Purina, etc. would be the dog equivalent) and continued eating that way as an adult. My parents still eat a lot of processed and fast food currently. When I was in my 30s I started eating what I thought was a healthy diet. My ideas about what is considered healthy has changed over the years, but the point is that I’ve tried to do better when I knew better for both myself and my dogs. I’m not on any prescription medications and neither are my dogs. Diet must be playing a part in that, yes?
If you want to evaluate your dog’s food and possibly find a better one, do check out: http://www.dogfoodadvisor.com as well as Whole Dog Journal magazine – they do yearly dog food reviews and are almost as picky as I am about ingredients.
Debbie- Would you mind sharing what food you feed your dogs? I completely agree with what you have written and would love to know. Thanks
Jamie, if my budget would allow, I’d feed my dogs a 100% raw diet or “prey model” diet. However, I do the best I can and that is 1/2 grain-free kibble (sometimes canned in lieu of kibble) and 1/2 raw food. If you are not familiar with raw and interested, check independent pet stores in your area and give them a call or visit to see if they carry it. Look for freezers in store.
Note: My dogs eat a variety of foods daily and tolerate changes in their diet very well, but if you’ve been feeding your dogs the same thing for years, do make the switch slowly!
What we feed: 1/2 kibble – the main one we use is Natural Balance – some are grain free, some are not. We use grain free fish version (I have seen this brand at big box stores now too). We have also used EVO in the past but I’ve been hesitant since Proctor & Gamble took over. There are others on dogfoodadvisor.com which rate higher than Natural Balance so I’m doing research and will try something else in the future.
Plus 1/2 raw – we rotate through a couple different ones but the main one we use is Northwest Naturals. We’ve also used Bravo and Primal Pet in the past. These contain muscle meat, organ, and bone (it’s crushed). With raw it’s important to note if label states “supplemental feeding only” or if it is a “balanced” diet. I feel more comfortable using the balanced versions. The raw comes prepared and frozen, just thaw and feed.
We also add liquid salmon oil (dosed for dog’s size) squirted on their food and add some dog safe table scraps such as steamed/cooled veggies, egg, or meat. Their treats are also grain free. EVO is the main one we buy and it contains glucosamine/chondroitin. Once a month they get a big marrow bone.
It’s true, my dog grocery bill is probably higher than most here, but I’d be willing to bet my vet bills are lower. In the last 2 years of my 17 yr old dog’s life, her vet bills consisted of regular checkups and lab tests twice a year, a wax/sand clog cleaned out of her ear after a week of romping on the beach, and a benign lump (and adjacent tooth) removed from her gum. My 15-1/2 yr old dog’s last 2 years of vet bills: biannual exam/lab tests, several benign lumps aspirated, 2 massive skin tags (benign) removed.
I work part time, my husband is mostly unemployed, we have no debt, and no children and for us this is doable.
Thank you so much. I thought I was giving my girls good food but have now learned that I can give them much much much better quality food with paying just a little more. I will look into the raw food as well. Thank you!
We grew up really poor and owned a dog that was mostly Maltese. A couple of outside the box ideas for animals….
#1- Remember they are animals. We love them, but when it comes to feeding them and feeding your children, they can eat the scraps off the table and live a long time!
#2 – Talk to your local small time pet groomers- We traded baked goods like pies, cleaning etc. for getting her hair cut. We tried doing it ourself, but she was an outside dog and her hair was thick and rough after wintertime, and the clippers did not make it.
#3- Check if the neighbors mutt dog had puppies!! Sometimes they make the best dogs….depending on the mix of breed.
Our Family dog lived a much longer life than the vet ever thought she would as she was attacked by bigger dogs twice, had seizures and still lived 18 years! We miss her!
Seriously guys. Some of the comments are heart breaking and some are great. The food thing, well you’ll never be able to change the minds of some people who don’t want to hear it. You do get what you pay for, but the very expensive brands tend to use very gimicky terminology to justify organic/ filler-free/ whole dog food. A moderately priced dog food will get them their nutrients. Brands like Purina and Science Diet take tremendous care in testing their products (for YEARS, mind you) to make sure a line has sufficient quality and palatability. Pro Plan is the best Purina line and Science Diet Light does a fantastic job with pudgy critters.
I have been a vet tech for almost a decade and one thing I cannot stand is an uneducated client. Well, one that doesnt listen at least. The internet can NOT be trusted for information. A licensed tech or veterinarian is your best friend for advice. We don’t do it because we’re money-hungry. Trust me when I say I dont do this for the money because it aint great! If you don’t know, don’t say so! Please keep your day jobs and keep the veterinary work for the pros. I’m not doing my own car repair and there’s a reason for it.
FYI, the pharmacy tip is fantastic and so true. Real pharmacies have the luxury of buying large quantities and being able to pass on the discount. Keep in mind that not every pet medication is also a human Med and buy your heartworm preventative from a vet to save yourself a headache in case it doesn’t work.
Katie – I’d agree with you on most items, however Science Diet and IAMS are not great foods even if they are vet recommended. Just take a look at the Science Diet ingredients….fillers and not alot of quality meat protein. People just need to look at the labels and make an educated decision.
We bought a dog hair cutting tool and saved a bundle on my Mom’s poodle. No she didn’t look show quality but saved a ton of money.
