Cost of living crisis: PDSA expert on safely saving money on pet care

 
Dear PDSA, I’m really struggling in the cost of living crisis, is there anything I can do to safely save money on my pet’s care? Keira 

Dear Keira, many people are struggling right now, but there are ways to save money on pet care that won’t impact their welfare.

If you have space to store it, buying pet food in bulk can often be cheaper – look out for good online deals.

You could learn to groom your pet and clip their nails at home, as well as saving money this is a great way to spend time with your pet. If they also need a trim, its best to use a professional groomer with the appropriate certifications to ensure your pet’s safety.

It may be possible to cut down on their treats. Instead, keep aside some of their daily food allowance to offer as ‘treats’ if you need to.

Make sure your pet keeps to a healthy weight and is up to date with vaccinations, flea and worming treatments. This can help to avoid health issues and reduce the likelihood of unexpected vet costs. More cost saving ideas are available on our website: www.pdsa.org.uk/cost-of-living-and-pets  

 

Dear PDSA, I’ve recently been diagnosed with heart disease and am struggling to keep up with my dog Peter’s daily walks. I’m worried he isn’t getting the exercise he needs, but I also can’t bear the thought of giving him up. What can I do? Marjorie 

Dear Marjorie, sorry to hear about your ill health, sadly this can affect us all at any point in our lives.

You’re right to consider Peter’s needs – daily walks are very important for dogs. But you may not need to consider rehoming him, in fact some studies suggest that owning a pet can help to improve the health of people suffering from heart disease.

To make sure that Peter still gets his daily exercise, ask for help from family or friends, or a neighbour. You could also consider using a qualified professional dog walker or an app that matches you with willing helpers.

Snuffle mats and feeding puzzles could also keep Peter entertained at home, alongside his walks. If you have a safe and secure outdoor space close to home you could play fetch or other games with him that help him keep his activity up without you having to do anything too strenuous.  

 

Dear PDSA, I’ve been at home a lot this year and my dog Lulu now hates being on her own. Even if someone just leaves the room she goes a bit nuts and starts barking like mad. Why is this? Claudia 

Dear Claudia, it sounds like Lola is uncomfortable with being left alone – this is known as a separation related problem.

It’s worth getting her checked by your vet, just in case there is any underlying medical cause or pain that could be causing this or making it worse as this can be very common.

If she’s physically ok, it would be a good idea to get help and advice from a certified pet behaviourist as separation related problems can be complicated to deal with and it is important to get professional guidance on this.

You’ll need to be patient as this process can be slow – you’ll need to work at Lulu’s pace. With some time and patience, hopefully Lulu can learn to have independence again. 

 

Dear PDSA, over the past couple of weeks, my rat Remy has had a snotty nose, a wheeze and been quite sleepy. Remy is only three, what could be wrong? James 

It sounds like Remy could have a respiratory infection, which is quite common in rats. This can cause symptoms like the snotty nose, wheezing and tiredness you describe.

Because of his small size, Remy could become very ill very quickly, so you will need to take him to see your vet as soon as possible. They will give him a full check-up and advise if any treatment is needed.

Make sure you keep him warm, with a well-ventilated room that is free of draughts. Avoid dusty bedding material: paper or non-toxic wood chips (avoid cedar or pine) are best.

Keep a close watch that he’s eating and drinking and report any changes to your vet.