Do need plenty of funds to own two dogs?

MadPipAb

Hi, I have owned two dogs for 7 years now and over the years I have given up on the frontline treatments and worming treatments. My dogs very rarely get fleas or worms. I give them a couple of flea shampoo baths a year and buy a flea spray if I ever see any. I stopped using it as it makes my staffie really sick and she vomits for 3 days after frontlining her and stronghold is rediculously expensive. You will see from their poo if they have worms but these tablets aren't that dear anyway.

We set up a bank account with a direct debit of £30 a month instead of taking out insurance as it got higher and higher and I would rather have the money myself. We use that money to pay for the vaccinations as well each year and I go to Economy Vets as they do a £15 vaccination every Jan.

We have tried all the different dog foods and find Chappie to be great, although cheap you will find vets recommend it for dogs with sensitive stomachs as it is fish based and you hardly get any smelly wind with it. I get a sack for £18 once a month and I get six cans of meat for £3.00 in any supermarket to mix in and they love it.

It's all about how you do it really. My dogs cost me less than my rabbits and guineas who cost me fortune.

krlyr

The issue with only using flea treatments when you see fleas or worms is that, whilst it is a very sensible approach (afterall, we only treat for headlice or worms when we actually have them) is that some infestations show no visible signs until they've done a fair bit of damage.

A lungworm infestation would only tend to present with tiredness, a cough, etc. once the infestation has already damaged the lungs and/or airways. A lungworm infestation can also cause excessive bleeding and poor blood clotting - so a dog could get injured whilst carrying an unknown infestation and the results could be quite serious.

I treat mine a few times a year with Advocate simply for its lungworm protection. I've never once seen a flea on any dogs I've owned - I think having dogs that can't go off-lead anywhere and everywhere, or mingle with lots of dogs, means we tend to perhaps get lucky avoiding fleas. But I still treat regardless of cost, because my mum's pup had lungworm and was quite poorly with it - there's even been a few fatalities in my area from it.

pathtofreedom

These have been my main areas of expense with a rescue dog so far. It depends on your support network for some of these if they would apply to you, so if you couldn't walk them, or had to be away for a weekend or in hospital that someone could look after them for free or not.

kennels, dog walker, dog trainer (my dog had seperation anxity amongst other issues which involved a lot of trainer help), insurance, booster jabs, food, groomer, dog trust membership so they will take her if I die first, leads, collar, harness for car, id / chip.

Johnny_Dangerously

Agree with the worming and flea treatment being worthwhile. It's not a major expense compared to others for me, and I like in an area where ticks are common, so use flea treatment religiously. I've known two dogs die (not mine) from heart worm recently, and it's a very easy one to prevent.

janb5

krlyr wrote: »

The issue with only using flea treatments when you see fleas or worms is that, whilst it is a very sensible approach (afterall, we only treat for headlice or worms when we actually have them) is that some infestations show no visible signs until they've done a fair bit of damage.

A lungworm infestation would only tend to present with tiredness, a cough, etc. once the infestation has already damaged the lungs and/or airways. A lungworm infestation can also cause excessive bleeding and poor blood clotting - so a dog could get injured whilst carrying an unknown infestation and the results could be quite serious.

I treat mine a few times a year with Advocate simply for its lungworm protection. I've never once seen a flea on any dogs I've owned - I think having dogs that can't go off-lead anywhere and everywhere, or mingle with lots of dogs, means we tend to perhaps get lucky avoiding fleas. But I still treat regardless of cost, because my mum's pup had lungworm and was quite poorly with it - there's even been a few fatalities in my area from it.

I have noticed that quite a few posters give Advocate during the year. I thought it had to be given monthly- could someone please advise?

krlyr

It needs to be given for two consecutive treatments to treat an infestation 100% - I used to use it monthly but now just treat two months in a row, a couple of times a year