One of the biggest money-savers I can recommend to individuals with pets that require medication is that you DO NOT necessarily have to get your dog’s medication from your vet! Our dog is epileptic and requires daily doses of seizure medication. I was paying $19 a month for it at our vet’s office. I eventually discovered that since they are not a pharmacy, they have an additional fee anytime a prescription is filled there. I decided to call around and check the local pharmacies to see if they carried it in the dosage that was right for my dog.
It turns out that EVERY pharmacy in town that could get it was cheaper than the vet . Rite Aid wound up being the cheapest because they had a program that offered a discount for family AND PET prescriptions. Now, I get her medication at Rite Aid for $8.99 a month. That switch alone saved us $120 a year!
I know that won’t be an option for every prescription, but it’s definitely worth checking into!
The easiest way to save money on pets is to think LONG and HARD about pet ownership before you adopt or purchase. Are you willing to keep the pet for it’s ENTIRE life? Are you willing to provide it the proper preventative care or will you just get the Rabies vaccine so the county doesn’t come after you? Are you willing to train the animal so it is a good “citizen” in your home and neighbor hood? Are you willing to purchase trusted flea and heartworm preventatives or will you buy whatever is discounted on the shelf? Are you willing to face unexpected medical emergencies such as broken limbs, foreign bodies, or poison ingestion or will you give up and opt for euthanasia? Can you keep up with the pet’s activity level and grooming needs? Is the whole family willing to participate in keeping and/or paying for the pet?
Some tend to think pet ownership is a right, regardless of whether they are willing to give the care or have the resources. Save yourself, your veterinarian, your wallet, and your pet a lot of stress and avoid pet ownership if you aren’t willing to take responsibility. And if you consider giving a pet as a gift – please don’t! The whole family needs to meet and get along with the pet BEFORE it comes home. Pets are responsibilities, not presents.
Excellent comments, Dana! Your suggestions are true for any pet, including small animals and especially birds and tortoises that live for many, many years.
Another thing to consider is the death of a pet. It’s not an easy thing!
“Some tend to think pet ownership is a right, regardless of whether they are willing to give the care or have the resources. Save yourself, your veterinarian, your wallet, and your pet a lot of stress and avoid pet ownership if you aren’t willing to take responsibility. ”
AMEN!
Please remember that sometimes people “give up and opt for euthanasia” following unexpected medical emergencies because it is the most humane thing for the pet. There are times when putting your pet through extensive medical treatment is only going to prolong their pain. Choosing to have a pet euthanized is an extremely difficult decision to make – and will break your heart.
But how selfish is keeping them alive because it would hurt YOU too much to have them euthanized – even though they’re going to suffer the rest of their life? Just make sure you choose what’s best for them, not what’s best for you.
Excellent point. We try use this thinking when it comes to making medical decisions for our cats.
Well Said! Adopting a pet is like adopting a child. How much time, energy, and effort are you willing to put into its upkeep? If you’re not in it for the long haul, then don’t get a pet.
Another thing people forget is “sitting” costs. What will you do with the pet when you go on vacations or travel on the weekends, or want to take a spontaneous day trip? Who will house-sit or pet-sit your pet when you’re away?
If you think you MIGHT like a pet, you might try starting with something smaller than a dog or cat, like a mouse, bird, guinea pig, rabbit, etc. This also works well for smaller children to prepare them for the responsibilities of pet care. Begin “small” before you make a “big” mistake.
Yes, yes, and yes!!! One year, I tallied the costs of our 3 dogs. It had been a tough year medically – a couple of surgeries and an injury in addition to regular vet visits, the preventatives, and good food. When a friend decided on a whim to get a dog, I shared the tally with her. She almost fell out of her chair, and did not get a dog. Think hard, to the research, and make a decision you can stick with. (And of course, then adopt!) 🙂
Feeding your dog a cheap brand of dog food would be as healthy as feeding your kids mcdonalds everyday!! That just doesn’t make sense. Actually the healthiest food for dogs is raw meat, bones and veggies but this is a very time consuming route to go. If you are looking for a healthy kibble alternative the Kirkland brand is a decent brand but it is still loaded with grains which are hard to digest and can over time cause problems in certain dogs. We feed taste of the wild too as another poster commented. We buy it at a feed store and yes it is expensive but you only get what you pay for. Just like for humans good quality food is more expensive than prepackaged junk but it will keep you fuller longer and healthier in the long run!!
In terms of spaying and neutering your pet, check to see if your community has any special programs. I got my dog spayed for free, and she got her rabies shot and license for about $12.
These programs are a wonderful service! They offer population control to those who honestly don’t know about it’s benefits or simply can’t afford it. Working in a spay/neuter clinic was possibly the most fulling job I’ve ever had.
However, if you have the resources, I encourage you to seek surgical services at a veterinary practice (especially for senior patients). They often have better monitoring equipment, supplies, and certified technicians. Many spay/neuter clinics have dozens of patients each day and they are barely monitored during surgery and recovery. They also use whatever supplies are the cheapest or are donated.
Both places send pets home with the same surgery complete, but often the higher cost of a veterinary clinic ensures that the surgery is completed in a much safer environment. If you’re considering going to a community or low-cost clinic, do your research first and make sure that you are comparing apples to apples.
sorry about some of the partially incoherent grammar, should have proofread!
