MoneySaving for dog owners discussion

MDH78

Good call on the SSPCA, kerrhona and halfpint, but I don’t think that blue cross have rehoming centres in Scotland.

I’d recommend everyone to consider the allaboutdogfood site, as it also breaks down food costs by per meal, rather than weight.

A good quality food might cost more, but you use less, so it may be more per kg, but less per meal.

summers000001

Just looked at your advice for pet owners to save money. Some of it however is wrong. There is no science that says annual vaccination is needed. Check out Dr Ronald Schultz and Dr Jean Dodds on YouTube. Interviews done by Dr Karen Becker, one of the few vet's that tells the truth. Check out Dr John Robb again on YouTube. The information on Neutering is again very misleading, check out the healthy and happy dog website, also check out the four study's done on vislas, golden retrievers, rottweilers and German shepherds. Stan Rawlinson website online has some good information on Neutering, Dr Michelle kultzler again interviewed by Dr Karen Becker on YouTube. Dog's naturally magazine online is excellent, also Dr Andrew Jones on YouTube. The problem with the conventional methods of sterilisation is that it robs the dog of its hormones. The irony of this is there is alternative methods of sterilisation, basically the same methods as used on humans, ovary sparing spay, tubular ligation, vacectomy are the way forward. Hormones are crucial for good health, common sense initially told me this and the study's that have been done to confirm this. My advice to owners to save money, firstly don't over vaccinate your dog, this is very dangerous, one core DHP at 16 weeks is all that is required, titer test before giving another vaccination, the vacci check only costs 35 quid. The WSAVA guidelines are a must read, be aware that most vets don't follow them. Feed your dog natural whole food, Dr Ian Billinghurst has the best books on dog nutrition. Use natural products for flee and worm prevention, learn to make your own dog shampoos and flee spays, check out Dr Andrew Jones and Dr Karen Becker and Dogs naturally magazine. The best insurance you can have for your dog is to find a good vet, Dr Christopher Day down Oxford is one of the best and most experienced vets in the UK. Don't remove your dogs hormones unless there is good medical reason, seek out alternative methods of sterilisation. You must do your homework people. 

Gypsysmum

Trust your vet. They did not do 5 years in vet college and choose to work in a very hard job because they want to harm animals. They will have read all of the above research and weighed it with all the evidence and will advise you of the best way to go with your pet.
Believe me they are on the side of the dog and if they can save you money they will but not at the expense of your dog's health.

sheramber

My ver explained to me that they follow the guidelines given by the vaccination provider. SO, if the vaccine fails on any way then the company will be responsible.  If the vet did not follow these   guidelines then the vet would be liable. 
Nobivac  vaccination is actually 3  yearly for the main illnesses. 
Also, if an  animal has to go into kennels they may require up to date vaccination according to their licence.
If your animal is not up to  date and an emergency situation arises  where does your animal go?

Everybody needs to assess their own position and do  what they consider is best for  their animal
 

Gypsysmum

Another point to remember is that your insurance will be invalid if your dog goes down with a preventable disease. It is not money saving if you have to treat a seriously sick pet.
In my experience it is owners of multiple dogs that decide that vaccinating is not for them. They then try to justify this financial decision with copy from dubious sources.
We have to remember all the hype around MMR and how it was all discredited in the end. I was a veterinary nurse and I will, in discussion with my vet, continue to vaccinate my beloved dog and to treat her with proper flea and worm treatments that are proven to work. She is worth it.

uzmark

Some tips from a GSD owner.

1. Larger dog means larger expenses everywhere, so keep this in mind when getting a dog. 

2. Always have insurance and use comparison sites to get a good deal and money back. Always easier to get a new insurance as every year it will go up 20% - 25%. as the dog gets older it will go up even more. 

3. Get quality food. Usually 80% meat and 20% natural ingredients. Check on allaboutdogfood dot co dot uk   and SEE what utter crap is in most of the food you can buy in stores! Do not fall for marketing/advertising or shiny packaging. I would never buy from pet superstores, as it is the most expensive one! Never buy from big brands, for example Bakers Adult its 55% wholegrain cereal! 

Please MSE remove this utter crap from the article.

4. Sign up for vaccination and flea treatment at your vets, it is much cheaper and costs a small monthly amount but covers everything.

5. Buy from your local RSPCA shop, they sometimes have doggie stuff. Or from local charity shops
6. Buy treats in bulk, amazon offers 15% on regular orders for example. We buy 100 chew sticks for half the price