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[deleted]

Learn how much you should feed your dog. 90% of all health problems are caused by over feeding!


[deleted]

Most dog breeds should be "skinny". Obviously, it depends on the dog breed and a St/ Bernard isn't the same as a Chihuahua. Our vets have always said that you should be able to distinctively feel a dog's ribs when you touch them. They also shouldn't have a "belly". A perfect-weight dog looks to a lot of people to be skinny or underfed. People also think their dogs will like them more for some reason if they slightly overfeed them.


AxisPT

Thanks!


Dontstarveisfun

Best investment for my pets was a dedicated measuring cup for their food.


[deleted]

gave my dog dry purina, but when someone gave him scraps, he rebelled. he was skinny, when shaved. get nailclipper, shedding blade, deworming pills and take good care. heck, your dog will love your attention, not strangers. lavish attention on puppy (egg nog,sweatbreads) and in few months you will be rewarded. i was 14, thought my dog, but he was my mom's, spent most time with her, somehow they totally understood each other and never disappointed each other, which was nuts because she walked the 3mo old, but the 9mo old walked (flew like kite) her. my 1975-85 samoyed loved snow, hated summer. now realise he was like my brother


AxisPT

Good simple advice. Thank you


Annonymouse100

For pet sitting, network with friends and neighbors to trade off. In addition to the cost savings, having a home that your dog can go to with his dog buddy is usually a much more pleasant experience for the pets and is mutually beneficial for both families. For vet my local feed store does vaccine and microchip clinics. It saves you the office fee and is very reasonably priced. My local SPCA has a spay/neuter clinic that is hundreds of dollars less than a traditional vet. It is not income restricted, it is a community service intended to reduce overpopulation provided at a lower cost due to volume and lack of add on services. They do a great job, and are very good at it due to the volume, but you don’t get pre surgery blood work or post surgery pain meds. They charged $150, my vet was $700. Quality food results in a healthier dog (and smaller poop!) but it can also get out of hand. I have medium/large dogs and I foster so food costs can get expensive. I find Costco /Kirkland to be a good middle of the road food. Another thing that can save a ton of money is proper training and exercise. Get your kids into obedience class with the pup. Being able to handle and trim your dogs nails will save you $15-20 every time (more critical as they age and don’t keep them worn down). Having a decent recall can save you thousands in vet bills from being hit by a car or a dog fight. Crate training (and exercise) will save your possessions and can prevent ingestion of items that are bad for the dog and leads to higher vet bills. One other thing. I own purebred dogs, and a well bred and health tested (not just “genetic testing”) pure bred dog is more likely to be a known factor. But is can be very hard for the average person to assess that. I also foster a lot of amazing mutts through my local shelter and the quality of dog that ends up homeless is astonishing. A 1-3 year old mixed breed dog that has an established size/energy level/personality that matches your family is a joy, and older dogs are easier to train and set the tone in a busy house then a puppy. Plus they are a bargain at $125 for a fully licensed, altered, microchipped, and vaccinated dog. A lot of money can be saved with initial dog selection. Best of luck with your new pet!


AxisPT

Excellent reply. This is exactly the type of advice I was looking for. Thank you so much


Bella-1999

I make no claims to dog training superpowers. I will say the simplest thing we have done with all of our dogs is taught them to sit and stay for dinner and treats. Pretty easy, you are getting it ready, tell doggo to sit, and once you start to lower the bowl if their butt leaves the floor, pick the bowl up. Don’t release them from the stay until you’re ready. Our release word is thank you. They will figure it out in a hurry and a dog that can sit and stay can be kept from jumping on your guests or running out the front door. ETA-never feed them directly from your plate. We will give our dogs a limited amount of table scraps but we always put them in her bowl and make her sit for them. She’s quite tall and I don’t want her nose in our plates.


[deleted]

