We’ve already established that cats are the pick of the litter when it comes to financially savvy pet choices. But that got us thinking about all pets and how much Aussie’s spend on their furry friends. After all, owning a pet isn’t all fluffy bunnies and rainbows. Pets can be a pretty big financial commitment too.
Collectively, Australian’s spend upwards of $12.2 billion a year on pet care and pet products. That’s $488 for every man, woman, and child! But even though that seems like a lot, if you think about it carefully and plan ahead, ensuring financial security for your pet’s future can be as easy as shooting fish in a barrel.
Hold your horses: think it out
As tempting as the doggy in the window is (you know the one with the waggily tail) an impulse buy isn’t a great idea. Take a minute to think about it. Do you have a kennel? Can you get one? What about bedding and food? Don’t throw it all together at the last minute. Sit down and plan so you can shop around for the best prices. Our fur baby module has a complete list of future costs you should consider (and some cute puppy pictures too!).
Get your ducks in a row
Once you’ve made a list, priced it, and you’re confident you can afford to be a pet owner, get those big purchases out of the way first.
You should also set aside money for microchipping, neutering, and vaccinations – vet bills can be pricey! Choose your pet wisely too—some pets are cheaper than others. The cost of keeping a fish, for example, is usually a fraction of what it costs to keep a dog.
You can teach an old dog new tricks.
Even if you already have a pet and you have no plans to expand, it’s still not too late to learn something new. Our module has some great savings tips and tricks for keeping your pet happy and content so it won’t leave you as poor as a church mouse. By freeing up cash with a few cash saving budget alterations you might even be able to buy rover a new chew toy.
Money stuff aside, all up, pets can be great fun. Why not take the time to work out your finances first so that playing with your new fur baby can live a stress-free life?
A little birdie told me it’s awesome…
