Save Money on Pets when times are tough

In many cases when an economic downturn occurs, we will curb our spending, set budgets and try to save as much money as we can. For those of us who own pets, it can be even tougher to cut the budget because of the required care our pets need. With the list below, it will help you to provide your pet with the things they need without breaking the bank.

Buy items in bulk – This can include pet food and kitty litter. If you compare the price of larger bags of food to the smaller ones, you will find that the price per pound can be substantially less. This is also true when it comes to cat litter. Buying in bulk is a good deal. When shopping for food and litter, purchase the biggest bag you can. If you have room in the freezer, you can rebag portions of the food into Ziploc bags and store in your freezer for a longer shelf life.

Save on Routine checkups and procedures – If you need to have your pet spayed or neutered, contact your local shelter instead of your vet. In many cases they will offer a discount on the procedure. Another way to save is on routine vaccinations. Veterinary professionals are now recommending that you have pets vaccinated every 3 years instead of annually. If you follow this recommendation, this can save money annually. Some states do require annual rabies boosters for pets to be licensed. Make sure that you are providing all vaccinations that are necessary.

Consider searching for Surgeries – Going to your local vet for a scheduled surgery may not be the best idea when it comes to cost savings. By doing some research outside of your area, you may be able to find the same services at a fraction of the cost. It is not uncommon to save hundreds of dollars by traveling outside of your area to have these services performed. If you have a long-standing relationship with your veterinarian, they may be able to offer a payment plan for you. CareCredit is a payment plan that is available through many vet clinics and helps spread the payments over a longer period of time.

Forgo the Groomer Trip – Groomers can charge up to $45 or more for appointments. For most breeds it is not necessary to have your pet professionally groomed. To save money, purchase over the counter pet shampoo and wash your pet at home. If you do not have the room or resources, look for do-it-yourself pet washing services. These will be more than doing it at home, but still less than having a professional groom your pet.

Save on Dental – Dental care for pets is very important for health. This can be a very expensive procedure due to anesthesia costs. Make sure to prevent dental disease by brushing your pet’s teeth or providing dental chews to avoid the necessity of a dental prophylaxis.

There are many ways to save money and still take care of your pet. Budget accordingly, use common sense and talk to your vet for more ways to save some money.

So Your Pets Can Play While You’re Away

As much as children (and even some adults) enjoy playing with toys, your pets also love to play with things that roll, bounce, squeak, or simply smell good. It's helpful to keep in mind that, just like in choosing which toys your children play with, it's also important to choose which toys your pets play with.

It may seem like a luxury to give your pet a toy, but having toys helps to alleviate boredom and gives your pets an outlet for their natural behaviors. It also helps toward preventing destructive behavior in pets that are left home alone during work hours. By providing your dog or cat with something acceptable to chew on, your sofa cushions will be (hopefully!) in one piece when you get home. For dogs, it is best to confine them during the day while you are gone. Puppies can get into a lot of trouble while you are out and can become quite ill or injure themselves. A comfortable crate is the best option for keeping your pup safe now and into adulthood.

While cats tend to be somewhat fussy with what they like to play with, dogs tend to want to play with anything and everything that captures their interest. Cats generally prefer to interact with a toy that has movement, as this triggers their prey-chasing behavior. Dogs are basically interested in toys that have a taste or smell that appeals to them. It may be easier to think of your pets as being forever in the toddler stage: if something smells or tastes good or otherwise catches their attention, then in the mouth it will go.

Common household items that are the most attractive or interesting to your pets are often the most dangerous! Items such as string, ribbon, rubber bands, plastic milk jug rings, paper clips, pins, needles, coins, erasers, pens, even dental floss are easily ingested by your pets. Try to pet-proof your home just as you would child-proof your home.

To occupy your pets while you are at work or even while you are at home, make toys available to them. Here are some things to keep in mind when considering which toys to give to your pets:

• Toys should be appropriate for your pet's size. You wouldn't give a Chihuahua a basketball and you wouldn't give a Great Dane a marble! Toys that are too small can easily be swallowed or become lodged in your pet's throat.
• If a toy has parts that can be chewed and/or ingested, avoid it. Things like ribbons, strings, doll eyes, buttons, or other removable parts can choke your pet or lead to stomach upset, or worse, internal blockage or lacerations.
• If a well-loved toy becomes well-worn, throw it away. Broken or torn toys present the same dangers as toys with removable parts.
• A good rule of thumb is to go by any child safety labels. If the toy is labeled as being safe for children ages three and under and doesn't contain a dangerous filling, then it is safe to give to your pet. Dangerous fillings include nutshells and polystyrene beads, but be cautious with so-called safe fillings as well.
• When it comes to chewable toys, like rawhides, always check with your veterinarian as to which ones are safe for your pet. Chewable toys should only be played with under your supervision. A safer alternative are very hard rubber toys. Not only are they safer, but they last longer as well. Just remember that cats generally do not like hard toys.
• For the “squeaky” toys, always remember that when alone and bored, the noisemaker at the center may be am unavoidable challenge. A determined pet may destroy the squeaky toy just to get at the noisemaker and your pet may wind up ingesting it. Squeaky toys are another play thing that should be used under your supervision.

Choosing the right toy for your pet can not only give them a good source of entertainment while you are at work, but can also offer a fantastic bonding experience for you and your pet.

Common Household Treatments For Your Pets

Not every course of treatment recommended by your veterinarian is going to be a veterinary prescription – there are many common household medications that can be used to treat your pets’ symptoms. Your medicine cabinet or even your pantry may be stocked with solutions for ailments ranging from stomach upset to itching. Many of the prescription medications that veterinarians prescribe are also the same medications that your doctor might prescribe to you for various ailments. However, this does not mean that you should attempt to treat your pet without a veterinarian’s expert advice, as dosages and frequencies are often VERY different for pets than for us humans.

The following are examples of items that may be used in relieving your pet’s illness:

• Buffered aspirin (for pain relief – not recommended for cats. Additionally, only buffered aspirin should be used for pain relief and never ibuprofen or Tylenol)
• Vitamin B (to stimulate the appetite)
• Benadryl (for allergic reactions and itching)
• Dramamine (car sickness)
• Pepto Bismol (used for diarrhea, vomiting, and as an antacid)
• Mineral oil (helps with constipation)
• Kaopectate (relieves diarrhea)
• Canned pumpkin (relieves constipation)
• Pepcid (used as an antacid)
• Robitussin DM (for coughs -- this is not recommended for cats)
• Imodium AD (relives diarrhea – this is also not recommended for cats)

You should always contact your veterinarian at the first sign of illness or discomfort. Your veterinarian can immediately prescribe a course of action and can also advise you on whether or not a readily available treatment may be found in your home. Your vet is also your best reference as to whether or not common human medications are still considered safe and acceptable based on the latest findings. In addition, your vet can tell you the correct dosages and give you peace of mind by informing you of what to watch for and how long your pet may feel ill.

With the help of your vet and an everyday item from your medicine cabinet, your pet can be well on the way to a speedy recovery.