If you are a pet owner, then you will know too well that this can be quite an expensive outgoing for you. Pets are great for people’s health and wellbeing, but it can come at a cost. This is why, it is extremely important, specifically in today’s economic climate, that before anyone takes the ownership of a pet, they think this through carefully. There are lots of different things you can do in order to ensure the costs are kept low which we will detail in this article. Some pets are quite independent and do not need a lot of time spent on them by their owner, whilst others need lots of attention and support. Below are some of the costs involved to consider.
Pet Health Checks
Most pets will require to be checked regularly by a vet to ensure they are healthy and fit. This is like a MOT check for dogs to give you the reassurance. Depending on what type of pet you have will determine the recommended frequency for this but using a dog as an example, this would be completed every 6 months. If something is uncovered during these checks then it is important to follow the vet’s guidance to make sure that you are doing everything you can to support the pet. This unfortunately can come at a large cost and treatment for animals is not cheap. Depending on what type of treatment is being completed will determine the costs but this could reach several thousands of pounds. Some people will even make the unfortunate decision of putting the animal to sleep as they cannot afford the care. If an owner has taken out pet insurance, then this is something that will significantly help with the costs and can take the burden away. These sort of insurance policies are recommended to have for the duration of you owning a pet so that in any circumstance you do not have to worry about money and the welfare of the pet is put first. These policies are not over-expensive and can be paid annually or monthly, whatever is your preference.
Food
The price that you pay for food for a pet can vary depending on your choice, the pets likes and what pet it is. Do not default immediately to what you think the “norm” is for the pet and get some advice from the vet or look online. Once you have selected the type of food that the pet will receive then do not jump into purchasing this at your local supermarket or pet store, make sure you shop around. It may be even worth considering buying the food in bulk as this may save you money overall. Pet food is not something that is cheap to purchase and as our human food costs are rising in today’s economic climate, so is pet food.
Petcare Services
If you are going on holiday or working away for a few days, then you may need someone to look after your pet. In these circumstances then you may wish to consider pet care services where someone will take the pet for that period of time. It is important to note that the pet may be anxious about this as it will be someone they do not know. Introducing in small steps may help with the reassurance and anxiety, so take your dog around for a quick playdate, and once they are comfortable, leave for an hour. Your dog will soon learn that you are in fact coming back. These services obviously come at a cost and something that you need to consider upfront.