How to Save Money with the Dog

Choosing to Keep the Family Pet During Financial Hardship

Apr 4, 2009

Economic recession has forced some families to give up the dog but some are looking for ways to cut pet costs and avoid giving up a best friend who may even help save.

Job losses and climbing unemployment rates have folks looking for ways to deal with more time and less cash. After a lay-off, some pet owners feel they can’t afford the dog any longer and end up surrendering the animal to a shelter but these loyal friends can actually become a part of the plan to stretch the dollar.

After hours of looking for a job in a cloud of depression, the temptation may be strong to go shopping or to a movie or a favorite restaurant but dog owners can resist those cash draining urges and opt for something that will lift their spirits free of charge.

At home their best friend is waiting with puppy dog eyes and wagging tail. He doesn’t care about the economy or car payments or lay offs. He’s just tail-wagging, jumping-up-and-down thrilled that he can spend some time with his wonderful person!

The economic recession can look pretty gloomy but with a best friend around, it doesn’t have to feel so gloomy. Simple and free activities with a friend can be more meaningful than going shopping or to a favorite restaurant. Spending quality time with the dog can actually relieve boredom and lift spirits while stretching the dollar.

Free Fun Activities with the Dog

Play Hide ‘n’ Seek with your dog. Get a handful of treats and hide somewhere. Call your dog and see how long it takes him to find you. When he does, have a joyful reunion and give him a treat! Get creative with the hiding places. Try the closet, behind furniture, or under the covers. A variation is to hide only the treat and tell him to “find it.”

Play Dress Up with your dog. Put human clothes on him and take pictures. T-shirts, high heels, anything goes. Laugh and have fun but if your dog happens to be one who doesn’t enjoy wearing clothes, don’t force the issue.

Give your dog a massage. Find a comfortable place like the sofa, turn on some relaxing music and begin with long strokes over the head and down the back. Take time to get all those wonderful spots like under the chin and behind the ears. Slowly and gently massage the neck, shoulder muscles, and along the spine. This is a great way for both you and your dog to unwind and may work just as well as those fattening and expensive comfort foods.

Cutting Pet Expenses

Chances are your dog would be just as happy with bread crumbs as those fancy bacon flavored treats if they came from the hand of his beloved person. (Note: Be sure to check which table foods can be dangerous for dogs.) He would probably also go right along with a plan to ask the vet or shelter for ways to cut pet costs if it meant he could stay with the family he loves.

The spiraling economy has many shelters scrambling to deal with an overwhelming influx of pets. Most of them, along with veterinary offices, really care and have come up with some innovative solutions to offer pet owners such as helpful programs or ideas for cutting pet expenses during these tough economic times.

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