Pet parents, there’s nothing more important than our fur babies, right?! But while they might be the apple of your eye, pet care can get expensive. I’ve teamed up with Pet Circle to share some hot hacks on how to budget better for your pet, and find a balance between spoiling them rotten and keeping your finances in check!

1. Buy pet products like food in bulk to save money

Buying larger volumes of pet food at once can score you big savings, as larger bags of food bring down the price per 100g. As an example, Royal Canin Medium Adult Dog Food can be brought down to almost 40% cheaper when you buy the larger bags. A 4kg bag rings in at $1.14 per 100g, but the 30kg bag is just $0.72! Don’t be afraid to ask for a price match or price beat if you’ve found a better price on a pet product! 

Plus, if you’re welcoming a new furry family member, Pet Circle’s bundle boxes offer massive discounts on all the products you need for your new pet. Get started or replenish your stocks of everything from bedding and litter to treats and toys – they’re a great gift idea for pet-parents-to-be, too! 

2. Swap supermarket brands for higher quality premium brands

Supermarket food might seem cheaper on face value, but you could be getting substantially less bang for your buck. Premium pet foods are highly digestible and are often more nutrient dense, which means you may actually need to feed less so a bag of food will last longer. Premium food can also help to keep your pet healthier.  So, if you are on a budget, you can still offer premium food that benefits your pets health while being kind to your back pocket.

3. Make the most of palatability guarantees

If you’re switching your pet’s food and you’re concerned they won’t be keen on the new offering, don’t stress. Pet Circle offers a palatability guarantee across most brands, so you can claim your money back if your pet is a fussy eater. 

4. Set a treats allowance

We all want to spoil our fur babies, and sometimes these expenses can cause leaks in our bank accounts! Set aside a treats allowance for your pet for new accessories or extra toys so you can keep on top of how much you’re spending on nice-to-haves. Top up your pet’s treat fund at regular intervals to keep it replenished, but be disciplined – when it’s gone, it’s gone!

A fun way to treat your pet to exciting new goodies is Pet Circle’s Curious Box. There’s one for cats and one for dogs, packed with tons of extra value with a new theme every 6 weeks. 

5. Keep up to date with vet check ups

Paying for regular vet visits when your pet appears to be fit and healthy can feel counterintuitive when you’re trying to save money. But, regular check ups can help detect health considerations much earlier on, and save you money on treatment in the long run. Pet Circle Head Vet Dr Teagan Lever suggests an annual check up for younger pets, and a six-monthly visit for older animals or those with pre-existing conditions. 

6. Utilise Pet Circle’s free Vet Squad

If you need non-urgent advice on your pet or pet products and want to skip the expensive consultation fee at your local vet, Pet Circle’s Vet Squad is available around the clock, and is completely free. You can use live chat, or book a video or phone consultation to discuss what’s going on with your pet, and get general advice and tips on how you can improve their health, nutrition and lifestyle. 

7. Spread the cost of food and supplies

Pet food can get expensive, and when it comes time to replenish your stocks, it can blow your spending out the water. Instead, work out how often you buy pet supplies, total up the regular cost, and spread it out equally into one consolidated weekly or monthly payment. Then, contribute that regular amount every payday into a pet expenses account. 

To make it even simpler, set up an Auto Delivery with Pet Circle, so your pet expenses are streamlined and automatically debited from your nominated account, and your food and supplies arrive at your door as often as you need them. Simple set and forget, for you and your pet.

8. Utilise pet pharmacies for cheaper medication

When pets need medication, costs can quickly add up. Plus, vets often mark up prices by up to 100%. To score cheaper medication costs, ask your vet to write you a prescription for the medication, and then take it to your local pharmacy or a dedicated pet pharmacy. Often your script can be filled for much less!

9. Set up an emergency fund for your pet

Just like us, pets run into unexpected costs. Having an emergency fund in place for your pet, and keeping it separate from your personal savings can help you be better prepared. If you don’t have the funds to allocate to an emergency fund right away, contributing a regular amount from each payday towards your pet’s savings account can help you on your way.

10. Assess insurance based on your pet’s lifestyle 

Pet insurance can protect you from bigger expenses like accidents, surgery, or diagnostic testing for more serious conditions. But it’s important to remember that not everything is covered by insurance, so don’t just sign up to any insurer without doing your research. Compare different insurance products against your pet’s lifestyle, and choose a policy that covers the conditions your pet is most at risk of. For example, indoor cats are very unlikely to be in road accidents, so opting for cover that’s specifically designed for indoor pets could save you big money. It’s also worth having an emergency fund set aside for your pet in addition to insurance, as not all policies cover all conditions.

This article was created in partnership with Pet Circle, but all opinions are my own.