Whether you have a cat, dog or even rabbits, there is help out there if you need it, to help with the cost of your pets.
With the cost of living going up rapidly, some people are giving up their pets, which are part of the family. As an animal lover this is so sad to hear and I’d like to be able to help if I can. I thought I’d put together some tips which I hope are helpful, to help with the costs.
Insurance
When taking on most pets, insurance is a must. There are a lot of insurance companies out there, but you need to consider what is included.
Depending on your animal, some insurance companies only cover certain animals, at certain ages, so if you have an older pet/rescue, you may need to look around a bit more. You will also find that most don’t cover teeth or ears, which are essential in most animals and more likely to go wrong, so always read what is included and read the small print. You will also find that pre-existing conditions generally won’t be included unfortunately.
You do not need a fancy insurance company to insure your pet with, if they cover your pet, then supermarket insurances can be just as good, if not better sometimes.
When signing up to any insurance, whether it be a pet or house etc. Then also check if you can gain any reward points, as some except nectar points or similar schemes. You can also sometimes get cash back from cash back sites like TopCashback or Quidco which are fantastic, so always check first and you might save yourself some extra cash or at least earn something back.
Grooming and veterinary Care
Saving money on caring for your pet is great, but the more you look after your pet in the first place, the healthier they may be and need less treatment or care in the long run.
So choosing the correct brushes and regularly grooming your pet can help with their coat and you will also have some bonding time and be able to do a quick health check of your own, making sure their skin and body looks and feels okay. You may even need less time between groomers if you need one for your pet, saving you money again.
Same with their teeth, if you have a cat or a dog there are some dental sticks that are advertised to help keep your pet’s teeth clean and healthy, but you can also buy cat and dog toothpaste and brushes to help and this should reduce the time between descaling at the vets, if they need it.
Choosing the right vet for your pet is essential, check they are qualified and good with your type of pet (you may need to look further to find good vets for exotics animals like hamsters, rabbits and guinea pigs) Check out if they have any schemes, discounts or can offer payment plans if needed, also check if your vet will claim directly through your pet insurance, as I’ve known of some that don’t accept certain insurance companies or it is much harder to claim from them.
Never miss your pets vaccines or treatments because you cannot afford it.
Food
Depending on your animal the food prices can really add up, especially if you have a picky pet! Always keep an eye out on free apps and local selling pages.
For some animals, as long as the food says PFMA (Pet Food Manufacturers Association) it has to be a complete food, double check the ingredients yourself at the ingredients list and make sure it is suited to your pet.
For those that eat vegetables, herbs and even weeds, you can grow your own (fruit would be an option too but it is often very high in sugar, same as root vegetables like carrots for many pets, there are better options) why not grow your own or even forage in safe non-treated areas, not near roads? Even if you do not have a garden, you can easily grow herbs in pots of your window sills.
Dog Walking
If you are unable to walk your dogs at certain times, why not split your responsibilities with a friend or family member, if they have a dog and they get on, it is extra socialising for your dog too.
There is also a website called Borrow my Doggy, where those that love dogs can join and become a premium member for just £12.99 a year, which allows them to be insured to walk other people’s dogs, access to an online vet 24/7 and are able to message/connect with other members. They can choose to mark if they are able to do certain days, times and size of dogs.
If you would like your dog walked, you can become a premium member for the same price and have people walk your dogs. A dog walker is usually £5 upwards for 30 minutes, so £12.99 a year could save you a massive amount.
FUNDING
If for whatever reason you cannot afford any necessary items or veterinary treatment, even with insurance and a savings fund, and you can’t borrow from friends or family, then there are still some things you can do.
Check with your vets if they can offer a payment plan where you can pay it off over time or before this happens, check if they have a scheme to help save you money in general: if you pay £6 a month, you’ll get a certain percentage off treatments, vaccines and checkups, it might help you in the future or long run.
You don’t have to buy treatment or preventions from your vets, some pet stores supply them for a lot less or you can use safe, official pet medication like VetUK. You may need a prescription which vets usually charge for, but it can still work out a lot cheaper buying it through another means.
Please do research what you are applying to your pets though, as some products have been known to be ineffective or even cause illness, burns and in some cases, have been connected to deaths.
Some places offer a food bank for pets and you’ll be able to access some of their food and some items, so it is worth asking around.
There are also some free sites and apps you can check regularly to help save yourself some money. Sometimes people give pet food away after an animal sadly passes or if their cat for instance, has decided that the food you kindly purchased them isn’t now to their personal taste.
You might be able to find what you need on Olio, Trash Nothing and Facebook groups, which all allow pet food.
If you are on certain benefits you may find you are eligible for some help from PDSA, The Blue Cross, RSPCA so please don’t hesitate to find out more.
If none of the above options work for you, then you can set up a Go Fund Me page, where you can raise money for lots of things, one of which is veterinary bills, so select the personal option and spread the word, people can then donate to you and help fund your treatment. The better you explain it and add a good amount of information, then the more likely people are going to try and understand and offer to help you out.
