Head to Tuesday Morning for discounted pet toys

Buy the largest and best quality bag of pet food you can afford to make it more economical in the long run and pack more nutrients into every bite.

The cost of caring for pets has gone up considerably over the past five years. Here are some ways to cut costs.

Buy the largest bag of pet food you can afford. The price per pound is usually more economical than smaller bags.

Buy the best pet food your budget can afford. Experts say higher-quality pet foods produce less waste (poop).

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Buy secondhand pet supplies. People often donate gently used toys, pet crates, wire kennels, collars, leashes and grooming supplies to local charities or animal shelters that operate resale stores where you can purchase them at a significant discount.

The pet store is one of many places to find pet toys. You also can find some great bargains at stores like Tuesday Morning, where going out of business sales are underway, or Marshalls. The Animal Defense League and San Antonio Humane Society also operate small retail stores where you can find good deals – and the purchase helps homeless pets.

Think about vet insurance. I know it's another monthly outlay, but getting veterinary care for pets costs a lot these days. When you can't afford treatments, health insurance can help safeguard against the financial euthanasia of a pet or the surrendering of a pet to an animal shelter.

Shop around for vet care. Five years ago, I called 15 veterinary offices in San Antonio and asked how much it cost to neuter a 50-pound dog. The prices ranged from $115 to $750, depending on the clinic's location, with the average price hovering between $250 and $350. It's probably more today. Call a few clinics and ask what an annual vaccination package would cost and let that be your guide.

Spay/neuter your pet. Letting a dog or cat have a litter of puppies or kittens costs money. Fixing your pet saves that money and reduces future healthcare costs by preventing uterine, ovarian and testicular cancers. Also, the younger you fix a pet, the cheaper the cost. Don't wait until they are full-grown and 50 pounds.

Brushing your pet's teeth can help prevent serious problems down the road.

Brush your pet's teeth. Dental disease is prevalent with pets by age 3 and can lead to serious dental, heart and kidney problems. Toothbrushes and special toothpaste for dogs and cats are available at pet and grocery stores. Watch an online video to show you how to do it.

Protect your pet from parasites. Flea and tick infestations can cause minor skin irritations and even life-threatening blood loss, which can be costly to treat. Low-cost topical flea and tick solutions are available at spay-neuter clinics and animal shelters.

Adopt rather than purchase your next pet. Adoption through an animal shelter is significantly less expensive than buying a purebred pet. And did you know that 25 to 30 percent of the animals at shelters are purebreds? Each dog and cat is sterilized, vaccinated and given a microchip for one low price. There is no better way to save lives, find a friend and keep things budget-friendly.

Send your pet questions, tips and stories to [email protected]. You can follow her on Twitter at @cathymrosenthal.