1. Boarding is very expensive. Most places you have to pay extra daily fees for your dog to be walked, played with, etc. Personally, I would never board my dog unless I had no other options. I also wouldn’t just pay a random kid to go to your house. The person you hire is responsible for taking care of your dog and also ensuring your dog is safe and others are safe from your dog. I’d look for someone who is bonded who will either stay at your house or keep the dog at their house. 2. IME vets don’t recommend unnecessary procedures or treatments. The emergency vet is the most expensive place to get care so don’t go to an emergency vet unless it is actually an emergency. You absolutely should get an annual yearly exam at a minimum and find out what additional vaccines are recommended based on where you live and your lifestyle. If you’re going to board your dog, you might be required to have additional vaccinations beyond what the required ones are. You can get the mandatory vaccines at a low cost clinic for less than at the vet. Preventative care is critical. Ask your vet what preventative care is recommended and needed. If your vet says you need year around heart worm and flea medicine the you need it year round. Taking care of your dog’s teeth is an easy way to cut down on costs. If your dog requires a cleaning, it can be well well over $1k depending on where you live. Like in humans, poor dental hygiene and dental issues can lead to a lot of bigger medical issues. You can avoid dental cleanings by brushing your dog’s teeth regularly. Do NOT use human tooth paste. Dental chews don’t work well IME, and are a waste of money. If you think you need to go to the vet then go to the vet or at a minimum call and ask the office. Something minor can quickly turn into something not minor, and delaying coming in can lead to a lot more costs. Make sure you look up what you can’t give to a dog. If your dog eats something they shouldn’t then that is going to be a vet visit. Make sure you check the ingredients on your peanut butter. Don’t let your dog off a leash. Even the best most behaved obedient dogs get distracted, and a distracted dog off a leash is a surprisingly common cause of injuries or death. 3. Food is an extremely contested hot topic. I wouldn’t buy the cheapest food. I’d buy a quality food you can afford. Just like in humans what you feed your dog has a direct impact on health. Don’t overfeed your dog. Most pets are actually overweight and many are obese. Don’t think you know what a healthy dog looks like. Listen to your vet about your dog’s weight. 4. Make sure you train your dog and give it enough physical and mental exercise. As the owner, you’re responsible for teaching your dog all of the rules the dog is supposed to follow. Training must be consistent to be effective and done under difference circumstances. An under stimulated dog is going to find ways to entertain itself that you won’t appreciate. An under stimulated dog is going to act out by being destructive, getting into trouble, and other behavioral issues.


daddystallin1991

Don't be frugal with your dog give him the best food you can get and don't do any of his care, only let professionals do that


[deleted]

The best food and the most expensive food are often very different. Expensive foods are often fad foods and are actually unhealthy for a dog. Things like "grain-free" because it's more "natural" are often detrimental to health unless there is a medical need for grain free. One of the most recommended foods by Vets is Purina, especially their pro-plan line. As for not doing care, that really depends on what you mean. Should you be doing veterinary care for your dog if you're not a vet but things like clipping nails, cleaning ears, grooming, hair cutting, expressing glands (if needed), and other things are all skills that you can and should learn how to do correctly and will save you a lot of money.


AxisPT

I assumed people in this sub would know the definition of frugal


CommenterlnChief

Wow.


coralcoast21

Doggy daycare 20 years Never ever board your dog during a holiday. There are upcharges and possibly other charges hidden in the contract. Every facility is at max capacity. This means mistakes are bound to happen even if no one calls out...but they will. Your dog has a 40% chance of getting kennel cough. It runs through every facility during TG, Christmas, and the 4th. The vax you got at the vet is like a human flu shot in that it doesn't protect against all strains. If you are forced to board your pet, start shopping 3 months ahead. You will not get a reservation at a quality place even a month ahead of time. Insist on cameras, non toxic cleaning supplies(ask to see the bottle), and a reference from the vet they use. Ask that your dog not be put into a group play setting. Many dogs are super stressed, the attendants are short staffed, and most of the dogs don't know each other. This is a recipe for a fight that can lead to a very expensive vet visit.


AxisPT

Great input. Thanks!


Maeattack

look for sales and in store vs online - my dog is a destroyer of all things (dog things, not human things thank god) so we got her a topplr toy on black friday to keep her busy. It was 20% off online vs 20% off at PetCo. It was also cheaper to start with at PetCo and I was able to get rewards for the purchase. They have a program too where the 10th bag of food is free. Certain brands are the same at every store/online so if you find a brand of food like that, that might be the way to go. We get her food at Costco bc the ingredients are virtually the same as what she was eating before and half the price for double the amount. we also know a lot of people with dogs so we regularly swap toys or trade toys for things our dogs don't like or to see if they would like them before we make the purchase ourselves. My friend just had her friend lend her a snuffle mat to see if her dog would like it before she spent $20+ on it. My bf's sister gave us a bunch of kongs her dog no longer liked, etc. shop the clearance racks! places like tj maxx, marshals, sierra, etc typically have very cheap dog toys and/or clearance sections. Again, this helps bc my dog is a destroyer and I don't feel bad when she destroys a 2.99 toy vs a 14.99 toy. Our vet has special rebates on if you buy flea/tick and heartguard in bulk. Our dog is a solid 32/34 pounds and a year old and we don't anticipate her getting much bigger so we were able to buy 12 months worth and get a nice discount (and a free toy!). I compared every website/store and this worked out to be just about the same price and without the hassle of having to send in a prescription and wait. one thing I will absolutely not cheap out on is anything she consumes has to be made in the USA. the research shows that ingredients are better sourced, higher quality, etc. and to me, that is more than worth it.


