The real cost of having pets

Misty_Blue

If I understand the situation correctly, GR is out of the house working full time, but also has a long commute either way, so without the dog walker the dog would be alone for maybe 10 hours a day or more.

Shame I don't live nearer - one more walked in with mine would make no difference!

gettingready

Ermmmm - dog walker is non-negotiable as I am out o the house for 12 hours per day (that includes 1.5 hour commute to/from work each way so 3 hours in total) 5 days per week and I live by myself.

Of course I walk Zara before and after work, dog walker is to break her day in the middle when I am not around.

Dandelionclock - sorry if you misunderstood and thought I use dog walker instead of walking Zara when I could do it myself.

Dog walker is an addition to our morning/evening walks.

gettingready

MistyBlue - can't you move?

gettingready

GwylimT wrote: »

I've spent a good two years finding a litter for my cat that doesn't need cleaning on an almost daily basis, we can manage about four days with catsan. We have used the golden grey odour before but we didn't find it to be very good.

Really curious now.

With 4 boys and 2 massive litter trays i scoop the "deposits" daily but only do a complete change every 2 weeks.

With one cat you were changing the litter so often?

scratchng head...

Misty_Blue

gettingready wrote: »

MistyBlue - can't you move?

If I do, I'll let you know.

Don't know if it's been already asked, but could you ask to work from home, maybe even just one day a week? That would cut down travel and dog walker costs.

I'm very lucky in that I work from home all the time, but I realise not all jobs are suitable for this.

gettingready

Can not work from home... Not in my line of work

rising_from_the_ashes

gettingready wrote: »

Really curious now.

With 4 boys and 2 massive litter trays i scoop the "deposits" daily but only do a complete change every 2 weeks.

With one cat you were changing the litter so often?

scratchng head...

scratching is catching .....

Although I have 2 cats they each have their own tray (they are separated so no using each others!)

Both trays are scooped out 2 x / day and I have to say I very (and I use that word in the strongest sense!) need to fully change either tray

How deep are you keeping it?

gettingready

GwylimT keeping us in suspense....???

rising_from_the_ashes

gettingready wrote: »

I am about to cancel Zara's insurance. I do not generally believe in self insuring when premiums are low as if you put away say £30.00 per month instead of paying this for insurance I feel it is very risky.

BUT - if I put away £172 per month for Zara instead of paying the £172 for insurance, to me it makes sense.

Zara is just over 8 years old. She already had a double hip replacement. I would not put her through any extensive surgery if something went very wrong. She is on Onsior for life but I get it at £21.00 per month from Animed plus £10.00 prescription charge every 6 month. I used to claim it back but this is nowhere near the £172 per month Argos is asking for.

GR in your situation I would do exactly the same (TBH with the premiums you've been paying I may well have done it last year)

I've had to move all of mine to new insurers in the past month (previously with Axa & they've pulled out - new co .... well, let's not go there!).

Premiums OK for the time being but now have lower cover - still OK as they're all getting older now & I know they're 'structurally sound' IYKWIM

In the next year or so, I will probably move the older ones onto Accident & Injury policies and stick the difference (+ a bit more) away to cover other things

Even now with Maisie (just turned 8 within days of Zara if I remember!) - while I would say have a broken leg fixed, I wouldn't do 'drastic' surgery etc .... therefore Accident / Injury should cover most surgical options

I know from having Ben (and have checked prices & they've really not changed) that when he had Arthritis (which is pretty likely to happen at some point when they get older) that I could get a prescription & buy his meds for about £10 / month - much, much less than his insurance - and that was years ago!

rising_from_the_ashes

GR if you've cancelled Zara's full insurance an accident / injury policy is certainly worth having

Most incl liability insurance (which is a must that you get this - membership of dogs trust £25 also provides this) but also really useful should they jury themselves when out / in the home & should provide enough cover for many things

There are several providers - just linked to more than as I'd been looking at it recently - steer clear of a*gria

http:// http://www.morethan.com/pet-insurance/what-we-cover