Pets cost money, but any pet parent knows they are worth it, even if that amount is anywhere from $5000 to $10,000 per year per pet. Canadians and Americans are about equal with their monthly spending, including pet food, products and vet care.

This post contains links from affiliates such as Amazon and/or Chewy online pet supply store.

But expenses are increasing across the board and that includes pet care costs. The price of veterinary medicine is cited as the number one reason some pet parents are reducing vet visits (a choice that can be costly and potentially heartbreaking later). So, how can we save money on pet care?

Here are some tips for saving money on pets that I follow, which might work for you too:

Take Advantage of Loyalty Programs

Combining both pet store and pet food manufacturers’ loyalty programs can yield the biggest savings for pet parents.

While I try to buy at local pet stores too – Ren’s Pet is one of my favourite stores in Canada – big box retailers offer a loyalty points program I take advantage of, especially when buying kitty litter (I have three cats). Not only do they offer loyalty points which add up to the occasional $5 to 10 savings at the cash register, PetSmart offers in-store discounts to those who sign up for the Treats Rewards program. And yes, they are collecting data.

The Canadian-based Ren’s Pet also offers the Ren’s Pet Rewards Program. Points also accumulate for cash rebates, and your pet gets a free gift (or two) on their birthday or gotcha day. I combine this with some manufacturers’ offers. For example, I buy Canadian Naturals Pet Food regularly. For every 10 bags I buy, I get one free bag.

Shop Online Especially During Promos

Online sales can save you gas and money.

Chewy is my go-to for online buying – and yes, this site is a Chewy affiliate, but again that’s because I use this supplier regularly. Chewy ships across the US and now to select locations in Canada – primarily Southern Ontario. I’ve found them incredibly fast and reliable.

Plus, prices of pet supplies on Chewy tend to be slightly less than in-store, and I’m saving gas money, time and effort not driving to the store. Promo periods are the best time to try this online service.

Looking for Pet Products and Food? Check out Chewy here – now delivering to parts of Canada too!

Here is what Chewy is offering this month, that I’ll be taking advantage of too:

• Between April 13 and 19, 2026, spend $100, or more and get a $30 e-gift card for your next purchase
• If you haven’t tried Chewy yet, between April 20 and 30, 2026, spend $49 or more, and get a $20 e-gift card with the code WELCOME. New customers only.
• Until April 27, 2026, buy 3 and get the 4th free with Chewy’s Mix, Match & Save promo. Good time to stock up on dog chews

Do Some In-Home Grooming

Regular washing and brushing can reduce costs at professional groomers.

I have to admit, washing the dog is one of my least favourite household tasks, but I have been trying to wash – and brush – her more between grooming visits. I don’t think I can do without at least semi-regular grooming visits thanks to the ‘feathers’ on my spaniel’s legs that attract burrs like Velcro.

Having some at-home grooming equipment, including a quick hand dryer, has helped. Yes, I am an affiliate for Neakasa pet products (I receive a small percentage of each sale), and I am also a regular user of the company’s products, especially the dryer. I’m also a fan of this easy-to-use CHI rubber brush (affiliate link) and the HandsOn Grooming Gloves (affiliate link), especially for my cats.

For the record, my groomer of choice in Hamilton, Ontario is Joanna at Barkn Bubbles Dog Spa – located in the Be Café and Barkery on 9 Richwill Road. Other professional groomers have given me the advice (see here) that regularly brushing your own dog and making it easier for groomers can bump you up on the client list and avoid ‘extra’ costs if there’s excessive matting.

Price Prescriptions at Pharmacies

Getting veterinary prescriptions filled at human pharmacies might save you money on both drugs cleared for human and animal use and now pet-specific medications.

In Ontario, Canada, and other provinces and US states, it’s been true for a while that you can fill pet prescriptions at human pharmacies, if that medication is the same medication used for people and comes in appropriate doses. In fact, I filled my previous dog’s cognitive disfunction medication at a human pharmacy. Turns out, it was the same meds people take. However, you do need a prescription from a veterinarian.

Recently, many Canadian human pharmacies have begun stocking and dispensing veterinary medication thanks to changes in contracts that permit drug manufacturers to sell directly to pharmacies, and not vet clinics exclusively. Prescriptions, of course, are still necessary.

At the time my vet gave me a prescription for my previous dog, they did not charge a fee to write that prescription. Canadian vets can legally charge a fee for that service, and there’s no legal cap on that fee. So that might factor in any cost-savings analysis.

Overall…

At the end of the day, caring for our pets is all joy with occasional costs, and those costs are unfortunately rising. I’ve found that being a little intentional with spending helps keep pet expenses down, and as do regular savings and (let’s be honest) strict budgeting.

Writer bio: Sherri Telenko has been a professional writer for decades and a travel writer for the last two. She’s a member of TMAC (Travel Media Association of Canada) and Dog Writers Association of America and travels almost weekly with her canine companion, Victoria.Contact Sherri at dogtrotting.net here. All written content is original, written by a person, and based on experience and research. Please subscribe!