In a recent survey done by the American Veterinary Medical Association,
7.6 million U.S. households added pets to their families. In
2006, Americans spent more than $36 billion on food, shelter,
veterinary care and toys for their companion animals.
Times
have sure changed since then. Today's paychecks, if you have one,
need to go a lot further than ever before. Just as you've
switched to generic brands of shampoo, toilet paper and cereal, the
family dog can also get by using lower cost or home made items.
Whether
it's dog food, annual vaccinations or the monthly trip to the groomers,
here are some tips to help you curb your canine's costs.
Keeping your dog healthy on a daily basis can keep you away from the
veterinary office. Brushing your dog's teeth a few times a week
can reduce the onset of tooth decay and gum disease. Take
your dog for daily walks to maintain a healthy weight which can prevent
diabetes and heart disease. This holds true for your physical
fitness too!
A trip to the emergency vet hospital can set you
back thousands of dollars. Avoid this trauma to your dog and your
wallet by practicing prevention. Is your house dog proof?
Prescription medications out of reach? The backyard fence in good
repair?
Make sure your dog is spayed and neutered before
the age of 6 months. This will prevent breast, uterine and
testicular cancer. Plus, unaltered animals have the urge to roam
and mate, which makes them vulnerable to cars and traffic.
Except
for the more complicated haircuts, learning how to groom your own dog
can save you hundreds of dollars each year. Do-it-yourself dog
washes are affordable and easy to use. They provide shampoo, warm
water, towels and blow dryers.
Skip the toy section of
your dogs favorite pet supply store, and make him homemade toys
instead. Stuff an old sock with fabric, knotting it then tossing
it. Make several so you can machine wash one while your dog is
playing with the others.
Of all the cost saving measures, dog
food is probably one area you won't want to skimp. A poor quality
food can end up costing you more in veterinary bills should your dog's
health suffer the consequences. A good quality dry dog food
should always list a meat protein as one of the first two
ingredients. To save money, try to buy the food in bulk rather
than small bags.
Shelley Frost has served in both executive and volunteer positions at animal shelters. A co-author of Your Adopted Dog, she also produces documentaries about animal issues.