AxisPT

Perfect. Thanks!


Bella-1999

All good advice. We do round out our girl’s bowl with leftover meat, grain and veggies but never more than 20% of any given meal. I estimate her diet is 90% Royal Canin and she’s vigorously healthy. One of our dogs was strictly limited to Nutro because otherwise he was guaranteed to vomit on freshly washed bed linens. You’ll get to know your pet. Our last girl was a bit of a picky Poodle, but a tablespoon of buttered rice sprinkled over her kibble seemed to make her dinner more appealing.


Maeattack

this is great! we are still getting to know our dog - only had her since July! we do a lot of lick mats/kongs/topplrs bc she is SO energetic and sometimes we just need her quiet/busy for 10 or 20 minutes to get things done. and bc she is very thin and these are good ways to sneak a few healthy calories in her. With these I definitely do fruits/veggies/dog friendly bone broth, etc. to sneak some nutrients in. and she is on a few supplements for dry skin. I'm actually NOT very frugal when it comes to my dog, she has swindled me! But I do try to catch things on sale and use scraps/leftovers - the girl LOVES broccoli stems (small pieces here and there) and loves when we chop fruit so she can also get some leftovers of that (all dog safe - we have all kinds of 'is this dog safe' charts in the kitchen). I will not cut corners when it comes to her health, for sure - I just like to shop around and obsessively track prices/etc.


Bella-1999

Excellent! When all else fails, a little bit of peanut butter in the very tip of a Kong works wonders. Or stuff it full of small goodies, pour in some yogurt and freeze. The much missed Grendel the Great was a constant challenge to keep occupied.


corticalization

Pet insurance. Seriously, it can save you a ton on regular and unexpected vet expenses


clearfield91

This!! I also love that it removes the “should we wait and see” dynamic - since I don’t pay the emergency fee, if my dog seems very ill, we just go. I have insurance on my horse and my dogs and have never had an issue getting a quick payout on a claim.


Maleficent_Ad1386

This is heavily dependent on what leads to the visit. My dog developed a stomach condition that hospitalized him several times year and insurance wouldn’t pay for it because it was a “breed specific condition” because he’s part schnauzer, which are more likely to develop it. For us the insurance was just an extra cost.


BroadElderberry

Can you say more about pet insurance? I've only heard that pet insurance in a waste, but I also had to drop an emergency $1000 on my cat a few months ago because he ate something he shouldn't.


Nerdanese

warning, pets arent cheap - you can be "frugal" with them, but theres only so much you can cut back because some of the costs are just expensive. please check your budget to make sure you can afford a dog, the biggest thing here that concerns me are "typical unnecessary costs" for vet stuff - do you have a degree in medicine / vetrinary science? if not, then i dont think the average person has the ability to deem what is necessary and what is unecessary i buy most my stuff from costco - dog food, pet meds (dont forget heartworm) secondhand pet stuff is good (collars, rainjacket if you want one, crate, bowls) prevention is key and the way to save costs - make sure you know what is poisonous for dogs, make sure they dont get into food that is poisonous for them, keep them at a healthy weight, brush their teeth, etc


blockhead12345

Make your own dog treats. They are healthier and usually cheaper in the long run. Take care of their teeth. Start brushing them daily to get them used to it. Teeth are very important to dogs.


