As anyone with a family pet knows, both the unexpected and anticipated costs of pet ownership can add up fast.   In these recovering economic times, you want the best for your furry friend but sometimes “the best” feels out of reach.  However, keeping a happy, healthy pet doesn’t mean you have to go broke trying.  There are plenty of ways to save money on pet care costs, and here are some of them!

Got Time? Be Creative!

If you have time to spare, making your own toys and treats is a great way to save money.  Old clothing can be cut into strips of fabric, and knotted and braided to make your own tug toy.  Making toys for your cat can be a fun family activity using left over holiday ribbon and feathers or simply throwing down a trusty paper  bag (see Guidelines for Cats: Part 2).

You can also grow your own catnip or try your hand at baking your own cat treats and dog biscuits.  You’ll not only save money, but you’ll also be able to cook up a more nutritious treat by controlling the ingredients yourself.   Fresh catnip or cat grass can make for a decorative and renewable treat your cat can enjoy with the occasional nibble.

Stay Fit

One of the easiest and most obvious ways to save money is to NOT overfeed your pets.  According to a recent study from the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, up to 53% of cats and 55% of dogs are overweight or obese.  Feeding your pet the correct amount of food to maintain a healthy body weight will save you money wasted on extra pet food and immeasurable time, money and energy in veterinary care for weight-related diseases like arthritis, diabetes, and kidney disease.

Save money on yourself and your pet by skipping that gym membership in favor of longer, more frequent walks, short sprints, or even just a run around the yard.   Encourage your cat to get moving with a little home-grown catnip and some supervised playtime with a dangly holiday ribbon.

Shop On-Line

Today’s shoppers can buy just about anything online, including everything you could ever need for your pets and a savvy shopper can easily take advantage of limited-time offers, weekly deals, and special discounts to save cash.

One of the best reasons to shop online is getting your pet supplies and medications delivered to your door.  With gas prices on the rise and hectic schedules to balance, home-delivery will save you both time and money, especially if you can take advantage of free-shipping margins—for example, ThePetangoStore.com offers free shipping on all orders of $35!

Another great benefit is reduced pricing on everything from pet supplies and pet food to expensive pet meds.  Preventative medication for fleas, ticks, heartworm, and other parasites are all available online, many of them at a significant discount compared to traditional retail pricing.

Buy Bulk & Buy Together!

Buying large quantities may mean forking out a larger sum of money at the time but it also means you’re probably saving by paying less per item.  Can’t swing the big payment?  Team up with a fellow pet parent to buy everything from toys, treats, and chews, to the essentials like pet food, kitty litter, and seasonal medications.

Like this post? "Show you Care" with a Tweet or a Share!

As people begin to take more interest in the processes and ingredients behind their own food, the same interest is mirrored by pet owners when it comes to their pets’ food.  Spurred by a growing understanding of how nutrition contributes to general health, and a rash of pet food recalls, more and more pet owners are taking notice and opting to purchase premium pet foods. 

“But why purchase premium pet foods?” you might ask.

Why purchase PBA-free plastics? Organic grains? Free range chicken?  Many of us make daily decisions between premium and regular products in an effort to boost our health and improve our quality of life.  Choosing premium pet food over a less-expensive but ultimately less nutritious pet food will have an impact on the quality of life of your pet.

Here are some of the benefits of purchasing premium pet foods:

• Quality Products v. By-Products:  Premium pet foods, like Addiction for cats and dogs, use actual meat and fish instead of by-products—the pieces left over when the good cuts of meat are taken out for people.  This includes bones, intestines, heads, feet, tendons, ligaments, and other offal.
• Vitamins & Minerals:  Vitamins and minerals are an integral aspect of your pets’ food.  Premium pet foods like Diamond Naturals have added antioxidants and omega fatty acids for optimum nutrition.  Premium pet foods also tend to avoid chemical preservatives that could harm your pet. 
• Natural, Organic, Raw: Most premium pet foods contain varying degrees of natural, organic, and raw ingredients, considered to have higher nutritional value than their processed counterparts.
• Premium Protein Sources:  Many commercial pet foods rely on wheat or corn gluten as a source of protein which is both difficult to digest, and known to be an underlying cause of digestive and allergy-related health issues.  Premium pet foods like Natural Balance Grain-Free Formula are meat-based and grain-free with sweet potato and brown rice for healthy carbohydrates.

If you’re thinking about making the switch to a premium pet food, take the time to shop around.  Get familiar with compositions and ingredients, especially the ingredients you don’t understand.  With so many different products on the market, it’s important to understand what you're buying and with great online deals, there are premium pet foods for every budget.

