3 Ways a Costco Membership Can Save Pet Parents Money

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I am the proud dog mom of a giant Bernese Mountain Dog named Sully (picture below, you’re welcome). While I can’t say enough great things about him and his big, goofy personality, there is one significant downside to owning a Berner: they’re ridiculously expensive.

A few years ago, I tallied up the monthly cost of owning a giant breed dog, and the total shocked me. Between his premium food, supplements, pet insurance, waste removal, heartworm prevention, flea and tick medicine, treats, and toys, I spend a jaw-dropping $450-$500 every month on my dog. And that doesn’t even include things like vet visits, vaccinations, or the allergy medications he needs every spring.

Once I picked my jaw up from the floor, I realized I needed to find ways to cut back on my spending, and as it turns out, my Costco membership was especially helpful in this department.

Costco offers an impressive array of savings for pet parents. For example, did you know that a Costco Membership can get you exclusive discounts on pet insurance? Or that Costco has an entire pet pharmacy with lower prices than most veterinarian pharmacies? I didn’t either, but after taking a deep dive into Costco’s under-the-radar benefits for pet parents, I found some astonishing savings for all of you pet moms and dads, so let’s dive into it.

Pet Insurance

Costco Executive, Gold Star, and Business members can save 15% on Figo pet insurance. The Figo insurance covers things like emergency vet visits, surgeries, specialists, hereditary and congenital conditions, chronic illnesses, prescriptions, imaging, dental illness and injury, knee conditions, hip dysplasia, and even prosthetics and orthopedics.

When Sully was six months old, he ate a sock and some of his plastic toys, and needed a $10,000 surgery to remove 25% of his intestines. If I had pet insurance for him, the cost would have been under $1,000. He is insured now for any future emergencies, but I will always regret not having him insured as a puppy. The peace of mind that comes with pet insurance makes the cost even more worthwhile. I will forever preach the benefits of pet insurance after going through that whole ordeal with him.

Costco’s Figo pet insurance also comes with added benefits like access to 24/7 virtual vet care with a licensed vet or vet technician via text. This can be a critical tool in helping you decide whether or not your pet needs a trip to the ER, or if their maladies can be remedied at home. Costco Executive Members with Figo also receive a complimentary annual 24Petwatch Membership ($59.95 value) with 24/7 lost pet recovery and a free renewal each year.

Pet Medications

If your pet is on any type of medication, you’ll definitely want to take advantage of Costco’s pet pharmacy. All you need to do is bring the prescription from your vet to a Costco pharmacy and have the script filled there. The savings are instant and don’t require any coupons or codes to receive the discounts. Sully’s Simparica Trio prescription for heartworm, flea, and tick prevention is about $20 cheaper at Costco than at his vet’s office.

Pet Supplies

Because Sully’s breed is predisposed to so many health conditions, his vet suggested keeping him on a few daily supplements to help prevent a sweeping collection (insert eye roll emoji here) of issues he’ll likely face as he ages. One of the most important supplements for Sully is Cosequin for his hips and joints. At Costco, I can get a jar of 180 tablets for $27. On Amazon, where I was previously ordering lots of Sully’s supplements, I was paying $37 for just 132 tablets from the same brand. I also buy freeze-dried beef liver and salmon oil for Sully at Costco at significant discounts.

Costco’s Kirkland pet food (available for cats and dogs) is raved about online for both quality and affordability. On this Reddit post, one user shared, “We bought our membership strictly for the dog food savings, it easily pays for itself.” Another wrote, “My dog is 15 years old and has had nothing but Kirkland for 6 years. She loves it.”

Kirkland dog and cat food is manufactured by Diamond, a brand whose food retails at a premium price in pet stores.

Costco also offers a variety of pet beds, toys, and treats. I always stock up on Bully Sticks for Sully because I wouldn’t be able to afford the high prices they typically cost at pet stores. They routinely have new toys that come in a pack of 3, 6, or even 10 toys. Costco’s pet beds are actually one of the only brands I’ve found that make a bed big enough for Sully, so I usually buy all of his from Costco. They also carry smaller beds for dogs and cats, and usually have killer deals on cat scratchers and towers.

With a Costco membership, pet parents can turn smart shopping into serious savings, proving that loving your furry friends and loving your budget aren’t mutually exclusive.