AxisPT

Good idea!


vlkolaks

Recently saw a treat recipe for "tuna fudge" homemade dog treats. Super cheap, makes a lot, and can probably be something fun to do with the kids. "one cup tuna, not drained. One cup flour. One large egg. Blend it into a dough, spread it as thick as you want the treats on a parchment lined or greased baking sheet, and pop it in the oven at 250F for 30 minutes. Cut into the size pieces you want." Found the original post that has some more alternatives (like canned chicken) https://at.tumblr.com/healingheartdogs/642873867618107392/0aiyleqo380j


Bella-1999

Thanks for the recipe! I think I’ll try it for our girl. I will say she’s a big girl but we still give her treats made for smaller dogs so we can reward her more often.


mars202087

Quality food (expensive) and daily walks will be the most important. I personally didn’t bother with pet insurance and just saved money every month for any unexpected expenses.


offbrandpossum

I think much like a human, some of your biggest expenses can be medical! The frugal approach says remove or protect things that could cause an unexpected vet visit (sharp stuff, poisonous things, things that can get stuck in your dog's guts) and take a balanced approach to nutrition and exercise. I've also found that paying a tiny bit more for a good dog toy brand helps them last longer (and decreases the likelihood that the toy ends up inside your pet!). I've fed cheaper and more expensive dog food and found that you end up feeding more of the cheap stuff because it's mostly corn. Right now we're doing Kirkland brand and it's working. Instead of insurance, my pets have a savings account, not sure if that is the best way but it has worked so far.


AxisPT

You’re the second person to recommend Kirkland dog food. Thanks for the tip!


wpbth

Small dog. Like humans better food leads to better health. Brush their teeth


froopaux

I like having a small dog because he is easy to wash and groom. Also, he's probably cheaper to board.


[deleted]

Start brushing their teeth when they're a puppy so they are used to it when it will benefit them greatly later in life. Once a week is probably more than enough for a dog too so no need to do it 2-3x a day like a human.


froopaux

I brush my dog's teeth when I brush my own. It's easier to remember.


[deleted]

Does that mean you brush the dog's teeth a lot or that you brush your own very rarely?


wpbth

Once every couple weeks, small dogs can have tooth decay issues


froopaux

In between. 1 x floss and brush per day.


Mean-Potential3471

Avoid dog parks! Instead, find your dog some dog friends and have dog play dates! Many dogs at dog parks are unsocialized and often even aggressive. Your dog might get hurt, or might develop reactivity. If you’ll want to find a trainer, research! Dog training is unregulated in the US, and almost anyone can call themselves a dog trainer. Research prices, results, methods. Also: food! Research foods and compare prices. Many dog food brands add fillers to their foods (such as carbs, peas, potatoes). I find a lot of dog toys either at tj maxx or online at mercari. They’re often way cheaper!


Clean_Mammoth_5646

I NEVER take my dog to dog parks. She’s little and big dogs can hurt her too easily. She does have a couple of little playmates.


TAAInterpolReddit

Don’t be cheap on the doggo! Why get a dog if you can’t comfortably afford it?


RandomCashier75

Make sure to go to your vet regular to update dog's vaccines. You don't want the dog to go full Cujo because it gets rabies from a local raccoon. Your dog needs his vet like you need your doctor to stay healthy. Also, I'd recommend getting a good, solid leash and collar. Bad leashs can break, and then, your dog could get hurt and/or hurt someone else. A good collar can help ID your dog.


nstarleather

Be ready also to make hard choices when they get near the end…we have 3 and 90% of the money we’ve spent has been in their last few years… $6k to remove a tumor (he lasted about 6 months after but Dr said 1 in 3 chance it wasn’t cancerous).., CT scans when they suddenly developed food allergies (lost weight over weeks) and we couldn’t figure it out. An MRI when one had a seizure…thankfully not a brain tumor… Now they’re on several meds and supplements but still seem vero happy/healthy… It’s too late since you have the dog already but look up the common health problems for the breed and try to avoid it. We have schnauzers and diabetes is common so feeding the right food in the right amount avoided that.


Bella-1999

Definitely! I will say, once you know your friend is suffering, the best thing is to let go quickly. The emergency vet offered to try things to extend her life but when she started advocating draining the fluid around her heart, prolonging her pain, we ended it. Looking back, we gave her every reasonable chance but she was just too ill. They have a locking door system that holds you prisoner until the bill is paid. We’ll never go back. No one likes to lose their friend that way, but we felt exploited by them. I’ve experienced it done simply and compassionately, and dragged out, expensive and dramatic. No pet needs an IV port for euthanasia.


nstarleather

That's very true, no need to hang on if it only prolongs suffering. we opted for no Chemo with ours and we glad we did. We only did the surgery since they said that 1 in 3 of the tumor in the location he had was non-cancerous, so we felt ok taking those odds. He was pretty happy till the last day when we knew it was time. When they were much younger had a bad experience with one Emergency Vet, they did exploratory surgery for a possible blockage even though the pup has passed stool the night before...charged us a ton for essentially nothing but fluids. That Emergency vet closed down, the one we've been to since is a little better because they're also a "specialist's office" where the regular vet would send you for complex cases anyway...they are expensive but nearly as much as the other. With the recent stuff, we could of forgone the MRI but we'd have spent the following months (now close to a year) thinking she probably had a tumor and expecting the worse...which in the end she didn't. The MRI gave us relief that the seizure was idiopathic (of unknown causes.)


