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Pet Care on a Budget

March 16, 2017 by Mary Telesz

Pet Care on a Budget
You don’t have to break the bank to keep your pet happy and healthy
With the joys of living with and caring for an animal, come additions to the monthly budget. Pet care, food choices, and entertainment are all decisions one must make when on a low or fixed income.

There are several questions a prospective pet owner must ask themselves before deciding to adopt or purchase a pet. Budget pet care should be among the first considerations one makes when deciding what kind of pet is most appropriate for their lifestyle and living expenses. Some questions to consider are: What kind of pet fits best into the lifestyle of the prospective owner? How can a pet owner fulfill all of their new pet’s basic needs for survival (food, water, shelter, and companionship)? What are some low-expense options to best care for a pet on a budget?

If one’s budget has changed, and they already have animals to care for, it is equally important to consider how to care for the animal even with these changes. Can you make payments to a local veterinarian? Are there local groups or organizations focused on animal care? Seek these out.

Consider these questions, and write down a few more. Consider doing extra research to find the best options for pet ownership and animal care. Knowledge is the most empowering factor here—having all the necessary information is vital to making strong and smart decisions for oneself and the animals in their lives.

Best Pets for Your Budget

When deciding on what kind of pet to adopt or purchase, it is important to consider all kinds of pets and the expenses that might come up along with their care. Some animals come with more costs and considerations: Does this pet require a lot of expensive food? What sort of medical care may the et need in the future? What sort of toys and accessories does the pet need to live a happy and healthy life?

With some larger pets, such as dogs and cats, there is an immediate increase in the amount of responsibilities one must include with the cost of purchase, adoption, or ownership. Just like a small child, some pets require constant supervision and care. Sometimes, dogs and cats need behavioral training. Consider the yearly cost of owning a specific type of animal. Some may require preventative treatments for heartworms, fleas, and ticks. Others may need several different shots for vaccination purposes. Pets that live both inside and outside the home are more likely to experience injury, infections, and infestations more than animals that live indoors.

The cheapest pets to own are the ones that require little room and maintenance. Becoming the owner of a small, more affordable pet may act as a great launch point to owning a more complicated or expensive pet later, after seeing how a household and budget can take the responsibility of a smaller animal.

Consider small tank aquarium pets, like a hermit crab, frog, or fish. These animals may require a light or small filter for their home. Purchasing environmental items, such as real or artificial plants, are great additions for their quality of life, as well as sealed accessories that provide a small place to hide. These small pets can add to one’s quality of life, providing relaxation and companionship for all, despite the size of their budget.

Similarly, small caged pets such as hamsters, Guinea pigs, rats, and mice are another option for the budget-conscious pet owner. For costs, the biggest consideration is an appropriate cage with appropriate bedding (wood shavings, mulch, sawdust, or newspaper). Then, the pet owner needs to consider food and water, as well as chewing material for the health of their pets’ teeth, as well as toys (such as running balls, tubes, hamster wheels, etc). These smaller pets can provide a lot of love and care to their owner, and give younger pet lovers a great place to start in learning responsibility for other creatures.

Adoption vs Purchasing

If small pets are not what a potential pet owner is searching for, then the next best option for budget pet care and ownership is to adopt an animal from a reputable animal shelter. Shelter pets come in every temperament, age, color, size, and breed. Shelter workers can tell a prospective pet owner everything they know about a specific animal and its needs. If cost is a factor, it may be important to know if a dog or cat has any medical conditions and their treatment history.

Remember: purchasing a pet from a breeding mill may seem inexpensive compared to a shelter animal, but many times, these animals were born as profit-makers into cramped spaces. They may have spent too much time in a cage, and have health or behavioral issues. Unless you know the circumstances in which a bred animal was born and raised, consider checking with a veterinarian or animal medical professional before purchasing a pet from a third party.

The cost of adopting a dog or cat from a rescue or animal shelter may seem expensive, but when the price is broken down compared to purchasing a dog or cat elsewhere, the overall cost is quite friendly to budget pet care, and inexpensive compared to a breeder or pill. To the animal whose life is saved from death or loneliness, this cost is priceless. Pet adoption costs are a reason some people give as to why they choose to not adopt. However, adoption costs are part of a process that drives down the cost of animals overall, and also works towards rescuing more animals.