It is a good post but I must warn some readers that there are many important things like Heartworm prevention that need to be purchases as well. I have been in the vet field for a long time, have worked from the Northeast to TX and have seen heartworm cases everywhere. Some think that just because you don’t see a mosquito it can’t be possible, unless you live where no mosquito has ever lived before. Also, dry food is the best at helping your dog be healthy but quality also plays a part in that as well, and the larger the kibble size the healthier your dogs teeth and gums will be much cleaner leading to less need for dentals. And of course, if you please please please pay to have your pet microchipped! Some microchip companies are more expensive so it depends on the services you want. The cream of the crop offers air fare if needed to reuinte you with your pet and others with no annual fees are just services to help locate you. Military people should take care when choosing the microchip and make sure it is ISO compatable, otherwise they will not be able to bring pets overseas if needed without spending a lot more money.
I used to feed my dogs expensive food, but my groomer suggested Costco’s Kirkland brand. It is high-quality and only $24 for a 40-lb bag. My dogs also get fresh fruit and vegetables every day. No apple seeds, raisins or grapes. High fat, starchy, spicy table scraps are not good for dogs. But high fat, starchy food isn’t good for me either. 😉
If keeping expenses in check is important, be careful what breed of dog you get and where you get it. Some breeds are prone to health issues. I’ve had two spaniels (a Brittany many years ago and a Cocker now). Floppy ears often get infected because they don’t dry out well.
My 5-yo Cocker is a shelter rescue. I used to volunteer at our local shelter, so I have a little experience with shelter dogs. She has had many health (aforementioned ears + arthritis in her elbows and hips) and behavioral issues (she was on doggy Prozac for 9 months). We got her at 6-mo old. Our trainer thinks she knows what breeder she originally came from since the trainer sees many other dogs with similar problems that came from that breeder. Obviously, this is a disreputable breeder. I love my dog and have devoted a lot of time and money to her health and well-being. We were the only family she wasn’t afraid of at the shelter. I am still glad she picked us, even with all of the problems.
At least in the Northeast, it takes a lot of luck to find a really nice dog at a shelter. People don’t give away nice dogs very often. If you want a rescue, network far and wide…. and be picky. You are going to live with this animal for many years. Make sure you have the resources to devote to health and/or behavior issues if they come up. When I volunteered at the shelter, people used to ask me wasn’t it hard not to want to take them all home with me. No. I worked on training the dogs so they had some manners and were more likely to be adopted. The great dogs didn’t last an hour. They got adopted before their beds were warm. The crazy ones stayed for weeks until we could get them to settle down.
On the other hand, my Miniature Australia Shepherd was given to me by a friend who bought her from a reputable breeder with the intention of breeding & showing her. She is from championship lines. My Mini Aussie is shy with strangers, so my friend and the original breeder decided to spay her and give her away (lucky me). They didn’t think it was a trait to pass along to more generations. Living with her for two years, I think it was a wise decision. The breeder gave a new puppy to my friend. That puppy was sweet, friendly and is now expecting her first litter. The breeder cares about show-quality, health AND temperament in her dogs. My dog is 3 1/2 years old now and the picture of health. My vet said the breed in general is very “sturdy” and doesn’t get sick often.
I also had a mixed breed shelter dog for 10 years who had few health problems, but ultimately died of cancer at 11 years old. I suspect the Science Diet food I bought at my previous vet contributed to the cancer. I’ve since found out Science Diet is poor quality food.
If you’re looking for a particular kind of dog/breed you can ask local rescue groups to take your info and give you a call if they take in a match. I get daily posts from several animal groups in my area on Facebook. They post potential adoptees within a ceratin radius. Also, having a pet emergency fund is an excellent idea! When we lived in MS I had to evacuate for Hurricane Ivan and was forced to board my dogs because they weren’t allowed in the people shelters. When I picked them up I had quite the bill!
Also, our vet told us that the Kirkland brand dog food is great stuff. They have a variety of choices based on small or large breed, as well as over weight options. Money saver!!
Great tips, but I would hate to spend $90 on grooming! We use petsmart and my dog gets the basics done (nails, ears, and bath) for $17. We do some baths at home in between his 12 week sessions to stretch it out. To help stretch out the time between and the need for nail clippings, I try to schedule their check ups at the vet accordingly, who will clip them as part of the check up once year. Give some time on hard ground to help wear down nails too!
I skimmed through the responses so I am not sure if this was mentioned but another suggestion is if you have 2 (or more) of close to the same weight dogs you can actually buy the higher up dose of Heartguard or flea meds and split it. It has save us a bunch of money. And we buy the top quality of those. Also call the shelter and see if they have or know of low cost spay/neuter days to take advantage of that. Any shelter will be more than happy to make you aware of them because non fixed dogs/cats can cause problems.
Please, please, please do NOT do this unless under the supervision and direction of a veterinarian! Companies that produce these preventatives invest a lot of time and money into research to make sure the doses are safe. Giving a different dose or splitting doses is considered “off label” usage and is NOT covered under the manufacturer guarantee. Please make sure your doctor is on board before doing this at home!
Our vet told us that it’s important for our dog to eat the entire heartworm preventative. The medication is mixed throughout, so you want to make sure they get the entire dose!
No you absolutely cannot. I am a vet tech (for the better part of a Dec a) and know for a fact that splitting your heartworm preventative ( Specifically Heartgard Plus) will be the worst gamble you can take. The medication is not evenly distributed throughout the chew so you may very well give one dog the half with the medication and the other gets nothing. Furthermore, topical flea medication like Front line are absorbed through oil glands for month-long distribution, so if you have a 20 lb dog who should really be a 13 pound dog and you split a dose that is the 23-44 pound size, you are NOT fully protecting him. His distribution levels go south maybe after 3 weeks not 4 and 1 flea is all it takes for an infestation.
