That moment in time when you first lay eyes on the little guy (or girl) who is destined to become your lifelong companion – you swoon just a bit, and your heart begins to pound – and just like that, you’re in love. In the swirl of such emotion, many new pet parents don’t automatically begin to tick off the long-term costs associated with caring for a pet; which can total at least $400, and usually more, per year. Once you and your new love are settled in and the reality of day-to-day costs begin to sink in – don’t despair! There are many ways to save money on pet care, and still provide an excellent life for your best friend. Just keep the following tips in mind. Veterinary Care The most common, and detrimental, mistake that pet owners can make is not keeping their pet up-to-date on basic, routine care. Vets resoundingly advise not trying to save $15 on vaccinations, because taking a chance on your pets health, and placing them at risk of developing diseases and infections, is much more costly in the long run. Saving one puppy from distemper can cost a staggering average of $2,000, nor is the treatment a guaranteed success, which is the case for many ailments that pets can suffer due to lack of proper preventative care.Never skip your pets recommended core vaccinations, annual (routine) exams, flea/tick preventative, heartworm medication, or spay/neutering. Another tip – clean your pets teeth daily with the corner of a wet washcloth or piece of gauze. Keeping their mouth clean is just as important to preventing illness as it is in humans. Phone your vet, rather than making an office visit, for minor questions – the vet tech can usually let you know if you need to bring your pet in, or provide you with advice over the phone. If you have multiple pets, remember to ask if your vet provides a discount, or package deals, for treating them. If the occasion arises that your pet needs multiple procedures, book as many as can be done safely, all in the same appointment to save on the cost of anesthesia and overnight stays. Finally, keep in mind that secondhand smoke is just as dangerous for your pet as it is for any human who is exposed to it. Animals can become afflicted with asthma, bronchitis, and cancer through exposure to cigarette smoke, so protect them from it for their health. Save on Food Many pet owners believe that it’s a sign of love and dedicated care to feed their animal the most expensive brand of exclusive food, which can cost as much as (ouch) $50 per bag, and $5 per can. When vets were polled regarding the advantages of premium foods the consensus was that it’s really not necessary. Simply purchase a well-known, quality brand name, and buy it the largest bulk amount possible. You can save up to a third over the premium foods by doing so, but, don’t go to the other end of the spectrum and buy generic as they generally don’t have the same level of nutritional balance. Also, make sure to follow the feeding guidelines provided on the packaging of whichever food you select. Overfeeding is a significant problem which not only wastes money, but also leads to obesity and health problems in your pet. Grooming Costs Depending on the breed, having your pet groomed by a professional isn’t an indulgence, it’s an important part of maintaining their health and well-being. Grooming is expensive, so save money but keep performing upkeep at home on a regular basis. The most important thing to do is make sure to brush your pet thoroughly once or twice a week to prevent matted hair, and begin while they are still young getting them accustomed to being bathed. When you do deliver your pet to the groomer, request that they receive a “lion” or “puppy” cut. These type of trims keep the fur as short as a half-inch which means fewer grooming sessions each year, and your pet will also be more comfortable, especially during the warmer months of the year. Dog owners – ask your groomer to show you how to safely trim your pets nails, and invest in a good-quality pair of clippers so that you can perform the task at home. It’s important to receive instruction before plunging in, however, as clipping their nails too short can cause severe pain and bleeding. Keep these tips in mind to save money, and enjoy a long, healthy, and happy life with your precious pet. Enjoy a Merry Christmas with your pet and visit Stocking Fillers for the best of the holiday! This guest post was written by Stephani Spitzer, a freelance author, and pet lover. Read more »

Is your pup a genius or is it just that he has you well trained? Can you tell the difference?! Apparently there are actual tests you can give your dog in a somewhat “controlled” environment, and as he responds within the allotted time receives duly earned points. I find this idea interesting and hilarious. So if your dog can demonstrate he remembers where you put his favorite treat, by going to it immediately, he scores five. But if he sniffs around the edge of the room and then finds the treat, he just scores a four. And on it goes, earning one point if the dog makes no effort at all. This is supposed to be an example of short-term memory. For long-term memory there is some latitude. To achieve a four, your best friend can go to the place where the treat originally lay, then divert to the new location there finding the morsel. This time if there’s no effort, a score of zero appears. Third is the case for “environmental memory.” Quite candidly this test should be a requirement for all husbands-to-be by their prospective wives prior to marriage. It involves the rearrangement of furniture. You are free to create the scenario, but scoring ranges from five to one. If Rounder notices something is different within about fifteen seconds and begins to explore or sniff any changes in the room, his score is five; if it takes him up to thirty seconds, only a four. But if a whole minute passes and he still ignores the changes, he only deserves a one. The very image of how this plays out with human couples married less than five years defies belief. In fact, I just cannot resist letting you in on a family secret. We had only been married about a year and a half. My young husband decided to stay after work for a Happy Hour. Of course he was sure he had contacted me about his plans, but in actual fact the thought had not entered his mind. I had laboriously prepared one of his special favorites for supper, and had it ready and piping hot on time for his arrival from a hard day at work. Now I must say this was before the days of cell phones, we were in a foreign country, had no close neighbors and I had no vehicle. After I realized my darling wasn’t coming home and that no police were coming to my door notifying me of his demise, all my negative energy turned into a virtual white tornado. Every piece of furniture I could move, which was most of it, had a new “home” long before I even thought about going to bed. Our dog had the advantage this time…he knew where to walk! Out of my sound, peaceful sleep I woke to a loud clatter, strange words, running water and finally silence. Next morning all rested, having spent the night in our bed all stretched out, I rose to find the master of the house curled up beside the couch; the dog was snoozing away on the couch! This next challenge named “alternate choice memory,” involves how well your one-year old doggie remembers one of several possibilities. It sort of reminds me of the “which cup is it under” game. Having three cups, rub the inside of each with a bit of the food used as the lure. Then show Rounder the empty cups, and line them up in a row, each about twelve inches apart. Show him the treat, lift the middle cup and place the treat under it. Release your doggie and whether he actually gets the bit of food is not the most important part this time, although he will score five points if he goes directly to the middle cup. The interesting observation actually lies in the attention he pays to each cup. The last test involves how well Rounder really knows his name. According to the professor this is a test of language comprehension. Have the dog seated and relaxed about six feet in front of you. In the same tone of voice and inflection you use to call him, call “refrigerator.” If he comes, it’s three points, if he does not come, try calling “movies.” If he still does not respond, score two points. On the third, try calling his own name; at this point if he comes or shows any inclination to do so, he earns the five points. If it takes a second time, four points score. Of course if no response, it’s one point. Several other tests are available, including seeing how quickly your pooch can get a large towel off his head (problem solving and manipulation); recognizing a smile in a timely manner (social learning); and uncovering food covered by a hand towel again within a certain time (more advanced problem solving).This is definitely a fascinating topic, but I am most happy someone else has made the results available. I have had the privilege of experiencing circumstances like these with my dogs and others, and have burst into great hilarium at the sight, so please forgive a lack of seriousness on my part. Like other species, some dogs are just more trainable than others; some have a mind of their own…independent thinkers if you will. So to which kind would you give the scholarship? And which one would you delight to have as the most loving, forgiving and adoring companion?   Prepared by Susan Wright DVM lead writer for DogFenceDiy the invisible fence alternative. If your dog is too smart for his own good consider installing a wireless fence. Read more »