Ask The Readers: Do You Have Pets?

Editor's Note: Congratulations to Marissa, @1bets1, and Bernard Boulanger for winning this week's contest!

As the "mom" of a 3 year old golden retriever and 13 year old kitty, I know firsthand that the costs associated with pet ownership can often be a huge budget drainer. Many animal lovers like myself choose to make pets part of their families despite the costs. However, other people choose to avoid the expenses associated with pet ownership by not bringing an animal into their home.

Do you have pets? Why or why not? What do you do to save money on pet-related expenses? Do the benefits of pet ownership outweigh the costs?

Tell us whether or not you have pets and we'll enter you in a drawing to win a $20 Amazon Gift Card!

Win 1 of 3 $20 Amazon Gift Cards

We're doing three giveaways — one for random comments, one for random Facebook "Likes", and another one for random tweets.

Enter 1 of 3 Ways:

  • Post your answer in the comments below, or
  • Go to our Facebook page, "Like" us, then "Like" the update mentioning this giveaway (you can comment, as well — but you don't have to for entry), or
  • Tweet your answer. You have to be a follower of our @wisebread account. Include both "@wisebread" and "#WBAsk" in your tweet so we'll see it and count it.

If you're inspired to write a whole blog post OR you have a photo on flickr to share, please link to it in the comments or tweet it.

Giveaway Rules:

  • Contest ends Monday, March 28th at 11:59 pm Pacific. Winners will be announced after March 28th on the original post and via Twitter. Winners will also be contacted via email, Facebook, and Twitter Direct Message.
  • You can enter all three drawings — once by leaving a comment, once by liking our Facebook update, and once by tweeting.
  • You must be 18 and US resident to enter. Void where prohibited.

Good Luck!

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Guest's picture
Erin

no, the bf is allergic :(

Ashley Jacobs's picture

That's a bummer! Would you have pets if he wasn't allergic?

Guest's picture
Cheryl

I have five pets, 4 cats and 1 dog. I can't imagine my life without them.

Ashley Jacobs's picture

I know how you feel! :)

Guest's picture
Joanna

I have one cat. He's pretty low maintenance and hasn't required much in the way of surprise expenses, thank goodness!

Guest's picture
Guest

I have pets two cats and one dog. My cats are nearly 15 and my dog is 10. I love them all. As they pass over time I will have probably one dog and a small one. Hopefully no cats unless I weaken and take in a stray. I need to keep my costs down because I am approaching the retirement years.

Guest's picture
Kat

Are they worth it? You betcha! We consider our feline an 'entertainment and mental health' cost. Saving by feeding him quality food for good health - but not letting him eat smorgasbord style. I also made him a scratching post out of scrap cardboard. That with a fresh box every now and then, and he does not need pricey toys!

Ashley Jacobs's picture

Haha, I love that! Pet's are definitely a fun form of entertainment. They do the funniest things sometimes!

Guest's picture
Danielle

I have pets now, and always did. I currently have two kittens, soon to be cats, that were rescues and are sisters, an old Maine Coon from my mom's house, and her sister's shih tzus, who are brothers.

They can get expensive, but I use Care Credit, and the vet I go to is so nice and he understands. I buy their food in bulk, between BJs, and the newly opened Aldi!!

When people ask why I have pets (and so many), I tell them that these creatures needed a home, and I gave them one. When I come home from work they're there to greet me, they're very entertaining with me, or among themselves, and they just make me smile (when they're not driving me nuts:)

Guest's picture
Jill

We have pets! 2 dogs, 1 cat, 1 hamster and 1 goldfish. In the past we have even had rats, mice, larger fish, degu and rabbits. I love having furry friends around and living in the country I love having dogs that bark :) The cost is definitely worth it to me when you get so much more in return!

Guest's picture
aeko

I have 2 small 10year old dogs. Due to their age related health issues their monetary cost has increased, straining my budget. I have decided that when they pass, I will not bring another pet into my life. A decision that saddens me greatly.

Ashley Jacobs's picture

Awww, I'm sorry to hear that. Maybe you will change your mind someday...