People- please stop making suggestions that are rumored and unfounded. I would never make medical suggestions because I am not a nurse. I will make veterinary suggestions because that’s my profession. Please keep your day jobs!!
My vet suggested that we do this with our dog with Frontline. We buy the Frontline made for an 80 lb dog and then use half of it at a time on our 30 lb dog. Basically, instead of getting 3 doses from a box we get 6. My vet recommended it and actually gave me the syringe so I could measure exactly half.
if a vet says its OK its fine. But realize that the company guarantees the product to work but if something like this is done it will void the guarantee. The manufacturer of Front line will reimburse you for product and in some cases send out an exterminator if your are still having a flea problem after three consecutive months of use. Any off-label usage voids this guarantee so some people just like that extra insurance in case anythig were to happen. If you are applying the correct volume, great. Stretch the budget, that stuff is expensive. But it’s also non-harmful. Not being fully protecting from heartworms and intestinal parasites can kill! Trust me, I just gave a dog her final heartworm treatment at my clinic yesterday and her kidneys have suffered permanent damage from the disease 🙁 stay safe dog lovers!!
I buy high quality food for my cats, Castor & Pollux Organix, Felidae, and natural planet. Amazon (free shipping) carries many of these brands at a discount and so does Pet Meds Rx online. Chow Hound also has good prices and will order a brand for no shipping to the store.
I don’t see tick medication as a splurge. Deer ticks carry Lyme disease, which affects both dogs and cats (and humans, of course). If your animals go outside at all and you live in an area where there are deer ticks, the medication is a necessary expense to protect your family and pets.
Last year, I talked to our vet about Lyme in animals. She did not have statistics for cats, but told me that one-third of the dogs in our area have Lyme disease.
I have a rescued poodle and by asking people where they take their dog to get groomed, a neighbor told me about a professional groomer who works out of his home and he charges less than than some of the franchise places, which I’ve taken my dog to. I also brush him as matted dogs get an additional charge for grooming.
My dog is allergic to beef, after 6 months of gastrointestinal distress and $1000 in vet bills trying to figure out what was wrong with him. I have to pay more for his food but it’s cheaper than the vet bill. He used to be very stiff when he stood up but since he’s on proper food, he’s not anymore.
For pet insurance, find out about pre-existing conditions that won’t be covered when the policy renews, for example, if your dog gets diabetes in June and the plan renews in January, is the treatment covered? Some won’t cover it anymore as it’s considered a “pre-existing condition.”
I agree that feeding your pet a quality food will go a long way towards over-all health.
Also *talking to your vet* plays a HUGE role in saving money! Someone shot my husbands cat last year, and she required extensive treatment, including a drain tube, 17 staples, etc… and the surgery was going to cost almost $400 –more money than we are willing to spend on a procedure with a questionable outcome. I asked the vet if it would be possible to give kitty a local anesthetic so she didnt suffer, and give my husband a chance to say goodbye, and the vet suggested she might be able to place the staples and drain tube with just the local anesthetic.
$78 dollars for the vet trip and a supply of pain medication; saved us a huge amount of $ and had a better outcome for kitty. Of course that will not be the case in every set of circumstances, but sometimes thinking outside the box is best for all involved!
I wish all vets were that nice with working with you. I was so upset our very nice cat got out a couple years ago and dragged himself back home. Looked like he got hit by a car. Of course it was a weekend so had to go to the emergency vet. After being quoted $500 just knock him out, take an x-ray, put fluids in him and keep him over night we made the hard decision to put him down since he looked like he was suffering. The nurse came in and said someone was interested in adopting him and trying to save him, we said ok. Turns out it was the vet and when I called to check up on him a couple weeks later she said he only had a bruised stomach, felt like we had been cheated out of our cat….
I second the above suggestion to keep a few hundred dollars in a fund for emergency pet health care. In the fall of 2010 one of our cats had a stroke and we had to take her to the emergency vet. We ended up having her put down and had a $300 vet bill.
For reference on other costs, our remaining two cats don’t have major health problems (long story on the minor ones) and last year we spent $50 a month for food and basic health care (we buy high end food from our vet). I’m not exactly sure how much we spent on litter but I’ll guess $10-$15 a month.
We have always fed our dogs fairly cheap Purina dog food and have never had problems. I don’t buy that expensive dog food is better. Purina has been around a long time and many dogs thrive on it. It costs us about $13/month. Our dog also gets some bacon every week (my 88 yo father-in-law shares his Sunday breakfast with the dog each week — they are best friends). I think a big factor in our dog staying healthy is LOTS of exercise. Our dog is walked several times/day — some days for over an hour at a time. It’s good for her and good for us.
I think dogs are like people…some can tolerate any type of food, others have allergies and health issues.
You are right! Don’t feel bad about buying the food you can afford. I worked in a vet many years. Yes the high quality food does digest more easily and lead to less poop, but you shouldn’t feel bad feeding your dog a cheaper food. Even though I know about the higher quality foods, I still feed my dogs cheaper ones. They’ve always done fine and lived to an old age with no major health problems. They also are mixed breeds, which tend to live longer and do better anyway. The vets I worked for always said there was too much in-breeding with pure breeds, but with mixed breeds, the so called “bad qualities” tend to get bred out over time and they tend to do better over all.
