Last Updated: 04/02/2026
Top 10 Budgeting Tips for Pet Expenses
Are you spending more than the average Australian pet parent? From food to unexpected vet visits, we break down the annual costs of pet ownership and share 10 professional tips on how to budget better, including bulk buying and preventative care.
Author: Dr Teagan Lever BVSc (Hons)
Reading Time: 8 minutes - short read
Welcoming a furry family member into your home brings immeasurable joy, but it also brings a significant financial commitment that can sometimes catch even the most prepared pet parents off guard. Data shows that Australians are spending thousands annually on their pets - often exceeding their combined electricity and gas bills. While the cost of pet-ownership is rising, being a great pet parent doesn't have to break the bank.
Our Pet Circle Head Vet Dr Teagan Lever worked with Emma Edwards, millennial money guru from The Broke Generation and proud cat mum of Paddington, to develop the following top 10 budgeting tips for pet owners.
In this article
- Ask for a better price
- Buy in bulk and set up Auto Delivery
- Swap supermarket pet food for higher quality premium brands
- Keep up to date with regular vet checkups, vaccinations and flea and worming
- Use pet pharmacies for cheaper medication
- Assess insurance based on your pet's lifestyle
- Set up an emergency fund for your pet
- Set up a budget for your regular pet food and supplies
- Set up a treats allowance
- Bundle boxes can save you money
- FAQs
1. Ask for a better price
Most good pet stores offer a price match or price beat for pet products. Pet Circle offers a best price guarantee so can you reach out to our customer service team for this.
Emma says: "Don't be afraid to ask for a price match or price beat if you've found a better price on a pet product!"
2. Buy in bulk and set up Auto Delivery
Buy in bulk to save money or set up an Auto Delivery subscription to get extra discounts on regular items like food, treats, litter and flea and worming treatments.
Emma says: "Buying larger volumes of pet food at once can score you big savings, as larger bags of food bring down the price per 100g. As an example, Royal Canin Medium Adult Dog Food can be brought down to almost 40% cheaper when you buy the larger bags. A 4kg bag rings in at $1.55 per 100g, but the 30kg size is just $0.95!
I get dry food and litter for my cat Paddington on subscription every 10 weeks to streamline the cost and it arrives at my door when I need it so I don't get caught out with an empty cupboard."
3. Swap supermarket pet food for higher quality premium brands
Consider swapping supermarket pet food for higher quality premium brands which can be comparable in price and offer a more balanced diet, giving you more value for money.
Dr Teagan says: "Premium pet foods are highly digestible and are often more nutrient dense, which means you may actually need to feed less, potentially saving you money in the long run and also keeping your pet healthier. Considering cost per day, our recent analysis found that tailored premium dry food formulas, like Advance, are only 10 to 30 cents more per day but give you more value for money so it's worth considering the extra expense"
If your pet doesn't like the new food, at Pet Circle we offer a satisfaction guarantee so you can try another brand.
Read our analysis in The Real Cost of Supermarket Food, and check out our Vet Picks for the Best Affordable Dog Food.
4. Keep up to date with regular vet checkups, vaccinations and flea and worming
Take your pet to the vet for regular checkups and keep up with your pet's vaccinations and flea and worming treatments to avoid common health issues.
Emma says: "Whilst taking your pet to the vet for regular check ups can feel counterintuitive when you're trying to save money, regular checkups can help detect any health issues earlier on and potentially help you save money in the long run."
Dr Teagan says: "For younger pets, make sure you have an annual check up and for older animals or those with pre-existing conditions, six-monthly visits are recommended"
If you need non-urgent vet advice, you can also save money on a vet visit by contacting the Pet Circle Vet Squad online.
Learn more about the Best Parasite Preventatives for Dogs and Cats.
5. Use pet pharmacies for cheaper medication
If your pet needs medication regularly and you don't need it right on the spot, consider buying it elsewhere as vets can markup medication prices, which adds up over time.
