Tips for Living Well with Your Dog: Money and Insurance

Ways to save a bundle pet food, products, care

First of a five-part series

Five years ago, the price of a 15-ounce can of Hill's Prescription Diet dog food was $1.35. Now, the same can costs $2.75 and the size is 13 ounces - a whopping 100 percent price increase per ounce.

And that will add up to big dollars if you have a dog that eats two or three cans of food a day.

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Economic hard times coupled the escalation in the cost of food, products and services for pets in the past couple of years is causing financial hardship for many pet parents. The financial squeeze is so tight that food banks for pets have been cropping up in many locations around the United States to help cash-strapped owners feed their loyal companions.

No doubt, pet owners are feeling the financial pinch.

In 2009, $45.5 billion was spent on pets in the United States, according to the the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association. On average, the association says it costs about $1,490 a year to care for a dog. So making some simple changes can add up to substantial savings.

Here are some suggestions to help stretch those dollars that you spend on your loyal companion:

• Consider switching to dry dog food. Virtually all major brands come in wet and dry forms. In most instances, dry chow of the same quality costs about half as much as wet food. So even cutting back some on the wet food and substituting dry will add up to a lot of savings. Use a small handful of morsels of a different flavor dry food as a substitute for those more expensive treats that you like to slip to your pal throughout the day.
• Get waste pickup bags for free. Stop wasting money on specially made waste pickup bags that cost $7 to $10 for a package of 100. Free plastic bags are everywhere. The daily newspaper is delivered in a plastic bag; bread and produce come wrapped in plastic; supermarket grocery bags are plastic. Reuse them as waste pickup bags. They achieve the same result and cost nothing.
• Do your own grooming and cleaning. These services can be expensive, costing as much as $50 a visit with add-ons. Many dogs enjoy having their fur brushed, teeth cleaned, groomed and massaged. As a bonus, doing this yourself is likely to enhance the bonding experience with your pal since most pooches loved to be pampered.
• Make your own dog bed. A dog bed can easily cost as much as $50 - and even more than $100 if you want to splurge. And many have non-removable covers, making them candidates for the trash if they get soiled. Make your own dog bed by simply using a foam cushion - or two - from an old couch, old chair or old mattress from a baby's crib. Wrap the cushion or mattress tightly in a blanket, and then place another blanket on top that can easily be removed and washed. And remember to place and old pillow on there, too.
• Buy second-hand toys and products. Many items can be obtained at second-hand stores or on major online auction sites, so take the time to look around for a used item that will serve the same purpose as a more expensive new one.
• Work out a doggy care exchange with a reliable neighbor. Pet sitters and kennels are magnificent services, but the expense can add up if you have to overly rely on them. So try working out a care arrangement with a dog-owning neighbor who might work different hours. That way you can look in on each other's dogs.
• Use a pet sitter rather than a kennel when possible. If you are going to be away for the day, a pet sitter is a cheaper alternative. Many kennels charge $25 to $30 a day for boarding which includes 30 minutes of playtime. A pet sitter will make a 30-minute home visit for about 50 to 66 percent of the kennel price. And your pal also gets to stay at home, where he may be more comfortable. If you are going on an overnight journey or vacation, consider taking your dog with you. Many major lodging chains accept pets for a nominal charge.

Most importantly, shop around and compare prices before you make any purchases for services or products. A five-minute online search for a 35-pound bag of Eukanuba Natural Lamb & Rice Formula food found a $12.50 price gap at three stores. The cheapest was $40.99, another was $43.99 and the most expensive was $53.49. That's a big difference in the total cost during the course of a year just for food.

Money and Pet Insurance:
Part 1: Save a bundle on food, products, care
 Part 2: Ways to save on prescription drugs
 Part 3: Tips for buying pet insurance
 Part 4: Dealing with pet insurance companies
 Part 5: Best way to insure your pet

So shop carefully for products and services and use your own resourcefulness if you want to sniff out and track down the best money-savings deals.

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