Money

Spending Shakedown – Pets

Published on January 20, 2019 12:44 am, by Jen Bakker

Wow. Who knew that being a pet owner could be so expensive! We’ve collected some hints and tips on saving money on the things you need to do and buy for your pets.

Pets & Pet Care

When it comes to things like Pet Grooming, you can do it yourself for nothing. There are plenty of resources available online to let you know how and what equipment you may need:

https://www.petmd.com/dog/care/evr_dg_diy-tips-for-grooming-dog-at-home
https://www.petsafe.net/learn/diy-dog-grooming-basics

If you find it difficult, did you know that it’s often less costly for the vet to clip your animal’s nails than it is for a pet groomer or pet shop assistant? But don’t take our word for it, check in with your vet and the local pet groomers.

Pet training is often an early expense for new pet owners. However, it is another thing you can do at home. Here are some sites to get you started if you wish to do your own training –

https://shopus.furbo.com/blogs/training/puppy-obedience-training-at-home
https://www.thesprucepets.com/steps-to-train-your-dog-1118273
https://www.dummies.com/pets/dogs/dog-training-for-dummies-cheat-sheet/

If you have become a dog owner and want to take your pet to pet training then the options from most expensive to least are –

• Private Pet training
• Group pet training
• Group training through the RSPCA

When it comes to purchasing equipment and accessories to care for your pet or for their enjoyment, it’s certainly worth shopping around. Many of the more well-known pet stores do have Price Match Guarantees.

These stores all have a price match guarantee on the products they sell. If you go into a physical store, we suggest doing an online price check and if you find the products cheaper, ask them to match the price.

• Pet Stock have a price match guarantee and will match physical and online stores in Australia who stock the same product
• Pet Barn also has a price match guarantee
• Pet Circle also has a price match guarantee and will refund the difference up to 5 days after your purchase if you find a cheaper price

Vet

There are a couple of ways to keep your costs lower here –

1. To ring around and ask for a price on the service you want
2. Purchase a vet program

Vet programs are available through some major pet retailers and they provide consultations at an all-inclusive price. An example may be https://www.bestfriendspets.com.au/complete-care.

Pet Food

There are lots of advocates out there for making your own pet food. It can be as simple as a pot of boiling water with meat and veg offcuts, perhaps also adding in some mince and rice.

Other tips include –

• Buying pet food in bulk
• Stocking up when it’s on sale
• Making sure you’re not overfeeding your animal
• If you’re buying at pet stores, see if they have a price match guarantee

Price Match Guarantee

These stores all have a price match guarantee on the products they sell. If you go into a physical store, we suggest doing an online price check and if you find the food cheaper, ask them to match the price.

• Pet Stock have a price match guarantee and will match physical and online stores in Australia who stock the same product
• Pet Barn also has a price match guarantee
• Pet Circle also has a price match guarantee and will refund the difference up to 5 days after your purchase if you find a cheaper price

Pet Insurance

The more research we do into Pet Insurance the more polarising we understand that it really is. Many people who have had pet insurance express unhappiness with policy choices, premiums and the claims process. Some others say it’s the only way to go citing the tens of thousands in vet bills it has saved them.

Pro-pet insurance advocates say:

• Some breeds have a higher likelihood of requiring things like joint surgeries, just know your policy
• Things like obstructions cost $5000 and often occur in pups, many years of premiums returned

Anti-pet insurance advocates say:

• Lots of things aren’t covered
• Pet Insurance is a rort
• Putting money away equal to what pet insurance premiums would be will leave you better off

If you decide pet insurance is for you, research your policy, ask your vet for a recommendation, and read reviews from others who have insured with that company. Here is a good place to start in your research for pet insurance – https://www.choice.com.au/money/insurance/pet/buying-guides/pet-insurance

If you do buy Pet Insurance, it makes sense to buy it when your pet is young. Generally premiums increase steeply as your pet gets older. Once you’ve selected a provider you are pretty much stuck with them for as long as you want the policy as well because competitors will generally charge more (because your pet will be older than when you first took out the policy and pre-existing conditions won’t be covered).

If you decide pet insurance isn’t for you, it’s important to set aside funds for a pet emergency. Many people manage their unexpected pet expenses by opening an account and depositing a regular amount, maybe in line with the cost of pet insurance premiums. Then if they need the money they have it there. If they don’t, what a bonus, they have thousands of dollars they would have otherwise spent on premiums.

Pet Expenses

Make sure your dog or cat is registered, as if you do not do so you may be fined. The cost of registering a desexed animal is slightly less than a non-desexed animal. Registering protects pets, owners, and the community. It increases the chances of your pet being returned to you safely if they get lost.

New South Wales

In NSW failure to register your animal can result in a $330 fine. Pet registration is for a lifetime. The cost is –

• A desexed animal $58
• A desexed animal owned by a pensioner $25
• A non-desexed animal (unless you are a recognised breeder) $210
• A non-desexed animal if you’re a recognised breeder $58

Queensland

In QLD failure to register your animal can result in a $266 fine. Pet registration is an annual fee. Registration costs vary between local councils, the annual cost in Brisbane is –

• A desexed animal $38.10
• A non-desexed animal (unless you are a recognised breeder) $109.15
• A non-desexed animal if you’re a recognised breeder $58
• Pensioners receive a 50% discount

Victoria

Pet registration is an annual cost in Victoria and varies per council area. Failure to register your animal can result in a fine up to $500. In Melbourne the annual registration cost is –

• A desexed and/or over 10-year-old animal $60
• A non-desexed animal (unless you are a recognised breeder) $180
• First-year is free if you purchase from an animal shelter
• Concession cardholders receive a 50% discount

Western Australia

WA has a variety of options for paying Pet registration with different prices for dogs and cats. You can also choose to pay annually,  3 yearly or for a lifetime. You will find the current rates for Perth here: https://www.perth.wa.gov.au/live-and-work/residents/pets-and-animals

Tasmania

In Tasmania, failure to register your animal can result in a fine between $168 and $840. Pet registration is an annual fee. The annual cost for standard animals is –

• A desexed animal $45
• A non-desexed animal $120
• Pensioners receive a 50% discount

https://www.hobartcity.com.au/Residents/Pets-and-animals/Dogs/Dog-registration-and-microchipping

South Australia

In Tasmania, failure to register your animal can generally result in a fine between $170 and $750. Pet registration is an annual fee. The annual cost for standard animals is –

• Standard registration (microchipped & desexed) $74.50
• Non-standard registration (not microchipped & not desexed) $37
• 50% concession applies to eligible concession cardholders

https://www.cityofadelaide.com.au/resident/home-management/dog-cat-registration/

Northern Territory

You can register your pet for annually, for 5 years or for their lifetime. Eligible Concession Cardholders will receive discounts. Fees and charges are listed here https://www.darwin.nt.gov.au/live/pets-wildlife/great-pets-start-with-you/pet-registration-microchipping

Australian Capital Territory

Pets are registered in the ACT for their lifetime. Eligible Concession Cardholders will receive discounts. Fees and charges are listed here https://www.cityservices.act.gov.au/about-us/fees_and_charges

In the ACT owners of dogs can also be fined for not exercising their pets.