Money and Your Dog

I haven't written a new post in a very long time due to personal and money issues. I think it's about time for me to return and get my mind off of things. 

In times of economic struggle, more people are worrying about money these days. This affects all aspect of one's life, including our pets. Sadly, some people jump the gun and decide to post their dog on Craigslist when they say they can no longer care for them, but they have that new iPhone, flat screen TV, unlimited internet and a sometimes even a new family car. Others really have no alternative. For those of us who are struggling and thinking of ways to keep our pets but cut costs, I bring good news.

Flea and tick preventative
Flea and tick preventatives cost quite a bit of money in the range of $40 - $50 for 3-4 months. What's worse is the chemical ingredients being added to your dog's body. The body utilizes the liver to rid itself of toxins, including those absorbed through the skin. Any potential health problem like this can cost you in cancer treatments or other conditions in the long run, but so can doing without preventative. There is actually a cheaper, yet all natural alternative. It's called Diatomaceous Earth. Food grade diatomaceous earth is used to dust crop plants with when growing organically. It's composition is fossilized diatoms (microscopic algae). These tiny fossils are said to cut like glass on small insects and worms that cross paths with it, killing them. You can purchase Diatomaceous Earth at your local feed store, home improvement store, online and some pet stores. Pet stores that carry this product often have the same thing, only it's labeled for pets, which increases the price dramatically. Try your local feed store. I got 5lbs of it for $13.99 locally, and that container is going to last me a long time. Feed your dog one teaspoon per 10 pounds of weight to rid of worms, or use it as a flea and tick duster all over your pet, even your carpets and yard for flea infestations! After buying this product a while ago and ridding my kitten from tapeworms and fleas, I can say this product actually works well.

Wormer
Diatomaceous Earth - It works well on all kinds of intestinal worms including tapeworms!

Heart worm preventative
The active ingredient for heart worm prevention in dogs is ivermectin. The other chemicals are added for intestinal worms (ex. Pyrantel), which ironically, is something that ivermectin already works to treat. It will not treat tapeworms. There is an injectable cattle and pig product called Ivomec that is around $40 for a 50mL bottle. The bigger the bottle you buy though, the more you save on each dose. At a dose of 0.1mL (cc) per 10 pounds, it's going to last you a long time. Don't inject your dog with it. Give it by mouth or over food. Don't get Ivomec Plus, only regular Ivomec 1% solution. It can be found at Tractor Supply and some other feed stores, and needs stored in the fridge once opened. Use a small syringe to properly measure. A missed decimal point could mean a dead dog. Do not use on ivermectin sensitive dogs like Collies. If you have been giving your dog a product like HeartGuard containing ivermectin without issue, then this is just fine. Many rural veterinarians recommend this method of heartworm prevention. Repeat monthly.

Food
Feeding a healthier diet saves you vet bills in the long run. Most common commercial diets are actually responsible for enough health problems in dogs to write a novel on. Look for something free of grains like corn, wheat and soy, free of food dyes, free of chemical preservatives aside from "mixed tocopherols" (vitamin E), low in carbs and high in meat protein. These foods cost more per bag, but the money on vet bills that you save outweighs savings on cheap food. It's preventative medicine. So is not letting your dog get fat. Check out www.dogfoodanalysis.com for more information. As a rule of thumb, if you can pick it up at the grocery store, it's not worth it, even their new grain free foods which are still mostly plant products. Another tip: buy the biggest bag of the food you selected. The smaller bag might cost less, but it costs more per pound which adds up to you spending more on dog food than you have to.

Treats
Many websites offer recipes for delicious goodies. A recipe free of corn, wheat and soy is best. Or get creative and come up with your own special treat for your dog. Pinterest is full of recipes. My dogs only get their supplements as treats. They love to catch their omega-3 pills in the air after their meal because they taste fishy when they pop them. Don't give your dog too many treats because making him fat is very bad for his health - and your wallet at the vet for his problems later with his joints, heart, and developing conditions. Food is not love. Caring about your dog enough to take care of his health and happiness is love.

Training
Do some research on behavioral issues and training, and train your dog yourself. Training your dog will strengthen his response to you and improve your relationship. Look into NILIF (Nothing In Life Is Free) and other training methods that don't turn you into a walking treat dispenser. Positive reinforcement really does have it's limits for dogs with extreme behavioral problems even though it's the popular thing. If you're experiencing aggression issues with your dog, research into behaviorism rather than ignoring the problem or giving up on the dog.

