25 Money-Saving Hacks All Pet Owners Should Know

What You’ll Need: Baking Soda / Cornstarch
Est. Cost: $1/lb*

Trimming a pet’s nails isn’t something most people want to do. They need to do it if they don’t want to end up with scratches all over themselves and the furniture. Many pet parents take the responsibility of cutting their pet’s nails upon themselves. Sadly, accidents happen sometimes.

Stop Sore Nails With Baking Soda ©Jus_Ol/Shutterstock.com

If you cut your dog or cat’s nails too short and notice a little blood, don’t panic. Instead, apply baking soda or cornstarch to the wound. The two substances should help with the discomfort and stop the bleeding. When the bleeding stops, clean the injured area by gently rubbing it on a bar of soap.

What You’ll Need: 1 Rope & 1 Tube of Toothpaste
Est. Cost: $10*

One of the most important things about good dental hygiene is ensuring that one’s teeth are brushed. The same is true for the cuddly companions you’ve decided to take into your home. Since they don’t comprehend the importance of a good brush, getting a pet to sit still long enough to get the job done can be difficult. 

Put Dog Toothpaste On A Rope Toy @IHeartDogsCom/Pinterest

Instead of exhausting the effort needed to clean your canine’s canines, let them do it. Apply some of your dog’s toothpaste to one of their favorite rope toys (not covering it), then let them chew and tug away while giving themselves a teeth-cleaning. If you don’t have any rope toys, these can be picked up for just a couple of dollars on Amazon.

What You’ll Need: 1 lb Carrots
Est. Cost: $0.52*

Giving your dog meat with a bone can seem like the ideal treat – but it isn’t. Grinding away at a bone can lead to sharp shards of bone sticking into the dog’s throat, or worse. One of those bone shards has the potential to inflict irreparable damage to the dog’s insides. That said, it’s best to avoid the problem altogether by giving your dog carrots to chew on instead of bones.

Give Carrots Instead Of Bones ©Nicole Lienemann/Shutterstock.com

Carrots are not only better for a dog’s diet than a bone, but the orange root veggie also poses less of a direct threat to a dog’s well-being. Most dogs love the crunch of raw carrots and the ease at which cooked ones go down. Move over Bugs; bunnies aren’t the only animals eating carrots anymore.

What You’ll Need: One Jug Of 100% Neem Oil, Vegetable Oil, Aloe Vera Gel
Est. Cost: $19.99*

Even if there are no signs of fleas on your dog or cat, it’s still a good idea to give them a preventative treatment once every few months. A concoction of 100% neem oil, vegetable oil, and aloe gel works very well to prevent fleas from bothering dogs. Put some mixture into your hands and rub it through your dog’s fur.

Use Neem Oil To Deter Fleas ©Te9l/Shutterstock.com

But don’t even think about using anything containing neem oil on a cat – it’s not healthy for them. Alternatively, cats have no problem with neem tea leaves that’s been steeped and cooled. Apply the tea to your cat in the same manner as you did the oil to your dog and continue to keep your home (and their fur) flea free.

What You’ll Need: A White Towel And A Brush
Est. Cost: $10*

Fleas should not be taken lightly. They are tiny little pests that — when left alone — infest and terrorize dogs and cats like little vampires that refuse to leave after they’ve had their fill. Alternatively, they set up camp. A pet’s person should purchase flea treatment at the first sign of the little bloodsuckers. But how do you know if your pal is infested or if it’s just dirt?

Do The White Towel Flea Test ©Photo_mts/Shutterstock.com

That’s easy. Put your pet on a white towel and run a comb or brush through their fur/hair. Look for anything dark that isn’t dirt. If you find something, it’s time for a flea bath.

What You’ll Need: Cornstarch And A Brush
Est. Cost: $7*

Unlike cats, who groom themselves constantly and prefer to remain as clean as possible at all times, dogs don’t mind getting down and dirty. In fact, after extensive firsthand observation, it would be easy to conclude that they prefer it. They might not mind their fur being tangled and dirty, but their people usually do. 

Use Cornstarch On Tangled Fur @Doodle Doods/Youtube

Are you having trouble getting those last few tangles out of your dog’s fur? A sprinkle of cornstarch will loosen up those knots and make them easier to brush. Your dog doesn’t know it yet, but they are going to look and feel great by the time their impromptu cornstarch spa treatment is finished.

What You’ll Need: Coconut Oil 
Est. Cost: $15-$20*

Mixing a small dose of coconut oil into their cat’s food once in a while has become popular amongst some cat parents. There is a rumor going around that a quarter of a teaspoon of the oil will help prevent hairballs. However, like anything that sounds too good to be true, coconut oil comes with its warnings as well.

