Tips That Will Benefit You, Your Pet And Your Wallet

Choose Healthier Pet Food
By choosing pet foods with less by-products, preservatives and fillers your pet will be healthier and will have less visits to the veterinarian in the long run. Which means less money your spending on pet medical bills. By-products, preservatives and fillers can make your pet obese, sluggish and activate other health issues like allergies. Go for pet foods with whole ingrediants that you can understand i.e chicken, rice, etc. Also consider a raw food diet for your pet.

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Opt for Enviroment Friendly Toys, Pet Accessories and Kitty Litter
Look for pet stuff made from hemp and organic cotton. Use biodegradbale kitty liiter paper shreds or grains from plant origins. Use organic shampoos or go diy and use vinegar and baking soda to clean your pets.

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Pick Up Your Dog's Doo With Biodegradable Waste Bags
Always pick up your dog's do it's called being courteous to your neighbors and friends. No one likes stepping in dog poop period! Use baggies that deteriate quickly that way your not contributing to overflowing landfills filled with plastic bags that do not break down.    

BE RESPONSIBLE!

If You Have a Pet Be Responsible
Ensure your pet is fixed and fully vaccinated. Pet overpopulation and spreading pet disease is not good for your pet, the planet or your wallet. When you get a pet plan on that being a forever pet. Know what you can afford petwise. If you cannot find room in your budget for at least $100or more in monthly pet expenses please just do not get a pet. Take care of yourself and your family first.

Sit. Stay. Heel.

Invest in Training for Your Pet and Yourself
Sure its fine and dandy to train your pet yourself. Far less expensive and you have the option of training your pet in anyway you want. Having your pet trained by a professional is highly reccomended. A professional animal trainer can point out any and all behavior problems your pet may exibit and can teach you how to deal with it. After all who wants to be responsible emotionally and financially  for owning a aggressive dog that ends up biting a child?

Why You Should Never Pet A Dog On Its Head or Hug A Dog

The worst way a person can approach a dog is walk up to them head on and lean over them to pet them specifically near the facial region i.e pat the top of the head or embrace around the neck.
Dogs do not like you hovering over them. This is a dominant, threatening gesture and/or posturing for a dog. 

A person should approach a dog in the most non-threatening way possible which means crouching down to the dog's level and turning your body sideways. Whatever you do do not stand or bend over the dog or approach directly.

Let the dog come to you always. Squat down, extend you hand out and let the dog approach you at his own pace. Try to be laid back and not nervous as the dog will pick up on this. If the dog just stands there away from you or back off or pulls his head away after initial sniffing you are best to leave the dog be. If you observe any of the following dog body language:

• Stiff or tightly tucked tail
• Ears pinned back
• Hair raised on the center of his back
• Posturing dominantly 

The dog maybe aggressive fearful, anxious or uncomfortable if any of these signs are visible.

These steps should be taken no matter if the dog is familiar and known to be friendly or if the dog is an unknown stray. 

A dog can be unpredictable just like any other animal. 

However once you know the dog is calm, friendly and laid back let the affection and petting begin. 

How to budget for a new pet

Things to consider when budgeting for a new pet:

Home Preparation: Pet proofing your home maybe necessary especially if you have a new puppy or kitten. Everything from secure fencing to pet proof locks and/or storage for the trash can and any hazardous products 

Veterinarian: Your new pet may need updated annual shots, de-worming, microchip, flea and tick medication, heart worm preventative, spay/neuter and make sure you include any accident/emergency costs i.e broken bones, cuts, disease/illness, special medications etc.

Pet Supplies: 

• Food/Specialized Formula Food (grain-free, puppy/kitten, senior, etc.)
• Food and water dishes
• Collar/Harness and leash/ Licensing (varies city to city)
• ID tags (or implanted ID microchip)
• Dog bed/ Cat bed/ Cat scratching post/ Dog house/kennel
• Baby gates if you're keeping your dog within certain parts of the house
• Crate/Cages/Pee Pads/Litter Boxes/Cat Litter/Pet Carriers/ Doggy poo bags/ Pooper scooper
• Treats and toys/Training devices

Adoption Costs: Depending on whether you adopt from a shelter or buy from a breeder costs can vary anywhere from free into the thousands.

