Jake in long grass in a field next to his home

Caring for your dog on a budget

With the cost of living rising, it can be a worrying time for dog owners when trying to keep up with ongoing expenses.

With costs rising and budgets getting tighter, you may be looking for ways to save money on your dog's care. We've put together our tips on cutting costs without compromising your dog's health and happiness.

Cutting costs on your dog's supplies

The ongoing expense of your dog's supplies can be difficult to maintain when you're on a tight budget, but there are some small things that you can do to help save money.

Cheap dog food

You may be wondering whether it’s OK to feed your dog a cheaper brand of food. The good news is that healthy adult dogs just need a balanced diet that is specially made for their species. You can find all the essential nutrients needed in your dog’s food by looking for dog food that is: 

  • labelled as ‘complete’
  • approved by the Food Standards Agency (FSA)

A high price tag doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re getting the best food. Just be sure to use commercial foods and avoid feeding your dog a homemade diet, as these are unlikely to provide the nutrients your dog needs.

To help cut costs further, treats aren’t necessary for your dog’s diet and can be cut out. This will also help your dog to maintain a healthy weight.

Changing your dog’s food

New foods can cause an upset tummy in dogs, so if you do need to change your dog's food, remember to do so gradually. You can do this by mixing a small amount of the new food with their old food, and slowly increasing the new food over a few days, until your dog has fully switched over. 

If your dog shows symptoms of vomiting or diarrhoea, stop the new food, try again at a later date and introduce it at slower pace.

Buying in bulk

Buying dog food in bulk can help to save money, as it allows you to get more value for your money. The upfront cost can be more expensive, but you could consider sharing the cost with other dog owners, such as friends or family. This will also help to make sure you use the food well before the best before date! 

Tip

Don’t forget to shop around for deals on your dog’s food. You may find that their food is cheaper in places other than pet shops.

Shop second hand

Needing new supplies for your dog when you're on a tight budget can be daunting. However, shopping second hand can be a great way of picking up items such as beds, coats and toys for cheaper than you would usually find when buying them new. Keep an eye out on local selling sites and try looking for second hand items before you head to a shop. 

What happens if I can't pay my vet bill?

There's no denying that vet bills for your dog can be expensive and sometimes a trip to the vet can be needed when you least expect it.

If you find yourself without pet insurance and with no means of paying for your dog’s treatment, our low cost vet care is available to pets whose owners are on certain means-tested benefits.

If you fall into this category, you will need to check to see if you are in the catchment area for one of our hospitals or clinics, or look at other charities that offer vet treatment.

Dog insurance

Taking out a dog insurance policy is the best way to cover your dog for any unexpected vet bills. Alternatively, if you can afford to put aside a small amount of money each month, it's worth doing so to give you something to fall back on.

For more information on pet insurance, take a look at our advice.

Tip

If you're thinking of changing to a cheaper pet insurance policy, remember to look into what is included. Sometimes a cheaper policy can exclude things you may need later down the line, and pre-existing conditions may not be covered when changing to a new provider.

Pet health clubs

Pet health clubs can be a good option to help cover costs for annual vaccinations, flea and worm treatments and check-ups. They work by charging a small monthly fee, and they can also include discounts for things like neutering, pet food and dental treatment. Prices can vary, so check with your local vet practice to see what they offer.

Written prescriptions

You can sometimes save money on medication by asking your vet for a written prescription and purchasing your dog's medication online. Most vet practices will charge a fee for the prescription itself, but it's often still a cheaper option. 

Payment plans

If you find yourself needing to pay for a vet bill in a emergency with no means to do so up front, talk to your vet practice about whether they can offer a payment plan. While it's not available at all vet practices, some can offer a credit based plan to pay off your vet bill over a set amount of time.

Speak with your vet

Although talking about money can be uncomfortable, if you speak to your vet about your budget, they may be able to suggest alternative treatments that are lower in cost. 

When trying to help your dog to feel better, it can also be tempting to buy lots of different supplements that you may have found on the internet, or that have perhaps been recommended by a friend. However, sometimes evidence for these products is lacking and you may end up spending a lot of money on something that doesn’t help your dog as much you had hoped. Speak with your vet to see what options are best for your dog – there may be more effective options within your budget.