Guest's picture
Ginny

Yes, I have 3 dogs and a cat - all spoiled rotten!

Guest's picture

We used to have pets growing up and I even lived on a farm where we raised sheep. Today, I live in subrbia with my husband and without any pets. Its better that way for us- because we're always on the run. We want to be sure we have that freedom!

Guest's picture

I have had cats and dogs my entire life and my life is better with them than without them. My dog is my workout walking buddy so he keeps me in shape. To cut costs, I adopted my pets from pounds/animal control, animal shelters and pet rescue groups where the low adoption fee covered spaying or neutering, health check, vaccinations and microchipping. I then take them to local low cost vaccination clinics for their annual vaccinations but do take them at least once a year to our regular vet for health check, blood tests, dental cleanings, etc. I groom my pets at home (brush, bathe, clean ears, trim hair and nails). I have also heard that if your pet is ill or injured, a veterinary college is the best affordable option but I have not personally used one. Last but not least, the best way to keep your pets healthy is to feed them high quality pet food. The cost of high quality food far outweighs the vet bills you will have to pay due to health problems related to poor nutrition.

To find low cost spay/neuter & vaccination clinics near you contact your local animal shelter, animal control or humane society or go to: http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/spayneuter/

Guest's picture
Ms. Jenn

I have a Chihuahua, who was a total impulse by. She's brought my family IMMENSE joy and my therapist actually credited her with helping me through my anxiety and some emotional conflicts. She's very loving and hilarious at times.

Having such a small dog with short hair means grooming in the sink, instead of paying for it. It also means that huge bag of food will last you months or even a year. She's easily portable, so taking her on trips means not having to pay for boarding. The biggest expense for most small dog owners is usually accident or illness vet bills. For this, I got pet insurance. About $25 a month covers her, which is far less per year than what I would pay if I didn't have insurance for her.

In the end, I'd say she's not that costly to maintain and what she does cost is outweighed by what she gives us in sweetness and playfulness.

Guest's picture

3 cats and a wonderful Newfoundland dog named Freya.
Our cats cost us $1000 in January (one cat needed teeth cleaning then he and another got sick - oh boy). We took on the responsibility of caring for another living thing so we knew we had to be prepared for these wacky vet-bill-months every once in a while.
Tweeted too.

Guest's picture
Christie Struck

Happily, no. We are a petless family at this time, and really enjoy it. We have had fish, which are lovingly buried in the backyard, and we enjoyed Bob, Bob2, as well as Bob3. We like the flexibility of taking off for the day or an overnight without having to worry about feeding and/or taking out a pet that is unable to care for itself. (I have 2 kids, and they have moved into the "caring for themselves" stage--how wonderful!) Is this a selfish attitude? Probably, but as much as I like animals, I don't love them, I hate cleaning up after them, and I am really not interested in having one. Of course, having a husband with allergies really does give us a reason not to have a pet.

Guest's picture
Kelly

I have four adorable pets. Two cats and two dogs. They are excellent company and keep me endlessly entertained.

Guest's picture
Dana V.

We have 3 dogs. The best thing ever is the wireless pet fence we bought for them. It required no digging and burying wires and it only took one 'zap' for them to realize they should not attempt to leave the yard. I have peace of mind now letting them outside without constant supervision and worry that they are going to run out in to the street. I feel this in the long run will save money on car related injuries!

Guest's picture
Emily

I used to have a pet but unfortunately, she passed away. It was a joy to have her, but it was heartbreaking to lose her. The medical expenses at the end were a bit high, but pets are like family members. I don't have one now since my lifestyle has changed and with all the traveling I do, I wouldn't want to worry about kennels and boarding, etc. while I'm away. Pets are definitely worth it, but only if you have the time and money to take care of them properly.

