8 Amazing Money Saving Tips for Dog Owners

1. Ditch The Gym & Up Your Quality Time

The average gym membership in 2021 cost $50.03 a month, or $600.41 per year. No doubt these prices will rise in the years to come as inflation, well….inflates. At Potty Buddy HQ we realized just how much our gym passes were neglected, getting dusty in draws or lost under car seats. So we thought - why not use our pups to get moving instead and pocket that $600? And you know what - it worked. We got creative and discovered plenty of ways to work out with our canines, which also had the added bonus of some quality time with them added to our day. Why not try:

• Paws To 5k - A great training plan that helps you and your dog get fit enough to run a 5k together. And don’t worry, as for such short distances you won’t need any special equipment - just a comfortable harness and sturdy lead will do just fine.
• Playtime HIIT - High-Intensity Interval Training involves taking breaks between exercises. Not only is it a hugely effective form of exercise, but those breaks are great for a quick tug session. Plus you can teach your dog to wait between sets for some extra obedience skills.
• Tennis - Practice your serve and your dog’s fetch all in one. You might want to pick quieter times on the courts for this one and take plenty of water with you.
• Swimming - Swimming is great for a dog’s joints and is easier on their paws than running. Likewise, swimming is just as great for people too! Just find a dog-friendly spot that’s free from any harmful algae or chemicals. Ultimate Frisbee - Get the whole family involved with this fun workout. Not only is it a strong cardio workout, but it challenges your hand-eye coordination and strategic skills too.

2.Get Thrifty On Dog Supplies

With so many essential items our pups need, it can be hard to know how to save money on dog supplies. But you know what they say? Buy used, save money! Of course, for things like pee pads, poop bags, and poop bag holders, you’re going to want to buy new for obvious reasons! But anything that doesn’t need to be new you can look for secondhand. For example, here’s a list of purchases our team made during the thrifty dog challenge:

• Running harness and bungee lead (for those new workout sessions) - These are around half the price when buying used, and many are often only used a handful of times.
• Dog bandana - Again many of these are barely used and machine washable, so they are easy to buy cheaply second-hand.
• Cool mat- Many owners never use these when buying new and will sell them on barely used. A quick clean and it’ll be fresh as a daisy for your pup.
• Crate - You pay half as much for a used crate, and a quick clean will leave it feeling brand new for a bargain price.

3. DIY Toys

Toys are where we can see our budgeting go out the window. And don’t get us wrong, there’s nothing better than playing with a new, exciting toy. But to save those all-important dollars, we replaced some of these purchases with a DIY option. Try:

• Turning every parcel delivery into a treat sniffing, tug & destroy session - all great forms of enrichment.
• Using toilet roll cartons as treat dispensers.
• Plaiting old t-shirts into tug toys.
• Attach an old toy to a stick or bamboo cane with some rope for a homemade flirt pole.

4.Brush Your Dog’s Teeth

Preventative care is one of the best ways to save money as a dog owner. By brushing your dog’s teeth as often as you can, you’ll be lowering their chances of dental disease significantly. And dental treatment doesn’t come cheaply! Need to brush up (sorry) on your pup’s dental hygiene schedule? ​​Then head over to ourDental Hygiene For A Dog's Lifetime guide.

5.Feed Them Well

It might sound counterintuitive, but feeding your dog the cheapest food you can find is probably going to end up costing you more. Good nutrition is a cornerstone of your dog’s wellbeing, so a diet that doesn’t nourish them or that promotes obesity will mean more vet visits - and more spending. Choose the best food for a healthy weight, and don't skimp on quality. Instead, the key to saving money on dog food is to focus on other clever ways to cut the costs of that chow:

• Save your time with a delivery service - Time is money, as they say, so reduce the time (and gas) you spend running to the pet store and sign up for a delivery service instead. Read more about our favorite brand here.
• Buy in bulk - Buying in bulk saves you precious dollars and (again) reduces the time you spend going to the store.
• Look for complete nutrition - Discuss with your vet a feed that covers all your bases. For example, find a food that contains all the essential supplements your dog might want to include in their diet to prevent any breed-specific issues as they age. This will stop you from shelling out on expensive extra supplements.
• Measure up- Not only is this good for your dog’s waistline, but it’s also great for your wallet. No more blindly throwing kibble in a bowl, get out those scales!

6.Home-Made Treats

How many treats do you go through in a week? We realized just how much all those training games and recall practice sessions were adding up. So we decided to start practicing what we preach and using our own 5 natural treats to spoil your pup recipes. By creating your own natural dog treats, you know exactly what your pup is eating. Allowing you more control over their weight, mood, and energy levels. Plus, DIY treats are usually cheaper too! Win-win. Or should that be ‘woof-woof’?

8.Create a Local Dog-Share

Walks in the neighborhood and trips to the dog park aren’t just for your furbaby. When you start to socialize with other dog parents, you’re building a valuable network of other owners who all want the same thing - to cut costs. Once you know them well enough, consider asking them to join a group chat where you can offer walking, sitting, or even daycare to each other on an exchange basis. Considering a dog owner spends on average $228 a year for these services, it’s a great way to save!