- With inflation rampant, it’s getting more and more expensive to care for your furry friend.
- Insider spoke to five experts about the best ways to care for pets on a tight budget.
- They advised cash-strapped owners to prioritize preventive care, plan ahead, and try DIYs.
The US economy is showing signs of a looming recession. Inflation remains consistently high, with recent modeling by Bloomberg Economics finding a 100% chance of a recession within the next year.
In the face of this grim economic outlook, it is important to take action to protect household budgets. This includes thinking about pets.
Thanks to inflation, caring for furry friends is getting more expensive. Pet food prices rose 14% between September 2021 and September 2022, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The veterinarian’s bills are also skyrocketing, with him up 10% last year, according to the AP.
A Veterinarians.org study published in July shows that owners are already feeling the pinch. 50% are buying cheaper alternatives to regular pet food and 35% say they need to use grooming services less often.
Even more worrisome, 46% of pet owners say they have decided to cancel or postpone veterinary treatments, such as dental treatments and x-rays, due to inflation.
Insider spoke with five experts about the best ways to take care of pets without breaking the bank.
1. Focus on essentials
When faced with tough financial choices, pet owners should consider cutting back on non-essential items like treats and toys, but continue to pour money into the essentials like pet insurance and quality food. is needed.
Wasting pet nutrition can be a false economy.
“By ensuring that animals get all the exercise and nutrients they need to maintain a healthy weight, we can reduce their risk of developing chronic conditions such as high blood pressure and arthritis, and require ongoing additional veterinary costs.” “It will be,” said Rob Young.Battersea Dog and Cat House, an animal shelter in the UK.
Providing adequate medicine is also important to prevent costly long-term health complications, says Dr Samantha Gaines, president of the UK-based animal welfare charity RSPCA. .
She told Insider: “Her Google searches for ‘can I give my dog paracetamol? because it does.”
2. Shop around for food and medicine
Pet food is often expensive, so it may be worth looking for cheaper alternatives. Make sure your off-brand product contains all the nutrients your pet needs, and check with your veterinarian or animal charity if you’re unsure.
You can even mix your pet’s favorite regular food with a cheap branded food to stretch it even further.
Medicine costs are also quite an expense, but the internet is often cheaper. There are many animal pharmacies online, so compare prices and check reviews. Popular sites include Walmart Pet Rx, Chewy and 1-800-Pet-Meds.
3. Get the right pet insurance
According to the North American Pet Health Insurance Association, there are an estimated 160 million pets in the United States. Of these, only 2.48% have insurance.
Experts say you should think carefully about skipping insurance to cut costs.
Insurance may seem like a hassle and an unnecessary expense, but it can provide peace of mind and financial security in the face of unwanted surprises.
The association’s executive director, Kristen Lynch, told Insider: .”
According to VetHelpDirect, as inflation pushes up veterinary bills, insurance premiums are likely to rise further, so shopping is more important than ever.
You should also carefully check the details of your insurance. Some of the cheaper policies exclude general treatments, so you’ll need to budget for these additional costs later.
4. Prioritize preventive care
While it’s easy to forget basic maintenance, simple measures like cleaning your pet’s teeth, regular worm and flea control are important to prevent costly health complications.
With veterinary prices reaching new highs, it’s no surprise that owners are often hesitant to bring their animals in for treatment, but this can jeopardize their pets’ health and drive up costs. There is a possibility
Lynch told an insider: “When pet owners delay providing care, it means that the condition worsens while they are “waiting for it,” and that same condition becomes acute, prohibitively expensive, and difficult to treat successfully. It could mean
5. Try DIY
Pets don’t need anything special, an expert told Insider. They will be delighted with inexpensive handmade toys.
If you want your pet to play something new without breaking the bank, try turning an old t-shirt into a dog-pull toy or try a DIY toilet roll game.
You can also make sweets using low-cost household ingredients. Many animal charities, including ASPCA, Best Friends, Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, provide helpful tips and his DIY guides on his website.
6. Ask for help
Fighting alone is never a good idea.
During a crisis, you can contact your local charity for specific guidance and financial assistance. Craig Cummings, director of the Wyoming-based Casper Human Society, told Insider:
The Humane Society has a database of organizations across the United States that help those struggling to care for the pets they need. These include discounted veterinary care, pet food banks, and emergency animal shelters.
Krista Chadwick, ASPCA’s vice president of shelter services, said people should always seek support when faced with the “heartbreaking” decision to bring a pet back home. We understand that sometimes the best outcome is for owners who cannot or no longer want to return their pets to their homes.
“Pet owners who decide to rehome their pets are encouraged to seek the support of a family member, friend, or veterinarian.You can also list your pet on Petfinder.com or visit Get Your Pet. You may want to connect with people who are close to you looking to adopt a companion animal, meet potential adopters, and find pet-friendly homes.”
In the most extreme situations, animal shelters can step in and make sure your pets are safe and well cared for.
Rob Young of UK-based Battersea Cats and Dogs Home told Insider:
