How Much Does Owning A Pet Really Cost In A Year?

By:  Laurie Brzostowski

As the Owner/President of Snaggle Foot Dog Walks and Pet Care, I take care of all kinds of animals like fish, bunnies, cats, dogs, etc.  I also know what the pet parents go through when they get a new pet.  There is the expense of food and supplies, treats, medical bills, etc.  I have had dogs my whole life so I completely understand the cost of raising and taking care of a pet.

Are you looking at getting a puppy, a kitten, a bird or even some fish?  I think that is awesome, but there are some things you need to think about before getting your pet.

Remember... most dogs live to be about 7-15 years of age.  A cat and large birds can live even longer.  This means pet supplies, medical bills, food, etc. 

Getting a pet is a lifetime commitment so let's break it down for you !

DOGS:

• Dog lovers spent an average of $254 on dog food and $70 on treats within 12 months.

• Routine vet visits cost dog owners $248 on average. Flea and Tick preventive medicines ran owners another $161.

• Grooming ran $73 on average per visit (I take my dog to the groomer twice per year).

• Impulse buys (the kind where you buy an extra treat for your doggie at the pet supply store) added another $43 each year.

• Some jurisdictions may also require licensing fees. De-worming and microchip identification will also drive up early costs. This can range from $470 to $565 for dogs.

• Average yearly cost for a dog: $580 to $875.

CATS:

• While cat food costs less than dog food, it's still $220 on average and about $41 for treats.

• Cat supplies like scratching posts, litter boxes and litter can range widely in costs.  Some litter will be more expensive the more environmentally friendly it is.

• Vet visits are also cheaper than dogs.  In fact, some cats that live completely indoors do not get completely vaccinated, however, owners do pay an average of $219 for route vet visits.  Preventative medications including supplements and flea prevention runs an average of $110.

• Grooming your cat is definitely cheaper than a dog and costs around $34 per visit.

• Don't forget the cat toys like laser pens and catnip.  Toys for cats are definitely cheaper than for dogs but still run an average of $21 over 12 months.

• Average yearly cost for a cat: $670

BIRDS:

• Caring for a small bird could cost around $200 per year.

• Vet costs are definitely cheaper than dogs and cats.  Roughly aroiund $117 per year.

• Grooming, cages, and toys add up to around $100 per year.

• Larger birds can be more expensive so keep that in mind when choosing birds.  Also, larger birds live longer and have much for complex needs for socialization and care.

• Average year cost for a small bird? Up to $200.

FISH:

• Freshwater fish owners spent the least amount of money to care of their companions. Food cost about $26 on average per year.

• Fish owners paid an average of $63 within the last 12 months and around $25 for bowls and/or tanks.

• Water test kits usually run an averaqe of $15 and add in an additional $32 for other supplies.

• Aquariums can be expensive running up to $200 initially and of course adding in those decorative items in the tank can be expensive.

• If you plan on doing a saltwater tank, then you are moving into a more expensive arena.

• Average year cost for freshwater fish: $35

So there is your breakdown on how much "on average" a pet really can cost you in a year.  Of course, there can be medical emergencies and other issues that come up which can drive costs up throughout the year.

Make sure when you decide you do want to get a pet, put some money aside for any emergencies that may come up in the care of your new pet.  Checking into vet/pet insurance may also be a wave for you to save on vet costs.

But, if you are like me, those "costs" are just part of owning a pet.  That pet will bring you years and years of happiness and contentment.  Personally, I have no idea what life would be like without my doggies !  

Help! I Can't Keep My Dog Anymore!

By: Laurie Brzostowski

One of the hardest things that I read online is usually when someone leaves their dog behind when they move.  It is heartbreaking to think that these furry family members are left behind to die just because people were not aware of the things they can do to find their pets a new home.

If you happen to be someone who, for some reason, can no longer keep your dog there are steps you can take to make sure your dog has a place to go.

PLEASE do not just drop them off at a shelter or leave them behind to die somewhere alone.

Here some things to consider first:

• If you are considering surrendering your dog because of problem behavior:
• Is the dog spayed or neutered? This simple procedure can have a dramatic impact on some behaviors, and there are low-cost spay/neuter operations available.
• Consult with an animal behaviorist, dog trainer or obedience school. Many of these classes and consultations are very inexpensive and yet have amazing results.
• Read this and try to correct your difficult dog behavior and how to place a dog if you have no other options.
• Discuss the problem with your vet. Your vet may be able to suggest a training method or even a medication to eliminate the problem.
• Keep in mind that if you don't want to deal with the problem, a stranger won't want to deal with it either -- and might even become abusive to the dog. You might also be liable for undesirable and/or undisclosed behavior. In the end, if you don't solve the problem, the dog might be considered unacceptable and ultimately euthanized.

