The average pet owner spends $1,500-3,000/year on subscriptions and recurring pet costs. Love your pet without overpaying — here's every category audited.
🍖 Food & Supplies Autoship ($600-1,800/year)
Chewy Autoship: 5-10% off, but boxes arrive faster than you need them — Audit guide
Amazon Subscribe & Save: 5-15% off, same issue with accumulation
Cheaper alternative: Costco Kirkland pet food ($30-40/35lb bag vs $50-70 for premium brands at Chewy)
Savings: Switch to Costco food + buy supplies only when needed = $200-600/year saved
📦 Subscription Boxes ($240-480/year)
BarkBox ($35-45/month): Toys and treats monthly — fun but accumulates fast — Cancel guide
Super Chewer ($45/month): BarkBox for aggressive chewers
PupBox ($39/month): Training-focused box for puppies
Alternative: Buy individual toys/treats when your dog destroys the current ones. One $10 Kong toy lasts longer than a monthly box.
Average cost: $30-100/month for dogs, $20-50/month for cats
Average payout: Industry averages show insurance companies pay out 60-70% of premiums in claims
Self-insurance alternative: Put premium amount into a HYSA ($60/month = $2,300+ after 3 years at 4.5% APY)
When to keep insurance: Breeds prone to expensive conditions (hip dysplasia, cancer), puppies under 2 (unknown health history), pets with existing chronic conditions (if insured before diagnosis)
When to self-insure: Healthy adult pets with $3,000+ emergency fund, cats (lower vet costs), mixed breeds (fewer genetic conditions)
Going direct: Exchange info with your walker/sitter. Pay via Zelle. Save 20-40% while they earn more.
Savings: Book directly = $500-2,000/year saved
🏪 Store Memberships ($120-300/year)
Petco Vital Care ($240/year): Only worth it if you use every benefit — Audit guide
PetSmart Treats rewards (free): Points on purchases, no membership fee
Banfield Wellness Plan ($30-60/month): Vet wellness plan — good for puppies needing vaccines, less valuable for healthy adults
Total Potential Savings
Typical dog owner savings by auditing:
• Food (Costco vs premium): $200-600 • Cancel subscription boxes: $300-400 • Self-insure vs pet insurance: $0-600 (depends on situation) • Direct booking walkers/sitters: $500-2,000 • Cancel store memberships: $120-300
Total: $500-3,900/year in potential savings
📊 Find Every Pet Subscription Upload your bank statement to JustCancel — we'll find every recurring charge related to your pets.