Give Your Cat Coconut Oil @krazycouponlady/Pinterest

Although there are some benefits to giving your cat light doses of coconut oil every once in a while, it’s essential to keep an eye on the kitty’s health in the days after consumption. Some cats’ stomachs are quite sensitive to the oil and might get upset. If they experience diarrhea, it’s a good sign that you should stay away from trying that treatment again.

What You’ll Need: Multiple Water Bowls
Est. Cost: $5/Bowl*

Training pets to know which of the water bowls is theirs (and which is not) isn’t going to be easy, but if you’re able to do it, there will be much less confrontation around your pets’ water cooler. Getting a dog to abide by the rules shouldn’t be too challenging, but if a cat is involved, it will most likely do what it wants. 

Have One Water Bowl Per Pet ©ALEX_UGALEK/Shutterstock.com

If that’s the case, you might need to keep each animal’s bowl in a separate part of the house. Having their own bowl also helps cut down on the unnecessary spread of germs and bacteria.

What You’ll Need: Windows That Lock
Est. Cost: N/A

A dog usually looks content sitting in a car next to its person with the wind blowing in its face. As much as you might want to lower the window further to let it enjoy the ride, don’t. A car window should not be open more than a couple inches. No matter how well trained a dog is, there’s always the chance it can jump.

Keep Windows Rolled Up While Driving ©Gorlov-KV/Shutterstock.com

Sometimes it’s not enough to keep the windows closed; the window lock should be used as well. Dogs are intelligent creatures, and if they see a person use the window button enough times, they might learn to lower the window themselves. No joke, it’s happened.

What You’ll Need: Green Tea
Est. Cost: $7-$10*

It’s time to stop wasting money on kitty litter that promises to mask the smells of your cat’s “business” because there is no way to guarantee it will work. Save yourself the hassle by looking no further than your own home for the solution. 

Use Green Tea To Stop Kitty Litter Smells @shopify/Pinterest

There’s a herbal remedy for just about everything these days, and the pungent aromas from your cat’s litter box are no exception. Try sprinkling green tea leaves into the cat’s litter. It will help you pre-emptively fight the inevitable odor by soaking up what your cat lays down. 

What You’ll Need: Cat Carrier
Est. Cost: Free

A cat will often freak out a little when it’s time to go into its carrier for a trip outside the house. The only time most cats are used to seeing their carriers is when it’s time for a visit to the vet, so it’s understandable that they might not enjoy the sight of them too much.

Leave The Cat Carrier Out ©Africa Studio/Shutterstock.com

A cat carrier doesn’t necessarily have to be put away when it’s not in use. Seeing the carrier, and having the opportunity to wander in and out of it at will, should help disassociate the carrier from vet check-ups. Then again, some cats enjoy being in their carriers. They like the fresh air and different scenery.

What You’ll Need: Allergy Relief Shampoo or Doggie Moisturizer
Est. Cost: $20/bottle*

It’s every pet parent’s responsibility to keep an eye out for any odd behavior coming from their non-human companions. If you’ve noticed your little friend scratching more than usual or with an excess of dandruff/flakey skin, you should take them to the vet for a quick check-up. They might be having an allergic reaction to something.

Dry Skin Can Signal Allergies @thesprucepets.com/Pinterest.com

Pet allergies should be taken just as seriously as human ones. Most skin allergies can be treated with a doggie moisturizer, but in some cases, a vet may suggest allergy relief shampoo as an alternative. If the pet doctor doesn’t have any in stock, Walmart has a terrific selection for under $20/bottle.

What You’ll Need: Washing Detergent
Est. Cost: $15-$20*

Accidents happen more often than you’d like when you have pets, and no matter how hard you try, there’s no way to prevent them from occurring. If you arrive home after a long day at work to the smell of poop or pee, the worst thing to do is get upset because there’s no way of changing the past. 

Clean Pet Stains With Biological Washing Detergent ©Africa Studio/Shutterstock.com

Use biological washing detergents to aid in cleaning up the mess as soon as possible. Spreading the powder over the soiled area will break down the smells and prevent them from becoming your house’s signature aroma.

What You’ll Need: N/A
Est. Cost: N/A

If you’ve ever walked barefoot in the sand on a scorching hot day or stepped onto the pavement outside when it’s 100° F, you know how hot the ground can get. However, although dogs are better equipped to walk on the hot ground, that doesn’t mean they don’t feel the heat.

Protect Your Dog's Paws From Hot Pavement ©Annette Shaff/Shutterstock.com

Why make your pet endure the pain of burning their feet when you don’t have to. Pick cooler parts of the day to go for walks or try walking on the grass instead of the sidewalk. If need be, you can always order a cute pair of dog shoes to protect those paws and make sure they’re ready to “shake” without discomfort when you get home.