Training: Train your pet for free or hire a dog trainer or go to obedience classes which average about $100 per session and/or class

Day-day expenses: Dog/Cat Food, Grooming and Cat Litter

Pet Care Costs Break-down

Adopting a Pet

On average expect paying around $250 for adoption fee for a shelter pet. However adoption fees can run anywhere from free to $500 depending on the area you live around. Expect $1000 and up for a purebred puppy or kitten from a breeder

Basic Veterinarian Costs

Once your dog or cat is into adulthood, these are the basic services that every pet parent should expect to pay for at the annual vet visit.

Office Call: This is the cost of the appointment and physical examination, and can vary widely depending on your geographic location and the veterinarian, or clinic, that you choose. The average cost is $45-$55.

Vaccine Boosters: Vaccine boosters are shots administered after the initial dose to keep the vaccine effective. Some of your pet’s vaccinations may require boosters while others may not, but most pets require 2-4 boosters each year. The average cost for booster shots ranges between $18-$25.

Heartworm Test: This annual test checks for heartworm disease, which is a serious and potentially deadly condition caused by parasitic worms. Blood testing for this disease generally costs $45-$50.

Fecal Exam: Fecal exams are performed to identify gastrointestinal parasites, and the importance of this testing as part of the annual check-up has grown in recent years. The average cost falls somewhere around $25-$45.

ADDITIONAL COSTS

Depending on your pet’s age or medical condition, you may need to pay for additional services at the annual vet visit.

Geriatric Screening: Older pets (typically 7 years and up) will require geriatric screening. This is a more comprehensive exam that may include complete blood work and chemistry, urinalysis, x-rays, and more. The typical cost for this type of exam is $85-$110.

Dental Cleaning: A dental cleaning is performed when your vet sees gingivitis in your pet’s mouth or notices bleeding during brushing. Many pets have their teeth cleaned once a year at the annual check-up. This procedure generally costs $70-$400, and will vary for dogs and cats.

Allergy Testing: Just like humans, dogs and cats can develop allergies and will typically exhibit symptoms such as itching, licking, and sneezing. If you suspect that your pet is suffering from allergies, your veterinarian may suggest an allergy test. Allergy testing is performed one of two ways -- with an intradermal skin test or with a blood test. Skin testing generally costs $195-$250, and blood testing generally costs $200-$300.

Surgery And Other Health Issues: If your pet has to undergo surgery, or has other health issues that require treatment, the cost can run into the thousands depending on your pet’s specific issue.

Pet Food Costs

Pet food and treats typically costs somewhere from $20-60 per month ($250-700 per year). Food expenses vary based on the size and energy level of your dog as well as the quality of the food. Be aware that special foods, like veterinary therapeutic diets or freshly-made special-order food, may cost $100 or more a month. 

In general expect paying over $1000 a year for just one pet. Times that by 2 or more pets costs reach upwards of $3000-$5000 per year.

More Summer Pet Tips

More Summer Pet Tips

1.    Never leave your pet in a hot car.

2.    Make sure your pet is protected from internal and external parasites.

3.    Keep your pet’s paws off how asphalt on in the bed of a truck.

4.    Your pet should have access to water 24/7

5.    Give your pet some cold and/or icy treats or a wading pool.

6.    Don’t assume your pet can swim well.

7.    No fence? Keep your dog leashed at all times.

8.    Watch your pets weight. Feed less if overweight. Feed more if losing weight. Ask your vet.

9.    Pets can get sunburns too. Take your pet for a walk at dawn or dusk and avoid the middle of the day. 

10.  Ventilate your home but make sure screens are up and fully intact so your pet does not try to make an escape.

Enjoy your summer with your pet(s)!

Top Ten Summer Pet Tips

1. Make sure your pet has access to water 24/7.

2. Indoors? Lots of air flow! No air conditioner? Lots of fans or make a DIY air conditioner. Also utilize open windows and doors when its cool outside usually early morning and in the evening when the sun goes away.

3.Outdoors? Lots of shade and water features are always nice be it a play pool or some ice treats.

4. Avoid asphalt and concrete if its super hot out, the temperature of the asphalt and concrete could burn your pets paws.

5. Give your pet a haircut! Long haired or double coated pets would appreciate the shave down.

6. Not so much dry food maybe more wet foods and or raw meats are a special treat especially after being refrigerated or straight from the freezer.

7. Absolutely no leaving pets unattended in a hot car!

8. Take dog/cat walks in the early morning or in the evening avoid the middle of the day.

9. Hats and umbrella always a do to shade a pup's sensitive face.

10. Keep your lawn mowed and trimmed and avoid long grass and overgrown bushes in general where ticks and fleas could catch a ride on your pet.