I also have to disagree with the table scraps thing. My mothers dog is approaching 20 and lives off table scraps. She does eat the Ceasar’s dog food, but that’s not very often. The vet is aware of her diet and thinks it’s marvelous. The reason table scraps are okay in this situation, is because she eats lean meats and veggies. Not all table scraps are bad, and the vet has said that it is clearly benefitting my mothers dog just fine. It really just depends on what you are feeding them and how they are made.
sorry, my computer NEVER posts these, so I end up making multiples. Feel free to delete.
I have to disagree a little with the shelter thing. I would never have a problem buying from a shelter if they had the dog I wanted, BUT I have severe allergies to almost all animals. In my case, it is very difficult to find those animals at shelters. We paid 500 for our dog, who is still a mix breed, but is hypoallergenic and does not shed. Worth every penny, as he has been the BEST dog to our son, but I know that I would have never found him at a shelter.
I think if you only go to a physical shelter, then you might find limited options, depending on when you look (it’s a bit hit or miss, depending on what the shelter has received or saved from dog pounds), but we found our rescued dog on Petfinder. I was amazed at the number of purebred and mixed-breed dogs that were listed within 100 miles of where I live. I really think a shelter is a great option whenever you can consider it.
I think that’s the website we found my dog from! It was an awesome website, and the breeder that we delt with stays in contact with us to see how he has grown. Definite recomend!
I have to agree with Carrie, my mother feeds their dog tabel food. It’s not like it’s hamburgers from McDonalds, it’s lean meats and lots of veggies. She loves them. My mom does buy her the Ceasers dog food cups though, and while she likes them, she doesn’t love them. Her dog is approaching 20 and the vet can’t get over how healthy she is for her age. They are well aware of what she eats and tell my Mom to keep doing what she is doing. Not all table scraps are bad, it just depends on how they are cooked and what they are.
And I agree with previous posters — Get your animals at the shelter! Don’t breed or buy while there are shelter dogs being put down every day. Unless you plan to show your dog, there really is no reason to have a “pure bred”.
Absolutely agree! We are on our 3rd rescue dog, and yes, 2 of them have had separation anxiety and it’s a pain and all, BUT we have SAVED their lives! Every time I see his sweet face and know that if we hadn’t rescued him, he would have been put down, it totally makes up for his spaz attacks!
And I know someone cautioned about the temperment of rescue dogs, but you take a chance with any animal. Yes, you need to do your homework about their situation, age, breed, etc. and make a choice for your family, but buying from a breeder doesn’t mean you will automatically get a physically sound or mentally stable animal either. I would never, ever, ever buy a dog when I could adopt one instead.
I am absolutely pro-rescue pets! I currently have 4 of them – 3 dogs and 1 cat. Two I rescued, one a friend rescued and gave to use, and one we found on PetFinder. We got the last one from a rescue group who got him from a shelter right before he was killed — all because the shelter didn’t have room!! He was only 9 weeks old. He is absolutely the best dog ever. So, yes, I absolutely agree with what you said in your first paragraph!
I agree Kelly. My lab is a rescue as well and had seperation anxiety too. She still has anxiety at times, but has come so far with behavior modifications and meds (in the beginning). She is just an amazing dog, I don’t know what I’d do without her.
Petfinder.com is a great resource for finding pets located at animal shelters and rescues – saves you time driving to different shelters since you can search from home!
We have pure bred dogs because we want to know the personality of the dogs that will be a part of our families? Adopting is wonderful for those that can, though. A better solution would to be a whole new system where breeders have stringent rules to follow and can only breed one type of dog. Non-registered breeders letting their dogs or cats breed and those individual owners who refuse to spay or nueter their pet, would be subject to felony charges and jail time. It’s disgusting how many dogs and cats are put to death because of irresponsible breeders and individual owners! Over 56% of all dogs entering a shelter in US, and 75% of all cats, are put to death. This will not stop until the penalties are harsh enough.
Perfect timing! I just groomed my lhasa apso this morning. It was okay but i am having a hard time doing his foot pads, nails and butt. I leave that to the groomer. Instead of paying almost $70 at Petsmart, i will only pay $25.00 since i’ve done most of the hair cutting.
Pedigree is not a high end dog food, nor is it a healthy one. Typically we feed Taste of the Wild (similar in price to the Chicken Soup brand mentioned above). I use dogfoodanalysis.com to check out different brands of food when I get a coupon.
A good healthy diet for your dog will save you a ton in veterinary care.
Agreed!
One note- it sounds like you are changing your dog’s diet according to coupons that you find. I wouldn’t recommend changing diet very often, as it can interfere with their digestion and if you change frequently it can make it harder to diagnose if the dog ends up with health problems. They do best when they are fed consistently. If you do decide to change foods, be sure you are gradually transitioning over about 1 week.
We hardly ever switch – sorry that was misleading. My intention was to show that the website I mentioned usually convinces me NOT to use the coupon (because I’ll save more with a healthy dog than what the coupon would save me on food).
To save a ton of money, get your dog from a shelter! My pure bred beagle cost $50 and she came fixed, with a collar and leash, microchipped, and with her first year shots! Not to mention, she is the cutest doggie in the whole world. Great bargain!
I interviewed some veterinary nutritionists for an article and it is possible to supplement your dog’s diet with leftover people food and actually benefit their health — you just have to read up on what is healthy for them. Mashed vegetables, and meats that are not too fatty, for example.
For our cats, because we know that cats mainly need meat, it is quite simple. We can substitute any leftover meat for their daily canned food and this is more nutritious than almost any brand of pet food.
