Consumer Reports Money Adviser offers tips on how to save money on your pet.

As a result of the economic downturn, many of us have trimmed spending — except when it comes to our pets.

While sales are anemic in most industries, spending on pet products remains robust. Consumer Reports Money Adviser recently reported that total sales topped $43 billion in 2008, and a 4.9 percent increase is expected this year, according to the American Pet Products Association. We spend an average of $1,035 on a cat and $1,580 on a medium-sized dog in the first year of ownership.

You can pamper your furry and feathered friends without breaking the bank.

Consumer Reports Money Adviser has come up with some ways to cut costs.

• Read pet-food labels carefully. A higher-priced brand of pet food could mean it contains better ingredients, but you might also be paying for pretty packaging, marketing or a fancy name. Consumer Reports Money Adviser suggests checking for the words “complete and balanced,” which indicate it can be the pet’s sole nourishment. Also look for a statement that the food’s nutritional adequacy was validated by the American Association of Feed Control Officials, a regulatory group. Compare pet-food prices on Web sites like Amazon, DrsFosterSmith, Petco.com, and Petsmart.com, as well as your local supermarkets, big-box stores and pet shops. Also look for coupons on manufacturers’ Web sites and on sites like CoolSavings, Coupons.com and SmartSource.com. And take advantage of store loyalty programs.

• Shop around for prescriptions. Compare your vet’s price to what you’d pay on such Web sites as 1800PetMeds, Costco, DrsFosterSmith, Eckerd, KVVet and PetCareRx. Make sure any Web site you use requires a prescription from your vet; if it doesn’t, that’s a sign it isn’t a legitimate site. Also consider a lower-priced generic medication if one is available.

• Cut the cost of supplies. Buy things like cleaning supplies, flea and tick medications, and litter in bulk when appropriate. Check out such Web sites as Craigslist, eBay and Freecycle for aquariums, bird cages, cat carriers, dog crates, kitty condos and similar items.

• Keep the toy count down. Buy a few pet toys and rotate them every couple of weeks. Before you buy, ask your vet about the kinds of toys that are appropriate and safe for your pet. Then compare prices at the same pet stores, department stores, and Web sites you checked for pet-food deals.

• Save boarding fees. Check with family and friends well before a trip to see if anyone can care for your pets. If you can’t find someone to trade, ask your neighbors and vet for the names of people or places they’d recommend. Vet technicians may do pet sitting on the side for a lower fee than you’d pay to board your pet. You’d get the added benefit of having someone with medical expertise, just in case. If you use a kennel, visit several in your area to compare prices and the quality of the facilities.