Wouldn’t we all like to save a little money now and again when it comes to pet care? The trick is doing this without slighting your animal companion’s health and wellness! Here, your Georgetown, IN veterinarian offers a few tips.
Adopt, Don’t Shop
Saving money when it comes to pets can happen before you even own one—instead of purchasing a pet from a pet store or breeder, consider adopting one from a shelter. The cost of adopting a pet is almost always far less than a breeder’s rate, and you’ll be saving a life!
Preventative Care
Preventing a problem before it begins isn’t just smart—it’s cost effective. Have your pet stay up-do-date on pest preventatives to ward off fleas, ticks, and dangerous worms. Also make sure Fido or Fluffy has received their essential vaccinations to protect against disease. By taking these preventative steps, you’re saving yourself the cost and hassle of treating a problem after the fact. Remember: prevention is almost always far cheaper than treatment!
Portion Control
Make sure to feed your pet in proper portion sizes. By overfeeding your four-legged friend, you’re wasting food, meaning that you’ll have to purchase more kibble more frequently. You’re also contributing to obesity, which will be costly and difficult to correct down the road! Take a look at your pet’s food packaging, or ask your veterinarian for advice on the perfect portion size for your animal companion.
Spay and Neuter
Spaying and neutering is one of the best things you’ll ever do for your pet’s health. It’s also a great way to save money. That’s because the spaying and neutering procedure eliminates the risk of genital cancers from developing, and it greatly reduces the chance of other cancers like breast and prostate cancer from occurring. Even common ailments like UTIs aren’t as likely to occur in pets who have had the procedure done. By avoiding these problems, you’re avoiding the expensive bills that come with treatment.
Skip the Extras
Let’s face it—your pet doesn’t really know, much less care, if she’s wearing a name-brand clothing item or a designer collar. Indulgences like these are fun every once in a while, but overdoing it is only wasting your hard-earned cash. Stick to the basics; your pet won’t mind!
Does your pet need vaccinations or pest-control medicines? Would you like to set up a veterinary exam? Call your Georgetown, IN vet.
