You love your Shih Tzu, but let’s face it, owning a dog can be expensive. And with prices getting higher and higher by the day, finding ways to save money as a dog owner can make owning that cute little pup much more enjoyable.
How To Save Money as a Shih Tzu Owner
There are a number of ways to save money when you own a dog.
Here are some of the best that can add up to real savings without affecting your dog’s happiness or health.
1. Two For One Pricing at the Vet
When I lived in Florida, I had a vet that had two for the price of one when it came to yearly physicals.
So, I could take both of my dogs in for their yearly exam and pay the same price I would for one.
At the time, the exam was around $100 dollars.
Which means I saved a $100 bucks and both of my dogs still got the check up that they needed.
Of course, not all vets will do this, but check around and see if you can find one that offers discounts.
If you don’t want to change your current vet and you have more than one dog, as them if they would consider some sort of discount.
It doesn’t hurt to ask.
2. Buy Pet Insurance
It is true that buying pet insurance will raise your monthly bills, but if you actually need to use it, it could save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
Insurance is always a hedge against possible issues down the line.
From homeowner’s insurance to your health insurance and car insurance, you hope you never have to use it, but you have it just in case.
The one truth about dogs, and even people, are that you and they are healthy until you aren’t.
And if you’ve had to take your Shih Tzu to the vet recently you know just how expensive it can be.
My sister just took her dog to the vet recently for teeth cleaning and it was $500 dollars.
Yikes…
3. Make a Dog Bed Instead of Buying One
They have some great dog beds on the market these days.
I know my two Shih Tzus, Truman and Sammy love their comfort beds, but again they aren’t cheep.
If you’re handy with needle and threat, you should consider making a dog bed instead of buying one.
There are plenty of patterns online to choose from, and honestly, they aren’t that hard to make.
You can save yourself some money and have a one-of-a-kind bed for your pup.
4. Make Your Dog’s Toys
While you’re making that dog bed, there’s no reason not to make a couple of toys as well.
The truth is, your Shih Tzu doesn’t care what the toy looks like, so it doesn’t need to be perfect.
A little bit of fabric and some filling is good enough.
Throw a squeaker in there from an old toy and your dog will be in heaven.
5. Keep Your Shih Tzu Healthy
While pet insurance will help with vet bills or an emergency, the best thing pet owners can do is to keep your Shih Tzu healthy to begin with.
As they say an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
Feeding your dog good food and keeping them active will go a long way to keeping them healthy.
Also, limit the amount of human food you give them as well.
It will help keep them at a healthy weight.
Typically a healthy dog doesn’t need to go to the vet except for their yearly visit and are less likely to get serious health issues.
6. Buy Dog Food in Bulk
It’s true that Shih Tzus are small dogs and don’t eat that much, so it makes sense to buy a small bag of dog food for them.
The problem is it costs a lot more to do so.
Instead, go ahead and buy the largest bag of food you can find.
Just make sure you have a proper place to store it.
I do this and I bought a tub with a great seal, so it stays fresh until the end of the bag.
And it saves me money.
7. Learn How to Groom Your Shih Tzu
Shih Tzus take a lot of grooming if you want them to look nice and not get all tangled and matted.
It can seem difficult to groom your own dog, but it really isn’t that bad, and it will save you quite a bit of money.
Depending on where you live you could be paying $50 to $100 to have your Shih Tzu groomed and a lot of people take their dog to the groomer monthly or every six weeks.
That adds up very quickly.
By bathing your dog yourself and reducing the number of times you need to go to the groomer you can keep your Shih Tzu looking and smelling great without breaking the bank.
Read here for instructions on how to give your Shih Tzu a bath.
8. Make Your Own Dog Treats
Making dog treats at home seems to be all the rage recently.
People are even selling their dog treats online.
While you certainly don’t need to go into business for yourself, there is nothing stopping you from making some for your little pup.
They will be healthier and will save you money, so that’s a win-win for you and your Shih Tzu.
You’ll find lots of easy receipts online.
9. Be Sure to Brush Your Shih Tzu’s Teeth Regularly
Dental care is important for any dog, but Shih Tzus do tend to have dental issues.
It’s true your Shih Tzu might not like getting their teeth brushed, but power through.
Starting young is the key.
10. Learn To Train Your Shih Tzu
If you decide you want to train your Shih Tzu to learn how to sit or fetch or just walk properly on a leash, then consider doing the training yourself.
Classes or a trainer don’t come cheap.
Besides, your dog will love the attention and both of you will have a real sense of achievement once you’re finished.
11. Don’t Buy Your Pet’s Medications at the Vet
It makes sense, on the surface, to buy your dog’s medications at the vet while you are getting veterinary care for your dog, but they will cost more.
Get the prescription and then check out prices online at Chewy.com or some other pet store.
You’ll be surprised at just how much you can save.
If the medication are something you don’t need a prescription for then Amazon can be a good source as well.
I buy medication for my Truman for his joints on Amazon and save quite a bit compared to the vets prices.
You might also enjoy:
How Much Does A Shih Tzu Cost?
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12. Adopt Don’t Buy Your Shih Tzu
If you plan on getting another Shih Tzu skip the breeders and adopt one that needs a good home.
You’ll find plenty on Petfinder.com.
And consider giving a good home to an older Shih Tzu.
13. Make Your Own Homemade Dog Food
Just like making dog treats you can also make your own dog food.
Pet foods come with a lot of stuff you don’t really want your dog to have anyway.
Making it at home can be a money saver and it will be better for them.
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9 Signs Your Shih Tzu Has Been Abused
To Sum it All Up:
There are a lot of ways that you can save money if you own a dog. These 13 will get you started and some of them are even fun.
