Low Cost Ways to Keep Dogs Healthy and Happy
by Jenny KelleyAfter the holidays, between buying gifts, travelling, and higher utility bills to keep the house warm, many of us find ourselves to be a bit tight on funds. And as we all know, owning a pet can be quite the financial burden. Between food, flea and tick preventative, de-wormers, treats, toys, and whatever else your pet may need, the numbers add up quickly. Here are a few tips we've found to be effective in keeping your four-legged family members healthy and happy, regardless of their parents' financial situation.
Idea #1)
Skip the expensive treats and make your own! There are probably hundreds of homemade dog cookie recipes out there, often using ingredients you may already have in your pantry. One of my go-to recipes is Puppy Popsicles, which requires equal parts of peanut butter, plain yogurt, and pumpkin puree. Just mix together and freeze in an ice cube tray. Many dogs also love a lot of the same fruits and vegetables we enjoy. Carrots make a great treat, because not only are they yummy, cheap, and healthy, but the crunchy texture also helps clean away any plaque build-up on your dog's teeth, thus possibly saving you a dental bill or two down the road! If your dog takes medication, skip the pill pocket treats, and try a piece of tortilla with some hummus instead - your dog may just enjoy it more than the store-bought treats! NEVER add in grapes, raisins, onions, garlic, nutmeg, macadamia nuts, walnuts or chocolate - these ingredients are toxic to dogs.
Idea #2)
Do-it-yourself grooming. If your dog is one that requires professional grooming on a regular basis, you may be able to get away with doing a few of those sessions yourself. Getting your dog used to being groomed at home can also be a great bonding experience for you and your dog, not to mention it's much less stressful than going to a strange place to get bathed by a stranger. Tasks you can do at home include bathing, ear cleaning, and nail trimming (since I'm no professional, I choose to use a cordless pet nail grinder to trim and smooth my dog's nails, and to avoid cutting the quick. I found mine on Amazon for less than $15). It may take some practice and patience to get your dog to cooperate, but that's all part of the fun!
Idea #3)
Make your dog some new toys from things you have laying around the house. I'm pretty sure most dogs think half the fun of getting a new toy is figuring out how to tear it apart in the messiest way possible. Therefore mom and dad feel obligated to go out and buy new toys to keep their fur-babies happy and occupied. But have you ever thought about what you could make into a toy that you may already have at home? Take an old blanket or sheet, cut it into strips, and braid it into a tug toy. Hang a toy from a rope tied to something high and sturdy (such as a tree limb) and let your dog jump and try to get it. Put a clean, empty plastic water bottle in an old sock (one that may have lost its mate to the dryer) and tie off the end to give your dog a crinkly toy. The possibilities are endless - just get creative!Blog Archive
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