pet connection

The economy’s been stuck in low gear for quite a while now, and it’s getting harder to find ways to cut costs. Can you trim the expenses of keeping pets without compromising their health and well-being?  Dr. Marty Becker and Gina Spadafori tell you how in this week’s Pet Connection newspaper feature:

Let’s not kid ourselves: Things are tight, and people are learning to make do with less. That’s the bad news.

The good news: You don’t have to shortchange your pets to save money. By focusing on prevention, smart buys and sharing, you can slash what you spend on your pets. Some tips:

• Work with your veterinarian to cut costs. Vaccinations are no longer recommended annually for most dogs and cats, but that’s not a good reason to skip your pet’s yearly vet check (twice-yearly for older pets). These “well-pet” examinations can spot little problems before they become expensive ones. Ask your veterinarian to give you prescriptions for medications to be filled elsewhere, or to match prices. Check for short-term promotions such as for Dental Health Month (which is coming in February), or for ongoing discounts such as for multipet families or senior citizens. Consider pet health insurance as a backup in case of emergency — it can help save your pet’s life when money is the issue.

Check out the rest of the tips here!

From Dr. Becker and Mikkel Shannon Becker, clues revealed by a cat’s body language:

Want to read a cat’s mood? Watch the tail. A tail held straight up indicates a cat who’s relaxed or in a mood to greet company. When the tail is moving side to side, however, it’s not a friendly sign: Wagging tails in cats indicate the increased agitation of a cat who is getting ready to pounce.

Want more? Read the entire Pet Connection for this week!

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