Pet adoption is a wonderful choice when considering how to purchase and care for an animal at the lowest cost. At many adoption centers, animals have been treated medically. At others, the cost of spaying or neutering and vaccination, and is included in the price of adoption. If the pet owner decides to adopt an older animal, many of the costs associated with training or behavioral care may also be negated. Adoptions and rescues are wonderful options to take an animal from a negative situation, and give them a better quality of life.

Keeping Costs Low

To keep pet costs low, research the best prices around the area in which one lives: which stores sell cheap and quality food (consider farming supply stores)? Which vets take payments? Many families do similar research for themselves, but not their pets. Consider how a combination of research and coupons can help meet your pet’s needs on a budget. Using coupons to purchase pet supplies and medication can save a lot of money. Also, consider the loyalty programs at your local stores. Many people swipe a discount card to save additional percentages off individual items or total bills, meanwhile earning free perks.

If a family already has a pet and is looking for the best options for budget pet care, keeping costs low is the first step. In order to keep one’s furry friend safe and healthy on a small budget, to keep overall costs low, do research on the best options for pet health and personal care to determine what’s best for the animal. Feed your pet high-protein, low-carb foods. Avoid feeding your pet table scraps. Keeping a healthy-sized pet can help prevent obesity related illnesses to a pet’s heart, lungs, kidneys, liver, and bone health.

One of the most common ways to prevent illness is by placing one’s pets on proper heartworm, flea, and tick prevention medication. These preventative drugs are highly effective in preventing heartworm infection and disease related to infection from fleas, ticks, and mites. These are sold under a variety of brand names. Please check with a pet health professional or licensed veterinarian to help decide which option is appropriate for a specific pet or animal companion, based on their needs, size, and medical history.

In many cases, owners think they’re saving money by not seeking appropriate medical appointments for their pets. Shop around your local area for the cheapest pet care options. One cheap option to provide pet health is to use an old toothbrush and brush your pet’s teeth on a monthly basis. Dental disease can lead to heart problems in the future. Remember, yearly check-ups should be just as vital for one’s pets as it is for oneself. Whether one has two legs or four legs, medical prevention is always cheaper than curing a diagnosed condition. Get all pets vaccinated as recommended by their vet or any local or state pet advocacy groups.

Emergency Health Services

Sometimes, even with all the best intentions, a household budget can change: additions to the family, changes in labor markets, and even job loss can all impact the level of care one gives to their pets and animals, as well as to themselves. No animal lover wants to see their pets suffer or go without. In these situations, there are options in which one could reach out for further help or care.

If your pet needs budget medical treatment, there are still several options: One option is to negotiate a payment plan with your pet’s veterinarian. In most cases, a pet and owner with a strong relationship with their vet can get assistance in paying for bigger medical bills or vaccinations over an extended set period of time. However, note that veterinarians may not agree to such a plan. Another option is to offer to perform a service for your vet like cleaning, caretaking, or other work, on a case-by-case basis. Pet owners can also check out local veterinary schools for low-cost training clinics. It may not help in a current crisis, but pet owners can also consider purchasing pet health insurance for any future medical needs.

Remember…

Consider doing extra research to find the best options for you, whether you are currently a pet owner looking for care on a budget, or a new owner looking for advice on how to care for animals on the cheap.

Ask lots of questions and look into all avenues for help. Knowledge is power! Know all the numbers in your budget, and work within what you can afford. Having the correct information is vital to any negotiations, whether that be for medical care or otherwise. Remember, living with an animal comes with additional purchases from medicine to food choice to housing, and many other considerations.

Regardless of income, pets and animals provide loving companionship and a sense of security to their loving owners. Working within one’s budget and with a team of friends and the help of a local veterinarian, you, too, can keep and maintain a happy and healthy pet while on a tight budget.

Filed Under: Pet Adoption, Pet Advice

Contact Paw Pals for More Information

Paw Pals specializes in professional dog walking, dog sitting, and pet sitting services. One of our reliable, adult staff members will keep your pet safe, while providing your pet the love and care they need when you are away. Contact us to learn more!

