by Shauna Zamarripa

Created on: November 03, 2008   Last Updated: November 24, 2008

When money gets tight around the house, one of the first things that many households cut back on is care for their pets. However, we can't ignore the needs of our furry and feathered friends because we are on a budget. There are some great ways to keep your pet's quality of life high while keeping your expenses low.

The things we need for those we love
Many of the things we purchase for our pets are things that we use for our own convenience. Cutting back on a few frivolities can mean stretching your dollar to your pet's necessities like veterinary care and quality food.

High priced scented cat litter is a great example of something that you don't need. While you might need to clean out the litter box a bit more, or using baking soda as a deodorizer, cutting down on the expense of cat litter by replacing it with a lower priced brand, using newspapers, or teaching your cat how to use the toilet can be a major dollar saver in a recession.

Decorative collars are another way to cut back on expenses. Consider replacing that expensive collar with a bandana or something else where you can still display your pup's nametag without the added expense of high priced neckwear. Collars are more for us as owners than they are for Fido or Fluffy, so getting creative and making your own can make a big difference on your budget. If you have an animal that is indoors most of the time, you might even consider no collar at all.

Puppy pampering
High priced pet shampoos can be easily substituted with regular dish soap. Dish soap is not only gentle enough to give your dog a good bath, but it is also a natural flea repellant, which can save money on flea collars and treatments. Learning to groom your dog on your own, as opposed to taking them to the puppy parlor, can be a major dollar saver, and give you some great quality time with your four-legged friend.

Toys can easily be replaced with more practical means of entertainment for our furry friends. Cats are just as happy with an inexpensive ball of yarn as they are with expensive cat toys. The savings to you, however, are large when you consider the average costs of cat toys are $3.00 and up.

Dogs can still enjoy a bone; just provide them bones from ribs or other red meats that you buy. You can enjoy a serving of barbequed ribs or boil the meat of these bones in a soup for yourself and then toss the leftovers to Fido.

You've got to eat
Don't cut back on the quality of your pet food, as that could be detrimental to your pet's health. Instead, look at buying quality pet foods in bulk, which can be a great way to save money. Also, supplement your pet's food with things that are safe for them to eat, like left over table scraps. This way you aren't wasting any food, or having to use a lot of the expensive pet foods you purchase at one time.

When it comes down to it, caring for your pet in a recession is really just about learning how to stretch your dollar without sacrificing the necessities that your pets need. Chances are, if you make a list of all of the pet supplies you purchase month to month, half of those are frivolous and could be replaced with more cost effective and reusable options.

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