How to Weather the Recession without Sacrificing Your Pet's Well Being
These tough economic times are challenging to even the most dedicated pet owners. At Hart Road, we have prepared a list of some things you can do to ride out the storm while still caring for your beloved pets.
- A stitch in time saves nine. Is your cat not eating? Is your dog itchy? Do not wait to see us until your pet is very ill, which is certainly not good for your pet, and can be hard on your pocketbook too! By seeking care early, we can often stop a problem before it becomes a full blown issue, which can require even more care.
- You (or your pet) are what you eat. In these difficult times, it may be tempting to switch over to a less expensive lower quality pet food. This can often cause stomach upset, diarrhea, obesity and skin problems. Foods are not created equal. There is a huge variation in quality of ingredients.
- Refer your friends and family to us if they are looking for a veterinarian. We value your trust in us! You will get a certificate for $10 off, and your referral client will get a complimentary exam!
- Get your pet spayed or neutered! Pets as young as six months can get pregnant. Puppy and kitten care can be expensive, not to mention pregnancy related health issues. Did you know that certain types of cancer can be eliminated by spaying or neutering your pet?
- Do not use generic flea controls, and do not put flea controls designed for dogs on your cat! Many non-veterinary approved products are not effective and can be toxic. The internet is full of horror stories of pets dying or seizuring from pyrethrin based flea controls. (Frontline, Revolution, and Comfortis are among some of the safe flea controls we carry.)
- We offer free puppy and kitten socialization classes for clients. This will greatly enhance the bond between you and your pet. And, they are fun and free!
- Consider keeping your cats indoor only. Indoor cats will not be hit by cars, attacked by other animals, or get infections. Plus, they do not get as many vaccines if they are indoor cats.
- If you are not sure if your pet should come in, call or e-mail us! Please keep in mind we cannot diagnose over the phone, but some problems can be treated more conservatively than others.
- Consider adopting a new pet through the shelter or rescue groups instead of buying one from a breeder or pet-store. Up to 25% of shelter pets are purebreds. These pets have been already spayed or neutered, and have microchips. Some are even fully vaccinated. Don’t forget that we give complimentary exams to new pets from rescue groups or shelters.
- Cannot afford a new pet but want a furry friend? Call the shelter or rescue group and get more information about volunteering to be a foster parent for a rescued pet. Many times the rescue group will provide food, veterinary care, and medications for the fostered animal.
- Preventative care! Learn how to brush your pet’s teeth to reduce the number and severity of dental cleanings, walk more to reduce a dog’s obesity related health issues, learn how to trim nails, etc. You can even go as far as learning to groom your own pet if you desire…
- Low cost vaccine clinics often use inferior vaccines, and give many more than your pet actually needs. We tailor your pet’s vaccines to their personal needs. Recent research has found that some vaccines do not need to be given every year. We switched over to the three year protocol for these vaccines several years ago!
by Dr. Patty Smith