Choosing to feed your pets a diet rich in quality proteins, energizing carbohydrates, and healthy vitamins and minerals is an important aspect of your pet’s health, contributing to fewer trips to the veterinarian and a longer, better quality of life for your #1 furry friend.

Brrrrrrr, it’s cold out there...and we aren’t the only ones feeling the chill!  It is a common misconception that fur is ample defense against the cold, but our pets are also susceptible to the discomfort and potential dangers of cold winter temperatures.  Depending on the type of fur, build, and size of your pet, some cats and dogs are less prepared for winter than others.  Slender dogs with thin bones and fur like Chihuahuas and Greyhounds will need more protection than a Saint Bernard, bred to have a sturdy build and thick fur to withstand cold temperatures.  Likewise, some cats have thicker fur than others and are more equipped to spend time outdoors.

Regardless of what kind of pet you have, here are some tips to help you comfortably get through the winter months:

Taking a Walk

My dogs absolutely love a good romp in the snow.  However, depending on where you walk your pets and the kind of dog you have, you might want to take extra precautions.

If your local weather station is forecasting blizzards or white-outs, don’t let your dog or cat outside alone.  Animals can become disoriented in the snow, which dampens their ability to follow scents, and end up lost or in a dangerous situation.  This will also protect your pets from wandering onto a body of water where the ice has not yet frozen thick enough to hold its weight.

You may also consider switching to a pet-safe product to melt ice on your walkways and driveway.  Rock salt and other melting products can accumulate in tender paws causing them to dry out and crack.  This is painful for your pet and without protection, treatment, or time to heal, it can lead to infection.

Bundle Up

These days, no dog or cat need go outside without an extra layer! Thermal vests, all-weather jackets, and cozy sweaters in every size, shape, and form are available to help you keep your pet at a comfortable temperature.  These items are virtually necessary for a short-coated dog.  Make sure your chosen outerwear covers your pet from neck to tail base and around the belly.  Keeping core temperature up will help your pet’s body keep warmth flowing to the extremities, just like people!

You should also consider investing in a good pair of winter boots.  Not only will they protect your pet’s feet from harsh salt and sand but some top quality boots are designed to provide added warmth and better traction on snow and ice.

Basic Care

We all burn more calories during cold weather so talk to your veterinarian about upping your pet’s caloric intake—or keeping it the same to help a pudgy pooch lose a little extra weight!  Some dogs also suffer from dry skin which you can combat by less frequent bathing and more frequent brushing.  A fish oil supplement is a great way to enhance your pets overall health, improve coat, and reduce dryness.  You can find supplements in a variety of forms including treats, gel caps, and liquid which can be added to food.  If you usually cut your pet’s hair short, let it grow out for the winter months for added warmth.

For new pet owners (you veterans already know this!), keep some towels handy where your pets come in from outside so you can wipe them down: legs, bellies, paws, and the rest.  Take this as an opportunity to inspect their paws (if you don’t use booties) for minor cuts, chapping, and balls of ice between the pads.

Don't let cold weather get in the way of enjoying the winter months with your pets! With a little preparation, and by following some of these simple guidelines, you can ensure that snow days are good days for both of you.

Dogs require an abundant amount of attention, physical and mental stimulation, and exercise. All that energy is best channeled outdoors, but sometimes it's just not possible to let your dog out to play

Although trying to find ways for dogs to do adequate exercises indoors may seem difficult, it's not impossible. Some of the best indoor exercises for dogs can challenge their physical and mental needs -- and allow you to lavish lots of attention at the same time.

Sense of accomplishment: Hide and seek

One of the best indoor games to play with your dog is hide and seek. This not only stimulates the mind of the dog, but it will also allow him some exercise.

To play, take one of the dog's toys, ask the dog to sit and stay, then hide the toy in part of the house. When the dog begins to look for the toy, he will have to walk and sniff around the given space, which encourages his hunting instinct. Dogs like to feel that they are succeeding, so even if you have to help a tiny bit, your dog will feel a real sense of accomplishment.

Exercise and mental stimulation: Keep away

A game of "keep away" is another good option for indoor exercise for dogs. To play this game, entice the dog with one of his toys, but keep it just out of reach while trying to prevent the dog from getting it.

By moving around the house in pursuit of the object, and even jumping or standing on its rear legs (if you allow this), the dog will be able to release some of its energy. You need to remain alert, too -- if the dog becomes overly active or rough, let go of the toy. Many an owner has been nipped by his pet not out of any malice but because the dog thought they were still playing.

