OHIO, USA — * Editor's Note: the video in the player above originally aired with a separate story on March 4, 2021.
Are your furry friends draining your wallet? If so, you're not alone.
A new study conducted by TopCashBack finds that 20 percent of Americans spend more money on their pets than they do themselves.
The study consulted nearly 1,000 people, asking them a variety of questions pertaining to their pet spending habits.
On average, 27 percent of Americans spend between $501 and $1,000 on their pets each year.
While we all love our pets just as much as the next person, blowing your cash on your pet in the middle of a pandemic (or any other time for that matter) isn't feasible or sustainable.
In hopes of helping, TopCashBack suggested the following three tips if you're looking to cut down your pet costs.
Try to DIY. With treats being a big expense for pets, try to save money and make them yourself. You may find that you already have nutritious ingredients in your kitchen. Plus, you’ll know exactly what is going into your furry friend’s food. Pro-tip: Always check with your veterinarian to make sure the ingredients are safe.
Stack the savings. There are lots of options for pets when it comes to food, accessories and even fun costumes. But it’s important to take the time to look for the item at its lowest price point by comparison shopping. Once you have the item at its lowest price point, see if you can stack on any additional savings with coupons, deals and credit card rewards. Plus, be sure to shop through a cashback site, like TopCashback.com, to score a percentage of your purchase in cashback from stores like PetSmart, Chewy, BarkBox and many more.
Opt for in-store pickup. Getting pet supplies delivered right to your doorstep may be extremely convenient. However, if you find yourself buying more products to reach the free shipping minimum, opt to pick up the item(s) in-store. This is a great option to score your typical online discounts while avoiding pesky shipping fees.