Comments on: How to reduce the costs of pet ownership http://sensetosave.com/2008/03/15/how-to-reduce-the-costs-of-pet-ownership/ Sun, 14 Mar 2010 19:16:20 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Frugal Pet Care | Green Panda Treehouse http://sensetosave.com/2008/03/15/how-to-reduce-the-costs-of-pet-ownership/comment-page-1/#comment-9279 Frugal Pet Care | Green Panda Treehouse Thu, 15 May 2008 10:14:28 +0000 http://sensetosave.com/2008/03/15/how-to-reduce-the-costs-of-pet-ownership/#comment-9279 [...] How to reduce the costs of pet ownership [...] [...] How to reduce the costs of pet ownership [...]

]]> By: Insurance Blogger http://sensetosave.com/2008/03/15/how-to-reduce-the-costs-of-pet-ownership/comment-page-1/#comment-7232 Insurance Blogger Fri, 04 Apr 2008 07:16:46 +0000 http://sensetosave.com/2008/03/15/how-to-reduce-the-costs-of-pet-ownership/#comment-7232 Are you personally a fan of pet insurance? I have considered it multiple times, but have always decided against it. PS - Great site! <em>Insurance Blogger's last blog post..</em><a href='http://blogging4insurance.com/2008/04/04/pet-insurance-i-love-my-pets-but-is-pet-insurance-worth-the-cost/' rel="nofollow">Pet Insurance - I love my pets, but is pet insurance worth the cost?</a> Are you personally a fan of pet insurance? I have considered it multiple times, but have always decided against it.

PS – Great site!

Insurance Blogger’s last blog post..Pet Insurance – I love my pets, but is pet insurance worth the cost?

]]> By: Jan http://sensetosave.com/2008/03/15/how-to-reduce-the-costs-of-pet-ownership/comment-page-1/#comment-7057 Jan Mon, 31 Mar 2008 06:17:05 +0000 http://sensetosave.com/2008/03/15/how-to-reduce-the-costs-of-pet-ownership/#comment-7057 I agree with a lot of what you have said. But, sometimes you have to pay high prices for dog food. One of my girls is allergic to all grains. Buying food for her is expensive. My other to girls get Costco's food, large bags and a great price. Thanks for the article. I agree with a lot of what you have said. But, sometimes you have to pay high prices for dog food. One of my girls is allergic to all grains. Buying food for her is expensive. My other to girls get Costco’s food, large bags and a great price.

Thanks for the article.

]]> By: Sue Kerr http://sensetosave.com/2008/03/15/how-to-reduce-the-costs-of-pet-ownership/comment-page-1/#comment-7045 Sue Kerr Sun, 30 Mar 2008 21:02:48 +0000 http://sensetosave.com/2008/03/15/how-to-reduce-the-costs-of-pet-ownership/#comment-7045 The quality of pet food is very important. You can spend anywhere from $7.00 to $70.00 for food and there's always someone ought there with a reason why you should follow their advice. I say talk it over with your veterinarian, do some research using reputable veterinary websites and make the best decision for your family. We spend a hefty amount on dry dog food, but they consume much less and we supplement with fresh veggies. Their waste proves the point that more can be less. :-) Pet treat coupons are very frequently published in the paper, particularly when a new item comes out. I clip those religiously and stock up for special occasions (like when a new visitor comes over). For treats, another good option is to invest in a quality stuffable toy like a Kong ... I stuff mine with carrots, apple slices, dry treats and a "plug" of either peanut butter or cream cheese. Healthier for the pets, keeps 'em busy while I'm gone and very affordable. Another option ... join your local animal shelter group. Here in Pgh, an annual membership to Animal Friends give us unlimited free nail trims which is useful as our boys are hard to trim. Plus, we attend most of their events at a significant discount which is a nice outing for us and the woofers. Toys ... shop at thrift stores for safe stuffed animals (no loose buttons, beads, etc). For a few dollars, you can buy a whole bag of toys and support a good cause. They tend to last a lot longer too. Great topic. The quality of pet food is very important. You can spend anywhere from $7.00 to $70.00 for food and there’s always someone ought there with a reason why you should follow their advice. I say talk it over with your veterinarian, do some research using reputable veterinary websites and make the best decision for your family. We spend a hefty amount on dry dog food, but they consume much less and we supplement with fresh veggies. Their waste proves the point that more can be less. :-)

Pet treat coupons are very frequently published in the paper, particularly when a new item comes out. I clip those religiously and stock up for special occasions (like when a new visitor comes over).

