Perhaps your dog has been a little slower on your morning walks. Maybe your cat has been sleeping even more than usual. No matter how healthy your pet is, you’ll inevitably notice some behavioral changes as they get older. It’s perfectly normal, but this always means that you’ll have to alter some aspects of their daily routine and anticipate higher costs for supplies and veterinary care. How can you stick to a budget and continue to provide your pet with everything they need? These tips will help you save money on toys and gear, safely give your pet medication, and even spoil your pet without risking its health!
Saving on Care and Supplies
The financial pressures of caring for an aging pet can be a major source of stress for pet owners. Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to keep your bills lower. For example, you can save on pet supplies by shopping online, where you can find everything from top-quality toys and gear at reasonable prices. Just remember to check reviews for anything you purchase to ensure your money is going to a useful product.
When it comes to paying for veterinary care, you should consider enrolling your furry friend in a pet insurance policy if you have not done so already. Some companies will not cover older pets, so it’s important to start this process as early as possible and thoroughly research each plan that might suit your pet.
If you’re not able to purchase pet insurance and are having difficulties paying an expensive vet bill, you could talk to your vet about payment options or find a charity like The Pet Fund that can help. If you’re a homeowner, you could also refinance and use part of your cash payment to pay for an expensive procedure.
Administering Medication
If you’ve ever had to give your dog or cat a pill when they were feeling under the weather, you know how hard it can be to administer medication to your pet and actually make sure that they swallow it! This is a common issue for owners of older pets.
To safely administer your pet’s medications, Banfield recommends using canned food. For example, you could put the pill in the center of a small ball of wet, canned food. Ideally, your pet will eat it without prompting! You may want to help your pet tilt its head back to ensure that it goes down the hatch. You do not need to purchase any special tools or equipment to do this. If you’ve never given your pet canned food before, look for brands that use limited ingredients and have a formula for your pet’s life stage.
Watch this video to understand how to give medications
Everyday Support
There are two aspects of your pet’s daily routine that you may need to adjust as they age: their diet and their physical activity levels. When it comes to exercise, do not push your aging pet — encouraging your pet to exercise beyond their capabilities could easily land them at the vet’s office, leaving you with a hefty bill.
You might notice that your pet has trouble digesting its food, which generally means it’s time to switch to a new formula. Ask your vet for recommendations that suit your budget; you may not need to splurge on specialty foods to feed your pet a healthy diet! Your vet might also recommend supplements, so take some time to shop around for generic brands to save money.
Take advantage of some helpful apps as well. There are apps that help you track your pet in case they escape, find pet sitters and dog walkers, keep your pup in shape, and more. Keep in mind that if you’re using your smartphone to help care for your pet, you’ll want to protect it with a sturdy case to prevent damage.
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Spoiling Your Pet
Naturally, you’ll want to spoil your pet a little more as they get older! Shop around for discount toys, like hidden object toys for dogs or toys that mimic mice for cats. You can also safely give your pet certain human foods, as long as their stomach isn’t too sensitive — for example, many dogs like snacking on watermelon or carrots!
For many pet owners, their dog or cat genuinely feels like another member of the family. As your pet gets older, their needs will change, and they may not be quite as rambunctious and playful as they once were. However, as long as they have your love and companionship, they’ll be just as happy in their older years!
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Article Collaborator Jessica Brody