Dog Care Information to Keep Pet CareAffordable
Tips to Cut Grooming and Vet Costs Without Sacrificing Puppy’s Care
Jun 10, 2009
Pet owners may be looking at their dog’s monthly veterinary, grooming, and miscellaneous dog care expenses and wondering how to make ends meet. Here's some dog care information that can help trim the household budget without shortchanging the family pet.
Dog Care Information on Affordable Medication and Veterinary Care
Veterinary care is one area where pet owners won’t want to pinch too many pennies. Skimping on care today could result in large vet bills down the road.
Still, it pays to do some research. Some veterinarians will price-match for monthly heartworm meds, flea protection, etc. Checking prices at online pharmacies such as petmeds.com may save a few dollars each month.
If a vet can’t match the price for a pet’s medication, he can call in the prescription to another pharmacy just like doctors do. Petmeds.com offers free shipping for orders over $39.99 and the meds arrive directly to pet owners’ homes.
Also, certain vaccinations and possibly even spaying or neutering may be offered by animal clinics at lower prices. Pet owners can call their local humane society for more information.
Dog Care Information on Affordable Pet Grooming
Many dogs need regular grooming to prevent matting. Thrifty pet owners may want to try their hand at clipping their own dog’s hair. Puppy or pet cuts for dogs are possible for owners to touch up every so often and pet owners can visit a professional groomer once in a while to get a trim. Regular brushing to keep the dog’s hair mat free will also cut costs at the groomer’s and make appointments less frequent.
Dog Care Tips on Affordable Crates
Outfitting a crate as its bedding is chewed or soiled can either be outrageously expensive or cost nothing at all. Snuggly dog beds look nice on the day pet owners shell $40 out for them, but are often in need of replacement a few months down the road. Dogs are just as comfortable on old towels, sheets, or blankets. These are also easier to wash than many dog beds on the market.
A quality crate is a good investment since it will provide dogs with a safe home for many years. This doesn’t mean a crate needs to cost upwards of $100. Several crates on the market are well made and affordable. It really depends on what a pet owner is looking for and the size of the dog. A sturdy crate without all the bells and whistles should be available for $60 or less. Pet owners can visit a large pet store or do online research to compare prices and find the crate to meet their needs.
Crates aren’t one size fits all. A large dog needs to have enough room to stand up and turn around in his crate, but a puppy will soil a crate that’s too big. Thrifty pet owners may want to buy the crate their puppy will need as an adult and block off part of the space with a plastic tub. Some crates come equipped with partitions though these may be more expensive. Do-it-yourself pet owners can easily fashion a divider for the few short months the puppy is growing.
When the household budget is tight, responsible pet owners do their research to make ends meet and maintain their pets’ health and well being. Readers interested in cutting dog care costs may also want to check out ideas for trimming expenses of dog care products and finding the essential dog care products for taking care of a puppy.