Guest's picture
Cynthia

Yes I have two beautiful boy pugs.
The benefits outweight the costs in my opinions.
1. My pets make me so happy when I see them and they are excited to see me.
2. Guarantees 3-15 minute walks a day, minimally. No matter how chaotic my day is I know I will have a nice time during those walks. Also I work a full time job and teach on the side and I still squeeze in those walks.
I am able to save some money by actually keeping up with their health appointments and medications. Order the heartworm preventative through an account at work that gives us a discount. Get their dog food from Sams. Free poop bags from our neighborhood. Have family in town that watches them when we are away on vacation instead of having to pay for doggy day care. LOVE my pets!!

Guest's picture
Lisa

I have 2 Ragdoll male cats that are brothers. I try to use coupons for litter, food, vet appointments etc. I also clip their nails myself. Their food is expensive but I found the best price on Amazon and try to get gift cards from swagbucks, credit card rewards etc.

Guest's picture
Angela

I have pets, and though at times it can be expensive, the rewards far outweigh the costs. I'm crafty though and make everything from toys, to blankets, to clothes and harnesses to treats.

Guest's picture
Lazygal

I have pets: The Boys, who live with me, and The Girls, whom I "co-parent". That's five cats. Why? I took in three strays in three years, in part because I wanted to not have replacements when the older ones passed on. But most important I have them because I live alone - having something living and loving in the same space with me keeps me happy and sane. I justify the cost by comparing them to human children.

Guest's picture
Heather

I have a conure, a guinea pig and a rat terrier. I probably spend $1000 a year on pet care, training and supplies, most of it on the dog (by far). Frankly though, the benefit question is like asking if the cost of having a significant other or a kid is worth it. Of course it is. How do I save? I elect to shell out $50 for a 28.6 pound bag of really good, high quality dog food that I researched thoroughly because I know a healthy diet will decrease vet costs in the future and keep him a happy little boy. In fact I do that with all of my animals, and the cost savings is in health care (and in my own stress - no one likes having a sick pet). I would much rather invest in quality food/training exercises than in (avoidable) quality health care down the road...

Guest's picture
Lani C

Yep -- a dog, a fish and a frog. Enjoy them all. But cleaning the frogs house... not so much! I had tons of pets growing up: rabbits, hamsters, gerbils, turtles, a baby alligator (no kidding!), cats, dogs and horses. I'd have alot more animals if my husband would let me!

Guest's picture
Kristy OT

I don't have any pets - the costs (money, time, less freedom, smell, allergies) don't outweigh the benefits (companionship, entertainment?) for me.

Guest's picture
Ann

Yes, we have a 3 year-old beagle/corgi mix. to save money we get chew toys at a discount store, but we feed a quality food so as to avoid any digestive problems. no groomer, we bathe him ourselves. Trim his nails at home.

Guest's picture
Nicholas

I don't have pets but would love to own a dog when I get my own place.

Guest's picture
JPeteQ

We have a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, a Bengal cat and three other cats of undetermined background. I'd love to get another dog, but my hubby says it's that or a kid. A puppy may not have to be sent to college, but it also won't support you when you're old :)

We wouldn't live without animals, they provide so much company and entertainment. The biggest thing we do to save money seems counter intuitive. We feed them expensive food. Taste of the Wild to be exact. It's about half to 2/3rds as expensive as Iams or Purina, but it's much much better for them and that keeps them healthier, so they don't have to go to the vet as often.

I thought about getting pet insurance for my dog since they're known to have some health issues as they age, but I've decided to self insure by adding a bit extra every month to our emergency savings. So far he's had one surgery for a knee cap that popped out of place, and one for a abscessed anal gland. He also needs thyroid meds twice a day but the cost of the pills are pretty negligible. $15 for a 60 day supply.

The cats are indoor cats only which keeps them much healthier and is far less dangerous.

Guest's picture
Amanda N

We have a nine-year-old Lab and a cat that adotpted us six years ago. The cat was a stray that was starving. After finding her on our front porch every day for a month, we started feeding her. When we found out we were moving, we couldn't leave her behind to starve, so the stray became an indoor cat. The change was pretty smooth until we introduced out first child to the mix a year and a half ago. Now they take turns hissing at each other. (With a gate seperating them of course.)