Sweet potatoes are great for dogs. I’m pretty sure they’re also good for cats. I make sweet potato “rawhides” for our dogs. I buy sweet potatoes when they go on sale. Then I peel them, cut them into thin strips, and bake them on the lowest oven setting for a few hours until they are dehydrated. The dogs LOVE them!
Not every visit to the vet needs to be the full exam. PetSavers is a great group that provides low cost shots, nail-clipping and neutering in our area. We did 3 year rabies shot, distemper, and microchip on our dog for $28 (after coupon.). They also rescue pets- one of our cats came from them. I looked them up and it appears they are across the U.S. — not sure about other countries.
I also completely agree on the find a good quality food and stick with it. I feed the dog and both cats Iams and have been thrilled with how soft and shiny their coats are. Iams regularly goes on sale and offers coupons. 😉
I would recommend learning to groom the dogs yourself. A good set of clippers is an inexpensive investment that will pay for itself over and over. It is not hard and I bet youtube has videos that you could use or check out books on Amazon or your local library.
What do you have to lose? Learning a new skill is fun and can save you money.
Have you ever been to the fair and checked out the sheep? Those were all groomed by 4-H KIDS!! If they can make their animals look show worthy so can you!
I would note, however, that if you have a particularly sensitive dog (we have a 12 year old shih tsu who is prone to eye and ear infections) the cost of a professional groomer is well worth the investment and you should not try to do it yourself.. Ear infections that go untreated can cause deafness while trying to clean out sensitive areas without experience can lead to permanent damage.
Unfortunately we have to buy hypoallergenic foods and treats which cost a lot, but it is a necessary cost based on the sensitivity of our best friend 🙂
I agree high end dog food is the way to go. My vet told me stop when I said I was using puppy chow. Now I only use pedigree and buy the huge bag at BJs every couple of months
Also you can get treats for next to nothing with coupons. Whenever I find a good deal I grab them they usually don’t expire for a year
Pedigree is one of the WORST dog foods out there. It is certainly not high-end and as previous posters have mentioned, buying in bulk can mean a compromise in quality for dog food. It is more economical to buy smaller bags of a better quality food from a pet store that offers some type of rewards system, such as a free bag for every X bags that you buy.
Going with high end dog food is NOT always the way to go. Did you know that most high end dog foods are actually FULL of fillers and leave your dog feeling hungry and sometimes ill? Sadly, vets are guilty of promoting the brands that pay them to do so. Here’s a great website to check the reviews/ratings of the different dog food brands. http://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/ My husband and I were shocked to find that one of the very best foods is actually Kirkland brand, which can be found at Costco for $26/40 lb. bag!
I agree with you, my vet said make sure the first ingredient is meat/chicken. I am going to check out that site too!
Make sure there are no bi-products, corn is a no-no, and certain preservatives are known carcinogens. The website I used when making my decision (we use Merrick) is http://www.dogfoodanalysis.com.
One note: be VERY careful when rescuing a dog. We did that once and got him from a vet that had only had him 1 day. He had horrible fleas and worms, not a big deal, but then after he started feeling better the sweet loving dog turned into psycho dog!
We spent over $1000 in a year trying to get this dogs anxiety’s fixed only to have the university vet tell us they’ve never seen a case that bad.
We finally had to put him asleep.
Not learning from our first mistake we rescued another dog in the same situation. He hasn’t cost us as much but his anxiety and metal issues are about to drive us nuts!
Be very careful when reusing dogs! You might get a LOT more than you bargain for.
Perhaps we shouldn’t be looking at it, as ‘Re-using’ an animal.
I think that might supposed be the word rescuing, but maybe got corrected to reusing by accident.
Yes, sorry!! I was tired and used spell check! 🙂
The animal shelter in our area works with a group who finds foster homes for pets until a permanent home is located. This is supposed to help ease the transition. What a shame you had such bad experiences
I agree to an extent. We adopted an adult dog almost 4 years ago, prior to us having our son, and it’s been an experience to say the least. We knew she had issues going in, but had no idea what we were getting into. I love her to death, but I will never adopt another adult dog. A puppy, yes, although obviously that dog could grow up to have issues to (as can any dog, not just shelter/rescue dogs). But with adult dogs, you just have no idea what they have been through, or how much their behavior can change after they get adjusted. Having our son now, I would never take that risk. I absolutely still encourage people to adopt from shelters, but especially if you have kids, be careful! Just my opinion.
I’m sorry you had such a bad experience. We’ve adopted a few older dogs from a rescue group. All the dogs are evaluated in foster homes before going to their adoptive homes. There’s always adjustments, but it has worked out great for us.
table scraps are actually best, but only if they are real food such as rice, meat, veggies, ect. dogs, people, all living things, are healthier when they eat real food, not processed garbage.
IF you are going to feed human food like this, you need to look up the exact mix of protein/carbs/nutrients your dog needs and stick to those specific recipes. Otherwise, it won’t make them any healthier. It also works best for small dogs. I tried feeding our dog “whole foods” like this when the melamine problem from China was found in dog food a few years ago, and for an 80 pound dog it was just too expensive and time consuming.
This is such a good topic. I am owned by 3 cats and know well the expenses that are incurred. I would add a couple of items to your list:
1. Sometimes the city animal health department will off reduced rates for animal vaccinations, spaying & neutering. Sometimes animal clinics will offer reduced rates too. Check around.
2. I keep an extra $200 in my emergency fund for unexpected trips to the vet. Be up front with your vet and talk about costs vs. benefits in all areas of care.
