Smart Spending

By JE

October 27, 2008 1:10 PM | Link to this

You can’t skimp on food for our four legged children. My dog gets only the best, all natural beef that is specially made to order and she does know the difference. It cost a lot more but in the end it really is better for her, shinny coat, more energetic, less issues with her dry skin, regulated potty times, plus she looks forward to eating it and no bad breath. It costs about $65 for a six week supply but it is well worth it. I have learned to save on other items though, no more expensive toys that are destroyed in a few days, tennis balls and old socks work just fine. I also have cut back on her “spa days” from twice a month to once a month for grooming and in between I bathe her myself with special shampoo for her dry skin but that is only about a $1 more than the cheap stuff. So, I wont skimp on the food but try and save money elsewhere.

By c

October 27, 2008 1:40 PM | Link to this

The two cats get a small can each for breakfast that has the word gormet attached to it.It doesn’t smell gormet to me,but they like it.After that it’s the old dish of hard stuff for the rest of the day.I’ve seen what the dog will eat so no gormet anything for him,just plain old dry dog food.He’s never refused to eat it so I guess he knows nothing about variety being the spice of life.He’s not going to learn from me either.Every night I tell him it’s only dog food again and ask if he has any complaints.He always remain silent.

I built the dog a house and he liked it.I built a cat house and the cats like it.I put in wide window sills for the cats and they like them.They all have collars and leashes and they go for car rides sometimes when I go.We don’t go as often now as we used to due to the price of fuel.I don’t really think I’m overboard with the pets.

By David S

October 27, 2008 1:42 PM | Link to this

Let’s focus on the essential question - is this your money that you earned from a job in the private sector that you are spending? If so, congratulations, its your money, spend it how you see fit. If you are not paying your bills, defaulting on your mortgage, or anything of that nature, you need to get your priorities straight and find a new home for that dog or cat. Personal responsiblity is key, but so is the right to dispose of your income as YOU see fit.

Our dog ended up getting hemangiosarcoma. Her spleen was removed and my wife and I chose to take the advice of her alternative therapy vet and make her food for her. Baked chicken, oranic brown rice, and raw vegetables in a ratio that minimized cancer-promoting carbohydrates. Along with that she got green tea capsules, wild mushroom extracts, immune boosters, flax seed oil, and lots of tumeric. A traditional vet gave her 30 days without chemotherapy. Unfortunately she suffered a horrible bone break at over 400 days, but she was cancer free (as diagnosed by the traditional vet with ultrasound) when she was put to sleep. Diet makes all the difference to both dogs and humans, though medical science has a long way to go to catch up with this fact.

If you are buying the cheapest stuff at a discount store then you are doing your dog a disservice. Buying the most expensive stuff is no guarantee either. We probably paid less to make her food than we were paying for processed food and her health clearly showed how much better it was.

Dogs are defined as domesticated for a reason. They depend on us for their total survival. If you are not prepared to be a responsible pet owner and give your dog good quality food, good quality shelter, good quality medical care, and the spay or neuter they require, then don’t be a pet owner.

I always find it funny that parents can spoil their children with impunity, despite infinitely disasterous results for them and society, but spoil a dog with a $10 toy or a $100 dog house and they treat you like some sort of criminal.

That is certainly one major problem with this country and what we have become. If I earned the money legally, it should be no business of anyone else what I do with it. To that same end, they should also have no right to take it from me whether by personal force or force of government just so that it gets spent the way THEY feel it should.

By dog lover

October 27, 2008 1:44 PM | Link to this

I spend a good bit on our dogs food and medical care - but they don’t get clothes or costumes. Feeding your dog high quality food has a lot of benefits for yoru dog and for you. The dog is healthier, has more energy and feels better. And (for you) good food results in less residue and less stinkiness (if you get my drift!). It’s the old garbage in, garbage out theory.

The biggest splurge for our dogs would have to be beds. They have several in different areas of the house so they can be with us and comfy where ever we are. I also have pet health insurance, but that’s really for me since it reimburses for non-routine medical care.

By Scrappy

October 27, 2008 1:57 PM | Link to this

My dog lickes his butt, so I am not about to buy anything with “gormet” on it. Dry Publix brand dog food and that’s it.

On and he gets brushed and walked on a daily basis, has plenty of toys, and is sent to the groomers when his nails get too long, about once every 6 weeks. But I have a friend who owns a pet salon, and she does it for free and throws in a bath.

By Jessica

October 27, 2008 2:17 PM | Link to this

My dog has stomach issues and won’t eat most of the inexpensive brands of supermarket dog foods. I spend the money on food, but he has a simple leash, collar, etc. I bathe him myself, I brush him myself, and I only really spend money on him when I need to get his nails clipped (I can’t do it).

This is the first year I’ve dressed any dog up for Halloween, and since it’s his first Halloween I decided to MAKE his costume rather than buy one (he’s also too big for conventional “dress-your-doggy” costumes). I don’t splurge on my dog that often, but if he needs the medical care or the grooming I’ll pay for it - he’s my entire world and the only family I have out here in grad school. I’ll do what’s NECESSARY but I won’t do it just to make him look cute. All he needs to be uber-cute is a little bandana and his smile ^_^

By Spock

October 27, 2008 2:22 PM | Link to this

My cat will only eat dry cat food. I tried serving him some of the pouched variety, and all he did was lick the gravy off of it. He refuses all manner of cat treats that I’ve seen other cats flip over. I have tried feeding him fresh grilled tenderloin, porterhouse, salmon, swordfish, tuna and shrimp and he turns his nose up at it. He will eat a little chicken providing it is in very small pieces, but then only a small amount. He does get excited over ice cream and milk, but he only gets to lick the bowl, and only gets a taste of milk. He ignores cheese. He is solid muscle and quite healthy. I’d feed him anything he wants, but anything outside of hairball control dry food is a waste.

By CP

October 27, 2008 2:30 PM | Link to this

Food safety is a priority now for both me and my pets. I also believe that purchasing healthy pet food has its benefits in a healthier pet with fewer vet visits. I don’t trust the cheaper food no matter where it’s purchased and wish Chinese sourced ingredients would disappear forever.

Consumers tend to believe that saving some $$ immediately is the only way to go. Hopefully the long term benefits of healthier, more expensive pet food will justify the expenditure. Even if it doesn’t, I know I have tried to do the best I can for my pets.

By mr. cheapskatin'

October 28, 2008 8:38 AM | Link to this

Agree with all on avoiding cheap pet food. It’s like taking bids on a home resign project. Toss out the low and high bids and stick to the middle.

I’ve also learned to try different foods. Your pet will can tell in many ways which one is most suitable.

Meantime, I gotta go tend to my daughter’s puppy while I visit her. Little Lillie poops several times a day — where does it all come from? — and prefers to ignore one other pet item my daughter bought. A poop pad.