For most pet owners, their furry, feathery, and scaly friends are more than animals, they are family members. This can sometimes mean spoiling them like they would human family members.

With nearly 70 percent of Ohioans owning pets, according to the Ohio Credit Union League’s 2018 consumer survey, that means a lot of funds are dedicated to pets. Of those pet owners, 46 percent said they spend between $500 and $750, 15 percent between $750 and $1,000, while 18 percent claim to spend more than $1,000 on their fur babies each year.

Expenditures on pets by Ohioans are not far from national averages, according to research from the American Pet Products Association (APPA).

Data from the APPA shows about 68 percent of households in the U.S. – 84.6 million families – own at least one pet. In 2017, American pet owners spent a combined $69.51 billion on their animals. That means each pet-owning U.S. household spent about $822 caring for animals last year. The APPA breaks pet spending into five major categories: food, supplies (including medicine(, veterinarian care, live animal purchases, and pet services (including grooming and boarding). According to the Ohio Credit Union League survey, 51 percent of Ohioans spend most of their pet budget on veterinarian care.

Nationally, most money spent on pets – about $29.97 billion – went toward food in 2017 and $17.07 billion on vet care that same year. Spending on pets in the U.S. is expected to continue to rise. The APPA estimates Americans will spend $72.13 billion on their pets this year, almost $3 billion more than in 2017.

So, how do you continue to spoil your loyal friend without breaking the bank? Here are some money-saving pet care tips.

  • Create a budget. It’s easier for owners to save on pet costs if they can see how that money is spent. Try setting up a budget specifically for your pet. Track spending on food, toys, veterinarian visits, medicine, grooming, and boarding. At the end of each month, assess how money has been spent on pet costs and adjust those categories as necessary.
  • Keep pets healthy. Taking pets to the vet regularly can get costly, with veterinarians charging an average of about $257 for a routine dog visit and $182 for cats. But emergency medical costs are even higher (surgical visits cost an average of $245 for cats and $474 for dogs) and tend to stack up. It’s more cost effective to visit the vet regularly for complete physicals, which include diagnostic tests to detect problems before they’re serious. To help keep pets healthy between appointments, make sure they’re getting the correct food and plenty of exercise.
  • Make your own toys. Many of the toys sold in pet stores can be created at home. For instance, cat scratching pads can be fashioned from cardboard boxes and braided towels can replace pricey rope toys for dogs. Sites like VetStreet.com offer creative and simple DIY pet toy ideas.
  • Consider less expensive alternatives to boarding. Travel with animals isn’t always possible, but boarding can get expensive. Instead try setting up a pet-sitting system. Offer to watch friends’ pets for free while they’re away in exchange for their pet-sitting services next time you leave town. If free pet care isn’t available, check out alternative boarding options like Rover.com or DogVacay.com. These sites connect owners with walkers and sitters who typically charge less then pet daycares.
  • Get help. Pet owners struggling financially have options. Charities like RedRover and The Pet Fund provide grants and money toward veterinarian bills. Meals on wheels and local pet food banks can help owners struggling to feed their animals. For more pet assistance programs, visit iheartdogs.com.

Learn how we can help you do more with your money and save with Pet Insurance from Day Air Credit Union.

Checking Accounts

Premium Perks

Freedom Checking

CashBack Checking

Direct Deposit

More

Savings Accounts

Savings Accounts

Super Saver

Money Market

h

Certificates

HSA

Cards

Debit Card

Low Rate Credit Card

Rewards Credit Card

CU Rewards

Card Controls

Tools

Mobile Deposit

Online Banking

Pay Someone

eAlerts

Compare Rates

Vehicle Loans

Auto Loans

Refinance Your Car

Motorcycle & Jet Ski Loans

Boat & RV Loans

Mortgage & Home Loans

Mortgages

Refinance Your House

Home Equity Loans

Construction Loans

Personal

Personal Loans

,

StretchPay Loans

Student Loans

Credit Cards

Tools

Apply for a Loan

Pay a Loan

Online Bill Pay

Chat With Us

Financial Planning

Investments

i

Estate Planning

401(k) Rollover

Retirement Planning

Day Air Insurance

Auto Insurance

Home Insurance

Identity Theft Protection

Life Insurance

More Products & Services

RetireMed

Financial Counseling

Credit Reports

Reorder Checks

More

Online Banking

Online Banking

Online Bill Pay

Login to Online Banking

Mobile Banking

Mobile Banking

Mobile Deposit

Pay Someone

Text Banking

Tools

Apply for a Loan

Pay a Loan

eAlerts

Mobile Pay

Chat With Us

Accounts

Business Checking

Business Savings

Business Certificates

Cards

Business Debit Card

Business Credit Card

Loans

Commercial Loans

Term Loans

PPP Loans

Line of Credit

Services

Business Bill Pay

Tools

Online Business Banking

Login to Business Banking

Login to PIB MLO

Business Banking App

Join Day Air

Why Choose Day Air

Membership Eligibility

Annual Member Savings

Compare Rates

Join Day Air

Community

Community Involvement

Financial Education

Dayton VA Medical Center

Dayton Dragons

Contests & Sweepstakes

About

Press & News

Newsletters & Reports

Videos

Careers

Helpful Resources