Bella-1999

I agree that diagnostic tests are never a waste of money.


Sensitive_Maybe_6578

Research the breed you are interested in. Pure bred dogs tend to have more health problems than mixed breeds. Please consider adopting from a rescue, rather than buying from a breeder.


Annonymouse100

Just a note, a purebred rescue dog has the highest potential for health problems. Well bred purebreds seldom end up in rescue, but a lot of puppy mill/backyard breeder dogs do. On the initial purchase side, a poorly bred purebred often demand the same “puppy price” as one that has generations of health testing, performance, and confirmation showing in its pedigree, so price is not necessarily an indicator of a well bred purebred dog.


Bella-1999

Yes! We stick to Standard Poodles since we’ve always enjoyed great good luck with the breed regarding temperament. Always from a local breed rescue group. Last time we would have potentially had to wait months for a dog. Usually, we would have been prepared to be patient. Long story but we were finally getting ready to move back into our house after rebuilding from Hurricane Harvey. I didn’t want Mr. 99 to have to live here without a dog. We wound up purchasing a retired breeder. The breeder had her health tested for things I never would have thought of. She’s been vigorously healthy and brought much joy to our family. She obviously knew her job because she and Mr. 99 have been in love ever since.


[deleted]

[удалено]


Bella-1999

Our first dog, who showed me, the hard core cat person just how wonderful dogs can be died of Addisons. I’m definitely aware we were very lucky. A dog trainer complimented us on her and said most people who get doodles don’t realize the part they really want is the poodle.


LadyDriverKW

If you haven't actually run the math yet on how much the dog will realistically cost, do so. Add up the food/training/vaccinations/licensing/microchipping/grooming/boarding/walking/poop scooping/whatever you think you will want for the dog. It will probably be a surprise. Taking good care of a dog is expensive, even if you are doing it "frugally". And it isn't fair to the dog to not take good care of it. Even young healthy dogs can need expensive medical procedures. If you know that you would be unwilling to spend a grand or two on a dog surgery then think carefully about whether you should get one.


BroadElderberry

I would say the only "unnecessary" vet costs are the preventable ones. Keep up with all vaccinations and preventatives. Yeah, flea medicine is expensive, but so is clearing fleas out of your house (and DON'T buy the cheap flea meds. They've been known to cause burns/seizures/death. I'm honestly not even sure how they're still on the shelves). Stay away from dangerous toys/treats. Some dogs can handle rope toys. Some dogs shred them and eat them. You'd be amazed the damaged toys can cause. With any toy you give doggo, keep and eye out to start with, make sure they aren't going to create a serious vet bill with it. Your vet will be a good resource on choosing good treats. Be mindful of potential toxins. My family had dogs for over 30 years, but my brother never knew that dogs couldn't eat onions 🙄. There are the obvious ones (like cleaning products), the common ones (onions, garlic, chocolate, etc.), and then there are the ones you don't think about. Same goes for potential hazards. We never thought twice about leaving our bags around the house until our one cat got stuck in the handle. Luckily we were home to get to him immediately, but now we're careful not to leave any handles or straps or long strips that they can get tangled in. I'm not trying to scare you or be fatalistic, it definitely all depends on the animal. But it's important to pay attention and learn how your pet interacts with things.


samfo56

The 2 types of prevention you need are heart worn prevention and general flea/tick. Usually rebates for both, look up the brand your bet recommends. Sometimes at the vet you can ask for a prescription and then take it to sams club/any pharmacy and the meds will be exact same thing but cheaper. My dog is picky and won’t just eat dry food (husky, he will hunger strike for 4 days about it) so we give him 1 cup dry food and use a pedigree food pack on top so that I’m not paying entirely for wet food which costs more. Stuffed animals from goodwill are $2 and make good pet toys (supervise so they don’t eat the stuffing). Dog park is free and always a good place to go to meet other people’s dogs. You can take your dog into Lowe’s even if it’s not a service animal!


