Comments on: Will you change your pet care spending in 2009? http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2008/12/11/will-you-change-your-pet-care-spending-in-2009/ Blogging by a team of pet-care experts led by Dr. Marty Becker. Mon, 22 Mar 2010 12:57:18 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: SKB http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2008/12/11/will-you-change-your-pet-care-spending-in-2009/comment-page-1/#comment-381376 SKB Fri, 12 Dec 2008 15:21:06 +0000 http://www.petconnection.com/blog/?p=4471#comment-381376 Nutrition is key, so I will continue to buy the premium food the "kids" require. They really don't care what I have to do, I just better make sure that food bowl is full. Treats are not a necessity, but highly recommended! Nutrition is key, so I will continue to buy the premium food the “kids” require. They really don’t care what I have to do, I just better make sure that food bowl is full. Treats are not a necessity, but highly recommended!

]]> By: Susan Fox http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2008/12/11/will-you-change-your-pet-care-spending-in-2009/comment-page-1/#comment-381090 Susan Fox Fri, 12 Dec 2008 02:36:16 +0000 http://www.petconnection.com/blog/?p=4471#comment-381090 We feed them all premium food and they see the vet once a year. I already fill old socks with catnip for the cats, but, you know, if you have a well, we do have this collie.....;-) We feed them all premium food and they see the vet once a year. I already fill old socks with catnip for the cats, but, you know, if you have a well, we do have this collie…..;-)

]]> By: nancy freedman-smith http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2008/12/11/will-you-change-your-pet-care-spending-in-2009/comment-page-1/#comment-381067 nancy freedman-smith Fri, 12 Dec 2008 01:08:09 +0000 http://www.petconnection.com/blog/?p=4471#comment-381067 I have found myself using the pet store vet much more than I ever did. For instance, my two dogs both get kennel cough due to their high exposure both with visiting dogs in my home and when I take them to work with me. My vet insists on a full exam, so it is 70 VS about 12. For two dogs 2x a year, no brainer. I even had heart worm drawn at the pet store, as my collie had recently seen the vet for a sore toe, and he had an exam then, so I was not going to add on another 60 plus bucks for another exam 2 months later. I hate it, but I also need to feed everyone. Divorce here to Pat. I may be speaking too early, but my training biz has really picked up. This summer the phone barely rang and I am back to biz as usual if not more than last year. I think people here in maine got really freaked out with the price of oil and gas. Now that oil prices are down, my biz is back up. Hope I haven't jinxed us all.... I have found myself using the pet store vet much more than I ever did. For instance, my two dogs both get kennel cough due to their high exposure both with visiting dogs in my home and when I take them to work with me. My vet insists on a full exam, so it is 70 VS about 12. For two dogs 2x a year, no brainer. I even had heart worm drawn at the pet store, as my collie had recently seen the vet for a sore toe, and he had an exam then, so I was not going to add on another 60 plus bucks for another exam 2 months later. I hate it, but I also need to feed everyone. Divorce here to Pat. I may be speaking too early, but my training biz has really picked up. This summer the phone barely rang and I am back to biz as usual if not more than last year. I think people here in maine got really freaked out with the price of oil and gas. Now that oil prices are down, my biz is back up. Hope I haven’t jinxed us all….

]]> By: The OTHER Pat http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2008/12/11/will-you-change-your-pet-care-spending-in-2009/comment-page-1/#comment-381017 The OTHER Pat Thu, 11 Dec 2008 23:35:13 +0000 http://www.petconnection.com/blog/?p=4471#comment-381017 I'm in the camp of having already cut back to the necessities due to coming out on the very stub short end of a divorce which will keep me in the red for years to come. What makes this especially scary is that my little guy just turned 13. And although he's lookin' pretty darn good, on a couple of the dog lists I frequent, 13 seems to be an "unlucky number" indeed with respect to previously healthy dogs suddenly taking turns for the worse. So I'm just hoping that won't be the case for him. Not just because he's my boy, but also because the prospect of expensive geriatric care is not something the divorce left me especially well-equipped to deal with. I love my little guy, and hope he makes it to that "Sweet 16" which a couple of his close relatives have achieved in recent years. I’m in the camp of having already cut back to the necessities due to coming out on the very stub short end of a divorce which will keep me in the red for years to come.

What makes this especially scary is that my little guy just turned 13. And although he’s lookin’ pretty darn good, on a couple of the dog lists I frequent, 13 seems to be an “unlucky number” indeed with respect to previously healthy dogs suddenly taking turns for the worse. So I’m just hoping that won’t be the case for him. Not just because he’s my boy, but also because the prospect of expensive geriatric care is not something the divorce left me especially well-equipped to deal with.

I love my little guy, and hope he makes it to that “Sweet 16” which a couple of his close relatives have achieved in recent years.

