4 simple ways to save money on pet care
Recently, there have been a number of articles about pet abandonment due to the cost-of-living crisis.
With winter approaching and inflation skyrocketing, a growing number of people will be facing financial difficulty in the coming months.
And with 59% of households in the UK living with furry family members, pet parents may be hit the hardest!
According to Statista, the average cost of a dog per year is £1875 and Battersea report it's £1587 for a cat.
Not only are many having to reduce household expenses to make savings, we now have to consider how to cut back our pet care costs.
Multi-pet households are without a doubt going to feel the pinch on their pockets as we head into a recession.
It's devastating that in times like these, it's the animals that are being left behind and given up on. The RSPCA alone reported a 29% increase in the number of animals found abandoned over winter.
That's why we wanted to address this issue at Buddycare and reassure people that it isn't all doom and gloom!
There are definitely some great ways you can keep pet care costs low and still give your buddy the best possible care.
Our pets aren’t just family, they’re our whole world. No one knows this more than our vet nurse Fiona, a proud mum of three dogs, three cats and two budgies!
That’s why she’s put together five ways that you can reduce pet costs and keep your furriends healthy and happy.
1. Preventative Healthcare
Parasites
Treating your pet regularly for fleas, worms and ticks can keep them in good health. Doing this helps to prevent skin conditions such as flea allergy dermatitis, and also digestive issues due to overburdens of worms.
Prevention is always cheaper than treatment so this can possibly help to reduce the need for vet visits in the future.
There are plenty of wonderful subscription services with low-cost, convenient plans that are worth considering. Not only can they save you money, but they are automatically delivered to your door when your treatment is due!
Supplements
It's always worth speaking to a vet or booking an appointment with one of our vet nurses to discuss supplements.
There are lots that are useful to help prevent certain conditions with your pets. You can find many effective joint, skin, or digestive supplements for those with either breed, life stage, or individual needs.
Supplements are great for keeping your pet in tip-top health and may help you avoid big vet bills to diagnose and treat disease in the future!
Joint Care is the perfect product for senior pets with decreased mobility and active pets of all ages!
It's developed to support joints, cartilage and synovial fluid integrity and combines Glucosamine HCl, Chondroitin, two natural anti-inflammatories and three antioxidants!
Regular grooming, whether at home or done by a professional, is fantastic for keeping the fur and skin in good condition.
Matted fur can lead to damaged and inflamed skin and be very painful.
Grooming is also a good time to check the coat and skin for any new lumps and bumps, rashes or issues early, reducing costs for vet treatment.
Our Omega 3 Supplement is the perfect pairing to go alongside your regular grooms! The oil helps support good skin health all year round.
It has high levels of EPA and DHA for dogs and cats which play an integral role in the healthy functioning of the brain, heart, joints, skin and coat.
This one is huge! Many pet insurance providers don’t cover dental treatment in their terms and conditions. And for some pets', periodontal disease can begin as early as three or four years of age!
But you can prevent this easily by investing just a little time into training at very little cost. Just like with humans, daily toothbrushing is the most effective way to prevent plaque build-up.
We know it can be difficult with families, work and everything in between to find the time to do this. But just brushing for a couple of minutes, three times a week, will work wonders by removing plaque and decreasing the bacteria in your pet's mouth.
This one is a no-brainer as it can absolutely help to reduce those long-term costs for dental work at the vets under general anaesthesia! Dental extractions and x-rays can also cost a pretty penny!
Try Buddy’s toothpaste for dogs and cats. It contains an enzymatic complex designed to inhibit the formation of plaque and ensure that tartar and plaque cannot build up on teeth.
The bio adhesive system means this can be used with or without brushing which is great news. Especially for cat parents
2. Insurance
Insurance is one of the best ways to protect you so you don’t have to fork out for unexpected emergencies. It's no secret that vet bills can be very expensive and easily run up into the £1000’s for even the smallest of things. If we add in hospitalisation and possible surgeries, it can definitely create great financial worries.
Find an insurance that suits you by checking on comparison websites and entering your needs and income.
Insurance can be a very personal thing and what suits one pet parent, may not suit you. Always check the terms and conditions to see what you're covered for and what you will get out of your insurance.
Some policies may cover everything, including vet fees and expenses, if your pet goes missing, death etc. Usually these policies have a higher monthly premium, but you will be covered for most things.
Other companies may just cover the more basic costs without all the extras which will be at a more reduced monthly cost. It all depends on how much you are willing to pay and what you are looking for, but there are plenty of options out there to suit every pet owner.
3. Nutrition
Check the prices of your pet food. The industry is extremely competitive so it's wise to shop around and try and find the best deal for your pet. We recommend looking into pet food subscriptions, as these can be a good way to make savings..
Be sure to regularly check the feeding guidelines. Overfeeding can lead to pet obesity and it may even be costing you extra when it doesn’t need to! Remember if you are feeding your pet any additional extras or treats, you need to reduce their daily meals to compensate for the extra calories!
If you’re feeding dry food, usually the larger the bag of food the more economical it will be. If you have storage space, buying food in bulk, purchasing an airtight container and keeping it in a cool dry place can save you lots of money.
4. Other Ideas
If you are off on holiday or need someone to mind your buddy when you go to work, check if any of your family or friends can pet sit first. This can help you make large savings instead of having to spend money on day-care or kennels.
There are also housesitting websites where pet-loving members of the public, who aren’t able to have their own pets, offer to help walk and give your cuddly companion company during the day.
It’s always worth asking around and remember to get references and speak to others who have used these services for peace of mind.
Keep an eye out for sales and offers! Sign up to mailing lists online to be notified about sales and offers to make some great savings. It really doesn't matter to your dog if their toys are festive related outside of the holiday season.
A toy is a toy and they will love playing with a snowman or Father Christmas! If the price is reduced you can grab some great deals on toys, treats, accessories etc. And remember to always check the bargain bin!
Pet toys can be very expensive, so why not make your own? DIY toys and games can be cheap and easy to make. You can create a great toss and tug toy from an old knotted t-shirt.
Old jeans can be cut and braided. Use your imagination, but also your common sense! Always use pet safe materials and trial homemade toys under supervision first to make sure they're suitable.
For any unexpected ruh-ohs, such as runny poo's or tummy upsets, our vet team recommend keeping some Digestive Healthcare products at home!
Digestive Care is an oral paste which contains prebiotics, probiotics and bentonite clay.
Bentonite clay can help calm digestive upset by acting as a binder. Probiotics are important in restoring beneficial flora in the gut, while prebiotics provide nourishment for the growth of these bacteria.
Like this blog? Pawsome! Get sharing on socials to spread the good word and help your friends and family making savings on pet care too!