3. Keep your animal under control. Don’t let them run free–you are doing them no favors by exposing them to cars, other animals that may be carrying communicable diseases, or to getting lost.
I love those tips! Just getting a pet spayed or neutered will do so much for their health and your sanity (spraying pet are no fun), so it’s a bargain at any price.
$200 barely covers our cat’s annual check up, let alone an emergency visit. In my experience, emergency charges are more in the range of $500 to $1000.
In regards to the health issue, you are often better off feeding your dog a more nutrient dense dog food. Many dog food brands are horrible for your dog’s health. You don’t need to spend $80 on a bag of dog food. A great middle of the road brand is Chicken Soup for the Dog Lovers Soul ( you can get a 35lb bag shipped to your door for $40 via Amazon.
Oh and I can’t recommend enough how awesome rescued dogs are. I love my Boxer mix and Rotti mix but you can find purebreds at your local shelter for 10% of the cost of buying them elsewhere.
People also need to realize that when they get a dog that the vet appointments can really add up. Even though it can be somewhat expensive to take your dog to the vet it is the responsible thing to do. Preventative care can keep your costs down by catching any issues before they turn into something very costly.
We splurged on getting my dog’s teeth cleaned at the vet’s office. It set us back a few hundred dollars but it was well worth it as he had two teeth pulled that could have ended up causing him some health problems. Now I have a doggie toothbrush that I am attempting to use on the dog even though he runs when he sees it.
We also pay to have his nails cut because I am too scared to do it myself!
My dog likes it when I brush her teeth–actually, I’m pretty sure she likes the chicken flavor of the toothpaste. 🙂 I have disciplined myself to do this every other day since we adopted her 7 months ago. It takes about a minute or so. I also think it really keeps her breath fresher. My daughter trims the dog’s nails and is going to teach me how. If your dog has dark nails, it is harder. I think the trick is to take off a very little at a time. Also, my dog gets little bits of dog beef or chicken jerky when she stays still for nail trimmings. Good luck.
When we decided to get our puppy, I saved up starting in December until we got her in April. My savings goal was $1,700. Of course, we didn’t spend nearly that, but I planned an extra $200 for unexpected expenses and $500 for emergency vet care. If something went wrong with her health, I didn’t want her to be a burden on our normal budget. She ended up being perfectly healthy, so we got to put the extra money into other funds.
Good advice! Same with cats. I have two seventeen year old cats that do have some costly medication and food due to old age and allergies. That monthly cost would shock you! And had I planned ahead would have gotten health insurance for them. But, I have learned that one pet bed or climbing tower goes a long way they often prefer a chair anyway, they don’t like clothes and an occational canned tuna treat make them happy.
I just wanted to comment that brands like Purina and Pedigree are not quality dog foods. Take a look at the ingredients on the bag — by products, corn and other fillers. Buying in bulk is not a good idea either, dog food does go stale and rancid based on the ingredients in it. If you have small dogs, you aren’t going to go through dog food like you would for a big dog.
People think that the higher quality foods are out of their price range. These foods do not contain by products and fillers, they have quality protein and (sometimes) grains. If you spend twice the amount on quality dog food, but feed half as much because it’s not loaded with fillers….aren’t you breaking even and giving your pet a better chance at a healthy life?
Thanks for posting this, I was just about to say the same thing. A high quality food (we feed Nutro Naturals or Nutrisource) will pay for itself in no time. It takes less to properly feed your dog than the brands listed above. My 18 lbs dog only requires 1 cup of this food a day, whereas the feeding recommendations for other foods may be more due to fillers included in those kibbles. I have also found coupons for Nutrisource included in smaller bags, and Chuck and Don’s (the food store we use) has a frequent buyer program. I would also contact the manufacturer to ask for coupons. A well fed, healthy dog costs less in vet bills and gives you a healthy pet for many years to come!
I would do some research on this issue, if it is relevant to you. Corn is actual very nutrient-rich. No, it shouldn’t be all they eat, but it isn’t just a filler. As far as by-products, that doesn’t mean (as one client at the vet where I work thought) that it’s feathers and claws. It means it is meat products that people probably wouldn’t eat. When your boneless skinless chicken breasts are produced, anything else that is produced in the process is considered a by-product. There are actually lots of nutrients in by-products like organs, that we wouldn’t normally eat. I do agree that you should buy a certain quality of dog food, and it is more cost effective then getting cheapo brands, however when you’re doing that make sure you’re doing the research to determine that it is actually a better quality that you’re paying for. 🙂
One other tip- if you have the freezer space it is ok to freeze dog food, which might help if you like to buy in larger quantities.
You might want to rethink corn.
Corn is not a food that wolves eat, if they eat any corn its from the stomachs of their prey and in small amounts.
Dogs should be getting much of the same nutrients that a wolf does, because they aren’t very far evolved from wolves that their bodies are able to process things like corn in a beneficial way.
Corn is a filler that has been shown to contribute to weight gain (and the medical issues that are involved with that), and waste production in dogs. Less waste production means a healthier animal, because the animal is using more of the food going in for energy. A high quality food, like Taste of the Wild, Solid Gold, etc. has very little filler such as corn, and as a result the pets make more solid and less waste.