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Office Location

Paw Pals Pet Sitting, LLC
14001-C Saint Germain Drive #213
Centreville, VA 20121
(703) 345-1695

professional dog walking software

Office Hours

Monday
9am - 5pm
Tuesday
9am - 5pm
Wednesday
9am - 5pm
Thursday
9am - 5pm
Friday
9am - 5pm
Saturday
Closed
Sunday
Closed

Areas Served

Centreville – 20120, 20121
Chantilly – 20151
Clifton – 20124
Fairfax – 22030, 22033
Fairfax Station – 22039
Manassas – 20109, 20110, 20111
Reston – 20191, 20190

Google Rating
4.9
Paw Pals Pet Sitting
Paw Pals Pet Sitting
4.9
Julie Shildt
Julie Shildt
17:45 14 Nov 21
It has been a pleasure doing business with paw pals. We have used this company for several trips we have taken over the past 6 months. They have been wonderful caretakers for our 2 cats. Anytime there is ever a question they don't hesitate to give us a call and they leave the best notes and pictures in the emailed report of each visit. We are so glad have found such a great company.
laceyrt
laceyrt
18:03 08 Mar 23
The folks at Paw Pals pet sitting are fantastic to work with. This review includes a bit of a long story but goes to show how dedicated they are to their job and the care they have for the animals they watch over. I reached out to Paw Pals, even though I live outside their service area, in a bit of a panic because our scheduled dog sitter for our family vacation suddenly wasn't available. The local sitters we've used in the past seemed like they wouldn't be able to accommodate us on such late notice and so we were scouring the internet for other options.When I submitted a request to Paw Pals, I expected to get a polite no thank you - you're out of our service area. Instead I got a call from Jen, who was so kind, helpful and accommodating and essentially bent over backwards to help set up a sitter for us. We met the sitter at her home and it was more of the same. So friendly and welcoming to our dog and fully prepared to watch her for two weeks.We ultimately didn't end up booking with Paw Pals, only because our local sitter had an opening that allowed someone to stay in home with our dog (who is a very anxious senior shepherd-collie mix). But just based on the limited experience I had with them, I would highly recommend Paw Pals. These folks are fantastic and I only wish we lived closer so we could utilize their other services on a regular basis. Five stars all the way!
Michæl Silva
Michæl Silva
21:38 01 Jul 22
Mary at Paw Pals Pet Sitting is the greatest! She has helped me train my pooch Chico how play nice with other dogs and for that I am extremely grateful! A+A+A+A+A+A
Kwi Kim
Kwi Kim
22:37 17 Jun 22
I hired Paw Pals based on my sister’s referral. Meet & greet was very thorough and detailed. I was surprised that my finicky cat came to check the sitter out. Subsequently, a sitter watched my cat over several separate visits, and it was clear through the visit reports that my cat loved the sitter. All the visits were completed having followed my directions & with professionalism.I would highly recommend Paw Pals to anyone who’s looking for a dependable, personable, & professional sitter.
Joseph Walter
Joseph Walter
19:55 13 Jun 22
Paw Pals provided a large number of photos of our pets along with a personalized message on how our pets were doing with every single visit. I would highly recommend using Paw Pals, we'll be continuing to use them whenever we go on vacation.
Ashley Manning
Ashley Manning
09:50 11 Jun 22
Highly recommend as pet sitters!Initially, a sitter from the company will visit the house to meet the pets and learn where everything is. Tatiana took careful notes and we got her some spare keys.While we are away, Paw Pals sends sitters to come and look after our boys. They feed them, scoop litter, bring in mail and packages, and they will even manage trash, recycling, blinds and lights so that everything is comfortable for our kitties. Each time they check in, we receive an email message with updates and pictures, which is so comforting when we are on the road.Also, if you don’t let Paw Pals know when you are home, they assume something has happened and will continue to care for your babies. If something were to happen, I know they would be okay.Five stars for Paw Pals!
Brian Wood
Brian Wood
04:08 22 May 22
We have used Paw Pals for a number of years now and would highly recommend to anyone looking for help with their pets. Great communication from owner Mary and flexibility to make adjustments in schedule as life changes over time. Have had a consistent set of walkers who have gotten to know our pup and the various walking routes around our neighborhood quite well.
Lesley Bush
Lesley Bush
13:58 18 Mar 22
