Buying pet food can really put a dent in your wallet. It’s easy to spend upwards of $40 on a bag of dog or cat food. What’s one to do when trying to save money on pet food? Here are a few ideas that can keep some cash in the bank.
1. Buy pet food at the lowest cost stores.
Consumer Reports and ShopSmart;) found that buying pet food at Target and Walmart saved pet owners the most money. Between the two stores, the prices only varied a few cents.
However, you should feed your pet nutritious meals, so always take that into consideration before making your purchase. Not all pet food is created equal!
2. Feed your pet the recommended portion size.
We have a cat who can go through a dish-sized portion of food in one day. That’s a bit excessive to say the least. Because of possible health complications in the future, our vet recommended that we put him on a diet. So, my wife and I started limiting his portions to the recommended amount prescribed on the bag (yes we know, we should have done that in the first place).
Because our cat is now eating about 1/3rd of what he was previously, we’ve seen quite a cost savings as a result. Not only will we avoid losing our kitty to diabetes, but we’re saving money at the same time. So if you have a fat cat, perhaps you could save a little money by feeding him or her less!
One friend on Facebook recently told me to get a smaller dog to save money. Kind of the same idea – less saves more – but I’m not sure what my wife would think about that one!
3. Buy dry food in larger quantities.
Wet food tends to cost quite a bit, so buy dry food instead.
You’ll also want to buy larger quantities of food if you can store it. Compare prices on pet food between larger and smaller bags. You’ll typically find that if you buy in bulk, you’ll save the most money.
4. Sign up for a membership program.
If you enjoy shopping at a pet store, ask if they have a membership program with rewards or discounts. Occasionally you might receive coupons in the mail or discounts if you buy a certain amount of product.
5. Use a cash back debit card.
If you haven’t heard already, PerkStreet Financial (review) offers a cash back debit card that gives you at least 1% cash back on your purchases – including pet food. Plus, there are ways you can earn 2% cash back at Target and Walmart. In total, my wife and I earn over $300 per year by using our PerkStreet debit card.
Those are the most common money-saving tips when it comes to buying pet food. Make sure your pet stays healthy, but save some money in the process won’t you?
What are some tips you have to save money on pet food? What does your monthly pet food bit typically come out to be? Leave a comment below!
