Our furry friends are truly part of the family. But the cost of pet essentials like veterinary visits, medicine and food adds up quickly. Indeed, dog parents spend between $1,000 and $5,225 a year per pup, while cat parents spend between $710 and $2,865 per kitty annually. The good news: Treating your fur family well doesn’t mean you have to empty your wallet. Keep reading for savings expert Sarah Wilson’s simple strategies to trim the cost of pet care.
Slash your pet’s healthcare costs
Here, Wilson shares easy ways to ensure your furry best friend receives the best medical care possible—without draining your wallet.
Visit a (free!) mobile vet
A veterinary hospital isn’t the only place to get routine care, like spaying, neutering, vaccines and exams. “You can get the same services for free or at a very low cost at a mobile vet clinic,” says Wilson.
Licensed veterinarians staff these clinics, which cities and counties fund. As a result, you could save up to $200 to $400 on sterilization surgery and $22 to $50 for each vaccination—including shots for rabies, distemper and Bordetella, commonly known as “kennel cough.”
“I’ve taken my dogs to a mobile clinic for a rabies shot, health exam and nail trim—all at no cost,” Wilson shares. “I was able to sign up online and was in and out within minutes.”
These subsidized clinics regularly set up in parking lots at community centers, supermarkets and retailers. To find one nearby, call your local animal shelters or pet-supply stores, like PetSmart.
Consider a student vet
Another option is a veterinary teaching hospital, which often provides discounts, even for emergency treatments, reveals Wilson. Students gain valuable training while veterinarians supervise every procedure.
To locate a veterinary teaching hospital near you, visit the American Veterinary Medical Association, then tap “Education & Career” and “Accredited veterinary colleges.”
Request a generic Rx
Before you fill a prescription, ask your vet if there’s a cheaper generic version avail- able, suggests Wilson. If there is, it can save you up to 85 percent! “Your vet might even suggest an over-the-counter treatment that costs less than a prescribed drug but is still effective,” she adds.
“One of our dogs takes a low-dose generic prescription for her joint health, plus generic Benadryl for spring allergies as directed by our vet.”
Get a prescription discount card
You’ve probably heard that these free programs can save you up to 80 percent on prescribed meds when you pay in cash, thanks to their ability to negotiate lower prices with pharmacies.
But you may be surprised to discover that many, like GoodRx, also extend to pet treatments. Ask your pharmacist which discount cards they accept, whether they cover your pet’s meds and where to sign up.
Snag bulk savings on food
It’s no secret that our fur babies have healthy appetites! Here, surprising ways to get them high-quality food at a reasonable price:
Shop at this store
Feed your four-legged friends for less with one simple strategy: “Shop at a farm store, where farmers buy their animal feed,” recommends Wilson. “They sell high-quality pet food and treats in bulk, which costs about one-third less than supermarket and pet-store prices.” To find a farm store near you, search “farm store” and your town’s name.
Join your pet store’s loyalty program
Many major chains let you earn points you can redeem as cash toward future purchases. PetSmart’s Treats Rewards, for example, gives you $2 in rewards for every $100 you spend, which works out to 2 percent back.
And Petco’s Vital Care Core program offers $5 in rewards for every $167 you spend, which is about 3 percent back.
Want to support small businesses? Many independently owned pet retailers partner with loyalty rewards companies like Astro, which let you earn free products after you buy a certain number of items. Ask your local pet store about any savings programs they offer.
This article first appeared in the February 3, 2025, issue of Woman’s World magazine
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