Pet care prices continue to rise. Here's how to save smartly.

Rising prices for veterinary care, food and pet-related products and services have pet owners looking for ways to save while still ensuring that their pets don't have to do without. Even small changes can make a big difference. Regular wellness care or purchasing pet health insurance mean spending money upfront, but they can save your bacon if they discover a pet's health condition early or give you the means to treat an expensive illness or injury.

We asked pet owners and experts around the country how they recommend dealing with higher costs for pet care. Here are their tips:

Take advantage of subscriptions to products you buy regularly. "It was a huge pain initially, but for recurring products, I set up subscriptions," says Indiana-based Maggie Marton. "For nearly everything — meds, food, fountain filters, Feliway, litter — there's a website out there that offers a discount for a subscription. All told, I spend 10 to 20% less on these items."

Do it yourself. Christie Keith, who has four dogs — one of them a giant breed — has begun bathing and grooming her silken windhounds and Scottish deerhound herself instead of sending them to a professional groomer. Beth Quade learned to sew so she could make clothes and collars for her thin-skinned Italian greyhounds.

Take preventive care seriously. "Early intervention can save thousands," says Dr. Kathryn Primm, owner of Applebrook Animal Hospital in Ooltewah, Tenn. "People think they are saving by doing an internet search and trying stuff at home, but many times it won't work, and the delay makes the pet sicker." Preventing parasites also saves money. "Heartworm prevention ranges in cost based on size, but is usually less than $10 per month," Primm says. "Treatment costs more than $1,000."

Don't wait until your pet is sick to establish a relationship with a veterinarian. It's a good way to head off problems, Kirchner says. "They'll know your pets and have records and prior lab results, avoiding the need for a more extensive workup and working blind with a pet they've never seen before."

Get pet health insurance before problems develop. No pet insurance company covers preexisting conditions. Avery Folsom of Delta, Colo., says, "I have pet insurance to help with vet costs, and PetCo has a program where they give store credit for taking your dog to the vet as well as discounts."

Some employers offer discounted pet health insurance as an employee benefit. "It's cheaper than buying it directly, helps with some routine costs, and is helpful for emergency visits," says Linda Dennis.

Be creative if your dog is a treat hound. Retired librarian Lis Carey's Chinese crested service dog Cider landed a gig reviewing dog treats for science fiction fan and industry news blog File 770, for which Carey reviews books. The blog editors send treats directly to Cider, and she shares her opinion. Couldn't hurt to contact the editor of your fave knitting or other special-interest blog to see if they need a canine or feline pet treat reviewer.

Seek out assistance. If money is tight, check local animal shelters to see if they provide services or information on local resources for food assistance, affordable behavior and veterinary care and other pet care needs. Ask your vet if your pet might qualify for special programs or discounts. Some veterinarians offer senior discounts, says Jose Kirchner of Sacramento. And some food shelters also offer pet food and care items.