Tips For Taking Care of Your Dog Without Breaking The Bank

Are you looking to adopt a fluffy friend? Owning a pet is expensive. From food to vet care, there are a range of expenses you must brace yourself for. They can be your good companion by helping you dealing with your loneliness. Playing with them, walking them outside to poop and snuggling with them – they are a complete fun package for you.

However, there is a lot to consider before owning a pet. Do not forget that they are reliant on you for their well-being. If you are absolutely sure that your budget has enough wiggle room for pet expenses, you should get the one in your family. Make sure you will not struggle to provide them with the basic necessities despite the financial ups and downs.

Tips for looking after your pet dog without shelling out money

Here are the tips you should consider to take care of your dog:

Focus on the basic needs

Food is the most important need to maintain your pet’s health. You can get premium food for your pet available in supermarkets. Many people rely on cheap food such as bread and milk for their fluffy members to avoid spending a lot of money on their food, but this will take a toll on their health down the line.

Their body functions differently from that of human beings, so make sure that you do not feed them food you eat. To some extent, it is good, but overreliance on human food for your pet is extremely dangerous. The consequences will be dire and your pet will experience them in the long run.

• Purchase food with high-quality ingredients

Sugary foods are dangerous for the health of your dog. Never feed them chocolate, cookies or anything that consists of sugar, salt, onion and garlic. Buy dog food available in stores. Make sure it is high-quality. Dog food is available under many brands, but not all of them are good enough. Check the nutrition label to make a purchase decision.

Puppy formula is also available on the market, normally offered until your dog is put on an adult diet. Instead of trusting online information, you should consult a vet to know what you should feed your dog. Consulting a veterinarian can be slightly expensive, but unsecured loans can come in handy if you are facing a shortfall in cash.

• Feed your dog on a regular basis

A veterinarian can help better understand the food requirements for your pet. Different dogs need different amounts of food. When your dog is too young, they may need several small meals a day while adults may need only two times a day. As your dog grows old, they become less active. Therefore, it should not be surprising that they live off only one meal per day.

Make sure that you feed the right quantity to your dog. Both overeating and undereating are bad for your pet. Fix a schedule for your dog every time. Offering them food at the same time at every turn will let your dog know their meal time. It will help you track your dog’s eating patterns.

• Monitor your dog’s appetite

Your dog cannot verbally communicate with you. Most of the time, they feel some symptoms, but they go unnoticed because they cannot complain about them to you. By tracking their eating habits, you can immediately spot if their appetite has decreased, which is a red flag. You should immediately take it to the vet. Your caution will help you prevent from spending a whopping sum of money on their medical treatments. You can avoid footing large vet bills when a disease is spotted at an early stage. However, if you still need some money, you can take out short term loans direct lenders.

• Make sure your dog gets enough water

Keep your dog’s water bowl full throughout the day. Water is good for the health of your dog. When the bowl is full of water, your dog will drink water whenever feels thirsty. Water can be slightly cold when it is too hot outside.

Grooming to keep your dog healthy

Apart from food, your dog needs grooming. Brushing is extremely important for hairy dogs. If they have long hair, they will need brushing more frequently. You can get them trimmed if they tangle a lot. Shaving is also an option, but it is recommended only in the summer months. Other grooming habits include trimming of nails. Check for fleas and ticks.

• Bathe your dog

Dogs hesitate to get into the tub. You will have to offer them bait to take them to a bathing tub. They do not need bathing regularly. Baths are essential once in a couple of weeks to stop them stinking. Lukewarm water is good for them.

Make sure you use a gentle shampoo exclusively made for dogs. Bathing is necessary to see if they have got any cuts and bruises that need medical attention. Consult your vet if your dog is quite aggressive and extremely uncomfortable while bathing.

• Get routine vet care

Regular check-ups can help your pet diagnosed with diseases, if any, before they become too serious. Undoubtedly, surgeries are expensive and yet there is no guarantee about the life of your pet. Your vet will conduct a physical examination of your dog to ensure it is completely fit. You can know how you can keep diseases like arthritis, the most common condition among dogs when they grow old, at bay.

• Get your dog neutered

Neutering can eliminate many health problems in your pet. Your dog can become sexually aggressive and start scent marking due to their natural territorial instinct, but all these problems can be dealt by neutering. Talk to a vet to know the right time for the procedure. It eliminates the risk of developing prostate problems and testicular cancer. Neutered female dogs are less likely to develop uterine infection and cancer.

• Keep tabs on your dog’s general health

Keep monitoring your pet’s behaviour. You should know if there are any changes in the patterns of their eating and playing. It should set off alarm bells if you notice them sluggish and low. Their poop habits will also let you know a lot about their health. Pay attention to their mouth, teeth, eyes and ears. You may identify the problems as soon as possible.

Consult your vet immediately if you see any mysterious changes in their behaviour. The sooner you react, the better it is. You can prevent your pet from suffering serious ailments. The early diagnosis of a medical condition will also help you avoid footing large vet bills.

The bottom line

Owning a pet is quite expensive. You should carefully understand your financial condition before adopting it. You cannot stop the essential supplies such as food, vet care and grooming to your dog just because you are running out of money.

Despite financial problems, you must be able to look after your pet. It is always advisable to have a sufficient budget for your pet. Make sure you set aside enough money to cover all your pet’s expenses. If you still need some, you can think of borrowing money from a direct lender.