Looking for dog meds and supplies for less? Shop at the Petango Store and get $5 off your first order with coupon code '5MRKT2010'!

Keep up the training: Indoor walking

If you cannot take the dog outside for a walk, then take the dog for a walk indoors. You may not cover as much area as you would outdoors, but it is still a good form of exercise.

Take her on a leash if need be, or encourage her with commands to follow you. An indoor walk is a good opportunity to work on sit-and-stay and down commands or any tricks you are teaching your dog, such as roll over, beg, or walk backwards. The more often the two of you practice, the quicker she'll pick up what's expected.

You don't have to walk in your house. If you have a friend who owns a friendly dog, walk your dogs indoors at each other's houses. There's a world of new smells you can offer your pooch.

Building strength: Indoor tug of war

Here's a game best played outdoors, but not impossible inside. As long as the game does not become too intense, it will be effective.

Take the tug-of-war object in one hand and let the dog grab the other end. The pulling will allow the dog to expend energy and at the same time have some fun. And you might be surprised how strong your dog really is.

Indoor fun with your dog can be indoor fun for you too. All of these methods provide wonderful forms of indoor exercise for both of you, as well as valuable together time.

Anyone who owns cats knows what happens during an encounter with catnip: They sniff it first, rub against it like crazy, taste it with a cursory lick and then some cats will even consume it. The reason why cats go wild for catnip can be summed up in one word: "nepetalactone.” This is an essential oil found in the leaves and stem of the catnip plant that when crushed affects many cats like a drug.

Catnip stimulates many cats, but if consumed, it has the opposite effect and works as a sedative.

Seductive catnip

Classified as Nepeta cataria, catnip is a perennial herb in the mint family that goes by an assortment of names including “catmint.” A catnip plant can grow up to three feet high, and its hairlike gray-colored leaves and stems make it easy to spot in the wild. In summer, clusters of 3/8-inch white and purple-spotted flowers make it a colorful addition to any herb garden.

According to newscientist.com, “Nepetalactone closely resembles a chemical found in the urine of female cats. It binds to a cat's olfactory receptors that are involved in sexual stimulation, including those in large wild cats.”

The reason why cats go wild for catnip has been explained in human terms by researchers. They believe that a cat's response can be compared to a human's response to smoking marijuana or using hallucinogenic drugs like LSD. Some cats will respond with wild behavior reminiscent of exposure to an aphrodisiac.

Most cat experts agree that cats probably release “excited” pheromones during interaction with catnip. Pheromones are chemical substances released by animals as a form of communication. Some females will go so far as to act sexually, as they do when in “heat.” Still others are quick to point out that nonsexual behavior also occurs in the form of play.

Young kittens, less than eight weeks of age and not sexually mature, are unaffected by catnip. Much older cats, that are sexually diminished, become less sensitive to catnip. The fact that these two groups appear to be desensitized to the effects of catnip is one reason why researchers suspect that nepetalactone in catnip is different than a real pheromone.

Not all cats have sensitivity to catnip. Even in those cats that go wild for catnip, not all respond to it in the exact same way. It is believed that a cat’s reaction to catnip is inherited. Others cite environmental factors like stress and gender, as males are reported to respond more often than females.

While catnip cannot hurt your cat or trigger an addiction, too much of it can dull the effect through overexposure. For most cats a once-a-week treat is more than enough.

Looking for catnip and/or meds for less? Shop at the Petango Store and get $5 off your first order with coupon code '5MRKT2010'!

How to use the power of catnip for behavior training

If your cat responds positively to the power of catnip, you can use it as a tool to overcome problem behavior.

Motivate lazy cats: Some cats are lazy by nature and do not get enough exercise. If cats like this show sensitivity to catnip, use it in toys to encourage activity. Even after it appears that the effect of catnip has worn off, do not put the toy away. Many cats will return later, even up to an hour or two later, and will resume energetic interaction once again.

Retrain destructive cats: When a cat rejects its scratching post in favor of furniture in the home, catnip may help to make the scratching post or scratch box more attractive again. Rub catnip or catnip oil on the post, then make attempts to reintroduce it to the cat. Do not be discouraged if the cat does not respond immediately. If they like catnip, eventually most casts will begin to use the post or scratch box if you keep the catnip fresh.

There is one caution about the use of catnip. If you observe overly aggressive behavior in your cat, discontinue use immediately.

Most cat owners are happy to give their cat a wild catnip romp simply because it gives them pleasure. Experiment with different varieties of catnip to see which one your cat favors. Fresh catnip is also easily grown in patio pots. Watch your cat go crazy when you rub the leaves.