We can't rave enough about Paw Pals. They took care of our 18 year old Cat and 20 year old Chinchilla while we were away and when our flight got cancelled, they were so accommodating and available last minute for an extra day. We worked with Jen to coordinate visits from Miko and Danny. I loved the pictures and updates on how our Lil geriatric guys were doing. Thanks a million, Paw Pals!! Our special pets were so well cared for.
Sebastian Barnes
Sebastian Barnes
01:06 17 Jan 22
I have used Paw Pals for several trips over the last few months, and they have been phenomenal every time! Mary is extremely kind and responsive, and she makes sure that my cat and dog have the care that they need every time I am out of town. All of the pet sitters that I've had have been incredibly sweet to my pets, and they treat them like their own! Will gladly continue using Paw Pals every time I need a sitter.
Andrea Hall
Andrea Hall
22:45 03 Oct 20
I wasn't sure about hiring a new doggie walker service... after all they are our kiddos... my babies were in great hands and I felt relaxed having them in their care. Thank you for everything!
Taylor Smith
Taylor Smith
21:22 03 Oct 21
I never worry when Mary and team take care of my dog!
Katie McCune
Katie McCune
19:19 15 Jul 21
I honestly cannot recommend Mary and her whole crew enough! We started using Mary originally about 7 years ago to stop by occasionally when our Aussie Lana was younger. Over the next couple years Lana stayed with Mary and her family for a couple weekends when we went on vacation. When we moved to our new house in Manassas, Lana stayed with Sam, who lives in Manassas, overnight for moving day, and did great. Right before the pandemic, we adopted our second Aussie, Goose, and Mary recommended a fantastic trainer for him.We now have weekly walks for the dogs, and they love all of their walkers! Trevor, Paul, Hazel, Sofie, and probably a couple others have helped Goose get used to more people, and have helped my husband and me when our schedules are crazy.Paw Pals is our go-to for any help with our dogs, so I highly recommend them!
Alexandra Hill
Alexandra Hill
22:43 23 May 21
I was a nervous mommy to leave my cats with a sitter service for the first time. Paw Pals went above and beyond to care for my cats and ease a nervous mommy. I already made a reservation to use them again!
Cindy Welgoss
Cindy Welgoss
13:12 27 Nov 20
We have been using Paw Pals for several years, and through a variety of pets that we have loved. Mary and her team have always been *exceptional* in every way. They are professional, courteous, and truly love our fur family! Mary herself is an organized and stellar administrator of her pet care business, keeping detailed records of our pet’s needs, scheduled pet visits, payments, and balance due easy to keep track of as the pet owner. The pet caretaking team is reliable and trustworthy. When our dogs see any of their Paw Pal friends, they get SO excited to see them! Follow up comments are left via text to keep the pet owner informed of the visit and how the pets are faring. Paw Pals has allowed our family the peace of mind to leave our pets at home, for work, weekend getaways and longer times away when necessary, where they are the most comfortable and familiar. We are grateful to Mary and her team for giving us the ability to enjoy pet ownership without feeling tied down. The responsibility of having pets comes with the need to keep them safe and comfortable at all times, and Mary and her team affords us this when our family has to be away.
Dr Tammy Cashion
Dr Tammy Cashion
21:11 12 Mar 19
We have used Paw pals pet sitting on multiple occasions for our bunnies while we are away. Many pet sitters are not interested in small pets however; Mary and her team, are amazing and we trust her implicitly! We are very happy with the outstanding service we have received from her team including texts and photos of our pets when we are out of town. They always go the extra mile and we highly recommend them!
Kristin Conrad
Kristin Conrad
16:00 16 Nov 19
We are so grateful we found Mary and her team at Paw Pals. They are exceptionally responsive, amazingly organized and detail-oriented.We have such peace of mind when we travel knowing our home and pets are so well cared for. Paw Pals is the best pet sitting service we’ve used, and we’re so happy we found them.
Katie Russell
Katie Russell
15:01 17 May 20
Paw Pals is fantastic! I have had a great experience with Mary! Compassionate, professional, responsive, and prompt! Thank you!
Phillip Evans
Phillip Evans
14:38 11 Jul 20
When we adopted our new dog in January, Paw Pals agreed to walk her and give her some outside time so she wasn't in the crate all day. She loved her dog walker and you could see her excitement every time the walker showed up. We moved out of the area but would recommend Paw Pals to anyone needing someone to care for their pets.
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