Start United States USA — Financial 39 Expensive Mistakes You Don't Realize You're Making With Your Pets

39 Expensive Mistakes You Don't Realize You're Making With Your Pets

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Thousands of pet owners swear by these genius products that save money while keeping furry friends clean and healthy.
Shopping We only recommend products we love and that we think you will, too. We may receive a portion of sales from products purchased from this article, which was written by our Commerce team. Technically, I didn’t pay anything for my dog; he was a rescue a friend of a friend was fostering, so they gave him to me for free so long as I promised to take great care of him. (He even came with his own crate.) And yet, even though he cost me nothing up front, Oscar the Mal-Shi was one of the steepest investments of my life. I’ll be the first to admit that, as a new dog owner, I made some pretty expensive mistakes while learning how to best care for my pet. Yeah, I got a little experience that time I temporarily fostered that cat who was born in my dad’s backyard, but ultimately, once you take your pet home for good, all of those bills really start to add up. There’s the cost of food and the groomer and the toys, of course — but there are also all of those messes and mishaps that take some serious money to fix: The fur-caked carpet, the chewed-up furniture, the stained blankets, the damaged hardwood, the emergency vet visits. The good news? A lot of those can be prevented — if you have the right tools. Thousands of pet owners swear by these genius products because they really do help to minimize costs over time. Plus, they’ll keep your furry friends clean, healthy, and well-behaved, so you can focus on all the good aspects of pet ownership. If you’re still using those sticky paper lint rollers to get rid of fur, do yourself a favor and invest in the ChomChom roller instead. It uses an effective brush system that captures hair and moves it to the built-in waste compartment, all with a simple back-and-forth motion. It’s earned more than 80,000 ratings, and buyers rave about how it’s saved them tons of money on replacements, vacuum bags, laundry detergent, and more. “I vacuumed the day before I used this broom and was shocked at how much hair my vacuum left behind. And we have a vacuum that’s meant for pet hair,” one reviewer wrote. Needless to say, unlike expensive pet vacuums, the FURemover broom is worth every single penny. It uses natural rubber bristles to attract fur like a magnet, so you can deep-clean your floors, area rugs, and carpets. It also has a built-in squeegee edge and a telescoping handle to make reaching under furniture easy. This window perch keeps your cats off of the furniture and ensures that they remain entertained with all the happenings of the outside world, according to reviewers. It attaches to glass (damage-free) using sturdy suction cups, and the built-in hammock can support up to 40 pounds of weight, all while remaining comfortable, quick-drying, and easy to maintain. “My cat is not one to like the things I buy for her,” one reviewer wrote, “but this she LOVES.” One reviewer swears that their pet is the “the worlds’ messiest drinker,” but this Gorilla Grip feeding mat “catches all the water” and stops it from “dripping onto [their] wood floors.” Its raised edges and dotted texture also help to contain crumbs, kibble, and wet food — and since it is silicone, it’s nonslip and can even be thrown in the dishwasher when it gets dirty. Get it in several sizes and tons of colors. I buy my dog’s food in bulk, but once the bag is open, it’s hard to keep it fresh. The Gamma2 Vittles Vault (available in six sizes) fixes that. This container creates an airtight seal that keeps moisture out and freshness in, so your pet’s food stays crunchy, healthy, and flavorful. It’s also made from BPA-free material and has square corners for compact storage inside cabinets and in closets. “These beds are so easy to clean,” one reviewer wrote about the Bedsure waterproof dog bed. “Dogs throws up on the bed? No problem. Dog has another accident on the bed? No problem!” Even though it’s filled with comfortable stuffing, the polyester cover is washable and fully lined with a waterproof layer, so you don’t have to toss the whole thing due to spills and accidents. It comes in three sizes and two colors, and it’s rectangular to fit in crates. Odds are, you’ve made an effort to protect your indoor furniture, but car upholstery can be even more expensive to replace. That explains why this car seat cover has over 5,000 reviews and an overall 4.7-star rating. It’s made from heavy-duty, nonslip, rip-resistant material, and it’s designed to fit most standard bench seats in most vehicles. It’s also washable and has all the necessary straps and materials to secure it to your car. It’s a race against the clock every time I have to wash and dry my dog’s bed; he’s eager to get it back, but I don’t want him sleeping on a damp wad of fabric or spends tons on electricity bills, either. Dryer balls are the answer. They’re made from premium New Zealand wool, so they’re free from fragrances and harmful chemicals. Still, they speed up drying time, reduce wrinkles, minimize static, and ensure that bedding and blankets don’t clump up in the machine. They also last over a thousand loads. Using a scent that’s safe but extremely unpleasant for your cats, this Bodhi bitter spray stops them from chewing up your flowers or scratching your furniture. It also repels them from certain areas of the house, if that’s your objective, and it can be used on fabrics, wood, floors, carpets, blinds, and plants. Put simply, “it works,” wrote one reviewer who has “tried so many sprays” before finding this one. A tired dog is a good dog. In other words, when your pet has excess energy, they’re way more likely to take that out on the things in your home. The Squishy Face Studio flirt pole has thousands of five-star ratings because it’s easy and low-effort for you, but it still offers ample mental and physical stimulation for your dog. The polyester lure is durable, pre-attached, and catches your pet’s attention for play or training purposes, while the pole comes in multiple size options and has a grip for your comfort. Made with baking soda, these Arm & Hammer dog dental treats help reduce tartar buildup so your pup’s teeth stay healthy.

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