Are your pets eating through your money? The cost of pet food has been going up over the years and more households are finding it harder to afford a pet. However, there are cost-cutting solutions that can make feeding your furry friend less of a financial struggle. Below are just a few paw-sitively smart ways to save money on pet food.
Bulk-buy food
Choosing to purchase pet food in bulk as opposed to smaller quantities can save you 25% on average. Larger packs of wet food tins and larger bags of dry food are often priced less per kilo than smaller bags.
If your local supermarket doesn’t stock pet food in bulk, consider trying wholesalers like Costco or shop online. Some sites even provide additional discounts if you order on a subscription basis, however you need to be sure that you’ll get through all your pet food before the next order arrives.
Preserve food by freezing it
A potential danger with bulk buying food is that some of it may expire before you have a chance to use it. Wet tinned food tends to have a shorter shelf life than kibble. This is particularly the case once opened – an opened can of wet dog food may have to be eaten within a couple days, while an opened bag of kibble may last for months.
Fortunately, it’s possible to reduce wastage by freezing many forms of pet food. This can extend the expiry date by preserving wet food. Just be sure to check that the pet food is safe to freeze as some brands may advise against it (most pet foods can be frozen without any issue).
Opt for dry food
Dry food tends to be cheaper than wet food. Therefore feeding your pet on mostly dry food will save you money as opposed to a wet food diet.
A lot of dry foods are just as nutritious as wet foods and may have the added benefit of being better for your pet’s teeth. That said, wet foods do have the advantage of providing hydration and tend to be favoured more by pets, so you may not want to completely cut out wet food. Instead, consider simply reducing the amount of wet food you feed your pet in exchange for more dry food.
Try store brands
A lot of supermarkets stock their own brand of pet food. This is often a lot cheaper than the other independent and more well-known brands of pet food you’ll find on the shelves.
Examples include the likes of Aldi’s Vitacat and Asda’s Tiger. Not only are they cheaper, but tend to get just as good reviews and rank as high on nutritional quality as some premium brands.
Shop online
Going to your local store to pick up pet food might be convenient when you’re running low. But planning ahead and ordering food online will ultimately save you more money.
Online pet food stores can charge less because they have less overheads to cover. Although you do have the cost of shipping to consider, you’ll often still save money when buying pet supplies in bulk. Take the time to shop around to find the best prices.
Collect loyalty points
There is one big benefit to shopping exclusively at one store. Some stores offer the option to collect loyalty points with each purchase via a loyalty card, a loyalty app or simply via online loyalty points on a website. You can build up these points and then use them to get discounts on pet food. Others simply allow you to access discounts by signing up.
Some stores have better loyalty schemes than others. The Tesco Clubcard still remains the best of the supermarket chains. The likes of Pets At Home meanwhile offers great discounts too.
Take advantage of sales and coupons
It can be worth looking out for sales on pet food. A great time to access huge discounts is when a local supermarket or site is closing – clearance sales can be well over 50%. Meanwhile, some stores may have regular sales throughout the year in which pet foods may be affected.
Coupons are another way to access discounts. Some stores give out coupons to mailing list subscribers, give them away with certain purchases or put them in newspapers and magazines. While you may be able to acquire these coupons yourself, it’s also possible to find second-hand coupon codes through various sites. These coupons often have an expiry date, so it’s important to use them quickly before they become invalid.
Visit a pet food bank
If you’re financially struggling and can prove that you’re earning under a certain amount, you may be eligible to use a local food bank. Many local food banks stock pet food, which you are able to take for free.
Some animal welfare charities may also provide specialist pet food banks throughout the year where they exclusively give away donated pet food. You can find information on such food banks online.
Don’t overlook quality
While trying to save money, some pet owners can sacrifice quality. The price of pet food is not always a good indicator of the quality and there are some premium brands that are less nutritious than some cheaper brands. However, there are certainly some cases of pet foods that are cheap and very poor quality.
A poor quality diet could lead to a greater risk of health problems, which means high vet bills in the future and unhappy pets. By doing your research online and understanding what’s in your pet food, you can save money in the long run by preserving your pet’s health, as well as providing them with a longer and better quality of life. Read reviews by nutritionists to truly get an idea as to whether a pet food is healthy.
Make your own pet food
It’s possible to make your own pet food and save money. This can be time-consuming and you need to be certain that you’re incorporating healthy ingredients. Fortunately, there are lots of recipes online you can follow.
DIY dog treats are where you can often make the best savings. Look online to see recipes for treats like liver cake and peanut butter dog biscuits.
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