Pets are expensive.
American pet owners will spend $63 billion on Fluffy and Fido in 2016, according to the American Pet Products Association. Major expenses include food, vet care and grooming and boarding services. Click on for a look at some common, pricey pet expenses — and how to save money on them.
Vet visits
Americans reported spending $235 to take their dog and $196 to bring their cat to routine vet visits in the past year, according to the 2015-2016 APPA National Pet Owners Survey. While they’re not cheap, regular checkups can catch expensive illnesses early.
Pet security deposits
Your dog doesn’t care if you lose your pet security deposit after he digs up the backyard, but you should. For renters, a pet deposit can cost up to a full month’s rent, so do what you can to note pre-existing damage and encourage good household behaviors in your pet.
Adoption fees
Buying Fido from a breeder could run you $1,000 or more. The animal shelter is cheaper — but will charge you an adoption fee, typically somewhere in the $100 range.
Food
Pet food can be worth splurging on if it improves the health of your animal. One trick to choosing quality food is to look for product labels with meat listed as the first ingredient.
Training
Dog owners should consider the cost of training their furry family member to sit, stay and roll over. A six-week puppy training course at PetSmart runs about $120. Cheaper routes to well-behaved canines include dog training television shows, online videos or books.
Doggie and kitty daycare
Prepare to spend the big bucks if you can’t get a friendly neighbor to take care of Fluffy when you’re away from home. Pet owners spent $333 to board dogs and $130 for cats over the past year, according to the 2015-2016 APPA survey.
Insurance payments
The jury is still out on whether pet insurance is worthwhile. It can run the gamut from basic coverage (for a family pet) to life and theft insurance (for expensive and championship breeds). Research and compare rates for the best deal.
Destroyed shoes, rugs and furniture
Depending on how frisky your pet is, you may find yourself shelling out for replacement clothing and household items after your furry friend inevitably knocks them over, scratches them up or devours them indiscriminately.
Toys and treats
Toys, treats, costumes and more — sometimes you just want to spoil your pets. Americans spent $47 on dog toys and $28 on cat toys in the past year, according to the APPA.
Grooming
Save money on grooming your four-legged friend by doing it yourself. Regular hair-brushing and nail-trimmings are good for you pet, says the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, which provides guides for do-it-yourself dog and cat grooming.
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The True Costs of Owning a Pet — and How to Spend Less originally appeared on usnews.com