For treats, another good option is to invest in a quality stuffable toy like a Kong … I stuff mine with carrots, apple slices, dry treats and a “plug” of either peanut butter or cream cheese. Healthier for the pets, keeps ‘em busy while I’m gone and very affordable.

Another option … join your local animal shelter group. Here in Pgh, an annual membership to Animal Friends give us unlimited free nail trims which is useful as our boys are hard to trim. Plus, we attend most of their events at a significant discount which is a nice outing for us and the woofers.

Toys … shop at thrift stores for safe stuffed animals (no loose buttons, beads, etc). For a few dollars, you can buy a whole bag of toys and support a good cause. They tend to last a lot longer too.

Great topic.

]]> By: Cathy http://sensetosave.com/2008/03/15/how-to-reduce-the-costs-of-pet-ownership/comment-page-1/#comment-7040 Cathy Sun, 30 Mar 2008 16:36:57 +0000 http://sensetosave.com/2008/03/15/how-to-reduce-the-costs-of-pet-ownership/#comment-7040 Dear Cat Owner, I wouldn't put your cat to sleep just yet. Urinating on the furniture could be from something that might've stressed your cat, frightened him/her. Or, your couch could've had a strange scent on it which could also have made him/her urinate on it. Also, cats tend to urinate outside the litter box if they have a urinary tract infection which can be easily fixed with antibiotics from your vet. Don't give up yet! Good luck. Cathy Dear Cat Owner,
I wouldn’t put your cat to sleep just yet. Urinating on the furniture could be from something that might’ve stressed your cat, frightened him/her. Or, your couch could’ve had a strange scent on it which could also have made him/her urinate on it. Also, cats tend to urinate outside the litter box if they have a urinary tract infection which can be easily fixed with antibiotics from your vet. Don’t give up yet! Good luck.
Cathy

]]> By: Nancy Sprouse http://sensetosave.com/2008/03/15/how-to-reduce-the-costs-of-pet-ownership/comment-page-1/#comment-7034 Nancy Sprouse Sun, 30 Mar 2008 05:05:04 +0000 http://sensetosave.com/2008/03/15/how-to-reduce-the-costs-of-pet-ownership/#comment-7034 Not to be insensitive, but I would never put my dogs outside with my couch cushions. I would know what to expect. How old is the cat? Is it an adult that should know better or a kitten that just doesn't have it down pat as yet? If I were in your spot,( and my husband hadn't lost his temper and hauled them all off to the pound), I'd opt for buying some large pillows or cushions that would be usable and buy or make throws or slip covers until I could replace the furniture. If it's expensive stuff, check into re-upholstering. As to wheather or not the cat should go, you need to figure out why it happened. Did the cat want out? Does the cat have a physical problem? Life is cruel and difficult for homeless animals. Just be fair. Not to be insensitive, but I would never put my dogs outside with my couch cushions. I would know what to expect.
How old is the cat? Is it an adult that should know better or a kitten that just doesn’t have it down pat as yet?
If I were in your spot,( and my husband hadn’t lost his temper and hauled them all off to the pound), I’d opt for buying some large pillows or cushions that would be usable and buy or make throws or slip covers until I could replace the furniture. If it’s expensive stuff, check into re-upholstering. As to wheather or not the cat should go, you need to figure out why it happened. Did the cat want out? Does the cat have a physical problem? Life is cruel and difficult for homeless animals. Just be fair.

]]> By: Kacie http://sensetosave.com/2008/03/15/how-to-reduce-the-costs-of-pet-ownership/comment-page-1/#comment-6971 Kacie Fri, 28 Mar 2008 18:22:43 +0000 http://sensetosave.com/2008/03/15/how-to-reduce-the-costs-of-pet-ownership/#comment-6971 I saw that this was linked to on the Smart Spending blog--thanks for helping to make that happen! I saw that this was linked to on the Smart Spending blog–thanks for helping to make that happen!

