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|  Budget Pet Care Article courtesy of ARA Content
Most people consider a pet a member of the family -- and for good reason. Pets offer companionship, amusement and unconditional love. Studies support that owning a pet offers a multitude of emotional and overall health rewards.
However, with the plunging economy and the rising costs of food, fuel and housing, cash-strapped Americans are pinching their pennies. People are faced with having to make difficult decisions on cutting back, often giving up the things they love most. Unfortunately, some pet parents are faced with the dilemma of appropriately caring for their pet on a tight budget. For pet owners faced with this challenge, it’s important to remember how much your furry friend adds to your life. Pets make us laugh, show us love in any circumstance and can even lower our overall stress levels. With a smart approach to affordable pet care, you may find you can afford to keep your pet happy and healthy -- and at home with you and your family.
Resist the toy temptation
Personalized accessories and elaborate toys have become trendy, but pets won’t miss the extra bells and whistles. Pets are just as happy clad in a plain collar and playing with less expensive or even safer, homemade toys geared to improve overall pet health, including chew toys for puppies and scratching posts for cats.
A healthy pet is a happy pet
It’s important to still provide your pet with routine veterinary care. But ask your vet to prescribe only the most vital vaccinations. You can also visit low-cost clinics for routine check-ups.
Food for thought To ensure your pets’ health in the long run it is important to consistently feed them a healthy, well-balanced diet. Author of the Catster.com Vet Blog, Dr. Eric Barchas, DVM suggests looking for brands that offer essential nutrients that will keep your pet healthy and your wallet full. “9Lives Daily Essentials is a great option for cat food, as it is one of the most nutritious foods available, at excellent value,” says Barchas. Find an affordable, quality product that your pet enjoys, and avoid the premium products -- which do not necessarily deliver more nutrients.
Some pet companies have stepped up to combat the current economic downturn. The 9Lives brand is committed to making lives better by donating a percentage of its sales to animal shelters, and by providing cats with affordable, healthy food.
The mutual benefit that both pet and pet parents enjoy reaches far beyond companionship. Whether you are 8 or 88, studies have proven that owning a pet has substantial developmental and health benefits. Pets thrive on your attention. Basic pet care essentials such as walking, grooming and even petting can provide increased physical activity, and best of all, they are free! As per today's economy; internet serves as a wonderful resource for saving bucks and helps finding anything ranging from pet food to grooming essentials easily at affordable prices. Online shopping is a great way for saving good amount of money through the use of coupons and promotional codes.
Shopping online provides you the comfort and convenience that not only saves time but allows products to be delivered right at your doorsteps. Clipping coupons is an excellent option for saving money; they can be easily available at merchants' websites, various coupon websites or through local newspaper.
Various online merchants such as Petco and PetcareRx focus on providing all necessary pet products including clothes, pet beds, medicine, food and toys. They even provide special offers such as free samples or BOGO as a way to save money. You can also subscribe to a merchant's newsletter for receiving alerts about upcoming specials and discounts.
Also, buying in bulk things such as pet food, medical treats, and pets toys allows you to save good amount of money. You can also look for sales and clearance section for getting pet products at much cheaper price.
Be sure to check out the low-cost vet clinic PETCO sponsors twice a month. Just click on the tab to the left that says "Low Cost Vaccine Clinic." Please give your pet at least the basic shots. Parvo is on the rise this year and is part of the 5-1 shot that Petco Vet Clinic offers for $18.00. Rabies vaccination is mandatory by law and is offered at PETCO Vet Clinic.
...In a country where 77 million dogs and 93 million cats shack up with humans, the trickle-down effect of a crisis economy is unavoidable.
'I'm seeing more people forgoing annual exams and vaccinations, which means I'm seeing a lot more ill pets,' veterinarian Celia Oberto of West Palm Beach said. 'Instead of catching something early, I'm catching it late.'
Canine parvovirus, highly contagious and potentially deadly, is on the rise, she added, because more people are skipping the relatively inexpensive vaccines. This summer, Florida and Mississippi struggled to control outbreaks. ... -- "Pet care often comes with heartbreaking price," by Christine Evans.
Many families are finding that their income is hardly covering basic necessities, leaving more and more pets unable to be given the care that they need and deserve. It is very heartbreaking to have to give up a pet, especially a pet that has been such a beloved part of your family and even more heartbreaking is the fact that animal shelters can only have so many pets and as more animals are being given up, animal shelters are becoming overcrowded and pets, again, are not given the care and especially the attention that they need. It is important that we, as middle-class Americans take precautions in order to ward off our homes being foreclosed or finding ourselves even deeper in debt than we are already. There are also a set of precautions a family must take in order to ensure that your pet is given the care that they need and also to ensure that you are not faced with having to give your pet up. We know that the cost of living is increasing while our salaries are diminishing and anyone who has pets knows that the cost of pet ownership can also become a bit harder on our budgets as jobs are lost and salaries are cut. Just as we look for frugal living tips, it is possible and sometimes neces sary to cut costs when it comes to taking care of our pets. While I especially know how compelling pet toys can be, especially considering every time I’m at the store I find myself in the pet aisle looking at toys and knick-knacks that I am positive my cat will be delighted over, your pet can be just as happy with less expensive toys and even homemade toys. Veterinarian bills are prone to stack up over the years and fast if you have a cat or dog that roams freely outside. Keep your pets safe by keeping them on a leash while walking outside so they are less prone to accidents. You can also consult your veterinarian and tell them that you are on a low budget, that way if your pet needs medication, they can prescribe a medication that will work for your pet that also costs less. Just like humans have health insurance so if we do become ill and have to go to the hospital, we know that we don’t have to foot the entire bill ourselves, it is also beneficial to look into pet health insurance to minimize costs in cases of unexpected illness or injury. These are just starting points, of course. You can also cut pet costs by buying cheaper pet food and other supplies and I am sure that there are cheaper options available for just about anything that you find yourself purchasing for you pet, such as treats. In the economy we are living in now, it is important to cut back when we can and to also ensure that our families, pets included, are getting what they need.
Ways to Pay for Vet Care Contact CareCredit. The
firm is the nation's leading credit service for veterinary bills. For
treatment plans from $1,500 to $25,000, the agency offers 24-, 36- and
48-month plans. Contact your local humane society or animal shelter. Many agencies offer some limited financial assistance, though demand may outweigh resources. Contact nonprofit animal rescue groups. Breed-specific groups often have funds to help owners in need.
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