Credit Crunch – Reduce your Cat Costs
Surviving the current difficult financial times is difficult enough, but when you have cats which depend on you for sustenance, shelter and medical attention, anything that can be done, helps.
It’s a sad fact that many cats are given up or abandoned every day, as cat owners fight to cope with today’s financial climate.
This is exceedingly thorny for pet charities who have look after cats when money is scarce, living off on contributions to keep their animals in good wellbeing.
Here are a few points which should help make owning a pet on a tight budget a little easier:
1. Consider every pet cost? Is it a key part of pet care? Do you need that specific cat food or product? It is always a good idea to raise cats up with variety, equally dry and wet, as well as different brands and flavours. Watch out for promotions. You can stock up. Think of vouchers, search on the net for some good deals. Buy based on price per pound / Kg, as sometimes, especially with special deals, the smaller pack can be more economical.
2. Is it possible that you can club together to buy feed and bedding in bulk, reducing the overall price and passing on savings to all.
3. Veterinary bills are unknown but must be considered. If cash is a little difficult, you may find a lot of Vets will allow you to spread the cost, and pay in instalments. If you can, afford it – have or keep cat insurance.
4. Can you change the way you live? It’s not all about finding ways to keep your pet more cheaply, what about yourself!
5. Can you earn some money? What about the idea of cat sitting, though good businesses such as London Cat Sitting will require you also to do dog walking. Why not offer to walk other peoples dog? Become a Dog Walker. Good companies such as London Dog Walking will require you do it regularly.
6. Do not forget your other animals, you may have put cats in boarding, what about using a cat sitter? The cat may prefer it and the cat sitters often do other things.
7. Are you thinking of choosing a pet, certainly consider rescuing a cat from a charity, they are suffering at the moment.
Enjoy your cat, they are worth every cent.
Categories: Cats Tags: cat costs, cat sitting, Cats, pet costs, pet sitting
Are Guinea Pigs a Good Pet for Children?
As in any pet care, the wild origins dictate a lot of what is important in Guinea Pig care. The guinea pig is a type of rodent sometimes known as the Cacy. They are not in fact pigs, as their name would have suggested. They come from the moutains of South America, and research has shown they are descendants of closely related species such as Cavia aperea, C. fulgida, or C. tschudii, so therefore do not exist as a wild species.
The guinea pig plays an important role in both the folk culture of many Indigenous South American tribes and more importantly as a food source (how could they?). It was domesticated 5000 years ago for food and have appeared in the history and culture and are frequently used in metaphors.
They came to Europe in the 16th century by European traders and has since enjoyed widespread popularity as a household pet. In the early days they were seen as an mysterious pet and even Queen Elisabeth I had one. The metaphor “guinea pig” comes from their use in biological testing from the 17th century.
They are extremely docile easy to look after and are easy to handle and feed and are therefore popular with pet sitters. They hate exploring and will not try to escape, even if the cage door is left open (no promises!). Guinea pigs will often whistle when interested, for example when they hear food being prepared or the owner comes near.
There are lots types of domesticated guinea pigs, which vary in color and hair differences. The most normal types are the shorthair (or American shorthair), the Abyssinian with a ruffled coat. More unique long hair types include the curly long hair Texel and the long haired Sheltie or Peruvian breeds.
So should I choose a Guinea Pig?
Guinea Pigs are very friendly pets – so you need to be able to dedicate enough time for them, otherwise they will feel lonesome and this might cause them to be stressed and go ill. This is especially important if you are buying one for the kids, on the understanding that they will care for the guinea pig. Consider carefully that they typically live for about five, but may live for 8 years and the Guinness Book of Records has the record age for a guinea pig at 14 years.
Guinea pigs are particularly large for rodents, weighing between 700 and 1200g (1.5-2.5 pounds), and measuring between 20 and 25 cm (8–10 inches) in length. Which means that you need to have more space for the cage. Though as a robust animal, this could be located in a shed or a sheltered spot outside. They will deal with cold better than excessive heat. Try to avoid wire mesh floored crates, as this can damage their feet and lead to infection.
As for many animals you do not want to put two males together as they will fightfor domination when they are mature at 6 months or so. However you can have as many females together as you want, and they will get along very well. Obviously you do not want to add a male to the group as they breed very easily.
They are grass eaters, which they digest with the help of their long colon. Hay is an alternative to the grass in a domestic situation. Like us they cannot synthesise vitamin C and will need to attain this through their diet, the guinea pig version of scurvy is deadly. Scurvy is often identified by sluggishness. So feed them often fresh, raw fruits and vegetables (such as cabbage, broccoli, apple, carrot, celery, and spinach). Alternatively, but not a preferred option through dietary supplements. They are fussy eaters when older, so with a young guinea pig feed a wide variety of foods. They feed continuously, so ensure there is hay available for them to eat.
They, as well as scurvy, may also suffer from respiratory tract infections, diarrhea, abscesses due to infection (often in the neck, due to hay embedded in the throat, or from external scratches), and infections by lice, mites or fungus.
They are lively throughout the day and will sleep on and off, waking for some activity. They like to groom themselves and will groom others.
Categories: Pets Tags: guinea pig, Guinea pig care, pet care, pet sitter, pet sitting
Reduce your Pet Costs
Living through the credit crunch is difficult enough, but when you have animals which depend on you for nourishment, protection and veterinary care, every little bit helps.
