5 pets, out of work - need to save SOMEWHERE

gettingready

Thanks again for all the posts on here.

Just got back from the JC, was told it takes 2-3 weeks for them to process the claim for JSA..

I have to apply seperately for HB and CTC as I live in a place that need to pay rent to one council and CT to another .. JC could not process those for me today.

"Thinking outside the box" - right.... I actually know most dog walkers in my area and none of them manages to get 30 hours work per week, there just isn't enough clients, people who are prepared to/able to afford to pay for this service. I also do not have a driving license/car so this is out of the question.

I will be looking for a job in my own field (IT/Training/Teaching) or possibly community interpreting, basic skills training (maths etc) or similar.

Adviceforall - may I ask what do you feed your dogs? What brand?


Elsien, exactly my worry - change the food and end up with massive vet bills.....

Sigh....

Off to fill in the forms for HB and CTB.... JC could not do those for me as I pay rent to one council and CT to another.....

toby_puppy

Hi gettingready, sorry to hear of all the stress and wish you all the best.

Have you considered Chappie for your dog, as they do Chappie dry food. I just remember our dog trainer saying that she has recommended Chappie to a friend who was on a tight budget because it's quite gentle on the dogs tummy.

I found some reviews of it here, which look good x

http://www.reviewcentre.com/reviews55772.html

BitterAndTwisted

When you're at Lidl collecting the cat-litter I would very strongly suggest that you pick up some of their dried foods as well. I used to feed my boy on the one that costs £1 a kilo as he was always fed solely dried food (he won't touch either pouches or raw) but I treated him to the other brand which costs about £2 for 750 grammes. Be warned, Stanley WILL NOT go back to the cheaper version now but it still only costs me £2 a fortnight to feed him.

gettingready

Jostenning - thanks, is there anywhere one can see feeding guide for Chappie dry food?
Tried to google it but can not find, need to see how much would I need to buy per month for Zara (she is 38kg).

Orijen she only has 330gram per day for her weight....

BitterandTwisted, will try LIDL cat food too, thanks for that.

3 of my cats eat pretty much anything at all (cous cous, bread - whatever LOL) but one ONLY eats raw or moist food (not just any) and will not touch any dry food for days, will go hungry, miauuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu like mad but will not touch dry food... well, will have to wrk on that.

gettingready

oh found the feeding guide:

http://www.pet-supermarket.co.uk/products-Chappie-Dog-Food-Complete-Original_CN144004.htm

so Zara would need 500gram per day, 2 bags of 15kg per month, that is about 30 pounds per month so £10 cheaper than Orijen....

will definitely try that as heard a lot of good things about Chappie.. hope she takes to it ...

LittleMissAspie

You are buying the huge 7kg bags of Orijen, right? That's the most cost effective bag. The trouble with cheaper foods is that my cat eats more of it so it's hard to know what to do.

I use Oko Plus litter, it costs a lot per bag but lasts for ages. A £7 bag will last my cat for a good few months. You can buy the huge bags to save money. You just scoop out the lumps, shake excess off then flush down the loo. You don't need to throw away any unused litter, just keep it in the tray and add some fresh litter as they use it. It's very good on odour-control.

gettingready

I am buying the 13.5kg bags of Orijen actually, a bag is about £55 but it lasts longer than a month so works out about £40 per month....as Zara is fed only 330g Orijen per day

Just googled Chappie and really for a 15kg bag it is about £18 (chepest I found was £15.49 but one has to add delivery) and would have to feed Zara 500g of Chappie so would need 2 bags per month which woks out about £36 per month.

I kow what you saying, and you are absolutely right - cheaper food one has to feed more and the overall cost will come up to about the same, there would be only £4 per month diference between Zara being fed Chappie or Orijen... and possible stomach issues too...

Tricky one but may need to stay with the orijen as for £4 per month it does not seem to be worth the risk...

Unless someone knows about really cheap Chappie stockist?

gettingready

LittleMissAspi - just realised you were talking about Orijen cats and not dog

Still, same principle....

OkoPlus - never heard of this, where do you get that from pls?

Buttonmoons

I also reccomend the Lidl "posh" cat biscuits. I have 2 cats and one refuses biscuits, just howls for wet food all the time, but when I get the Lidl ones, she will eat them, still howls for meat, but ignoring her enough, and she will go and eat them at least.

I use the lidl cat litter, it's better than value, but sometimes when I've run out I'll go the garage and buy overpriced bag of Thomas cat litter, and I must say that it clumps very well, doesn't break apart, and the little 5kg bag at £4 :eek: lasts me over a week (must look online). That's for two trays, 1 normal, 1 large hooded, and 2 cats, and I scoop, once or twice a day depending on when I did it last, cause you can time them to the hour for their "buisness"

Also, why do they insist on poo'ing one after the other, they queue up lmao

gettingready

Chappie at £13.49 for a 15kg bag but delivery £9.95 if one buys 2 bags.....so £36.93 per month.....not worth the hassle me thinks

http://www.petshopping.co.uk/Store/Dog/Food/Complete-Dry-$9-Value-Bags/Chappie-Original-