Have a Happy Healthy Pet, for Less

3. Play Chef for Your Pet
Making your own pet food could actually save you money, especially if you’re incorporating your own healthy leftovers.

Moos says she typically combines ground beef, ground chicken, ground turkey or chunks of chicken with vegetables, rice and a vitamin supplement. In addition, she buys medication to prevent heart worms, treats from a local dog treat bakery, a new toy every now and then, and pays for a nail trim as needed, all for about $200 per year, she says.

4. You Be the Groomer
Having a low-maintenance pet, like a dog with short hair, could also save you money on grooming. But if you do have a long-haired pooch, you can bathe and groom your pet yourself to save money. And after all, a haircut for your pet isn’t necessarily as important as your own haircut.

5. Get Help from Human Friends
Instead of hiring a dog walker or cat sitter, or spending money on a kennel, you can set up a mutually beneficial arrangement to barter or trade favors with another animal-loving friend. Consider joining Dogster.com, Catster.com and Petster.com or other pro-pet social networks like CuteAsHell.com, PetNetwork.ws and a host of others that allow users to connect with other pet lovers.

6. Preventive Care
You may not have to dole out hundreds of dollars a year for pet health insurance if your pet is young and healthy. And taking adequate preventive care could curb unexpected medical costs. For example, preventive dental care and heartworm prevention measures could bring down costs by reducing visits to the vet.

If you’re concerned about unexpected medical costs, or you have an older pet, paying a few hundred bucks for health insurance may be worth it.