]]> By: Donna Freedman http://sensetosave.com/2008/03/15/how-to-reduce-the-costs-of-pet-ownership/comment-page-1/#comment-6970 Donna Freedman Fri, 28 Mar 2008 17:52:57 +0000 http://sensetosave.com/2008/03/15/how-to-reduce-the-costs-of-pet-ownership/#comment-6970 My sister brushes her dog's teeth regularly. Then again, she's a dental hygienist...! Seriously, though, she does this in order to save money on veterinary tooth-cleaning, which as you may know requires anesthesia. She also clips her dog's nails by herself; the clippers paid for themselves almost instantly. I think this was a great post, and forwarded it to Karen Datko of MSN Money Smart Spending. She linked to it on March 27. I hope this results in increased traffic -- and, more importantly, in increased understanding that (1) a pet is a lifelong commitment and (2) while there are ways to keep costs reasonable, there *are* costs involved with pet ownership. My sister brushes her dog’s teeth regularly. Then again, she’s a dental hygienist…! Seriously, though, she does this in order to save money on veterinary tooth-cleaning, which as you may know requires anesthesia. She also clips her dog’s nails by herself; the clippers paid for themselves almost instantly.
I think this was a great post, and forwarded it to Karen Datko of MSN Money Smart Spending. She linked to it on March 27. I hope this results in increased traffic — and, more importantly, in increased understanding that (1) a pet is a lifelong commitment and (2) while there are ways to keep costs reasonable, there *are* costs involved with pet ownership.

]]> By: A multitude of tips for making pet ownership affordable - Smart Spending http://sensetosave.com/2008/03/15/how-to-reduce-the-costs-of-pet-ownership/comment-page-1/#comment-6921 A multitude of tips for making pet ownership affordable - Smart Spending Thu, 27 Mar 2008 19:46:52 +0000 http://sensetosave.com/2008/03/15/how-to-reduce-the-costs-of-pet-ownership/#comment-6921 [...] Guest poster Emily Starbuck Gerson at Sense to Save had a revelation not uncommon among new pet owners: "I love my pets, but I had no idea they would be so costly." [...] [...] Guest poster Emily Starbuck Gerson at Sense to Save had a revelation not uncommon among new pet owners: “I love my pets, but I had no idea they would be so costly.” [...]

]]> By: Jules http://sensetosave.com/2008/03/15/how-to-reduce-the-costs-of-pet-ownership/comment-page-1/#comment-6345 Jules Mon, 17 Mar 2008 15:02:25 +0000 http://sensetosave.com/2008/03/15/how-to-reduce-the-costs-of-pet-ownership/#comment-6345 I would like to add an option to the "low-cost clinics" section of this article.... Luv My Pet Inc is a company partnered up with Petco that offers low-cost dog and cat vaccination clinics in 23 states - on weekends, Saturdays and Sundays. The clinics are administered by state-licensed vets so it is definitely safe and legitimate. They offer all the core vaccines, as well as heartworm and other diagnostic tests, veterinary flea treatments, and microchipping services. These clinics are a really good option from a national perspective and can save pet owners a lot of money. For example, you can get your dog all the core vaccines (DHPP/DHLPP) plus rabies, corona, and bordetella for $49. Their clinic locations can be found on the LuvMyPet.com website. Regarding the pet insurance, I have friends who are paying $15-20 a month. Last year, my young dog had a disc rupture - within 24 hours he was almost fully paralyzed.... he underwent surgery and is now as good and healthy as new. I ended up spending $6000; but of course I'd do anything for my puppy - and the surgery worked! At that point, I did not have pet insurance and wish I had. I just figured he was young and wouldn't have a problem like that. So in retrospect, I'd encourage people to shop around for pet insurance. I would like to add an option to the “low-cost clinics” section of this article…. Luv My Pet Inc is a company partnered up with Petco that offers low-cost dog and cat vaccination clinics in 23 states – on weekends, Saturdays and Sundays. The clinics are administered by state-licensed vets so it is definitely safe and legitimate. They offer all the core vaccines, as well as heartworm and other diagnostic tests, veterinary flea treatments, and microchipping services.

These clinics are a really good option from a national perspective and can save pet owners a lot of money. For example, you can get your dog all the core vaccines (DHPP/DHLPP) plus rabies, corona, and bordetella for $49. Their clinic locations can be found on the LuvMyPet.com website.

Regarding the pet insurance, I have friends who are paying $15-20 a month. Last year, my young dog had a disc rupture – within 24 hours he was almost fully paralyzed…. he underwent surgery and is now as good and healthy as new. I ended up spending $6000; but of course I’d do anything for my puppy – and the surgery worked! At that point, I did not have pet insurance and wish I had. I just figured he was young and wouldn’t have a problem like that. So in retrospect, I’d encourage people to shop around for pet insurance.

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