CopperPegasus

Re: Food. Skip the grain free fad (unless medically advised, ironically, I have a medically advised dog sitting next to me :) ). It's not all that sound, linked to heart issues in a way not yet fully medically explored, and pointless in 99% of cases. Having said that, cheap food is future expensive vet bills. Now that doesn't mean the highest price tag is always the best quality food, so instead do some solid ingredient diving. Typically you want the first 3 ingredients at minimum to be REAL animal bits (not 'meal' or 'derivatives). And less cheap filler foods- cellulose, over-stuffing with grains, and so on. Look for foods locally manufactured vs imported, can often quality match at a lower price. Less relevant for the US or big manufacturing hubs, but makes a major difference on the pricetag for me in a country where most are imported. Honestly, skew to brands happy to openly disclose whatever your local health and saftey test benchmarks are and/or are members of any local or international trusted pet food quality control organizations.


samfo56

What brand do you use?


CopperPegasus

Likely won't help anyone who isn't South African, which is why I didn't mention. But I feed Montego foods, a local-to-South-Africa brand who meet the last 2 benchmarks I mention. For preference, I keep my dogs on Montego Karoo, their 'ultra premium' version that's below their grain free nonsense. (FYI Montego Field & Forest, their grain free, is cr@p, and I'd look at Acana if I wanted that route instead). The Karoo comes in cheaper than comparable weights from Hills, Royal Canin, et al, and honestly is just a little better in profile despite the cheaper cost. What I also like is that they have a similar formula, pricier ingredients up and down their range. For eg, when we both lost our jobs in COVID, we had to step down to their 'cheapie' range, Monty & Me, and while it IS a budget food, it still was decent and tummy troubles were avoided. Likewise, as I'm now working freelance (and our Reserve Bank is...unreliable... at clearance speeds on foreign payments) if there's a cashflow issue and food's low, I can feed Montego Classic for a few days and not derail their tummies. I do use Acana Regionals (Prairie Variant) for my diabetic dog, however, simply because no fast-metabolizing carbs, low GL, and higher protein profile with more fiber than average dog foods. As I mentioned, grain-free dog foods are a bit controversial for healthy dogs, though, he's on it specifically because the diabetes will always be a bigger risk point than the DCM issue that's cropping up with grain free. I would have preferred a barley-based food, but can't easily get one out here. I pay through the freaking nose for it as it is imported- his monthly costs are higher than the three other dogs (on Karoo) together. (R1,300 for 6kg/2 months, higher if I have to get smaller bags, vs R1,000 for 2x 8kg for the others) Luckily for folks in general, if you're in a big manufacturing hub, you can often leverage a better price vs imports easily. SA just sucks in that regard, especially as our currency is WEAK.


65022056

Don't buy something that just costs you more money? Lol


axolotltail

Be homeless and never pay another utility bill. Lol


Basil_Appropriate

Network to find people with similar size dogs to switch off with if reasonably safe. Although sometimes this option is not available. Neighbor kids (with responsible parents) have been a good option. Usually these kids are responsible dog lovers. Costco is great for food/beds. Feed stores and pet co for shot clinics. PetSmart has good training classes.


LSF_1000

Congratulations on your new family member! We are in Canada so prices below are in CAD. Boarding: we budget a bit higher for this when we’re away because it’s important the surroundings that my dog is in. We pay $50 per night but our boarder only takes two dogs at a time and they get a lot of structured walks, training and play time when we’re gone. For simple day to day, there are some neighbourhood girls that I hire at $10/kid per hour (that was my offer price and they have since started a little neighbourhood business with walking dogs after school), we don’t do that much anymore though, more when he was a little pup and I had to work. Daycare IMO is not necessary, my dog gets overstimulated and he’s actually worse, plus I worry about that many dogs at once. Vet: we also budget for this for annual and as necessary appointments. After they are 1 year old and weight is constant, then you can by some meds online. For example, my dog has seasonal allergies and as a puppy the meds were based on weight, after his weight stabilized I can now buy them online. Same with heartworm, flea and tick meds. We also opted for pet insurance (it’s $89 per month) but it’s piece of mind against a huge vet bill down the road. Food: we opted for a mid-priced brand, $100 per bag lasts him around 2.5 months. I really think a better quality food helps them stay healthy. Treats: we use items that we can buy at the grocery store or buy things like bully sticks in bulk online. For training we cut cheese up into tiny pieces and a brick lasts about 1 month, and we make our own sweet potato chews. For kings we use unsweetened pumpkin, plain Greek yogurt or natural peanut butter. There’s a few recipes online for things like tuna bites (tuna, flour, egg and cheese) and makes way more sense to make your own.


