While we may all love our furry canines, the associated dog costs can be mind-blowing! USA Today recently stated that dog expenses can be in excess of $4,500 a year.
YIKES!!!
But there are ways to lower your dog costs and still provide great dog care. Some options you can even do in a day.
Today, let’s dig in and discover simple ways you can lower your dog costs in a day. I personally use these with my dog, Henry and they do work for all dogs!


Budget tip:
While owning a dog, pet, or other animal can be expensive, there are simple things you can incorporate into your daily routine that make a big impact on your annual cost or monthly cost. For example, you may not think a dog walk impacts your dog's true cost, but it certainly does in the long run. Taking simple steps today can help improve your dog’s health and your wallet. That’s a major win-win for your pooch and your bank monthly expenses!
How much does a dog cost?
Yes, pets and pups can be expensive. Especially if they have an ongoing health issue or are involved in an accident. While you may find varying estimates for your yearly dog expenses, you can expect to budget about $4,500 per year.
Are there really ways to easily reduce the costs of dog parenthood?
Yes! I do it every day and you can as well. It doesn’t take much, but it does have an impact on your bottom line. These ideas allow for wise affectionate pet care.
1. Walk and exercise

I asked my veterinarian a while for ways to simply help a dog live longer and he immediately said daily dog walking is critical. Thus, keeping your pup fit is an essential part of keeping your veterinary care expenses down. This goes for all types of dogs such as a large dog, purebred dog, adult dog, small dog, senior dog, new dog, and even puppies.
Moreover, if you don’t have the time to walk or exercise your pup daily, you can hire a dog walker. Although, it is an initial cost, keeping your dog healthy will keep your veterinary costs lower in the long run.
If your hound doesn’t enjoy typical fetch playful games, don’t worry. My dog doesn’t like dog toys but is well-exercised.
Additionally, your dog may love doggy daycare as much as Henry. He always comes home well-exercised and exhausted. That’s a very good thing for both of us!
2. Brushing

Yes, the simple act of brushing your pup can reduce your dog’s annual expense. This means not just during shedding season, but regularly.
As such, every dog needs to be brushed regularly, despite the dog breed. I brush my dog daily. It helps to keep mats at bay. Additionally, I monitor his body for sensitive areas, stickers, lumps, and bumps. If I notice anything I can act quickly before it becomes an issue and an expense vet bill.
3. Home grooming

If you’re used to taking your doggie to the groomer every six weeks or so, that can add up quickly. I started grooming Henry a few years ago. Shockingly I paid for the razor and scissors with one at-home grooming.
Although I admit, it can take a while to get the hang of grooming your canine, it is definitely an expense you can reduce.
However, if your dog doesn’t like being groomed, has a disability, or you physically can’t groom your pup, then a groomer can be a great cost to minimize further injury to your dog or yourself.
4. Nails and paws

Keeping your pup’s nails trimmed can reduce the onset of mobility issues and even arthritis. However, caring for your fur kid’s paws properly can reduce painful cracks and sore spots. This all means a lower vet bill and reduced dog costs.
I trim Henry’s nails frequently. This is similar to the nail grinder I currently use with him.
5. Watch treats and food

I know I can fall for Henry asking for more food or another cookie. Who can resist a sad puppy dog look?
But I also know that an overweight dog means an increased risk of other health issues like diabetes, asthma, and even arthritis. So, I watch what he eats and never overfeed him.
Additionally, I often make him homemade dog treats which allows me to control the ingredients and portion of the cookies. It’s another great way to reduce dog expenses and future costs from veterinary clinics.
Also, if you select the best dog food possible it can help with your pet care annual expenses and improve your overall dog health.
6. Mental stimulation

Vets will tell you, including my vet, that you can help your dog live a longer life easily with daily mental stimulation. An engaged dog is a much healthier dog. Thus, you can avoid future bills from your dog destroying your couch or perhaps developing dementia.
A simple trick is to use mealtime stimulation, an engagement dog toy, or even a licky pad with each meal.
7. Clean accessories

You may not immediately think of clean dog accessories as impacting your bottom line, but they most certainly can, and in a big way.
For example, a dirty water or a pet food bowl can carry bacteria that can make your dog sick and result in a pricey vet bill. However, it’s easy to wash your pup’s bowls daily and reduce these sorts of unexpected vet bills.
In fact, I have a rule that if it’s something I wouldn’t do, like drink dirty water, I won’t allow Henry to either. That simple idea does help to reduce dog costs as well and keep your pup healthy.
8. Safe zone

