It's easy to walk into a pet supply store to buy a small and cheap item, and then deposit $100 on the credit card. All pet parents may have done this-more than once. You may spend more on some of these purchases than you need, either because they make your life as a pet owner more convenient, or because you just want to give your pet a treat.

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Whether you have a dog or a cat, a rabbit or a bird, you can find or manufacture alternative products that help care for your pets or entertain them.

Our dogs and cats certainly like their entertainment, but they don't have to spend a lot of money.

For example, simple models of scratching posts start as low as $15, or you can buy designer cat trees for $400 or more. The truth is, your cat may not be that special.

"Some cats also like to use cartons and paper bags to investigate and play. There are many great websites with instructions for making your own cat furniture; just search for "how to make cat furniture"," said the director of public relations at Best Friends Animal Society Hannah Stember said.

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Dr. Sarah Wooten, a veterinarian at Pumpkin Pet Insurance, agreed.

"Cats like the texture of cardboard and Sissel rope," she said. "The Amazon box you used can provide your cat with a good scratching and hiding place, or you can use a glue gun and some Sissel cords from the hardware store to make your own scratching stickers/artwork."

The cat also enjoys looking out the window. Best Friends Society recommends installing a bird feeder outside the window so that your cat can observe the birds. For the best viewing effect, please build a window sill for cats.

Read more: Most Americans spend more on pets than themselves

At pet supply stores, a 36-pound box of cat litter costs about $40, but Wooten says you don’t need these expensive things.

"If you have an indoor cat, litter is essential," she said. "However, you don’t have to spend a fortune on fancy, scented garbage. In fact, cats don’t like it. Instead, find some fine, sandy, odorless, agglomerated litter and pour it in. The litter can only have 2-3 inches of litter so that cats can cover their excrement."

The 29-pound replacement cost approximately $13.

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Sarah Jane White, an expert on animal behavior and enrichment, said that there is no need to buy anything, and it is recommended that you do it yourself.

"Cat litter must be one of the biggest expenses of raising a cat, but if you are ready to invest a little time and energy in making your own cat litter, you can save hundreds of dollars on this essential item," she said.

One of her suggestions involved newspapers, and you would throw it in the recycling bin anyway. Her recipe? Tear the newspaper, soak it in soapy water to remove the ink, knead it into a pulp, and then spread it out to dry.

"Then it will crumble into large pieces, and if you add a tablespoon of sodium bicarbonate, it will help absorb the smell," she said. "Then the newspaper looks and works like commercial cat litter, and the price is only a small part of it."

See: How much does it cost to adopt a pet in a shelter?

Although pet grooming is more of a service than a product, you can find ways to save money. Start by bathing your dog. The bath price for a very small dog starts at about $20—twice the price of a very large dog. Depending on the size of your dog, a complete grooming can cost approximately US$15 to US$25.

Becky Brown, CEO and co-founder of ShoppingKim.com, said: “It is well known that pet grooming products/services are overpriced and expensive, and many pet owners are happy to find suitable alternatives.” “I always It is recommended that people groom their pets at home. They only need a pair of scissors, a high-quality and inexpensive shampoo and a decent comb."

She said the comb and shampoo combination sells for less than $20.

Wooten says that even if you feel uncomfortable with your entire beauty process, you can do something at home. You can use the same nail clippers as the nail clippers you use to trim puppy or cat nails. If your nails bleed, soak them in cornstarch. People who use over-the-counter acne pads in pharmacies treat chronic problems with chin acne or bacterial infections of skin folds. Finally, for ear cleaning, use the same amount of white vinegar and rubbing alcohol to make your own ear cleaner, and put a few drops in your pet’s ears every few days. If there are any signs of ear infections, such as odor, discharge, redness, or excessive scratching, do not use this product.

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The alternatives to pet items you can buy are only limited by your creativity. Caughill shared his thoughts in other categories.

"If you are surprised by the price of a pet GPS collar, you can use Apple AirTag to save money," he said. "Just make sure you check the label regularly to make sure it is still valid-especially if your dog decides to play in the mud."

If Fido does this, Caughill also has a solution.

"The pet makes a mess, then take it to your house," he said. "This is why there are a large number of pet wipes, from eye wipes to paw wipes to ear wipes and so on. If you like DIY, you can use a roll of paper towels, your pet's shampoo, and an airtight The container makes these wet wipes by itself, and the cost is low."

Finally, he said that in addition to the Shake & Break Training Tool promoted by dog ​​handler Brandon McMillan, there is an alternative. When you want your pet to stop the behavior you want to break (such as jumping to the sofa), you can shake the gadget. The noise diverts the dog's attention to you instead of what he is doing. It costs about $16, but you can make it yourself.

Caughill said all you have to do is put the change in an empty bottle or coffee can and shake it when needed.

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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Affordable alternatives to overpriced pet products

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