Feeling the financial pinch? Worried about the cost of feeding your dog? The good news is that you can economise on pet food without harming the health of your dog.
First tip is to buy dry dog food, rather than canned. Dry food, sometimes branded ‘Complete Meal’ can give your dog a more nutritious and more balanced diet than tinned food, yet can cost far less.
And you can cut costs further by buying in bulk, direct from suppliers or wholesalers. You can locate local suppliers on the Internet. And you can trim feeding costs even more by joining with family, friends and neighbours if they are dog-owners, and negotiating a discount for bulk purchases.
These saving can really add up over time.
However, avoid the really cheap brands, instead go for a medium quality food because this will help keep your dog in good health and thus minimise trips to the vet, and again save money in the longer term. Cheap, low-grade food can cause digestive and other problems.
Another cost-saving tip is to brush your dog’s teeth regularly! Most dogs find this a fun activity, and regular cleaning will minimise tooth decay and reduce visits to the vet.
And on the subject of vets, shop around in your locality to check prices. Not all vets charge the same fees for similar work, yet all have to be properly qualified in order to practice. A few telephone calls to inquire the cost of standard vaccines, routine health checks, neutering etc can substantially reduce your annual veterinary bill, in the same way that shopping around for car insurance quotes can be very productive.
If your dog is young, consider taking out pet insurance. A small monthly fee is a good investment, as later on in the dog’s life, the insurance company will pick up most of the major veterinary bills. But remember to check the small print for exclusions – not all policies offer the same coverage.
With a little research and a little effort, you can dramatically cut the cost of keeping a dog without in any way affecting its general health and well-being. Making the effort is a far better solution than giving up your dog.
Remember – the best tonic your dog gets is the love you give it. Make every effort to keep your dog when times are hard, for that’s exactly when you really need ‘man’s best friend’ – dogs provide love, companionship and even therapy in stressful situations.
