Four savvy tips to cut the costs of your pet’s mealtime from food banks to the best deals

WITH more than 28million cats and dogs, we really are a nation of pet lovers. Yet the price of feeding our furry friends can put extra pressure on already stretched households. Use our top tips to save cash when feeding your cat or dog Credit: Getty Keep tails wagging with these tips for cheaper mealtimes . . . DOG’S DINNER: Don’t bite off more than you can chew by going for an expensive brand of pet food when cheaper will do. But check a pet food company is a member of trade association UK Pet Food (ukpetfood.org). Sign up for the Money newsletter Thank you! For dogs, choose food labelled “complete” — as it will have all the nutrients your pet needs — and that it is right for your dog’s size, breed and life stage. Dry food is usually the cheapest, which is fine for them to eat on its own, says the British Veterinary Association, as long as they get plenty of water too. READ MORE MONEY SAVING TIPS CAT’S WHISKERS: Use price comparison websites such as trolley.co.uk or pricerunner.com to find the best deals on pet food. Check the cost per kilogram or per serving rather than just the total package price. Buying bigger bags of food or multipacks is usually cheaper. Stock up when you see great offers. Tesco currently has three-for-two on Harringtons dog or cat food, saving you up to £31.50 if you buy three 12kg bags of dry dog food or £16.50 on a multi-buy of 40 cat food pouches. A-WEIGH YOU GO: You can save money by not feeding your pet too much. Caroline Reay, Veterinary Standards Lead at pet charity Blue Cross, says: “Avoid overfeeding, which is much better for your pet’s waistline, health and quality of life. Weigh out portions and follow the guidance on the packet. If a feeding weight range is given, stick to the lower end.” Most read in Money IN THE BANK: If you’re struggling, a food bank can help. Blue Cross has pet food banks in Sheffield, Exeter, Newport, Bicester and Manchester, and works with more than 500 other food banks to provide pet food in partnership with Pets At Home. Find your nearest one at bluecross.org.uk. All prices on page correct at time of going to press. Deals and offers subject to availability Deal of the day Save £45 on this Great Little Trading Co kaleidoscope rug Credit: supplied LIFT the look of a child’s’ room with the Great Little Trading Co kaleidoscope rug, down from £180 to £135 at John Lewis. SAVE: £45 Cheap treat Get Mackie’s of Scotland honeycomb ice cream for less Credit: Supplied FOR a taste of summer, Mackie’s of Scotland honeycomb ice cream is down from £3.60 a litre to £2.60 with a Tesco Clubcard. SAVE: £1 What’s new? Pick up this no-cost special issue of the Beano at TGJones Credit: supplied GET free giggles with a no-cost special issue of the Beano at TGJones to celebrate the National Year of Reading. Inside, you’ll find vouchers including £1.50 off the comic. Top swap Grab this 28cm non-stick frying pan from M&S for £22 Credit: supplied Or try this Silvercrest 28cm cast aluminium frying pan for less at Lidl Credit: supplied COOK up a storm in a 28cm non-stick frying pan from M&S, £22, or fry high with the Silvercrest 28cm cast aluminium frying pan, £8.99 from Lidl. SAVE: £13.01 Little helper Get three stonebaked pizzas for £6 at Morrisons MAKE it a family pizza night with this tasty offer from Morrisons – get three stonebaked pizzas for £6. They usually cost £3 each, so you’ll be saving £3. Shop & save Pick up this set of hard shell suitcases at Online Home Shop Credit: supplied TELL the kids to pack it in, with Online Home Shop’s set of three, four-wheel hard shell suitcases down from £90 to £70. SAVE: £20 Hot right now UNTIL tomorrow, new members get a £21 bonus when they sign up at topcashback.co.uk /weare21-pr and spend £15 with partner retailers. PLAY NOW TO WIN £200 Join thousands of readers taking part in The Sun Raffle JOIN thousands of readers taking part in The Sun Raffle. Every month we’re giving away £100 to 250 lucky readers – whether you’re saving up or just in need of some extra cash, The Sun could have you covered. Every Sun Savers code entered equals one Raffle ticket. The more codes you enter, the more tickets you’ll earn and the more chance you will have of winning!