With the current financial situation not looking any better in the near future, we thought we would give dog owners some easy and effective ways to save money.
Here are some tips…
1. Get Healthy . Pet health should be taken seriously. Just like humans, your dog needs exercise to stay fit. There isn’t a ‘magic pill’ that can replace preventive medicine, but you can provide healthy exercise for your pets just by play with them. Go outside and take your favorite 4-legged friend for a walk. This will help both you and your dog, and it doesn’t cost a thing.
2. Brush . Get a doggy toothbrush and brush your dog’s teeth. This is a simple and effective way to keep your dog’s overall health on the up and up. It also helps prevent tartar build up and gum disease, such as gingivitis. Our favorite doggy toothbrush and toothpaste set is the Kissable – 3D toothbrush and toothpaste.
3. Wash, Wash, Wash. Bathe your dog with pet shampoo and make sure you rinse thoroughly. You want to make sure you use a pet approved shampoo because it will lessen the chance of developing an allergic reaction. It is also very important to rinse your dog thoroughly because if you don’t, the suds left behind can cause itchy irritating dry skin. I recommend using the Rapid Bath, which makes this task a treat.
4. Get a Short Doo . If you take your dog to the groomer ask them to cut your dog’s hair shorter. This will decrease the number of times you need to get your dog groomed, and it will help keep your pet cooler during the summer months. You can also trim your dog’s nails at home instead of going to the vet or groomer. We recommend the using a nail grinder. It’s a fast and easy way to trim your dog’s nail safely and effectively.
5. Feed Right . Next, check how much food you feed against what is recommended by the manufacture and your veterinarian. You could be feeding your dog too much and that can be a problem – you could be creating an overweight dog and your food will not last as long as it could by just feeding the recommended amount. Also remember to comparison shop. Just because you have bought your food at the same store for years doesn’t mean they have the best price. Check the food manufactures and pet stores websites often because they will often email you special promotions and coupons if you sign up for their free newsletter. In addition to their discounts, you can usually find coupons in your local paper for numerous pet food brands.
6. Yearly Exam . This is an important one. Take your dog in for a yearly physical exam. The earlier you can catch any sign of disease the better. The vet will also be able to inform you about your dog’s overall health and give the appropriate vaccinations. Before choosing a vet, call around your area and ask different offices how much they charge. You may be surprised at how much different offices charge for the same services. Some offices even offer special discounts to new clients, and clients that are in a difficult financial situation. You can also ask your friends for offices that they recommend. Remember to be on the lookout for discount vaccination days with your local county office and pet stores. At these discount days you can get your yearly vaccinations and rabies shots for a fraction of the normal cost.
7. Multi-use Toys. Finally, look for good quality multi-use pet toys. Look for toys that are long lasting so you don’t need to replace them often. Here are some of my favorite toys that deliver plenty of quality play for the money. I hope you enjoy them.
• GoDog Dragon – This adorable lime green dragon is a lot of fun, but best of all, he’s tough! He’s made with Chew Guard™ Technology, which means he made to withstand your dog’s active play. This cute plush toy is one of our favorites.
• Zogoflex TUX – The TUX toy is made with super-strong Zogoflex, a safe rubber-like material that really holds up to your dog’s teeth. It has an unusual shape that makes it easy for your dog to pick it up and carry it around in his mouth. It’s fun to toss and fetch, and even more fun to hide treats inside for your dog to find as he plays.
• Humunga-Tounge – This is one of the craziest toys we’ve ever seen! It’s a super-long cartoon tongue on one end and a rubber ball on the other. So, when your dog holds the ball in his mouth, it looks like he has a huge tongue! This toy is fun for your dog to carry, retrieve and tug … and it’s also a hoot for you to watch. This one’s a real conversation starter!
• Pentapulls Squirrel – This toy was specially constructed for tugging. It has a unique “X” design with super-reinforced seams that are made to withstand your dog’s active play. This toy has 5 squeakers inside for added fun. Check it out.
• Everlasting Fun Ball – This is probably the most durable toy I have ever seen. This treat ball is made of a safe but durable rubber-llike material that really holds up to your dog’s chewing. You can hide treats inside the ball for your dog to find as he plays. Or, forget the treats and simply enjoy a good game of toss and fetch. Here’s another great idea. In the summer, you can put treats inside the ball, dip the ball in water and freeze it until it’s solid. Then, give it to your dog to play with outside and let him enjoy the cool refreshing water and yummy treats as it thaws.
Hopefully these ideas will spark some thinking about how you can improve your dog’s health and stay on a realistic budget.
Until next time,
Dr. Jon
P.S. Is your dog a cuddler? We recently got some very cute plush toys for Valentines Day. Our “Love Bug” is an adorable plush ladybug with “floppy moppy” fabric. The Valentines Loofa dog toy holds a little white pillow that says “I wuff you”. And check out the cute coral pink version of the GoDog dragon. Check them out, and let your dog cuddle with these cuties. Go to: http://www.petproductadvisor.com/ValentinesDog
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