Cut the costs, keep the pet

In recent months, the worsening economy has had us all tightening our budgets. Pet lovers are no exception, and although our animals provide us with comfort and companionship during difficult times, there's no doubt that many people are looking to make sure they're getting the most "bang for their buck" when it comes to caring for their pets.

The most important advice we can offer you is to focus on prevention. Keeping pets in good health is the best way we know of to prevent illnesses that can make your pet miserable and cost you a lot at the veterinarian's. Likewise, working to prevent accidents, such as keeping your cat inside and your dog on-leash in high-traffic areas, will spare you the most expensive pet-related spending of all: the late-night visit to the emergency veterinarian.

Some more tips for keeping costs down include:

• Take the weight off your pet. Extra pounds increase the likelihood of serious health problems, such as arthritis, diabetes and cancer in pets just as they do in people. And yet few people recognize when their pet is overweight — or even grossly obese!

If your pet is normal weight — you should be able to feel ribs — measuring food, keeping treats to a minimum and working in a daily exercise session will keep him that way. If your pet is overweight, get your veterinarian's help to reduce weight slowly to avoid the health risks of sudden weight loss, especially in cats.

• Change your buying habits. You can save money buying the largest bags of food or litter, or get case discounts on canned goods. Split your dry food purchases with family or a friend, and store your portion in an airtight container. (Do keep product info from the bag, though, in case there are questions or problems.)

Other purchases should be considered carefully. Replace such things as collars when wear first shows — you don't want a collar to break and your dog to get loose in a dangerous situation. Buy quality, not silliness: One good collar is a better value than a lot of shoddy but cute ones.

Be careful when cutting down on toys, though: Good chew toys have saved many an expensive pair of shoes.

• Get the do-it-yourself bug. Most people can learn to handle basic pet grooming at home, from bathing to nail trims. If nothing else, you can probably stretch out time between professional grooming for highmaintenance pets with some at-home care. Check your library for grooming guides and home in on breed-specific tips with an Internet search.

And don't forget the value of bartering: Ask about trading goods and services for your pet's needs.

• Poison-proof your home. Go through your home with an eye toward possible hazards. From food hazards such as raisins, Xylitol-sweetened goodies and chocolate to houseplants such as lilies, many poisoning risks can be prevented just by removing them. Both over-the-counter and prescrip- tion medications are also a danger, and these are best dealt with by putting them behind cupboard doors. (The ASPCA's Animal Poison Control Center offers information on all toxic risks to your pet at ASPCA.org/APCC.)

• Don't neglect preventive pet care. Vaccinations are no longer recommended annually for most dogs and cats, but that's not a good reason to skip your pet's yearly vet check — twice a year is recommended for senior pets. These "well-pet" examinations can spot little problems before they become expensive ones.

Don't be shy about asking your veterinarian to work with you on keeping costs down. For example, ask your veterinarian to give you prescriptions for medications to be filled elsewhere or to match prices. Comparison shopping for medications may offer considerable savings, especially if there's a generic equivalent available.

We also recommend looking into pet health insurance, because no pet lover wants to say no to a pet who can be saved because the money isn't there for the care. Because plans differ, do your research before buying to make sure the most likely health problems of your pet are covered.