5 Pet Items Frugal Pet Owners Never Regret Splurging On
Written by
Nicole Spector
Edited by
Ashleigh Ray
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The vast majority of Americans feel that their pets are family. There’s little that people who cherish their pets won’t do to ensure they are happy and healthy. For example, we’ve seen droves of millennials go so far as to buy houses so that their dogs can have more space and, ideally, a fenced yard.
It’s a good thing that we love our pets so much — not only because they deserve the best, but because they can be awfully expensive to provide for. According to the American Pet Products Association (APPA), Americans spent $136.8 billion on their pets in 2022, up 10.68% from 2021 ($123.6 billion).
How much a household spends per year on pets depends on how many they have and what type of species. Dog owners spend the most — $912 a year, annually, according to Forbes Advisor.
Some dog and cat owners go above and beyond to provide the best of the best to their furry friends. Even on a frugal budget, they’re willing to spend more on certain pet essentials, often considering the splurge as an investment in their pet’s health, safety or comfort.
GOBankingRates spoke with pet experts to find out which items pet owners have splurged on that they have found to be well worth the cost.
Travel Backpack for Cats
Chris Oberman, the founder of the travel blog Moving Jack, travels frequently with his wife, infant and two cats. He highly recommended a travel backpack for cats — specifically this expandable one that you get on Amazon for under $40.
“This backpack is fantastic for traveling,” Oberman said. “It’s compact enough to fit in the cabin during flights, and the back panel folds open, giving the cats extra space. They even love sleeping in it when it’s left out in the living room.”
A High-Quality Harness
Many professional dog trainers recommend using a harness, instead of a collar, when walking your dog. But don’t pick up just any old harness. Really investigate the quality and be ready to spend more than you may have expected for a safe and durable product.
“I’ve tried a lot of budget-friendly harnesses over the years, and in my experience, they often fall short in critical areas,” warned Susan Nilson, a cat and dog training and behavior specialist and the founder of The Cat and Dog House.
“For example, they may be uncomfortable for the dog, difficult to adjust, awkward to put on and take off, prone to breaking or worse, slipping off entirely if a dog becomes agitated and tries to back out. Issues like this not only compromise the dog’s safety but also lead to frequent replacements, ultimately costing more in the long run.”
Nilson suggested purchasing the Freedom Harness by 2 Hounds Design, priced at $32 on Amazon, “ideally, paired with a Euro Leash, also by 2 Hounds Design,” costing only $25 on Amazon.
“The Euro Leash also has two connection points, so you can clip it to both (or either) the dog’s chest and across the shoulders, as required,” Nilson said.
Grooming Gloves
If you have a pet who is prone to matting or sheds like crazy, you won’t regret investing in a good pair of grooming gloves.
“With our cats’ long fur, we’ve tried many products to minimize shedding around the house,” Oberman said. “These grooming gloves on Amazon for $6.97 are excellent for brushing out loose hair.”
Rubber Brush for Pet Hair Removal on Furniture and Fabrics
Another splurge-worthy product for dealing with pet hair is this rubber brush (under $6 on Amazon), which Oberman called “a lifesaver for getting cat hair off our furniture and fabrics, including curtains.”
High-Quality, Nutrient-Packed Food
There’s no shortage of what is essentially junk food for cats and dogs on the shelves of big box retailers and pet stores. Understandably, you may be inclined to buy the cheapest stuff because, hey, how much worse can it really be than the fancier stuff? Well, a lot worse, it turns out.
Research has shown that dogs who consumed high-quality, homemade dog food saw their lifespan extended 32 months longer than dogs who didn’t; that’s a long time in doggy years. If cooking for your pet isn’t something you’re interested in, consider reading the ingredients of pet foods.
“I look for nutrient-dense foods with no artificial flavors, colors or preservatives,” said Sean Prichard, a greyhound dad, certified canine fitness coach (CCFC) and the president and head canine fitness coach of Pant & Wag.
“Many of these foods have ingredient lists that would make even the most health-conscious human jealous,” Prichard said. “The price is usually around $4.50 per pound of food so on a typical day my dog’s food budget is significantly higher than mine.”
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