Keeping your dog healthy at home

Keeping up with your dog’s general care at home can help to lower the risk of an expensive trip to the vet.

Dog vaccinations

Keeping your dog up to date with their vaccinations and annual health check is the best thing you can do to protect them from certain common diseases. Treating your dog if they get a preventable disease will be much more expensive than the vaccination itself. Remember, vaccines are especially important for puppies and should not be postponed. 

Yearly vaccination boosters for your healthy adult dog do not need to be given exactly on the date it’s due. If you’re worried about costs, you can speak to your vet practice to discuss your options – you may be able to postpone their vaccine by a few weeks.

Tip

The price of puppy vaccinations can vary significantly between practices – you can save yourself a lot of money by shopping around for more affordable vet fees.

Dog neutering

Neutering your dog can be cost-effective in the long run. It can help you avoid the large costs of an accidental litter, will stop your dog suffering from pyometra and reduce the chance of some diseases of the prostate. Comparing prices at different vet practices can help you to save money on your dog's neutering.

If you’re struggling with neutering costs, most healthy dogs can have their neutering delayed if this is planned. You may want to speak with your vet to see what is best for your dog. If you’re worried about managing your dog’s seasons in the meantime, take a look at our advice.

Watch your dog’s weight

Keeping your dog in shape and preventing them from becoming overweight can save a lot of money in the future. Obesity in dogs can cause many different health conditions, all of which will increase your vet bill and can potentially cause them to need ongoing medication for life. 

You can prevent your dog from becoming overweight by feeding them the correct amount of food for your dog’s size and age. Recommended food amounts are often found on the packet of your dog’s food, but you might need to reduce the recommended quantity if you think your dog is gaining weight.

If you are concerned about your dog's weight, speak to your vet for advice – some may even be able to offer free weight clinics. You can also read more about dog dieting tips.

Tip

Just like diet, exercise is crucial for your dog's physical and mental health, so it’s important that they get to go out every day.

Flea and worming treatment

Regular flea and worm treatment given monthly will keep your dog free from parasites that can pose serious health risks to you and your pet.

The best flea and worm treatment options can only be prescribed by your vet. However, broad spectrum worming products containing praziquantel, febantel and pyrantel embonate will treat round and tape worm infections and are often available without a prescription in your local pet store. 

Unfortunately, these will not cover lungworm, so be sure to ask your vet about this. 

Brushing your dog’s teeth

Dental problems are often a large cause of expensive vet bills. Poor oral hygiene can lead to inflammation of your dog’s gums, and, if left untreated, it can cause gingivitis and gum disease, leaving you with a costly operation.

Learning how to brush your dog's teeth and keeping them in a good condition will help.

Clipping your dog's nails

Walking your dog on a hard, paved floor each day is the most effective way to keep your dog's nails trim. Some dogs may need their nails cutting more often, but asking your vet to show you how to do this at home can save you a fee.

Read more on grooming your dog.

Daily checks

Spotting anything unusual or different on your dog will give you an instant advantage in catching anything early. It’s worth giving your dog a daily full body check by:

  • running your hand over their coat and under their fur to feel for any lumps and bumps
  • checking paws for any cuts or scrapes
  • looking for loss of fur
  • lifting your dog’s ears to make sure they’re clear of discharge and odour
  • checking their gums and teeth for build up of plaque and inflammation

What if I’m struggling to keep up with the ongoing cost of my dog?

If you’re struggling with your dog's expenses, please do not hesitate to reach out – charities, friends and family can all help to offer advice.

Sometimes the only option may be to rehome your dog. Speak to charities to see what your options are available and what is best for your dog. We will always do our best to help.

Take a look at our rehoming advice.

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Reviewed

• 26 January 2023

Next review

• 26 January 2026

Claire crouching next to her white staffie dog
Approved by
Claire Stallard

Animal Behaviourist ABTC-CAB

Approved by
Katy Alexander

Veterinary Surgeon MRCVS