Ashley Jacobs's picture

That is too funny about your child and the cat! Hopefully they will learn to get along eventually. :)

Guest's picture
dagny

We have 4 dogs. 1 black lab mix and 3 rat terriers. All were rescues, and they add much joy to our lives.

Guest's picture
Joshu

We have 5 total with a composition of 2 cats, 2 dogs and a rabbit. They are not only our companions, but also serve to teach our children important lessons about responsibility. We would not give up any of them, well maybe the one that like to pee everywhere except where they are supposed to.

Guest's picture
Rachel R

No, but I really miss having a pet. I'm single, so a dog might be too much work. I am thinking about getting a cat when I move to my new apartment.

Ashley Jacobs's picture

From personal experience I can tell you that it can be tough being a single "mommy" to a dog, but it is doable. Also, I've found that sometimes having a dog tends to be much easier than having a boyfriend! :)

Guest's picture
Amanda

I love animals- I have a dog right now but I have owned horses, cats, dogs, newts, snakes, hamsters, fish, and birds!

Guest's picture
Alicia C.

Yes! I have two indoor/outdoor cats. I make their cat food. It is better for them than anything I could buy at the store and far cheaper. Our cats are loveable and keep pests out of our home, so yes - they're worth it!

Guest's picture
Tina

We have a 6 month old boxer.

Guest's picture
Amanda

I have two cats and 1 dog. I save $$ by shopping around for veterinary services. I finally found a local vet who is much cheaper even though you usually have to wait in longer lines. When I got my cat declawed though, it cost $40 and there was no problems compared to it costing $200+ at other places. I don't save as much as I could because my dog requires a special food and medicine for her seizures. However, I think it's worth it for the companionship. I always have someone to pet or love, I have a guardian and a workout partner. :p

Guest's picture
gt0163c

I have two cats. The costs aren't terribly high. I use an inexpensive vet and they work with me to make sure that we're not doing unrequired procedures. I combine coupons with sales for their food and litter. Toys tend to be old shoe laces, the plastic rings off milk jugs or anything that I leave lying around on the floor. My little cat spent about 20 minutes last night playing with a cardstock flyer that was left on my door that accidentally fell on the floor.

Guest's picture
Erin

I've got a cat, because I think that when humans have stable, animal-friendly housing, it's their social responsibility to share it with domesticated creatures who would otherwise be homeless, or would wreak havoc on the local ecosystems by eating birds if left to live outside.

I save money taking care of my pet by using high-quality, no-grain food--from Trader Joe's the cat tuna can be fed for $0.40 for a day's serving, and since it contains no ingredients a cat hasn't evolved to digest (like rice, oats, pastas, or wheat), it keeps my cat healthier, preventing unnecessary vet's visits.

Guest's picture
Jon

We have 2 cats. One of them had liver failure recenr\tly and I choose to do whatever it took to save him. It cost about $4000-5000 and weeks of special care at home, but it was worth it.

Guest's picture
Guest

I am a pet owner. We have been the proud owners of 1 golden retriever, Newman, for 15 years, 1 black lab mix, Lucy, for 14 years and recently inherited a sweet black kitty, Patootie, when my mother suddenly passed away last July.
We recently lost Newman due to age related illness in January then Lucy passed away just last week. I say it was from a broken heart but think perhaps age played a big part. Patootie has been such a comfort for my husband and myself since the dog's passing.
How fortunate we have been to have had companions like Newman and Lucy for so many years. Patootie is now 13 and hopefully will be with us for many more years. I love them all.

Guest's picture
GM

I have a cat (about 4 years old) and a mouse. For me the price isn't a big deal. I use a bag of cat litter crystals per month and maybe a 4 lb bag of food each month as well. The mouse food costs about $5 and lasts even longer. The bedding isn't expensive at all.

To keep costs down I use materials from home. The mouse cage constantly has a revolving selection of boxes and paper tubes. I can use veggie bits for treat. I also hand sew cat toys from felt scraps.

I'm thinking the cat costs about $25/month and the mouse is $25/year, not bad at all for companionship and love.