Giving your dog a place he knows is safe can help calm your pup. It provides a place where he knows he can retreat when he experiences anxiety or even separation anxiety. A safe zone with a comfy dog bed or dog crate (well actually I have a few for Henry) has helped him tremendously. His body can function normally even in a stressful situation and we don’t need to see the vet because he hasn’t pooped for days.
9. Calming

Along with a safe zone, other simple acts like a heartbeat toy, crate, and calming treat can result in a much more peaceful pup.
For Henry, these tools are a big game-changer! Thus when your pup is calm, you aren’t stressed about your dog being stressed. Moreover, you don’t have to worry about your dog damaging your personal items or themselves when they are calm.
10. Training

Simply spending time with your dog doing basic obedience training or taking dog training classes does help to reduce your overall dog expenses. This is because when your dog knows the commands down, sit, stay, wait, and come, you don’t have to worry about an accident like running into a busy street or knocking over an elderly person.
Thus, your stress and bills can be reduced with dog training. Henry loves to learn during a training session. But if you don’t have the time or money to train your dog, don’t fret. There are ways to train your pup on your schedule and even for free.
How do these 10 actions reduce my dog expenses?
If you aren’t convinced yet that you can act today and impact your bank account, then consider the following for a moment.
Issue | Possible Cost |
Arthritis | $700 |
Asthma | $250 – 1,500 +/- |
Diabetes | $2,700 |
Skin inflammations | $200 – 2,500 |
Groomer | $25 – 150 every 4-8 weeks |
Growths (including tumors) | $300 – 1,600 |
Paw and nail issues | $200 – 1,000 |
Dementia | $106+ |
Infections | $800 – 2,000 |
Damaged property | $40000 +/- |
Injured pup (emergency expenses) | $100 – 5,000+ |
Healthy dog and happy dog parent (and wallet) | PRICELESS! |
While pet insurance may pay for some of these issues, why not avoid them all together? All pets deserve the best care and good homes from their humans.
Related articles:
- Vet Extends A Dog’s Lifespan For Free!
- 17 Things to Look for in a Good Dog Walker
- How A Dog Who Doesn’t Like Toys Plays!
- Easy Home Dog Brushing Solution
- A Dog Nail Grinder Boosts Your Pet’s Health & Saves Money!
- Can Healthy Dog Paws Improve Your Bottomline?
- Is Overfeeding A Dog Harmful?
- Shocking Guide of How Homemade Dog Treats Save BIG!
- Mind Games for Dogs Every Dog Loves!
- Pawsitively Perfect: Dog Lick Mat Benefits
- Money-Saver! Best Dog Accessory Cleaning Tips!
- Creating Dog Safe Spaces: Easy and Cheap
- Cuddly Cute! A Dog Heartbeat Stuffed Animal
- Chew, Pee, Love: Hidden Dog Expenses
- Basic Dog Training Reduces Expenses: Easy!
- Is There a Cheap Easy Way to Train Your Dog?
Wag-Worthy Ways to Reduce Expenses Daily and Keep Your Pup Healthy!
Yes, dog ownership costs can be high at times. But the love you get from dog ownership is much higher.
While it may not cross your mind that the simple acts you do today with your fur kid can impact your annual costs, but they do!
As a comparison, think about when your doctor has told you to stay active, eat right, or don’t smoke to avoid long-term health issues, it’s the same sort of thing for your pup.
Thus, what you do or don’t do today impacts your furry buddy’s life and your wallet. Therefore, you can make wise decisions, provide good homes, and take it further by implementing these 10 ideas and letting them build dividends over time. It’s a smart and loving way to care for your pup. I know Henry is better off for this type of care as is my pocketbook!

The most important take away for free? Walking a dog reduces your bills. What is not to love about that. It really makes you think, we worry so much about bills and one simple action helps, especially when you look at the cost of NOT doing it.
What a great post.
Great post and am working with Nili at the moment with all, I unfortunately do not have space in my tiny studio for a crate bus she has Layla’s box if she wants it but is not interested. Wherever she lies down and is comfortable and is all that counts. Her treats are veggies. Have a great week and hugs to Henry from us xxx
We save so much money by grooming/brushing and trimming nails at home! Great tips!!!!!