Toys
If your dog likes toys but you're not too keen on the cost of expensive pet store toys, try making your own at home. A simple pair of socks tied together in a knot will entertain most dogs for quite a while. A lot of dogs also like empty soda bottles for that crackling crunchy feel. If your dog likes tennis balls, order a bag of them online for much less money that are made for humans. Tennis balls made for dogs have high lead content in them anyway, but sports tennis balls have none. If you have a bully breed dog, you may want to buy a Kong extreme toy, or a GoNuts. GoNuts offers free replacement if your dog tears it up to the inner red rubber. The outside is tougher and it comes in 3 shapes. Use Google to find more tough toys. With most bully and mastiff breeds, these toys will last without replacement, which saves money in the long run. Always supervise your dog with toys. No toy is 100% indestructable.

Dog beds
If your dog is in need of a new bed, check out your local home improvement and fabric stores. You can pick up foam padding, then hit the fabric store or Walmart for the fabric, then make it yourself. You can also personalize your dog's bed this way if you wish. If you're not keen on making a bed yourself, check out your local feed store for better prices. Old comforters also do the job, and if you don't have one that you're willing to give to your dog, you can buy one at a thrift store or garage sale. You will need more than one for a heavy dog. If you can still feel the hard floor underneath, add more. Outdor furniture cushions work great, but don't use anything water resistant, stain resistant, or flame retardant as these contain carcinogenic chemicals that your dog will consume when he licks himself or the bed.

Vet
Vet care costs decrease when your dog is fed a species appropriate diet, kept at a lean weight and exercised. Most vets recommend an annual exam, but if your pet is healthy and you don't have the cash, save that money for when your pet does need it. Set aside a percentage of your income for an emergency fund. Chances are your pet will need vet care at some point in the future, and possibly when you least expect it or have less money to cover it. Ask your vet about payment plans. If your pet is sickly, depending on his needs you can look into pet health insurance to cover some of the costs. This will not benefit a healthy pet on a budget however, contrary to marketing plots. Sure, your dog might need it later on, but you can look into those options when they are needed and dig into your emergency fund if you have to. Don't wait until the last minute to take your dog to the vet if something is wrong. Not only could your pet suffer longer, but the expenses will be greater than if the problem was caught early.

Vaccines
Vaccines should never be abused and given every year. A dog's immune system functions the same way a human's immune system does, with a cell memory. Your dog will require a rabies shot by law, and a lot of areas offer the 3 year shot. The 3 year shot saves you money during the course of that 3 years that you would otherwise be paying a percentage of every year (ex. $10 for a 1 year, $15 for a 3 year = $5 a year for a 3 year with a net savings of $15). The other vaccines should be given during puppy-hood or prior to adoption. No more is needed unless you have to board your pet because the facility will ask for proof before allowing your pet to board. Over-vaccination has been linked to cancer and a condition called vaccinosis (and it drains your pocket book for no good reason!)

Grooming
Have a long haired dog, but can't pay the groomer $40 or more for a haircut regularly? Bathe and brush your dog yourself. Invest in dog clippers and learn how to give your dog a haircut yourself. There is plenty of information and tutorials on youtube. If you look into human hair clippers, be aware that although they cost less, they will break down sooner because they aren't meant to cut double coats. A set of dog clippers should last you 5 years if properly maintained. I personally have found that Oster clippers seem to last forever. If you can't spare the money on this, you can get a cheap comb or use one that you already have. Start with the comb at the base of the skin and comb up to the desired length, then cut with scissors along the teeth of the comb at the top where the hair sticks up above it. It's tricky to get an even cut this way and takes much longer, but it's an alternative. If your pet is jumpy, scared or aggressive about grooming, desensitize him to the sensation and be aware that he may have been hurt at the groomer before, even if it wasn't a cut (the pain of ripping out knots can do it). Be gentle but firm.

Exercise
Exercising is beneficial to your dog's health. When paired with a good diet, many vet bills can be avoided and your dog will feel better. This also means your dog will have more energy, but that's a good thing because his metabolism is functioning properly. A tired dog is a happy dog and is less likely to make you buy a new couch from his boredom habits. If you're stressed about money, exercising with your dog is a great way to get rid of some of your stress as well!