Dr Teagan says: "You can ask your vet to give you a prescription and then you can shop around for a better price through pet pharmacies which are becoming more widespread in Australia."
6. Assess insurance based on your pet's lifestyle
If you are considering pet insurance, do your research and look at your budget.
Emma says: "When it comes to pet insurance, it's important to remember that not everything is covered, so don't just sign up to any insurer without doing your research. Compare different insurance products against your pet's lifestyle, and choose a policy that covers the conditions your pet is most at risk of. For example, indoor cats are very unlikely to be in road accidents, so opting for cover that's specifically designed for indoor pets could save you big money."
Dr Teagan says:"Pet insurance for puppies and kittens can be beneficial as they have no pre-existing conditions and inquisitive younger animals tend to be more likely to have accidents or injure themselves. Just be aware that premiums can go up so if you want to keep insurance for older pets, make sure you plan for this in the long term."
7. Set up an emergency fund for your pet
Whether you choose pet insurance or not, it's important to have an emergency fund for your pet.
Emma says: "Ideally separate it from your personal savings account so you can manage it better, and contribute a regular amount to help you be better prepared for unexpected costs like health issues that arise with your pet."
8. Set up a budget for your regular pet food and supplies
Spread the cost of food and supplies by working out how often you buy pet supplies, total up the regular cost, and spread it out equally into one consolidated weekly or monthly payment. Then, contribute that regular amount every payday into a pet expenses account.
Emma says: "Establish how long it takes your pet to get through their supplies (food, litter, puppy pads, etc). You can do this by putting a sticker with the date on the litter bag, food box or pack of pads when you open it, and then calculate how much time it took to get through it."
Here is a simple budget example:
- Bag of dry food = $50, divided by 40 days = $1.25 per day
- Bag of litter = $20, divided by 30 days = $0.66 per day
- DAILY COST = $1.91
- WEEKLY COST = $13.37
- (Add 10-20% as a buffer for price fluctuations or changes to eating habits)
TOTAL COST PER WEEK = $16
9. Set up a treats allowance
If your budget allows it, you should also set up a treats allowance for your pet for new accessories or extra toys so you can keep on top of how much you're spending on nice-to-haves.
Emma says: "Top up your pet's treat fund at regular intervals to keep it replenished, but be disciplined - when it's gone, it's gone!"
10. Focus on preventative dental care
Dental disease is one of the most common - and expensive - conditions treated in Australian vet clinics. Once a pet develops significant tartar and gum disease, the only solution is a professional dental procedure under general anaesthesia, which can easily cost between $600 and $2,000 depending on the number of extractions required.
By spending a small amount now on daily tooth brushing, dental water additives, or specialised dental diets or chews, the need for these intensive professional cleanings can be delayed or even avoided entirely. Think of it as spending cents a day on a toothbrush to save thousands of dollars on a "pet dentist" visit later in your pet's life.
Learn more in Dental Care for Dogs and Dental Care for Cats.
FAQs
Investing in your pet’s health is a long-term journey, but it’s one that pays off in wagging tails and happy purrs. By shifting toward preventative care, utilising bulk discounts, and setting up a dedicated pet budget, you can significantly reduce your annual spend without compromising on your pet's quality of life. Remember, a little planning today can prevent a lot of financial stress tomorrow, leaving you more time to focus on what really matters: the bond you share with your pet.
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History
Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space and we update our articles when new information becomes available.
Wed 4 Feb 2026
Edited by Dr Gillian Hill BVSc (Hons)Dr Teagan Lever BVSc (Hons)
Head Veterinarian, BVSc (Hons)
Pet Circle's Head Veterinarian, Dr Teagan graduated from the University of Queensland in 2010 and went on to work in small animal and mixed practice in various locations around QLD & ACT before joining Pet Circle in early 2016. Dr Teagan has special interests in dermatology, nutrition and preventative health care. She feels privileged to witness the special bond people share with their pets on a daily basis and enjoys forming lasting relationships with pet parents and their fur children.
