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Affordable pet care: How to avoid having to give up your pet

Rising costs have made it harder and harder to care for our pets as we would like to. Here are some tips to help keep pet care as affordable as possible.

The cost-of-living crisis has affected us all, and for 22% of pet owners, these rising costs have also affected how they care for their pets.  

Caring for pets responsibly is not cheap! The PDSA predicts that the lifetime cost of owning a small dog is at least £5,200 but larger breeds could cost a minimum of £15, 700 over the course of their lives. They also estimate that it will cost an owner at least £11,100 to care for their cat over their whole lifetime. 

Here are some tips to keep the cost of pet care down.  

Vet care  

Vet care is one of the biggest costs associated with owning a pet and there is nothing worse than a surprise emergency bill.  

Here are some things you can do to try to keep costs down:  

1. Health checks at home 

Keeping a regular eye on your pet’s wellbeing can help catch problems early and keep the cost of treatment low.  

Help your dog or cat get used to being handled by taking your time, paying attention to any signs of discomfort and using treats to create a positive association with checkups.  

Things to look out for include: 

  • Signs of pain or stiffness when moving 
  • Signs of swelling or irritation around joints  
  • Irregular breathing or wheezing noises 
  • Skin issues such as cuts, grazes, irritation, ticks, fleas, limps or hair loss 
  • Check their ears for discharge or any strong smells 
  • Check their teeth and gums for redness or large build-ups of tartar  
  • Keep an eye on their paws and nails for signs of overgrowth 
  • Monitor their urine and faeces for changes in consistency or frequency as this can often be an early sign of other issues.  

Any unexplained weight gain or weight loss could also be a sign of a health problem. Cats especially are experts at hiding illness and pain. It’s important to keep a look out for subtle signs such as changes in grooming, vocalisation or sleeping habits. If you’re worried about anything, call your vet for advice.  

Some vet practices are able to offer medical advice over the phone for less urgent issues and this can be a cheaper option.  

2. Pet first aid 

When an emergency happens, it’s good to be prepared.  

Check out our Dog First Aid checklist to find out what you should carry in your pet first aid kit and other top tips.  

3. Pet insurance  

Think very carefully before cancelling any pet insurance policies as this could lead to bigger costs in the future.  

Discuss with your provider if they can offer a less comprehensive, cheaper policy or take a look at more affordable alternatives. Be aware that pre-existing conditions may not be covered if you change your provider or plan.  

4. Affordable medical providers  

Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home hosts monthly pet care clinics at various locations, offering support with basic behavioural queries, wellbeing checks, and signposting to accessible care providers. Find your nearest clinic here 

There are also a number of other organisations, such as the PDSA, Dog Aid Scotland and Cats Protection who offer affordable vet care programmes and services.  

Find out more about some of these services here. 

It’s worth discussing credit options with your vet practice as they might be happy to help you set up a payment plan to cover the cost of your bills.  

Diet  

If you decide to change your pet’s food to a cheaper alternative, make sure to discuss this with your vet first and ensure that the new food is nutritionally balanced.  

Changes to your pet’s diet must be made very slowly to avoid irritating their tummies. It’s also important to make sure that any new food matches their life stage, for example, ensuring that a senior pet is fed a senior diet.  

You can access pet food and resources from over 81 Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home pet food banks across East and Central Scotland. Find your nearest pet food bank here. 

Behaviour  

If you’re struggling to help your pet manage challenging behaviours such as separation anxiety, toilet training, recall or other fears, here are some places where you can find help.  

Dog’s Trust have a behavioural support line where they offer free dog advice, find out more here 

Cat’s Protection also have a quick guide to help you manage unwanted behaviours in your cat. Find out more here 

Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home have a range of articles on various dog or cat issues and our expert trainers offer 1:1 sessions to help your dog build confidence and manage their anxieties.  

You’re not alone  

If you’re struggling to care for your pet, you’re not alone. 34% of pet owners have reported making personal cost-saving decisions so that they can continue to care for their pets.  

From vet care to wellbeing checks, affordable food and more, there are resources and services available to help you. Find out more below or speak to a member of our team for more information.  

Accessible pet support

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