]]> By: Kate M http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2008/12/11/will-you-change-your-pet-care-spending-in-2009/comment-page-1/#comment-380999 Kate M Thu, 11 Dec 2008 22:43:31 +0000 http://www.petconnection.com/blog/?p=4471#comment-380999 Does it count if I already do some of the stuff? I have been grooming my dogs for the last 4 or 5 years. I buy hay by the bale (saves about $450 per year for 3 bunnies). I feed raw which is cheaper than the high quality kibble. My dogs could care less about toys (although bully sticks are expensive). The most expensive pet stuff I get is rabbit food, and even then I get an 8% discount and it's still cheaper than the vet. I pets are generally healthy, so vet bills are minimal. Does it count if I already do some of the stuff?
I have been grooming my dogs for the last 4 or 5 years. I buy hay by the bale (saves about $450 per year for 3 bunnies). I feed raw which is cheaper than the high quality kibble. My dogs could care less about toys (although bully sticks are expensive). The most expensive pet stuff I get is rabbit food, and even then I get an 8% discount and it’s still cheaper than the vet. I pets are generally healthy, so vet bills are minimal.

]]> By: Gina Spadafori http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2008/12/11/will-you-change-your-pet-care-spending-in-2009/comment-page-1/#comment-380988 Gina Spadafori Thu, 11 Dec 2008 22:17:06 +0000 http://www.petconnection.com/blog/?p=4471#comment-380988 <a href=http://www.freecycle.org/ rel="nofollow">Freecycle is awesome!</a> I actually give much, much more often than I receive. In fact just today I put some stuff up on freecycle that I know will go for Christmas gifts for the mom who's picking them up in a bit. (Review books and products samples from companies.) We get a lot of pet product samples. I pretty much split them up between rescue groups and Freecycle. Great to know that they're going to good use. Freecycle is awesome!

I actually give much, much more often than I receive. In fact just today I put some stuff up on freecycle that I know will go for Christmas gifts for the mom who’s picking them up in a bit. (Review books and products samples from companies.)

We get a lot of pet product samples. I pretty much split them up between rescue groups and Freecycle. Great to know that they’re going to good use.

]]> By: straybaby http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2008/12/11/will-you-change-your-pet-care-spending-in-2009/comment-page-1/#comment-380982 straybaby Thu, 11 Dec 2008 22:04:46 +0000 http://www.petconnection.com/blog/?p=4471#comment-380982 Kim, once you hit a certain level of 'premium' pet food, the cost of making your own becomes less of an issue ;) When I work out the cost and amount I feed (5 cats and 1 50lb dog), I do save by making my own. And I know I'm feeding them what they need (no fillers etc) and it's safe (priceless). I must say, one of the joys is never having to read ingredients labels! I can't think of areas to cut back for my pets. I make their food, jackets, beds, toys and the dog's collars etc. I bought all my materials bulk/sales etc, so we are set for quite some time. I do encourage folks to sign up with a freecycle group in their area. I frequently see pet supplies offered and it's also a good place to pass on supplies no longer needed. I actually got my industrial sewing machine from our local one, which is what I use to make collars etc. I also cruise the list to see who needs things and frequently see new pet owners looking for spare crates, beds etc. Things I've seen offered recently have been several bags of kitty litter (paper and pine), puppy supplies and food (decent brand). Kim, once you hit a certain level of ‘premium’ pet food, the cost of making your own becomes less of an issue ;) When I work out the cost and amount I feed (5 cats and 1 50lb dog), I do save by making my own. And I know I’m feeding them what they need (no fillers etc) and it’s safe (priceless). I must say, one of the joys is never having to read ingredients labels!

I can’t think of areas to cut back for my pets. I make their food, jackets, beds, toys and the dog’s collars etc. I bought all my materials bulk/sales etc, so we are set for quite some time.

I do encourage folks to sign up with a freecycle group in their area. I frequently see pet supplies offered and it’s also a good place to pass on supplies no longer needed. I actually got my industrial sewing machine from our local one, which is what I use to make collars etc. I also cruise the list to see who needs things and frequently see new pet owners looking for spare crates, beds etc. Things I’ve seen offered recently have been several bags of kitty litter (paper and pine), puppy supplies and food (decent brand).

]]> By: JenniferJ http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2008/12/11/will-you-change-your-pet-care-spending-in-2009/comment-page-1/#comment-380977 JenniferJ Thu, 11 Dec 2008 21:52:08 +0000 http://www.petconnection.com/blog/?p=4471#comment-380977 I spent about $450.00 for PennHIP last time. It is not a cheap test! I spent about $450.00 for PennHIP last time. It is not a cheap test!

]]> By: H. Houlahan http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2008/12/11/will-you-change-your-pet-care-spending-in-2009/comment-page-1/#comment-380976 H. Houlahan Thu, 11 Dec 2008 21:42:28 +0000 http://www.petconnection.com/blog/?p=4471#comment-380976 We will be waiting until 2010 to breed another litter. I may also put off Rosie's PennHIP for a while, since it can be delayed until closer to the time we are ready for pups. We will be waiting until 2010 to breed another litter.

I may also put off Rosie’s PennHIP for a while, since it can be delayed until closer to the time we are ready for pups.

]]> By: Eucritta http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2008/12/11/will-you-change-your-pet-care-spending-in-2009/comment-page-1/#comment-380975 Eucritta Thu, 11 Dec 2008 21:41:52 +0000 http://www.petconnection.com/blog/?p=4471#comment-380975 Our cats are such good bedwarmers, they help us save on heating bills. So I wouldn't hire them out if I could [g]. Our cats are such good bedwarmers, they help us save on heating bills. So I wouldn’t hire them out if I could [g].

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