Crazy Pet Savings
Good pet care doesn't have to ruin your budget!
Check out these tips, coupons and free offers for pet food, treats and other great items!
Here's a couple basic ideas to help save money while taking good care of your animal friends:
Don’t Overfeed.
This includes resisting the urge to spoil your pets with too many treats! There is a huge obesity problem these days in pets. Serving moderate portions not only saves you money on food―it also reduces the likelihood of obesity and the related health problems.
Give Your Pet Regular Check-Ups.
Home checkups are a great way to nip potential health problems in the bud. Check under your pet’s fur for lumps, bumps, flakes or scabs. Check your pet’s ears and eyes for signs of redness or discharge. Make note of any changes in her eating or drinking habits. If something seems off, call your vet right away. If your dog is prone to ear infections, learn how to clean your pet’s ears. Usually a vet technician can teach you how. Brush your pet’s teeth regularly with a toothpaste formulated for pets and check his gums. Check your pet’s breath. Bad breath can indicate a digestive problem that’s better dealt with sooner rather than later.
Veterinarians and Hospitals
When looking for a reliable, cost-effective veterinarian’s office, check out a few before you settle on one. Ask for recommendations from pet owners you know. Most vets’ offices also offer multi-pet or senior pet discounts. Compare fees and be sure to find out what is covered during a routine visit in each office.
Spay/Neuter Your Pets
Spaying and neutering your pet will have a dramatic impact on their health. It dramatically reduces the potentiality for breast cancer and ovarian and uterine cancer disappears in female patients. Neutering also reduces chances of testicular cancer in males. Spaying or neutering will also significantly diminish your pet’s desire to wander (and it will save you the surprise expenses that come with an unplanned litter.)
Your pets love toys and an occasional treat, but the best gift you can give to your furry loved one is your attention! Remember your pet could probably care less whether they're wearing Gucci. A good quality leash and collar with a nylon braid should run you no more than $10 or so and should last for years. You don’t need to buy all the fancy stuff.
Here's some ideas from the ASPCA to keep your dog or cat entertained and happy:
- Move it! Healthy adult dogs need at least 30 minutes of aerobic exercise twice a day. Jogging, swimming and playing at the dog park are all great ways to burn excess energy.
- Engage in structured games, like fetch and tug-of-war—they're not only great exercise but also teach your pet impulse control and strengthen the bond between you.
- Keep your dog occupied when he's home alone by giving him a food-stuffed puzzle toy, or some tasty chew toys.
- Like their canine counterparts, cats also need plenty of aerobic exercise. Get kitty fit with rousing play sessions, such as chase and fetch with furry toys, small balls or toy mice.
- Encourage your cat's favorite home alone activities, including bird
watching, exploring paper bags or boxes, watching cat videos or spending time in secure outdoor enclosures. - Teach your cat new tricks! Felines are quick studies and can learn practical skills like coming when called, sitting up, rolling over and even using the toilet!
With all the time spent outdoors for most pets, be cautious of the landscape around them. Many common plants are poisonous and could be deadly. Check your yard for their well-being with this list of the 17 most common poisonous plants.
Quick thoughts on guinea pigs:
By nature guinea pigs are herd animals and prefer the company of other piggies.
Guinea pigs are like little cows - they're constantly "grazing" on hay, pellets and water. They should always have access to these things on a daily basis. It's the staple of their diet.
On top of hay and pellets, guinea pigs should also be fed fresh produce like dark leafy lettuces and vegetables 1-2 times 
daily.
Guinea pigs, like humans, do not make their own vitamin C, and are dependent on getting it from their diet. A lack of vitamin C can lead to scurvy, which can be deadly.
As for play time, avoid those big hamster balls and wheels, (they're bad on piggy backs and feet). Toys to check out: anything to chew on - blocks, sticks, cardboard boxes/tubes (leftover cardboard toilet paper roll holders are great). Hidey houses, pigloos, PVC piping/tubes. Towels, blankets, and pillows make great burrowing spots.
Love them, they're social animals. They enjoy other piggies' company, but also yours as well! Take them out for floor time and lap time, pet them, talk to them.
Check our Free Stuff page for great, free pet items!