Guest's picture
Suzanna60

i have 2 Cats i save shopping sales and coupons on Cat needs

Guest's picture
Max

Yes, I have 2 Chihuahuas, a black-and-white short-haired and a brown long-haired variety, the terror twosome.

I think the benefits of pet ownership outweigh the costs, if you can afford it, but it probably also saves you money in other places that you don't think about.

Like, you get more exercise if you walk your dog, which could reduce long-term healthcare cost, or your dogs may save on entertainment costs if you play with them at the park for free instead of going to the movies or something.

I'm lucky that mine are generally healthy, because if they have some type of meds that need to be taken or other health problems, it can get expensive.

I've always had pets around though, so home doesn't seem complete without them.

Guest's picture
Matthew

I have a kitty kat named PaleFace. He is my best friend.

Guest's picture
Patricia

No pets - the kid is allergic.

Guest's picture
Leon

yep, a cat 6 chickens and a duck!

Guest's picture
Carson M.

As if not liking cats wasn't enough, I was also allergic to them. But my gf wanted one really bad so we ended up adopting a 4 month old kitten.

Now I love cats, haha! We've had him for about 6-7 months now, he's a cool little chump, a lot of fun. Plus, I seem to have gotten over the allergies too! :)

Guest's picture
Jenny

We have three small dogs, and so it gets pricey trying to keep them groomed. We've started getting them kennel cuts so they can go longer in between haircuts.

Guest's picture
Diane

We have an English Cocker & 2 cats. 1 cat came home from college with my older son, and will leave when he does. The dog & 1 cat are enough for me right now... there's too much friction between the 2 cats, as the older one likes to be left alone. Eventually, I'd like to have another dog.

For us, the joys & benefits outweigh the costs & inconveniences of pet ownership. The main problem is care of the dog when we travel for business. For now, my sons are here to handle that for the most part. The dog gets us out walking regularly, which is great for all of us!

Guest's picture
Susan

We have six cats and one dog -- we recently had to have one of our dear doggies put down due to cancer. We have negotiated a "group" discount with out vet -- it means we bring in all 7 animals at once for routine visits, but it saves a bundle for us. NO WAY do the costs outweigh the benefits of our furry babies!

Guest's picture
Erin

i have two little dogs, and they're definitely my children. my parents call them "the granddogs." Because they're small, the eat less, which saves money. I feel them Trader Joe's all natural dog food -- it isn't full of crap like a lot of inexpensive commercial foods.

another way i save money is to drive a little farther to the vet. I live in Charlotte, NC, and vets are pricey. I drive 30 minutes down the road to a smaller town, and the vet prices are about half what they would be here, just because they're in the next county! my dogs still get great care and lots of attention, and i can afford to take them for regular check-ups and teeth cleaning! it pays to call around outside of your area to check prices.

Guest's picture
Betty

Yes, yes! I have a cat. He is seriously part of the family. He's not too expensive, so I don't know what I really do to save money. After his original kitten shots, I don't go to the vet for well visits, and thankfully he's not been sick. Worth any expense!

Guest's picture
Sue

Yep, we have Liz (a lab mix) and the Boyz (three rescued domestic short hair cats). We watch our pennies by feeding them all quality food, keeping up on their annual health care needs and vaccinations, making sure they get appropriate exercise and taking care of their grooming needs ourselves. The fun they add to our lives makes it all worthwhile.

Guest's picture
Parj

I have a dog, turtle and fish.

Guest's picture
Angela

We have 1 poodle, 1 parrot and 1 pitbull. (we have a thing for pets!)

Pets are not for the parsimonious, but they are perfect partners!

Guest's picture
seemless

1 cat. And he's more than enough. Back when I had a house, I also had a rodent situation.

Hence Darth Maul's entry into my life.

I feed him (I think) pretty good cat food - a little wet, mostly dry. I used the wet mostly because he really likes it, but also because it would come in handy for administering meds, as it does now. Yearly vet exam and vaccinations. He's pretty healthy, but he is getting n (13 years old, at least) and he was a rescue, so no idea what his former life and care was like. He still purrs.

