How much is that doggie in the window? A lot!

Americans spend more than $45 billion on their pets every year. That’s not surprising since a pet is part of the family. However, that doesn’t mean you can forgo retirement savings or go into debt to care for the adorable little bundle of fur.

Pets aren’t quite as costly as children, but food, vaccinations and toys do add up. A large dog can cost about $2,000 each year. That can total as much as $20,000 over a dog’s life. It can break anyone’s budget.

You have two options: Buy a cheaper pet (pet rocks are free!), or carefully budget your dog’s care. I suggest the latter since rocks aren’t as much fun on walks in the park. Here are my top five favorite tips to save on your pet expenses:

1 Make friends with other pet owners that will babysit your dog. This will save hundreds of dollars a year on boarding costs. Of course, you have to return the favor and watch their pets. That’s why I prefer the non-pet owner friend for my little Boston Terrier. These friends can’t have their own dog due to work or travel schedules, but they love having a dog for a weekend or two during the year. And you don’t have to watch their pets in return!

2 Make your own pet toys. It’s amazing how much fun a dog can have with an old sock tied up in knots or a used tennis ball. And they cost nothing.

3 Shop around before choosing a veterinarian. Get an estimate or price list from several vets. Then research each vet on sites like Yelp. Choose a vet with the best combination of experience and value.

Also, never buy medicine from a vet clinic where markups can exceed 100 percent. Watch for pet stores and the Humane Society sponsoring events for low-cost vaccinations. For medicines, check out Web sites like 1800PetMeds.com or PetCareRX.com

4 Don’t cheap out on pet food, but don’t overpay either. Better quality food will cost more now, but can pay off in fewer health problems in the future. Look for brands that are affordable and not full of unhealthy fillers. Remember to feed your dog the right amount. Just like people, over-weight animals will have more health problems and higher vet bills.

5 Be a do-it-yourselfer! Paying someone to groom your dog, trim their nails and brush their teeth can cost a fortune, but you can do these things at home. As dog owners, we know how much they hate a bath or having their teeth brushed. Just think of it as a bonding experience. And use the money saved on a nice bottle of wine for later.

A word on pet insurance

Most people are better off forgoing pet insurance and instead putting the money they would have spent on premiums into a savings account. I got a quote for my 3-year-old dog. The annual premium was $660. That totals $7,920 assuming she lives another 12 years. The policy covered 90 percent of any illness or accident, but coverage stops at $3,000 per incident.

That means my little girl would need to have three very serious problems before the insurance would be a smart move. You never know what may happen, but I think the chances are slim my dog will need that much medical care.

But if you’re the type of person who would do anything to save your pet, including spend thousands of dollars on medical care, pet insurance might be a preferable alternative to going into debt. v

Steve Doster is a Certified Financial Planner™ professional providing commission-free financial advice for do-it-yourself investors. You can reach Steve at Doster Financial Planning by phone 619-688-1192 or email steve@dosterfinancialplanning.com You can also follow Steve on Facebook, Linked In, Twitter, or blog to get more personal finance advice and tips.