It’s a sad fact that many animals are given up or abandoned every week, as animal lovers struggle to cope with today’s financial climate.
This is exceedingly difficult for pet charities who have look after pets when money is limited, living off on donations to keep their animals in good health.
Here are a few points which could help make owning a animal on a budget more manageable:
1. Consider every pet cost? Do you need that branded animal food or product? Easier said than done, raise pets up with variety, both dry and wet, as well as different brands and flavours. Watch out for promotions. You can stock up. Investigate vouchers, search on the net for some good deals. Buy based on price per pound / Kg, as sometimes, principally with promotions, the smaller pack can be cheaper.
2. Wherever possible, pet owners can often club together to buy feed and bedding in bulk, reducing the total price and passing on savings to all.
3. Vets bills are unknown but must be considered. If cash is a little tight, you may find a lot of Vets will allow you to spread the cost, and pay monthly. If you can, afford it – have or keep pet insurance.
4. Can you modify the way you live? It’s not all about finding ways to keep your animal more economically, what about yourself!
5. Can you earn some cash? Perhaps find a dog walking job Become a Dog Walker. Good companies will require you do it regularly. There is also the possibility of becoming a pet sitter, though good companies such as London Pet Sitting will require you also to do dog walking.
6. What about your other pets, you may have put your cats in a cattery, what about using a cat sitter? The pet may prefer it and the pet sitters often do other things.
7. Do use external stabling or boarding? Most horses can exist quite contentedly outside for most of the year, as long as there’s nourishment, water and protection to harsh elements available. Could this be an option for your horse, it could diminish the cost of stabling considerably.
8. Are you thinking of choosing an animal, certainly think about rescuing an animal from a charity, they are suffering at the moment.
Enjoy your pet, they are worth the cost.
Categories: Pets Tags: budget, cat sitting, dog walker, pet sitting, Pets
Top Tips to Protect your Pet During the Summer
You almost certainly spend time on the safety of your family. However do not forget your pets. This is a key part of pet care. Summer is especially difficult and dangerous for your animal. The two main things to pay attention to are the effects of warmer weather and vacations.
Lets get going with the effect of the hot weather on the animal. They are like us – they will want more water, keep it available at all times. If you regularly go dog walking ensure they have the ability to have water, every hour or so, or even more often if you are of the active type.
You would be justifiably locked up for leaving your children or baby in a locked car in the sun, it is astounding and a shame the number of people who do this to their animals. This can kill an animal, temperatures in the sun, can swiftly rise to more than 100 degrees. Putting the window slightly ajar, is next to useless.
Pets are similar to ourselves, with the same amount of activity, you need less food to preserve your weight during summer. If you, or your pet, keep consuming the same, you certainly will increase your weight. Pet obesity is increasing everywhere. Increasing weight during summer, will slow the pet down in winter and you get a vicious circle, so consider reducing the food, or as a minimum, keep an eye on your pets weight.
Danger with leaving moist / wet food out. The food will most rapidly go off as its temperature approaches blood temperature of ~100 degrees. If the pet does not eat wet food within half an hour, through it away. Dry food is perfectly safe, if does not become moist. So if you have a slobbery pet, often and little should be the rule. Also be careful about condensation, or drips from the air conditioner.
Whilst walking the dog during the hot weather, you may have done it for the last six months without a problem, however, he may suddenly want to jump into some water, with company – you if you are holding onto the lead. Perhaps more risky is the leap into a river, if he is not on a leash. In London, if you are by the Serpentine, you can often see people being pulled in! Not helped by them wanting to say hi to the ducks. In summer there are often more animals around for them to chase, so be watchful and controlling.
Summer, is often the time of the great holiday. So if you are having to choose a pet sitter, choose a professional business such as London Pet Sitting, who vet and train their pet sitters. A good pet sitter, will even check out all the dangers as part of their agreement. Pet Sitting is often the wisest option for the pet, they prefer to be in their house. If not, and you have to board them, check the kennels out. Ideally a personal recommendation, as in everything there can be good and not so good. The animal may not like it, but they are safe.
You may be wanting to take your pet on holiday with the family. Without doubt the most dangerous choice for an animal. Plan and prepare well. Food, water, toys, blankets etc. The trip in the automobile is dangerous for ourselves as well. Think about using a pet restraint, you use one, for good reason, so buy one, if you don’t have one for your pet. The danger of dehydration, so stop for water stops for you and your pet every hour, perhaps a bit longer if you have air conditioning – on. Be very careful on the stops, there are often cars moving about, and the pet may want to take a run for it (you might as well).
When you arrive you will be in a strange location. So check it out thoroughly for any dangers to your animal. The biggest one is running away, especially in motels, rooms opening out onto a main highway and cars. Do not forget that digestion of fruit and particularly {raisins and grapes} is dangerous to dogs, so keep an eye on them.
Pets, will struggle to get back to your motel, if lost, its not as likely as if they were at home – and the neighbours know them. This is not the case on vacation. Make sure you have solid and visible name / phone tags and keep them on a leash.
I wish you and your pets have a happy, problem free holiday.
Categories: Pets Tags: pet care, pet dangers, pet sitting, summer pet care
