Owning a pet can be an expensive business, particularly when we’re living in such difficult economic times, but there are things you can do to keep your budget in check whilst being able to provide the best possible standard of care:

• Get insurance. Insurance might seem like a costly outlay but it could be much cheaper in the long run—if you had an unexpected vet bill it could be difficult to cover, whereas with insurance you can be safe in the knowledge that everything’s taken care of.
• Lay off the expensive treats. You might want to shower your pet with love and attention, but that doesn’t mean you need to throw money away. A bit of TLC will be far preferable to expensive treats—not only can you bond with your pet but you won’t spend a fortune, and nor will you need to worry about the calories or additives contained in store-bought treats.
• Buy in bulk. Buying pet food in bulk can be a great way to save some cash—a lot of supermarket brands and even vet-recommended products will be much cheaper if you buy a lot at once, and make sure to be on the lookout for any special offers too.
• Get your pet spayed/neutered. Not only is it the responsible thing to do but you wouldn’t want to get a litter full of extra mouths to feed, so make sure to get your pet neutered as soon as possible.

You don’t have to spend a fortune to give your pets the standard of care they deserve, so bear in mind these points and you can be sure you’re doing the best you can.