Dogs that are fed foods without corn filler will tend to eat less because they aren’t constantly trying to fill their bellies, which means you have to buy less of the high quality food.. which in turn means you actually spend less on high quality food than you do buying brands like pedigree, science diet, iams, etc. Good food with a descriptive meat base (chicken, beef, salmon, etc.) will stay with a dog longer; while some parts of corn is digest quickly and is turned into a sugar in the body, while the indigestible parts of corn simply goes through them just as quickly.
BUT, the truly disturbing stuff in some pet food is what you see listed as meat meal; Meat meal can contain the boiled down flesh of animals we would find unacceptable for consumption. This can include zoo animals, road kill, and dead, diseased, disabled, or dying livestock. MEAT is non-discript, you always want to look for a descriptive meal (ie fish/salmon/tuna/white fisth meal, chicken meal, etc.).
I am glad others have mentioned the dog food brands in the post because they are not good. We are feeding 4Health dog food kibble for our great dane and mutt. We buy it at Tractor Supply and it is rated a 4 star dog food on the dog food advisor website. It is fairly priced at 24.99 for 31 lbs. We also tried Diamond Naturals chicken flavor and it too is priced fairly well. Our dogs don’t smell since they have started on better dog food as well.
Leah, I’m so glad you mentioned 4Health from TSC!
My cat has food allergies and needed food without corn, wheat, and soy. (For her, we believe wheat or soy to be the issue.) After looking into expensive vet brands she refused to eat, we came across 4Health. She loves it and her scratching is gone! 🙂
Thank you Anna! A voice of reason in a very muddled subject area. Corn is not the devil everyone makes it out be.
And Christine – Dogs eat poop. I don’t think they’ll notice corn or by-products.
Dana you just made me laugh so hard
Dogs eat poop because they aren’t getting their nutritional needs met – usually do to inadequate meat content and unnecessary fillers in their food. A wild dog, wolf, or coyote is going to eat mostly meat and little, if any, vegetation. A dog needs a similar diet. Some non-meat products are good sources of necessary vitamins and nutrients, but meat should comprise the bulk of their food ingredients.
Just because they DO eat it doesn’t mean they SHOULD or that it’s good for them. People eat a great deal of food that is awful for them, too, but it doesn’t make it okay.
There have been a number of dog food recalls lately, all involving elevated aflatoxin levels. Aflatoxin is toxic, carcinogenic, and can be fatal. Aflatoxin is produced by a mold that is found in corn, wheat, legumes, etc. In other words, don’t feed your dog food that contains any of those ingredients and you won’t have to worry about recalls due to aflatoxin.
I agree! We have two cats and a few years ago switched to Blue Buffalo. We spend the same amount and it lasts (a 15 lb bag) for around 8 weeks! So, only need to go to PetSmart once every 8 weeks. So much better for them. Their fur is shiny and soft and less poop and less odor.
We plan on getting a puppy and he/she will be fed BB as well! 🙂
I was on my way to comment on the same topic. I can say from experience that when we switched a better, well rounded entirely natural dog food, we use less of it. Because it keeps my pups fuller longer.
One of our dogs has a sensitive stomach and Purina anything was making her sick, and I drew the line the day I opened my bag of Beneful and an overwhelming scent of chemicals came out. And then I started to think about it. I take great pains to feed my husband and myself high quality, all natural whole foods, with little to no processing. Why was I telling myself it was OK to feed my two dogs low quality food.
Check out http://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/ they have reviewed almost every food on the market, wet, dry, and treats. You’ll find the major brands with 2 stars or less.
I completely agree about higher quality dog food. Both my small dogs eat the same kibble and a large bag will last months. And I always stock up when I have coupons. They eat less, are healthier due to digesting better and have fewer trips to the vet. They also smell better. My cat had a “smell” problem, switched her food and now she is allowed to sleep with me! LOL!!!
Buying a high quality dog food with less fillers also cuts down on the dogs’ waste. You’ll notice much smaller, more compact waste when you feed healthier food.
I totally agree. We feed Merrick’s Grammy’s Pot Pie to our baby and she loves it! It’s only about $2/pound. Many people spend much more than that on their own food. Our little Gracie is a papillon, so she only eats 1/2 cup of food a day. Very affordable and 100% worth it to have her in good health with no adverse reactions!
Agreed. I used to feed my cat food that I could get at the grocery store on sale and with coupons, and then he got diabetes. Spending all this money on syringes, insulin, and additional vet bills over the years really makes me wish I could go back in time and do it all over again. It makes me crazy just to think about all the money he’s costed us since he was diagnosed 7 years ago. Plus it really puts a crimp in our social life to have to give him shots twice a day. I always tell him he’s lucky he’s cute, LOL.
I recently found the site http://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/ and it’s opened my eyes up to what’s in dog food. While I feed my dogs a mix of foods, this site is quite helpful. I’ve used what I’ve learned to analyze cat food since there’s no site for that yet.
This is a great site to use!
The PetSmart brand AUTHORITY, is an excellently priced food with no by-products and great nutrition. I feed less, pick up less poop, have healthy pets, and a happy wallet. People often ask me what I feed b/c they look so good. SIMPLY NOURISH is a comparable new line that my cats love. It’s worth it to save on vet bills!
Great post! We just got a puppy in June and everytime we go to the store (even just for his training classes) I want to leave with toys or treats or other “stuff” for him. – then my spendthrift hubby reminds me of the 12 toys already spread around the living room. I’m not sure what irks me more, that I have already bought so many and am willing to buy more? Or that it is my Spendthrift hubby (I’m the saver) who is reminding me??? Anyway, Thanks for the tips! Great to keep in mind moving forward!