The last couple of years have been difficult for everyone, with unforeseen global crises disrupting the ordinary flow of day-to-day life and introducing a range of social challenges.

While it always pays to be optimistic, especially with the support of our closest animal and human companions, the developing cost of living crisis needs to be met and addressed in a careful and measured way.

Finding opportunities to save more is as important now as it’s ever been. But when it comes to making savings on petcare, it’s crucial to go about things the right way, as – of course – the wellbeing of our furry companions is on the line.

Here are some tips and suggestions for saving money on pet care, without compromising your pet’s quality of life.

1. Buy pet food in bulk and prepare homemade treats

Pet food can be quite expensive, particularly if you have a larger animal to take care of, or if you share your home with multiple animals.

By and large, purchasing your pet food in bulk is going to end up being more cost-effective. While the difference might only be a few pennies saved per day, this can add up significantly over time.

It may also be a good money saving idea to prepare pet treats at home whenever you want to spoil your fluffy friend. There are plenty of recipes to be found online, and creating a fun and tasty treat can be as simple as freezing a few pieces of fruit in a block of ice.

There’s one important point to keep in mind, though: you may be tempted to save money on pet food by sharing your own morsels with your pet, but it’s best to avoid doing this, unless you know for a fact that a particular food is alright for them to eat.

That’s because animals have different digestive systems and metabolisms to us, as well as different nutritional needs. Many human foods can be toxic to our pets.

2. Get your pets insured today (and consider other subscription pet care services)

If your pets aren’t already insured, it may seem counterproductive to suggest that you should get them health insurance today, to save money. After all, that’s one more monthly bill to pay, right?

The simple reality, though, is that all pets end up dealing with health issues at one point or another – and, unfortunately, there’s no veterinary NHS to turn to if your faithful hound or feline friend falls ill.

Getting your pets insured today helps to reduce the costs down the line. It also helps to ease a lot of the stress and anxiety that inevitably arises when your animal companion falls ill.

For the same reasons, it’s important to make sure that you get your pet properly vaccinated, as well as dealing with things like de-worming and neutering as early as possible.

If your pet does need to take certain medications, it’s also possible that you may be able to order them online at a lower cost, with a prescription from your vet. Just be sure that you’re only ordering from properly regulated and reputable suppliers.

Beyond pet insurance, there are also other subscription services could save you a pretty penny, while helping safeguard your pet's wellbeing.

PawSquad is one excellent service that grants its subscribers 24/7 access to UK-registered vets, via video, phone, or text – meaning you can get vital health advice for your pets immediately, without the need to book time off work.

Of course, we should also mention that YuMOVE subscribers get free, automatic access to PawSquad and its assorted perks. It's just one of the ways we try to help out.

3. Explore your DIY side

Every good pet owner wants to make sure that their fluffy friend is having a fun and fulfilling journey through life. And part of that naturally involves making sure they’ve got fun toys, relaxing cushions, and other engaging accessories at hand to keep them happy and entertained on a regular basis.

But while there are many great pet accessories out there, they can get a bit pricy – particularly if you’re trying to watch your budget.

So, why not have a go at making some of your own? By following a guide from a trustworthy source such as Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, you can learn how to create affordable, fun and safe toys for your pet using nothing more than some old clothing, a tennis ball, and a bit of time and creativity.

Of course, you could also keep an eye out for pet accessories in second-hand stores. Just make sure that whatever you buy seems to be in decent condition.

4. Brush up on home grooming

Professional pet grooming is very important for making sure that your animal companion is comfortable, healthy, clean and living their best life – but there are also little tasks you can do at home to avoid costs rising when you get there.

One simple way of doing this is to give your pets “top-up” grooming sessions at home. Start by researching what kind of grooming your pet needs, then identify the tools you’d need in order to provide that. Regular brushing will avoid fur getting matted and you could even clip your dog's nails at home.

While it’s still important to get your pet to a professional groomer at set intervals, there’s no reason to book an appointment every time your pup gets mud on their paws or needs a bath. The more you can do at home, the the more you’ll save each month.

5. Save with subscriptions where it makes sense

For various products and services on the market, signing up for a subscription can net you impressive savings as opposed to buying the conventional way every time.

That’s the case for our range at YuMOVE, as well.

We’re confident that our products can transform your pet’s life for the better, from supporting joint health and mobility, to promoting calm behaviour, aiding good digestion, and more. But we’re also aware that every potential saving is significant.

That’s why we’d be short-changing you if we didn’t mention that YuMOVE subscribers save 30% on each order. And that goes up to 40% for YuMOVERs with multiple subscriptions.

Proactively supporting your pet’s wellbeing is essential for helping them to lead their best life, and it’s also a good policy for avoiding larger unforeseen costs down the line. Read our blog post What’s the real cost of not looking after your dog’s teeth? for more on this topic.