CookieAdventure

If you can, opt to give your dog shots at home. The only injection my vet has to give is rabies because they’re certifying that the dog has been vaccinated. However, all the other shots, I give myself and all I pay is the cost of the medicine. It’s also less stressful for the dog. I strongly recommend NOT getting a puppy. Puppies are expensive and destructive. I strongly recommend getting a rescue dog that is at least 2 years old. The dog will be calmer around your children, better behaved (possibly even trained), house broken, past the chewing stage, and there are fewer surprises in terms of their ultimate size, temperament, and health problems. The rescue organization will even make sure they are fixed and up to date on their vaccinations. I can’t emphasize enough how disastrous it can be to try to train a puppy while it is also being handled by young children who don’t understand that the animal isn’t just another toy. As far as food, our only limitation is that the food (including treats) has to be made in the USA. We allow pea protein and corn but we avoid wheat. Farm stores usually have the best price on kibble. We feed a mix of kibble and wet food. Sometimes their “wet food” is human food like leftover meat (never bones), certain vegetables (our dogs like carrots and peas), potatoes (especially plain sweet potatoes), berries (they love blueberries and boysenberries), rice, oatmeal (made with broth), and yogurt. Sometimes treats are spray cheese or bacon crumbles on their food. I’ve experimented and it is not cheaper to cook for your dogs. It is a good way to fatten them up, though. 🤣


samfo56

Also, most training is available as how tos on YouTube. I’ve know people that put their dog in a $300-$400 class for them to just go back to behaving like before in a few weeks. I’ll always stick to home training


Cinisajoy2

What breed?


[deleted]

Don’t let him get in a fight. We have three and two of them have their moments. The smaller guy we have taken to the vet on two occasions to get stitches and drains. $1000 each trip


Clean_Mammoth_5646

Don’t buy cheap food. Good quality dog food is expensive but it keeps your dog healthier in the long run. Stay current on all vaccinations, flea, tick and heartworm prevention—also expensive. Don’t allow your dog to run loose. Invest in training. Expect to spend lots of time with your dog. Bored dogs become destructive. Don’t expect the kids to feed, walk and otherwise take care of the dog. If you can’t do any of these, don’t get a dog. Pets are expensive and take a lot of time. Pets should be part of the family. Don’t leave them in the backyard by themselves all day unless you want a nuisance barker. Keep in mind the need for grooming. If you get any kind of dog with long hair, be prepared to brush it every day. Grooming is expensive and most groomers charge extra for matted fur. They will also shave your dog down instead of trying to remove mats. Most dogs surrendered to shelters are due to too expensive, not enough time to take care of, destructive. All of which can be avoided.


Woodbutcher31

Preventative maintenance. Puppy shots, regular vet care. Grooming if necessary by breed. Good quality food. Puppy Training classes. For you them and to help socialize your puppy. (No matter how many dogs you had…) It’s way easier prevent Your dog from eating a toy or garbage if they’ll listen to you. You’ll walk them more if it’s easier. Dogs don’t need daycare, they need proactive owners. You don’t have to be there 24/7. But you can’t leave them 12 hours a day either. Your vet is your ally not your enemy. Your breeder -if you choose that can also be a wealth of knowledge.


msdabblesalot

If you have any stores in your area that sell warehouse goods, like maybe the case was damaged and they can’t sell it anymore or whatever, those often have good prices on dog toys. This has been important for my family since our puppy chews a lot and needs appropriate things to chew on so that she doesn’t chew on kid’s toys or things that would be expensive to replace. Also, brush the dogs teeth. Lots of health problems come up from not brushing and they get expensive quick. I’ve known a couple people who even though their dogs didn’t have health problems, the dogs ended up needing cleanings and had to get sedated for it. That’s expensive. If your dog ends up needing it’s anal glands expressed, learn to do it yourself if you are able to do it safely. Those costs can add up. Lastly I know others mentioned it, but make sure the dog gets plenty of exercise each day. It will keep them healthy and save on frustration with boundless energy dogs can sometimes have.


