Cheaper pet care tips for Budget Day

It was white over with snow again this morning, the cost of living goes up and up and for most of us, keeping going is a balancing act. We don’t want our pets to suffer or go without but what can we do to cut the cost of pet care?

Lower pet food costs -Cats – Shop around for different brands – even cats who won’t eat some low priced chunks will say ‘yummy’ to another type.  We’ve found that most cats like Lidl’s own make.  Morrisons own brand is also popular with our sanctuary team of tasty cat food testers.

Most felines also enjoy a bit of toasted and buttered brown bread, cut up into very small chunks and with a bit of milk and a tiny sprinkle of sugar on top.   A pint of goat’s milk goes a long way, cats like it and it’s good for them too.  A small portion of white fish, lightly cooked in goat’s milk (cow’s milk isn’t good for cats) and mixed with brown bread crumbs, makes a substantial meal for a hungry cat.   You can make it into portions and freeze it for another day – kittykat ready meals.   Fish fingers are popular when cut up very small – the cheapest brands are fine – they are fresh fish just the same but not the types we recognize.

Dogs– If you want to feed complete then Dr.John’s is one of the best low cost brands around.   It’s by appointment to H.M.The Queen – the Royal Warrant so it must be good.   It’s palatable, good for sensitive tummies and with New Zealand Green Lipped Mussel as an ingredient, it’s excellent for keeping joints in good condition.   We’ve seen a difference in an arthritic dog within a few weeks.   And the price?   £14.59 for a 15 kg bag.  You can’t get much better than that for a quality dog food – we always have it in stock and every bag sold helps the sanctuary animals.

Keeping pets healthy – is one of the best ways to beat the budget – vet bills are a major worry if you are not insured.   A lot of people can ‘t afford insurance costs these days so it’s even more important to make sure your pet  is healthy.   There are many simple home remedies that work just as well as expensive ones – it’s always best to consult a vet though if you aren’t sure what is wrong with your pet.Cold tea – We use cold tea as a simple eye remedy.   Use a cotton wool pad and bathe the eyes, it’s very soothing.

Foot care –   we put Vaseline on dogs feet when their pads are dry, keeps them nice and soft and less likely to get sore..

Olive oil – We find that olive oil is good for dry itchy skin and encourages the hair to grow again on bald patches.  We put a drop or two of olive oil on our dogs dinners, they like it and it gives them a glossy coat.  It’s good to put a small amount on a dry nose too.

Turmeric – (yes, the spice you put in a curry) is a natural antiseptic, used through out the world on wounds, sores and grazes – we put it on small cuts and find they heal up quickly.   It’s good for skin irritation too – we put a pinch in the dog’s food and pat it into the sore skin for internal and external use.

Tea Tree oil – we use this as a natural flea deterrent – dilute with almond oil as it’s quite strong and then sprinkle on a rag and rub over your dog – he’ll smell nice to you but the fleas will hate it.    A few drops in his basket and on his bedding is good also.

Ears – we clean them out with witch hazel or olive oil.  We put a few drops on a cotton pad and clean the outer area – this works with dogs and cats.   Don’t poke in the ear though or you might do some damage.

Cardboard boxes for cats, cut price fleeces for dog blankets – we have lots more saving money pet tips coming soon …………….