With the ongoing cost of living crisis, many of us are watching the pennies as never before – and that means looking at what we spend on our four-legged friends.
So to help pet owners claw back some pounds this National Pet Month (April) Andrea Knowles, personal finance expert at online discount specialists vouchers.co.uk, has shared 8 ways to save up to £1,212 on your pet per year.
Here are her top canine financial tips.
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5. Exercise portion control
An estimated 40 per cent of dogs in the UK are overweight so one way to have them lose them some pounds and you to gain some, is to weigh their food. To work out how much you should be feeding your dog, look at the body condition system to calculate whether your dog is too thin, too heavy, or ideal. You can then work out the right food portion from there. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
6. Choose charity when it comes to training
The average cost of a private group dog training class is £45 per session, so a four-week course would set you back £180. However, many local charities, such as the Dog’s Trust, run cheaper four-week courses for just £65– a saving of £115. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
7. Get insured
Although purchasing pet insurance comes with a monthly (or annual) cost, enrolling your pet on a policy can help offset the costs of preventative care along with accidents and illnesses. However, make sure to obtain a policy as soon as you get a pet, as waiting until the pet is older increases their chances of needing a premium-priced policy, due to underlying health conditions. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
8. Get brushing
One of the most common reasons of tooth and gum disease in dogs is due to their owner’s not brushing their dog’s teeth correctly, or often enough. In fact, the average cost of a dentist having to scale and polish a dog’s teeth is £233. With pet toothbrushes and toothpaste costing less than £10, it’s definitely worth getting into the habit of doing this yourself at home with many dentists sharing a step-by-step guide online. Photo: Canva/Getty Images