Guest's picture
CgK

I love dogs, but don't have one because I'm just not home enough. I work a lot, and am often away on weekends. I suppose I'll get one when I retire!

Guest's picture
Joy

Yes I have 3 dogs and a cat (who thinks he is a dog)

Guest's picture
Guest

I have one dog, a cairn terrier named bailey. I have an account set aside for expenses - like flea and tick meds, yearly check up and emergencies. she is only three so there havent been too many huge expenses. she's the best pal ever, so fun!

Guest's picture
Kat W

We have 2 pets, an 8yr old cat Queen, and 10 yr old Golden Retreiver Butterscotch. I can't imagine life without them. "B" should have been named Queen, as she runs the entire neighborhood. We also have a horse but he is currently living in another state with our son. When we visit the whole neighborhood takes care of "B", she doesn't like to be outside alone so the neighbor friend stops by and lets her out and stays with her while she eats as she won't do that alone either! She has us all trained!!! She is so sweet its hard to deny her anything.

Guest's picture
gail grooms

My aging pets will be requiring more and more vet care. The costs associated with this scares me quite a bit. I am 65 and just can't replace thousands in my savings if one of them gets ill.

Guest's picture
Ruby22

I have a pug- he's a 7 year old that I originally fostered through rescue and will most likely adopt. I'm a frugal-yet-broke grad student but getting a pet was a priority. Yes, the costs are high- upon intake, my pug had basic vet care that could have burned through a paycheck or two (and he wasn't even really sick or unhealthy).

I'm nervous about the cost when I finally adopt him, but is it worth it? Yes. Grad school is also expensive, but like knowledge, it's worth the commitment and cost. He brings joy to people in the neighborhood and makes them smile when we're out, and he is a great study companion for long days of writing. :) It's worth it.

Guest's picture
Lynda

no pets no mess ;)

Guest's picture
angie

We have 4 cats, all of whom were abandoned by their owners and came to our house. The latest one is very old, looked very unkempt, is missing teeth and was so unattractive, we knew he would never be adoptable. We aren't rich, but we try our hardest to do right by our cats. We use Frontline to keep them somewhat flea-free. I buy it online and try to get the best price. We sometimes have to get it from our vet, who will give us a few free every so often, if we buy a year's worth of Frontline at a time. Our vets are great. Their method is to present options when it comes to the extra care and they are realistic with us about what the cats may or may not have and how to treat them without being so invasive. We usually get their shots at the annual low-cost vaccination clinics.
We feed them 2x a day. The 2 old ones have lost some teeth, so we have to stay mostly with soft food for them. We cook chicken and beef liver when we can get it on sale and mash it up for them. It is very inexpensive and they love it. When we have small amounts of chicken, rice, and vegetables left over, we mash that up as well. The younger ones get alot of dry food, which they actually prefer most of the time. We don't buy the cadillac brand of dry foods, either. We buy the store brand and they like it. For canned food, we'd be lying to you if we said they eat everything we put in front of them.....they're CATS!! But the newest addition to the group, "the old one", helps us out by eating everything we put in front of him! We experiment with store brands, the larger, less expensive varieties and mixing less expensive and more expensive brands together. These last efforts have saved us alot on cat food. We enjoy our cats, two of them were around when our children were growing up. They've been sweet pets, they have a lot of personality, and give us alot of love and laughter. Our children are grown, but they love to still spend time with the cats when they come home.

Guest's picture
terrellterp

No pets. No children. I like not having that additional responsibility.

Guest's picture
Ginger

We have one older cat, who has to have prescription food. I would love to get a dog but our cat is afraid of them and we really can't afford it right now.

Guest's picture
Jesse

No pets for me. Not allowed where I rent. I plan to have a dog some day when I have a house.

Guest's picture
lsharp

We have two dogs, a cat, fish, and a "froglet" coming in the mail soon. Yes, they are worth it! I grew up with no animals because of my brothers allergies and my mothers aversion to animal hair. My kids love having them around, and since I work from home, I consider them my "co-workers". In addition, a dog with a mean bark is an inexpensive security system. As far as cost.... we spend the extra for special food, but find in the long run that it equals less trips for the vet.

