Can I be frugal with my furbabies?

**Happy Dope** · 08-28-2010, 04:43 PM

Hey, all my Frugies

I am the lucky mom of 7 furbabies - 2 dogs, 2 cats, and 3 bunnies. My husband and I decided a long time ago not to have kids and just have pets instead. Well, those with pets know it's like having kids!

I'm looking for ways to be more frugal when it comes to my babies. I'll give you a (hopefully quick) rundown...

Dogs ~ Opi and Bam
Opi is my 12-going-on-13-year-old Beagle who has a LOT of health problems, but is a great, happy dog (it's where my Happy Dope name comes from). He is on daily meds for his thyroid, arthritis, torn ACL (he's too old/has too many health issues to have surgery), separation anxiety, and allergies - that's 15 pills a day!

Bam is my 3-year-old English Bulldog who has bad allergies, hip dysplasia, arthritis, and luxating patella. He's on daily meds for his allergies and arthritis. This week, he got a bad skin infection from allergies... $270 at the vet! ::faint::

The boys both need to eat Wellness food for their allergies (we've tested so many different types, and this is the only one they've both reacted well to). I do get coupons, but that stuff is $$$!!

Cats ~ Mr. Peanut and Dough Boy
These guys don't cost much at all, thankfully. They eat their food (Purina mix of urinary and sensitive systems) and get 1 hairball treat each every day. They don't like commercial cat toys. They rather strings and things like that (thank god!!).

Bunnies ~ Duke, Lola, and Tinkerbell
My babies are frugal (lol)... all they need is hay and pellets, both of which I buy in bulk from a local grain and feed store. I get their fruits and vegetables at our local Market Basket, and I eat most of what I buy for them as well, so nothing goes to waste. For toys, they don't like store-bought products, so I make their toys. For litter, I use newspapers that I get from my mom after she's done reading them. I also get free carboard boxes for their hideouts at BJ's. It's rare for any of them to have to go to the vet for anything other than their regular checkups (knock on wood).

Sorry for rambling on... and on...

My question - do you have any suggestions on how I can save more money when it comes to my furbabies? I'll take anything!

Thanks!

**pollypurebred39** · 08-28-2010, 05:01 PM

Local pet food stores have discount shot days. They will give them an exam for free too.

Get all flea treatments, anti-itch creams, etc. online. Very often you can find these things 50% off vets prices. Sometimes you can even get their medications online.

**frugalwarrior2** · 08-28-2010, 05:51 PM

Pet med come in generics too. Be certain to discuss the option w/ your vet.
We buy Iams at Sams club/Costco. I recently scored at Big Lots w/ 33# bags for $28. I got 5. I use antihistimine for the 1 cat that shears his fur. I have 12 and can't give 1 allergy food or afford for 12. We do have kids-in college. I get 40# bags of litter at Sams too-about $8. (non-clumping).
Shot clinics have money but w/ the health histories I would stick w/ a reg. vet. IMHO.
If you buy HW like Sentinel they have a rebate after 12. So maybe check into that. Also,I ask for reduce rates. I have 15 animals. They can accomodate me. I also always refer. or not refer.
Also check ebay about buying litter coupons. Use them at Pet supplies plus when things are on sale-stock up. They ley you stack coupons. See if the manufacturer will send you some. Talk to a person not an e-mail. Start w/ -I need a little help here.

**Happy Dope** · 08-28-2010, 07:51 PM

Thanks!

For their meds, I get most of them online. Drs. Foster & Smith have the cheapest for what the boys take, except for the Tramadol - that I get from WalMart. Most are generics.

We do get most of their food from either the grain/feed store (very inexpensive) or Pet Supplies Plus (with their coupons, store discount card, and manufacturer's coupons).

We get the 40lbs of litter from BJ's for $13. We enter their reward codes, and I just got 28lbs free.

But I never thought about checking eBay for coupons - thank you!

**frugalwarrior2** · 08-28-2010, 08:56 PM

Yeah,imho 40# for $13. is expensive even w/ rewards. Do have a Sams Club around? We go thru a lot of litter. Tidy Cat is what we use. BJ's isn't around here.

**druthb00** · 08-28-2010, 09:39 PM

I can't say I really know where to begin to know where to help. My parents got a/c for KC back when he was really little. He had allergies so bad that he HAD to have A/C. Then he got UTI's. Since then (he's 15 now) he's been fine. We don't have to get special food (Science Diet) for him anymore. I can't even imagine what it must be like spending that kind of money each month on your animals

Have you considered spending less on your older dog? I mean, I know if he were mine I'd probably think I were crazy, but... If he's that old, maybe 15 meds is a little much? I've got a 15 yr old cat, and when and if he's that difficult/expensive to take care of, I may just let him go. Even though I'm an animal lover, I just can't see spending that much on a geriatric animal. Of course, JMO. If you don't want to go that route, I'd see if your vet would offer discounts for your multiple animals/meds.

**Rosebush3** · 08-28-2010, 10:02 PM

Have you checked into pet health insurance?

**Happy Dope** · 08-28-2010, 10:42 PM

Thanks so much for your suggestions/ideas/advice. It gets tight around here lol

My vet does give us discounts, since I bring them a lot of business! My Beagle, the 13yr old...... you know how you hear about the person and their dog that were best friends and couldn't be separated? That's Opi and I - he's my Snoopy and I'm his Charlie Brown. I've had him since he was 2 months old and he's been there when NO ONE else has. Sometimes you can't explain a person-dog friendship unless you're lucky enough to have it, I guess. I'm doing everything I possibly can to keep him healthy and happy as long as I can. He's only on 5 meds, but takes 15 pills. Poor Dope.

As far as pet insurance goes, the dogs don't qualify, and they're the ones who need it!

Unfortunately, no Sam's Club around here.

**shoiji** · 08-29-2010, 11:48 AM

I used to get free rabies shots for my cats. They were offered usually by the township. It was fun seeing everyone with their animal standing in line and talking.

**Happy Dope** · 08-29-2010, 11:54 AM

Hey Shoiji - where did they offer this? What kind of venue? How did you find out about it?

**shoiji** · 08-29-2010, 02:49 PM

I usually saw it advertised in the newspaper in the springtime.

You could probably call your municipal building or where ever you go for a dog license and ask if they offer something like it. My brother came from a different near by town to get the free rabies shots. I think they called it free rabies clinic. At the time the shots were $15 each. So I was saving $30. Grant it the cats were less than pleased about it. lol

I do not remember where they held it. It seemed to vary. Anyway it was outside. People lined up and there were tables set up where people would take down the info and give the shots. The people dealing with cats had these industrial strength gloves on to take the cats out of the carrier. Usually they told me to take the cat out of the box. hehehe

**fairydana** · 08-29-2010, 09:11 PM

with your dogs I think I would continue seeing your vet. Your vet knows whats going on with your babies and he treats them knowing how the meds are going to interact with them. Trying to save money by going somewhere else could end up costing you a lot more. I too am one of those who chose to just have pets as my children. So I know how much your babies mean to you!!