Adopting a pet is a decision that you need to think carefully before taking the plunge. Not only does this require a large time commitment on your part, but there is also a large financial commitment to make, which sees you borrowing money for things like health care, supplies, and, depending on your situation, pet care services.
And then there’s food to think about — something your pet needs every day. Data from Forbes Advisor found that the average dog owner spends $339 per year on food, while the average cat owner spends $310. But these are only averages.
If you have a large breed dog, for example, you can easily spend twice as much as the average dog owner. Similarly, if your pet has special dietary needs, you could easily spend four to five times as much — or more.
That’s why it’s important to budget carefully for pet food costs, and explore ways to reduce those charges. Subscribing to automatic deliveries from sites like Chewy or Amazon Prime can help you save money on pet food to some degree. But if your dog requires a special diet, your options for saving food may be limited.
It is very important to save others pet expenses too. Having pet insurance in place is a great way to potentially avoid a scenario where you’re racking up thousands of dollars a year in vet bills.
The opposite of pet insurance
Often, pet insurance companies will not cover the cost of diet-specific pet food. But in some cases, you are maybe be eligible for coverage for prescription foods. It depends on the policy you have set.
Either way, though, it’s important to get pet insurance, because while the cost of pet food can be fairly predictable once you’ve settled on a routine with your animal, the cost of medical care can be quite variable. You never know when your pet might get hurt or sick. And without pet insurance, you may struggle to pay veterinary care bills.
Furthermore, with the right pet insurance, you may find it easier to keep your pet in good health. And that in turn can help you avoid a scenario where you have to pay a fortune for special food because of a condition that develops.
Do what you can to make pet ownership affordable
As mentioned above, there are things you can do to lower the cost of pet ownership. In the context of food, buying in bulk is a good bet, as is signing up for automatic pet food deliveries, which can result in a discount.
You can also talk to your vet about cheaper food options if you’re having trouble keeping your pet fed. They may be able to suggest an alternative brand that is not as expensive as the one you are using now.
But in addition to finding ways to save on pet food, it’s equally important to find ways to limit your medical care expenses. And buying pet insurance is a great way to do that. Even you mood By factoring your premium costs into your budget, you’ll get the peace of mind that if a huge medical expense does arise, you probably won’t have to pay for most of it on your own.
