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

Animal Abuse

An argument, a slammed door, a shove, a punch. Physical pain, emotional agony, endless fear. A bruised spouse, a terrified child, a trembling dog. Who will be the next victim of this violent rampage? History shows that where there is family violence, there is often also child abuse and, much less recognized, animal abuse.

The Cycle of Violence

Because pets are easy targets without a voice, they are often victims of abuse in a violent home. Studies have shown that approximately 88% of families who abuse their children have also abused their pets.

Pets are injured when they are caught in the crossfire of a violent dispute, or when an aggressor is looking for a vulnerable, quiet victim.

Pets are also injured or killed as punishment to a child or spouse for something that angered the abuser. Threats of animal abuse are made to keep the family silent about what goes on inside the home.

Children of abusive parents have violent tendencies. Because of the emotional turmoil of their home life, children may take out frustrations on a pet. There have even been cases of children killing their pets to save them from the abuse of the violent parent.

The Red Flag of Animal Abuse

Animal abuse is often a stepping stone to violence toward people. Studies show that those who were cruel toward animals as children are drastically more likely to commit violent crimes toward people.

Not only does animal abuse sound an alarm regarding a child’s violent tendencies, an abused pet should also be a red flag for child and domestic abuse. In a home where pets are mistreated, there are often people who are being physically and emotionally harmed.

Any time there is a pet being abused, not only should the welfare of that animal be considered, there should also be great concern for the safety of the family associated with that pet.

Animal Abuse

The Fear of Leaving

There are many reasons victims of violence are afraid to leave the abuser. Fear of being caught leaving, financial instability, not knowing where to go, and emotional connection to the abuser.
For those who have a pet who is also being abused, some do not know where to take the pet and are afraid to leave him behind with the abuser. Some abusers actively threaten to harm the pet if the victim leaves. The need to stay and protect the pet may prevent a victim of violence from fleeing the situation.

Cases of violence toward a pet send a message to the victim: “If you leave, I will kill you.”

Some of the documented cases include a man throwing his girlfriend’s seven week old kitten against the wall during an argument. The kitten suffered severe head trauma and was euthanized.

A client brought her old dog to a veterinarian for euthanasia. The client returned days later with two black eyes and a Pomeranian with broken legs. Upon questioning, the vet learned the woman’s spouse forced her to euthanize the old dog and had broken the Pomeranian’s legs as a punishment.

Also as punishment, a man killed his children’s pet fish, one by one, in front of the family.

After witnessing situations such as these, it is understandable that a victim would fear the consequences of leaving. “What will happen to me if I leave? Will my pets survive?”

Refuge for Abused Pets

Some veterinarians and animal protection societies who have witnessed the connection between family violence and pets have established refuge for the animal victims. Local humane society programs, vet clinics, and other organizations will provide boarding or foster care to these pets while the owner establishes a safe life.

The Humane Society of the United States (www.hsus.org) has developed a campaign called First Strike to raise awareness about the affect of family violence on pets. This campaign is working with communities to provide more refuge to these pets.

If you are affected by domestic violence and you know a pet in need, contact your police department, veterinarian, local women’s shelter, or humane society for information on refuge for your pet. There IS someone out there who will provide your pet with a safe home as long as he needs it.

Do Not Hesitate to Help

If you witness abuse to a pet, do NOT hesitate to contact the police and humane society. Doing so may be the heroic move that saves animal and human lives, convicts and helps the abuser, and gives a voice to a pet in need.

Legal Disclaimer

If your pet is showing any signs of distress or you suspect your pet is seriously ill, CONTACT YOUR VETERINARIAN immediately.
All of the information presented on this website was developed by Intelligent Content Corporation staff members and is the sole responsibility of Intelligent Content Corporation.
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