10 ways to save money on pet care

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According to the ASPCA, regular care for a pet — food, toys, insurance and grooming — averages $1,391 a year for a dog and $1,149 for a cat.

That doesn't include one-off costs, like spaying or neutering, microchipping, vaccines or housetraining, which can add hundreds more to the tally.

While we all want to give our fur babies the best possible care, it can be a strain on the wallet.

Here are CNBC Select's top tips to help you save on your pet's care without cutting corners.

Pet insurance can help you get ahead of expensive medical issues before they spiral out of control. You'll pay a monthly premium and, when you need to take Fido into the vet, your policy will cover between 70% and 90% of the bill once after you reach your deductible.

An accident-only policy is cheaper and covers bites, car accidents, swallowed objects and fractures — plans average about $17 per month for a dog and $9.68 per month for a cat, according to the North American Pet Health Insurance Association.

An accident-and-illness policy is considerably more pricey, about $56.30 per month for a dog and $31.94 per month for a cat. But it covers everything in an accident-only policy, plus illnesses like cancer, diabetes, UTIs and arthritis.

Some of our top picks for cheap pet insurance include Spot, which offers a 10% discount for enrolling multiple pets, and Pets Best, which has deductibles as low as $50.

Pet insurance isn't the best fit for every animal, though, especially if your pet is older and has already developed pre-existing conditions that wouldn't be covered by a policy.

Wellness care may seem like an indulgence, but it can save you a lot of money in the long run.

"An ounce of prevention really is worth a pound of cure," says Joanne Yohannan, senior vice president of operations at North Shore Animal League America. "If you catch things early, it'll be a lot less expensive to treat them than if you just wait."

A wellness plan from a pet insurance company can help with the predictable expenses of annual checkups and preventative treatments, keeping your pet from needing more costly care down the line.

Two of our favorite wellness plans come from CarePlus by Chewy and MetLife, both of which include vaccinations, spaying/neutering and dental cleanings.

Adopting a new pet is exciting, but even one-time costs like spaying or neutering and microchipping can add up. Yohannan recommends using SpayUSA to find an affordable option.

"People can go on that platform and find a low-cost clinic or veterinarian right in their community," she said. "There are over 5,000 across the country."

For microchipping, many local Humane Societies and rescue shelters offer free or donation-based services several times a year.

"Your community animal shelter is a fantastic resource," Yohannan shares.

Some pet and farm supply stores also offer affordable microchipping: Tractor Supply Company stores with PetVet services will chip your bet for as little as $32, a lot less than the $50 to $70 charged by most veterinarians.

If you want your fur baby to get the best care but are rankled by the time and expense of a visit to the vet, a growing number of telehealth services are specializing in pet care — offering unlimited advice on routine issues and (in some areas) even prescribing medication that's delivered to your door.

Many of our top pet insurance companies offer telehealth as part of their coverage, but you can also subscribe to standalone services from sites like Dutch, which starts at just $11 per month.

If you have a Walmart+ subscription, you already have access to unlimited online vet visits via Pawp, a pet telehealth platform. The American Express Platinum Card® comes with a monthly $12.95 statement credit that can cover one Walmart+ membership fee, including any applicable taxes. Subject to auto-renewal.

You can also tack on an emergency protection plan to your Pawp account to cover one medical emergency per household, up to $3,000.

If you receive benefits from SNAP, WIC, Medicaid or other government programs, you may qualify for Walmart+ Assist membership, which has all the same benefits for only $6.47 a month or $49 per year.

Buying pet food with little processing and quality ingredients pays off in the end, according to Yohannan, because it can head off issues like weight gain.

"If you get a subscription, that can save you some money," she added.

Chewy offers 5% off autoship orders, while a pet food subscription with Amazon will get you 5% off the first order and 10% on subsequent deliveries

It'll take more effort, but you can save even more by making your pet's meals yourself.

"Many people cook for their animals," Yohannan said. "It's a fabulous way to save, because pre-made pet food can be so pricey."

You have to make sure you're meeting your pet's nutritional needs, she adds, so it's always good to work with a veterinarian if you go this route.

"I don't think we have to spend a lot of money on toys," Yohannan advises. "I think what our pets want is us."

Playing, taking a walk or visiting a new dog park is free — and can be even more enriching than a new chew toy.

When you do need something, consider buying used, if possible. Gently used cat trees or doggie sweaters, for example, frequently pop up on sites like OfferUp and Facebook Marketplace. And Buy Nothing groups often have troves of free pet supplies from nearby folks.

If you do need to buy something new, signing up for a loyalty program with shops like PetSmart, Petco or Pet Supplies Plus can get you access to exclusive deals and points toward store credit.

Have a pet on medications or prescription food? Online pharmacies like 1800PetMeds, VetRxDirect and PetCareRx offer discounted prices on both.

GoodRx for Pets offers price comparisons and coupons for many popular medications and is accepted at over 70,000 U.S. pharmacies, including Walmart and Sam's Club. The meds can even be mailed right to your door — just check on shipping costs before you purchase.

Costco states that it sells pet meds for up to 40% less than other pharmacies, and it also offers low-cost supplements, flea and tick treatments and other supplies. The Costco Anywhere Visa sweetens the deal, as the card earns 2% back on all Costco and Costco.com purchases.

It's never been easier to learn grooming tips and tricks. YouTube channels like Healthcare For Pets teach DIY nail-trimming and teeth-cleaning techniques and you can learn grooming tips from channels like Go Groomer.

Some pet and farm supply stores have pet-washing stations that include shampoo, conditioner and towels, including Pet Supplies Plus, Petco and Tractor Supply Company stores. The rates average $8 to $10, but you may get a discount if you purchase several washes in advance.

If you do need a professional, PetSmart offers buy-nine-get-three-free washing-and-grooming packages for dogs, a savings of 25%.

If your pooch needs help settling down, check your local library for books on dog training from experts like Pat Miller or Kim Brophey. Or just pull out your phone: YouTubers like Beckman's Dog Training and Ethan Steinberg offer advice, lessons and strategies you can practice at home.

For more dedicated help, a growing number of dog trainers offer one-on-one virtual obedience classes at a fraction of the cost of an in-person session.

Boarding your pet when you go away can be expensive and expose them to a lot of other animals. If you're lucky, you may have friends or family who can watch your furry friend for free.

There are also apps like Rover, where experienced pet sitters and dog walkers set their own rates and availability, giving pet owners a lot more flexibility.

In Brooklyn, a 30-minute drop-in to feed and play with your cat can cost less than $20 a visit.
The cost of boarding a dog in a Rover sitter's home averages $30 to $60 per night in the same area, compared to $80 to $200 at a pet hotel. There is also the option of having the sitter stay at your home.

At CNBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. For this story, we interviewed Joanne Yohannan, senior vice president of operations at North Shore Animal League America.

At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice so they can make informed decisions with their money. Every pet story is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of pet products. While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content without input from our commercial team or any outside third parties, and we pride ourselves on our journalistic standards and ethics.

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