Nov
Cut The Cost Of Christmas Pet Care Advice
It’s nearly the holiday season season but with unemployment on the rise and the credit crunch still taking its toll, millions of pet owners will struggle with pet care costs this Christmas. To help them cope, leading veterinary charity PDSA has produced a simple ‘how to’ guide for pet owners – with practical tips on surviving the festive season on a budget.
PDSA, which cares for the pets of people in need, is expecting to see a near 25% rise in pet patients over the next two years. And these pets are among the lucky ones; last year there was a massive 57%* rise in abandoned pets, with over 11,000 pets left homeless because their owners couldn’t afford their basic needs.
“We know times are hard but there are ways to reduce costs without cutting corners or risking your pets’ health,” says PDSA Senior Veterinary Surgeon, Sean Wensley. “We want to help pet owners cope this winter, rather than risk pets becoming innocent victims of the recession.”
PDSA’s ‘Christmas credit crunch pet care’ guide, includes tips to help our furry friends stay fit and healthy on a budget.
• Take out pet insurance – darker nights and freezing temperatures mean even more dangers for our four-legged friends. It costs around £500 to treat a pet injured in a road accident, so make sure you have insurance to avoid unexpected veterinary bills. But be sure you buy a policy that meets your needs.
• Cut out expensive ‘pet treats’ – it’s nice to treat our pets once in a while. But in reality they will enjoy extra play-time, praise or walks just as much as food. So don’t splurge on gifts, spoil them with play and attention instead! They’ll be healthier for it.
• Don’t waste money on unnecessary clothing – dogs with thin fur such as greyhounds and whippets will benefit from a dog coat to keep them warm on the coldest winter days. But most dogs have a thick fur coat to keep them snug, so don’t waste money on non-essential pet clothing.
• Get your pet vaccinated – don’t be tempted to save money by skipping your pet’s vaccinations. Prevention is far cheaper than cure! Paying out for emergency care if your pet comes down with a preventable illness can be expensive.
• Keep your cat in at night – cats are more likely to be involved in an accident on the road in the winter months. It’s advisable to keep them at home overnight to avoid them getting into any danger, especially if you live near a busy road.
• Safety first at home – Christmas celebrations can lead to many injuries; pets swallowing decorations, eating turkey bones or chewing through electrical cables are all seen by vets at this time of year. So keep any temptations away from curious pets to avoid unexpected vet bills.
• Buy pet food in bulk – avoid lengthy supermarket queues and save money by buying your pet food in bulk before the Christmas rush, but make sure it’s sealed and stored properly.
• Don’t buy a pet at Christmas – taking on a pet is a big commitment, especially from a financial perspective. Dogs can cost their owners around £20,000 during their lifetime. PDSA urges potential owners to carefully consider pet ownership before taking on a pet and never buy a pet as a gift for someone else.
PDSA is the UK’s leading veterinary charity providing free veterinary treatment to the sick and injured pets of people in need. For further information about pet care visit www.pdsa.org.uk.
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Good morning
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