WSVN — We love our pets but the cost of pet treats easily get out of hand. In tonight's Dollars and Sense, Lynn Martinez has some tips from a pet expert on how to transform what's already in your kitchen into inexpensive goodies for your pets.
Americans spend nearly $60 billion a year on their pets, a big chunk of that goes straight to pet snacks.
Charlotte Reed: "You are literally buying 50 to 60 bags of treats a year. And, if you're a house with multiple dogs and cats, that's a lot of money."
Pet expert Charlotte Reed suggests shopping around your kitchen before hitting the store.
Charlotte Reed: "You'd be surprised how many great pet treats you have hidden in the cabinets."
The first hidden gem you can use is cottage cheese. Mix a couple spoonfuls with apple sauce and pop them in the freezer for a cool treat.
For another refreshing reward, add left over tuna water to your pet's water bowl instead of pouring that money down the drain.
Charlotte Reed: "There are so many things that you can up cycle and use for your pets that you would be surprised."
Like humans, pet diets need fruits and veggies but that will cost you more.
Charlotte Reed: "A bag of sweet potato chips as much as $8 a bag. A sweet potato is 50 cents. You can actually make sweet potato chips at home for your dog. And that's a treat that you guys can share together."
We all know they want what we're eating.
Charlotte Reed: "I want to keep some of my money, so I don't mind sharing things. At night if I'm sitting and watching television, I might have a rice cake. A low calorie, non flavored rice cake i enjoy just as much as my dog."
Scrambling eggs for breakfast? Throw an extra one in for fido.
Charlotte Reed: "Using what you have in the cupboard not only saves you dollars and sense but it's also safety."
Treating your pets while keeping them and your bank account healthy.
FOR MORE INFO:
CHARLOTTE REED
http://www.charlottereed.com/