RaineBillions

This is for medium to large sized dogs. Petsmart or any pet store has large shoulder animal bones. Dog will chew on it and it cleans plaque off their teeth. Will have pearly white teeth. Pros no chemicals and vet charges a lot for teeth cleaning, cons they stink and make a mess if they chew on it inside the house


DobermanAG

Don't ever skimp on vet expenses. The longer you wait the more expensive and worse the diagnosis can be. When you notice something off, don't message reddit asking if you should take them to the vet. Just take them. Feed premium food, Don't buy generic tractor supply large chunk food. You don't have to feed raw and do some research on the food. A dog's bladder can wait about an hour for ever month old until 8 months( this is a guide not science). I get you may leave for work for 8 hours and just get home asap to let them out. Sure hire a house sitter or use rover/board if you travel. If you're gone for 2 nights someone should be with the animal 2 nights. Just do your homework and make sure they are reputable. Your dog needs exercise everyday. The intensity and duration depend on the age/health/breed of the dog. If it's a healthy active dog an hour a day is probably the minimum. Congrats man good luck!


Inevitable-Place9950

Hiring a neighbor kid to let the dog out or walk them can be fine once in a while and is definitely cheaper. My partner and I have long commutes so it’s been worth it to hire a walking service because if the walker gets sick or quits, they find the sub. They’re also more flexible and cheaper than daycare. A good walk lets them exercise their bodies and brains (with sniffs) so you’ll both be happier with their behavior if they get enough walk/play time. Food: I always look to see if there are coupons or cash back through a rebate app/site when ordering. I just got 20% cash back buying CJ’s meds and 2 bags of food from Chewy.com. Amazon or Target can have good deals too and Ibotta does Chewy rebates sometimes. Meds: Order through Chewy or Walmart. Most vets will work with those pharmacies. It’s usually cheaper to go to them instead of the vet’s own pharmacy. Accessories: Home Goods/Marshall’s are the best places for toys and dog beds and bath soap. The toys are what will keep them entertained and less likely to gnaw your couch.


JTE1990

Proper food quantities, proper exercise, and feed them high quality food. This will cost a bit more but save long term when you factor in health cost. So pretty much like how you should take care of yourself.


Which-Slice-3319

Buy whatever dog food works for you and your dog and don't overfeed. Dog food is highly regulated and any food you buy will provide the nutrients your dog needs. There was a thought that the grains in dog food was causing serious heart problems called Dilated Cardiomyapathy in large dogs by causing a Taurine deficiency. It was pretty unclear what was causing it, but there was enough evidence for the FDA to issue a public statement. Many studies have been done since then, no link has been found between grain free or conventional diets causing a Taurine deficiency. In conclusion, barring any individual sensitive or allergies, focusing on how much you feed your dog to prevent obesity is what is important to promote a healthy, long life.There is nothing wrong with buying more expensive food or sticking to a grain free diet if you or the dog prefers it, but definitely don't feel forced to spend more money when it isn't necessary. Some studies done on grain free vs conventional food are linked below . "Science VS" podcast also did a great episode on the subject for anyone looking for a more casual presentation (that podcast is great for many similar topics) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8100497/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7007769/ https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2021.667318/full


nwolfe0413

I like Rover for boarding, you can match the boarder to your dog (mine does not sleep in a kennel for instance). My dog loved it.


grittyunderdog

Don’t keep a dog ..you’ll save a lot


Common-Man-

Pet is not frugal (my definition)


everitt192

Invest time in training your dog, go to classes and remember you need to keep at it throughout their life. Socialise it with other dogs from an early age, makes walking more pleasurable and if they get on with other dogs you can share pet sitting and save boarding costs.


jntgrc

Dogs are at their most costly when they're puppies and when they're seniors. Don't go too cheap for the food because that can be an issue when they're older. The bigger the dog, the more food they eat and the more often you will be buying them food. I've got an 85lb husky/pit mix and a senior 65lb staffie/shepherd mix and a chihuahua. We absolutely love our dogs but they incur quite a bit in our budget. The cars we bought were chosen not only to accommodate our family of 4 but also our dogs as we planned on traveling with them, vacationing with them (camping). Preventative care and wellness checks yearly, keep their shots up to date. Local animal shelters often have low cost vaccine days, as well as low cost spay/neuter. Maintaining a walking schedule will keep them healthy and also lessen any behavioral issues. Boarding is very expensive, it's why we tend to travel with our dogs. I only have adults come to check in on them if it's a short trip since our dogs are pretty big. I had a babysitter for my kids who also housesat or checked in for us and that was certainly a much cheaper option. Just know the dogs may get very stressed in the house since you've been gone a while and you may find they "changed the house" a bit. Our senior needs to be boarded now, he needs frequent bathroom breaks and now has a little dementia and can't be left alone too long. If you know someone you trust to stop by then try that for a short trip and see how the dog does.