Pet Food: 5 Tips To Reduce Costs
Inflation, which has heavily impacted food products in recent months, has not spared pet food. If you want to continue pampering your dog or cat without skyrocketing the bill, discover our 5 tips to reduce costs in this area.
1- Prefer large formats
According to a study by Nielsen IQ, the price of pet food increased by about 20% in 2023.
To cope with this rise in costs, 44% of dog or cat owners in France admitted having to make choices, according to an OpinionWay study conducted in January 2023 for the Ultra Premium Direct brand:
• 22% of respondents have reduced their own food shopping or leisure activities.
• 17% have considered reducing non-essential food for their pet, such as treats.
• 14% plan to cut back on grooming sessions and non-essential vet visits.
The first of the 5 tips to reduce pet food expenses is to buy kibble in large quantities. If you take the time to compare prices per kilo, you will find that the price per kilo is about €2 cheaper if you buy a 1.5 kg bag rather than a 450 g bag...
2- Watch for promotions in supermarkets
For dog or cat owners who are used to shopping in large stores, it is also worthwhile to wait for promotions in this section.
Supermarkets and hypermarkets sometimes offer:
• a percentage discount on the second item.
• a free item for every two purchased.
To avoid missing out on such promotional events, another tip is to consult the catalogs of large retail chains on sites like promocatalogues.fr or anti-crise.fr. You can also compare the prices of the nearest large stores to your home on specialized sites like lebondrive.fr.
Promotions are a good way to reduce your pet's food expenses and to stock up for the coming weeks, provided you always check the expiration date of the products.
3- Group buying on the Internet
Group buying on the Internet is another well-known trick for consumers looking to regain purchasing power during periods of inflation. This solution, which involves joining with other online users to buy in bulk, is generally very advantageous.
But have you ever considered using it to buy food for your pets? In this area, you can go through many specialized sites like zooplus.fr, animalis.com, or edgardcooper.com.
You will benefit from a percentage discount on your first order and can enjoy free shipping if your total purchases reach a certain amount.
4- Respect the portions recommended by the veterinarian
As with humans, another trick to save on pet food is to avoid food waste!
If you're used to feeding your dog or cat without paying much attention to portions and proportions, it's time to change your method. Not only will you be able to limit waste, but you'll also prevent your pet from having digestive health issues.
An adult and healthy animal should not have more than 2 to 3 meals per day. Strictly adhering to the proportions recommended by your veterinarian is one of the 5 tips to reduce costs. This way, your dog or cat won't hesitate to finish their bowl: you won't find dried food that ends up in the trash anymore!
5- Prepare meals yourself
The last of the 5 tips to reduce pet food costs is to prepare your cat or dog's meals yourself.
This, of course, requires a bit of organization, as a dog's bowl should consist of one-third meat or fish, one-third vegetables, and one-third carbohydrates such as potatoes or rice.
For cats, who are more carnivorous than dogs, different proportions are needed: 50% meat or fish, 30% vegetables, and only 20% carbohydrates.
By preparing your dog or cat's bowl yourself, you can save money while ensuring a balanced diet of much better quality than the cheapest commercial foods.
This method is particularly cost-effective if you are the proud owner of several dogs or cats and need to feed them all...
Good to know
If you are experiencing financial difficulties in covering consultations and care for your pet, you can visit an SPA dispensary or inquire with other associations such as Vétérinaires pour tous and 30 millions d'amis. For more information on this topic, I invite you to read our article Reducing Veterinary Costs (link provided).