Guest's picture
Mary C

I have pets 5 cats and 1 dog. They are worth the expense.

Guest's picture

Three cats..... one long-haired solid black cat, a purebred blue point siamese, and a purebred seal point siamese.

Guest's picture
Therese M Roth

I have a dog (Buddy), and he meets me at the door every time I come in, even if I was only gone a few minutes. I always feel better when I see him, even if I had a very bad day!

Guest's picture
Guest

We now have 2 cats, Sunny, 13 years, and Grimmie, 14 years. We had 14 cats for 12 years. The neighbors left 5 feral cats behind when they moved and by the time I had them all spayed and neutered there were 14! Taking care of them was very expensive at times but the benefits of having these cats as part of my life far outweigh the costs.

I've made my own cat food for several years. I started making it when one of my guys got very ill and being a feral cat, 'pilling' him was out of the question. It cost me about $60 a month to feed two cats raw turkey with chicken livers, eggs and supplements. It takes me 2 hours every 24 days or so to mix up a batch of food. Feeding them commercial food is just not a consideration. They are healthier and have less vet visits because they're eating a high quality diet.

Guest's picture
Phillip

Two cats that I've had since college. They've been with me through everything. Even for a cross country roadtrip

Guest's picture
Lucy Knapp

My husband and I have three cats - and they are like part of our family. They're affectionate and fun. Our oldest cat, Sassy, was my father's and we adopted her after he died. She is the prettiest cat imaginable - a tiny (she only weighs 9 lbs) sealpoint Siamese with enormous blue eyes.

Our second cat, Frodo Huxley, we got from the pound - our thinking was that Sassy would be lonely with us at work all day and would like to have a companion. We adopted him as an adult cat - you would think an older cat from the pound would be shy or standoffish but he is very, very affectionate and very talkative.

Our third and youngest cat is Oliver. Our neighbor's daughter found him as a kitten and kept him in their yard and garage. When the weather turned cold, they couldn't keep him, as everyone in the family was allergic to cats except the daughter so they couldn't bring him indoors. The idea of the poor little kitten being taken to the pound was so sad, that my husband and I were easily talked into adopting him.

We do our best to be frugal pet owners - regular veterinary care and good quality food (to keep them healthy), I use coupons and shop sales for the food and litter, and as for toys - I don't need to buy any, they seem happy enough with string, crumpled paper wads, cardboard boxes to play with.

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kristina wittchen

I have 2 dogs and a cat.

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Jill

Two dogs, both of them from a shelter. They are small dogs, which helps with the food costs, but they are also non-shedders, which require regular grooming. I figure the reduced time spent cleaning up dog hair is worth it. I love them both and wouldn't trade them for the world.

Guest's picture
JBaughMK

Our dog, Goldie, is truly part of our family. She's been with us for 12 years and I just can't imagine life without her!

Guest's picture
Arbeka

One golden retriever with bad hips, one american long hair domestic cat, one dutch rabbit, and a three legged fire belly toad aptly named Stumpy. We love our pets. We also vacuum a lot.

Ashley Jacobs's picture

My golden sheds like crazy, so I know what you mean about vacuuming a lot.

Guest's picture
Jemel

i just took in a stray cat about two weeks ago and my daughter LOVES her... she's growing on me as well.

I'm a single mom on a budget so any tips are greatly appreciated. Does anyone know of cost friendly vets in the Nashville, TN area.

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SB

My dog Coconut is worth every penny and more! I saved her from a shelter and have unconditional love for my gal. You have to think about all the money you are saving in the long run when you have a dog! She helps me stay sane and grounded so I will probably never have to see a doctor for those mental issues! She's also my fitness partner. I've been able to save money on gym fees, explore the outdoors and stay in shape because even on a rainy day, we still need those walks! She has taught my children to love, be loved and have responsibility which is priceless. She's given my senior dad a companionship which you couldn't get at a nursing home. There are just too many to list. I've saved so much already just having one dog,...maybe I'll add a few more to my family!

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Emmy

We have a dog, 3 rabbits, and had a guinea pig that recently crossed over the Rainbow Bridge. We didn't plan to have so many pets, but once you start adopting, it is hard to stop. Plus, the shelter will ask if you will take additional pets. Costs are low with rabbits, most money is spent on buying fresh greens. It is $300 when they go to the vet for bloat, but after you do it once, you can treat them at home with future attacks. Being part of online rabbit groups also helps. Any ideas on cheap dog teeth cleaning?

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Lauren

My boyfriend and I have three cats, all of which we adore. They provide constant entertainment and affection. We feed them good food (grain free - Taste of the Wild - and mix it with some water) in order to avoid costly vet visits in the long run. It can be slightly expensive, but we love them and wouldn't consider anything less. We've also found that the best pet toys are the cheap/free ones (cardboard boxes, rubber bands, onion netting, and they even like to play with q-tips).
We're about to move in with my parents, who have two cats and a bird. It should be interesting!

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Cait

We have three cats, and occasionally foster other cats for a rescue group. Having other animals (besides us!) in my home means unconditional love all around, and it keeps me grounded - I'm reminded that my human issues and concerns, while a big deal to me, are really tiny in the grand scheme of things.

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LMN

I have one dog, a Westie named Gus. Think the little white dog from the "Cesar" dog food commercials. He's the love of my life! I don't know what I'd do without him. I'll eat ramen noodles and live in my car before he goes without.

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Laura in Atlanta

I have two fabulous kitties . . . they make me laugh every single day! Wonderful little buddies to each other, and to me! I can't imagine my life without them!

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Bellen

As much as we would love to have a pet we simply cannot afford to at this stage of our lives. Both of us were raised with dogs and with our own family had dogs and cats. We are very much aware of the cost involved but the return is truly priceless. However,that we now live on our social security and our other investment/retirement money, that was supposed to be used for all the fun things in life, is being used for medical & dental expenses and sometimes just for the necessities in life we cannot justify the expense of pets. We do, however, love to visit with the neighborhood dogs as they are being walked by our house - we actually know the dogs names better than their owners' names.

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Dawn

A house without cats is not a home! I have two :-)

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Katie

I have cats. To save money, I buy them high quality food - which saves on health costs in the long run. I also buy canned food in larger cans, so it lasts for a couple days. I'm also a frequent user of loyalty programs - so I at least get a little refund for my purchases.

Instead of pet insurance, I've also set-up a fund where I automatically put the amount I'd pay for pet insurance into a savings account to be used only for emergencies. My cats are young now, and hopefully won't need any expensive treatments for years. But if and when they do, I'll have money saved up and won't have to worry about what my pet insurance does and does not cover.

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Guest

Two house rabbits. Their upkeep is fairly affordable although it helps to get some supplies such as hay from the local rabbit rescue rather than the pet store.

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Katskull

I have a kitty and he's a monster. Plus I just moved back in with my parents and they have two cats. Now I can't move out with him because I'll end up getting another one.

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Raina

I have a cat and an aquarium with some fish. I trained my cat to use the toilet so I don't have to buy litter or deal with the smell/mess. I think pet ownership is DEFINITELY worth the cost. It's loyal companionship for a lot less time and money (and back-talk) than a child.

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Cathy

First of all we don't have pets the pets have us. Our pets are always rescues. Which saves us money. We also save money by buying leashes, pet bowls, toys etc at the thrift shop. Or we get them free. We go to the low cost vet clinic. We buy pet food at the pet store with the lowest prices and use both their coupons and the manufacturers . When I see my teenage son snuggle up with our dog Ruby. I forget about all the hassles and cost of owning a pet and I realize that its all worth it.

Ashley Jacobs's picture

I love that way of thinking that the pets have you and not the other way around. :)

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Kate

I don't have a pet right now because I live in an apartment that doesn't allow them and I'm not financially or time secure enough to make the commitment. But I volunteer weekly at the animal shelter and I can't wait to get my own!