SAVING MONEY ON DOG EXPENSES

Your pup can run up the bills, but we're here to help with some wallet-friendly tips and tricks.

- MIA TAYLOR

JUST AS WITH other family members, dogs' needs and living expenses impact the household budget and bottom line.

According to the American Kennel Club, the average annual cost of dog ownership ranges widely, but a ballpark figure is $2,400 a year. That price tag includes food, treats, dog toys, beds, leashes, and routine veterinary care, among other things. Savvy owners, however, have a helpful list of money-saving hacks.

Shop Supplies at Discount Stores

The cost of purchasing pet supplies like beds, bowls, and toys can quickly add up, but that doesn't have to be the case, says Stephanie Mantilla, a former zookeeper who is now an enrichment specialist and positive reinforcement-based animal trainer for Curiosity Trained, in Houston. Mantilla suggests shopping at discount department store chains to score a bargain on basic pet necessities.

"Stores like HomeGoods and Marshalls carry pet items," says Mantilla, author of How to Clicker Train Your Cat. "You can usually get everything you need for a new pet, including leashes and crates, at significant savings. These stores get brand-new products when there's overstock and sell them with big markdowns," she says.

Buy Generic-Brand Pet Food

We all want to feed our pets high-quality food that's free of artificial ingredients and fillers, and we also don't want to break the bank in the process. See if your brand of choice has a generic line, suggests Mantilla; those foods can be just as healthy, but also less expensive. For example, the Texas-based brand Merrick, which says it uses whole foods and no preservatives, also makes Whole Earth Farms, a lowerpriced option, she points out.