Planet Cheapskate

Reining In Cats & Dogs

Cheap Pets Comments (1)

There are some things that are worth the money, and we have to vote PETS near, if not at, the top of the list. They provide companionship, they’re there for you through thick and thin, and the evidence is overwhelming in study after study that they can actually lower your blood pressure. They teach compassion, as well as responsibility, to kids. Bonus: dogs will also deter burglaries. For Cheapskates, that’s a pretty good return on the dollar.

But what is the true cost of a pet, and are you able to pay it? To be a good cheapskate pet “parent,” please don’t forget your responsibilities to your furry, feathered, or finned friends. It’s heartbreaking to read stories of people who feel they can no longer “afford” their pet, so they give it away, abandon it, etc. Please remember that pets, like small children, have no voice in your decision to move cross-country for a new job, or turn the thermostat down to some frosty ultra-cheapskate level. A pet requires not just some food and water, it requires toys, vet trips, warm bed, leashes, harnesses, and more. And most of all, your time. Yes, even cats, with their largely undeserved reputation of “aloofness,” crave your attention, and some playtime. If you don’t currently have a home menagerie, and don’t honestly have the time right now, there are lots of animal shelters who would love to have you come in once a week and walk dogs, feed cats, wash litter pans, etc. You can get your part-time animal companionship fix that way while helping those in real need.

Monty, ready for a break from Mid-winter indoor "old-sock-pull" is dressed to go play outside.

Speaking of shelters, do we even have to mention that the best place to get a pet is through your local shelter or rescue program? Millions of orphaned animals (yes, millions) need loving homes. Any breed of cat or dog that you fancy will be represented through a rescue program, and they are often online, so start there if your heart is set on a specific breed. The adoption programs will work with you to make sure you get the pet that is right for your family’s situation, and for the animal, so they’re a great place to start.

MONEY SAVERS FOR BOWSER & MITTENS

the best place to get a pet is through your local shelter or rescue program

Feeding Time
The cheapest pet food you can possibly find at the big box store or supermarket is not a bargain. It is just lumps of corn meal or wheat, plus some ground up, cast-off, animal parts that you wouldn’t eat if your life depended on it. Hey, Bowser’s life does depend on it! Something better, is barely more cost in the long run. You’ll save the difference between a $60 and a $75 big bag in vet bills, for example. The first ingredient should be chicken, beef, or some other meat. Extras: We pick up frozen livers or gizzards, zap them in the microwave = instant treat. We also let our animals lick plates when there’s nothing there that can harm them (no sugary stuff or chicken bones). For Bowls: use ceramic or metal. Temptingly inexpensive as they are, plastic bowls will end up costing you if they cause (and this happens more frequently than you might imagine) acne or allergic reactions (our little gourmets seem to sense this). Plus they just don’t last like ceramic or metal.

Harnesses, leashes, toys, and other necessities
In another pets-like-children analogy, we’ve seen ours enjoy the box the present came in more than the toy itself. It’s no wonder. Most pet toys are designed to appeal to you first… after all, you’re the one with the wallet! But let’s be honest, even though Monty’s favorite tug-toy is a smelly old sock, occasionally we can’t resist a little store bought fun and when we splurge, we go to ebay. We find everything there at amazing prices. Our favorite find so far was a $12 coat (with pockets and reflector strips!) for Monty — which he needs (where we live) in the winter. We don’t know why they don’t have a specific pet section on ebay, but just put in “dog harness” and search in “everything,” and you’ll get quite a number of auctions to choose from. Another almost-free-dog supply of dog toys can be found at your local Goodwill or Salvation Army (or other used item charity): find old stuffed animals in bargain bins; just be sure and remove plastic eyes or anything that might get stuck in a throat, and only let Bowser play with these when you are present, or you may be looking at some stuffing clean-up later. Another tip: we recently we spotted some high end chew toys — advertised as good for cleaning doggy teeth — made from braided polar fleece at a feed and pet store. We are currently experimenting with tearing up an old polar fleece top and braiding it back together. Will report back on whether or not it works!

Bedding: Visit a fabric store and find a large remnant of faux fur, preferably something a little bit slick. This makes the perfect topper to whatever bed your pet is in or on. Ours are created from fluffy piles of old, pilled flannel sheets. The key here is that the slick faux fur doesn’t hold shed hair, is easy to vacuum or shake out.

Veterinary Care: Rely on your vet for regular vaccinations and check-ups, and definitely go if they ever incur an injury. But what about that day when they simply don’t seem to feel so well? How much would you spend in an effort to diagnose that mysterious malaise? This is a hot topic, and before the recent recession descended upon the globe, we noticed that it was being debated in many mainstream arenas. A commentary written for Newsweek in 2008 defends spending whatever it takes to keep a pet going. It’s a difficult choice and one in which “quality of life” (including the trauma of vet visits and procedures) must be considered. We ultimately have found no more compassionate a choice than that which we imagine for our own selves.

Keep your pet healthy with good food and exercise, plus some oral care, and you will keep the vet bills at bay.

Exercise Time: Mr. Monty serves as our fitness trainer (his fee is very reasonable). He inspires us to cover 4 miles of walking per day — no matter the weather! This is as great for our physical and mental well being health as it is for his. (We tried tying ourselves up with a rope, and walking around in a circle in the back yard, but became bored very shortly. We can only imagine the same would be true of the dog. We’re joking, of course, but please don’t think that sort of “exercise” is adequate for your pooch.)

And cats need play time as well. Their three favorite no-cost cat toys:
#1 feather on a string (pick up stray feathers and collect them for your cat);
#2 ping-pong ball in a large box;
#3 Home made catnip toys. It’s easy! Just fill a small, old sock (one that has lost its mate in the laundry perhaps) with some catnip and tie it tight. This is even better if you can grown your own catnip — it’s easy to grow some in a pot on your porch. Some cats also go nuts for celery leaves or cilantro.

Nail trimmers save furniture!

Grooming: If your dog doesn’t shed (like poodles) they’ll need a clip every now and then. All animals, however, even short hairs, appreciate brushing and combing so make this “quality-time” a habit. For shampooing, we use dollar store baby shampoo, and it works great. You can learn to trim their nails — the best clippers we found for both dogs and cats are at your local dollar store. Be sure to just trim the tips! If you cut too short and nip the “pink” it’s like you’re cutting the ends of your finger. If you’re not certain, have a friend who does this regularly show you how, or have the vet do it the first time and take note. It’s not that hard, and it’s important for a pet’s well being, as well as your furniture’s. We strongly recommend that you never de-claw a cat. It’s cruel (not to mention expensive) practice is thankfully falling out of favor. Be sure the cat has a scratching post to shred instead of the furniture. We wind heavy sisal rope instead of carpet on ours — easy and cheap to keep it fresh. Though more ambitious than our examples, here are some plans if you want to build one from scratch. Don’t forget to sprinkle catnip on it.

All of this play time also adds up to time well spent with family — away from computers and TV. The cost is minimal, the return is huge.

—the Editors, on February 24, 2009