• If you are considering surrendering your dog for any other reason:
• Place an ad in the paper. Be responsible enough to have any dog spayed/neutered before he/she leaves your care. Even puppies at 8 wks can be spayed/neutered.
• Don't give a dog away for free. People collect free dogs and sell to research, dog fighting groups etc... Charging an adoption fee is like giving your dog an insurance policy.
• Do a home visit and a vet reference check to anyone who is considering adopting your family member.
• Post a flier with the dog's picture, height, weight, breed, personality traits, at your vet office / groomer, pet stores, grocery stores, coffee shops, work place etc.
• Utilize the internet such as Facebook and Twitter. 
• Network with family, co-workers and friend.
• Check internet sites for purebred rescue groups and low cost spay and neuter.
• Contact a dog rescue group for assistance and advise. There are breed specific rescues. Be aware that rescue groups get many calls every day of people wanting to surrender their dog who is like their "child" and must deal with good and bad reasons for surrendering of dogs...You must help yourself to help this dog. Rescues can only do so much. We are regular working people just like you, who do rescue because we love dogs. Rescue is a volunteer activity and rescue people commit countless hours and money helping homeless dogs. 
• Contact local shelters/humane societies about their owner surrender policies. Be aware that dogs over the age of 4 are generally euthanized automatically. Also know that the American Bulldog is generally considered a "pit type" breed and may not be put up for adoption. 
• Remember, if you must place your dog in another home, you are in a better position to do this than most rescue groups. Knowing the dog's temperament, you can screen potential families and identify the best match for your dog. And you can ensure that the transition is as smooth as possible, without any time spent in strange and traumatic circumstances.

Whatever you choose to do, PLEASE do not just drop your dog off somewhere or leave them behind to die.

Are Your Pets Fat?

By: Laurie Brzostowski

As the Owner/President of Snaggle Foot Dog Walks and Pet Care you can imagine how many cats and dogs I see on a daily basis.  The saddest part about this is that some pets are so seriously overweight it is starting to cause health issues.  Unfortunately, the owners don't seem to want to hear about it or they just don't "see" it.

Last week one of my clients doggies had a severe 4 minute seizure.  We took the doggie to the vet and called the client.  While we were at the vet, we weighed the doggie.  He was 72 lbs.  He is a beagle/basset hound mix and should weight no more than 35 to 40 lbs.  When I told the client how much he weighed, the client was shocked.  I don't know how he could be shocked.. you could tell the poor doggie is overweight and struggling to walk, etc.

I am not saying that the seizure was associated to his weight, however, the vet put the doggie on a strict diet.

I know some people who buy their doggies Happy Meals from McDonalds or ice cream cones from Dairy Queen.  This type of food is not good for them.. it is is not good for humans either, but especially not good for dogs and/or cats.

So to everyone out there, it is VERY important that in order to keep your pets healthy and happy is to make sure you are feeding them a high quality food, watching their weight, exercise, and no "people snacks".

Here are some tips on keeping your pets at a healthy weight:

1. Correct Diet:  Overweight animals consume more calories than they require. Work with your veterinarian to determine your pet’s caloric requirements, select a suitable food and calculate how much to feed. The diet should contain a normal level of a moderately fermentable fiber and the type of fat that prevents the skin and coat from deteriorating during weight loss. Diets that dilute calories with high fiber lead to increased stool volumes, frequent urges to defecate and variable decreases in nutrient digestibility.
    
2. Exercise:  Increasing physical activity can be a valuable contributor to both weight loss and maintenance. Regular exercise burns more calories, reduces appetite, changes body composition and will increase your pet’s resting metabolic rate.
    
3. Owner Behavior Modification: A successful weight management program requires permanent changes in the behaviors that have allowed the pet to become overweight. Perhaps you are giving your pet too many treats, for example, or not giving him enough opportunities to exercise.
    
4. Owner Commitment:  Are you committed to making sure your pets are at their correct weight? Here are some important things you can do:
   - Remove the pet from the room when the family eats.
   - Feed your pet several small meals throughout the day.
   - Feed all meals and treats in the pet's bowl only.
   - Reduce snacks or treats.
   - Provide non-food related attention.

Overweight pets can develop serious illnesses so make sure you are taking the proper steps to keep them at a healthy weight.

You are the pet parent.  It is your responsibility to make sure your pets are healthy and happy.

Does Your Dog Have Canine Degenerative Myelopathy?

By:  Laurie Brzostowski

My doggie Sebastian was diagnosed with this disease just a couple of weeks ago, however, I knew something was wrong for a while. 

He was scuffling his back feet when we walked, he had a hard time standing back up after sitting down, and he was starting to poop in his sleep. 

My doggie is 13-1/2 years old so I decided to start trying to figure out what this was long before the vet diagnosed him.  My doggie is a Yellow Lab so it can affect a lot of different breeds.

There are things that I have done that will help him.  I recently purchased a "Help Em Up" harness (seen in picture).  This harness can stay on your doggie so you can help him up or down when he needs it.  I have also purchased "doggie diapers" to help with his incontinence.  These are just a few things that I did to help my doggie with this disease but each dog is different so doing some research and asking questions is always a good idea.

There is also a group on Facebook that you can join that you can talk to other dog owners who are going through CDRM also.  They have great suggestions and ideas that might be helpful to you.

So, let's discuss what this disease is so we can understand it. 

What is this disease?
Canine Degenerative Myleopathy, also known as chronic degenerative radiculomyelopathy, is an incurable, progressive disease of the canine spinal cord. Onset is typically after the age of 7 years and it is seen most frequently in the German Shepherd, Pembroke Welsch Corgi, and Boxer, though the disorder is strongly associated with a gene mutation that has been found in 43 breeds as of 2008.  Progressive weakness and incoordination of the rear limbs are often the first signs seen in affected dogs, with progression over time to complete paralysis.  Myelin is an insulating sheath around the neurons in the spinal cord. One proposed cause of degenerative myelopathy is that the immune system attacks this sheath, breaking it down. This results in a loss of communication between nerves in lower body of the animal and the brain.

Can we test for this?
The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals has a DNA saliva test to screen for the mutated gene that has been seen in dogs with degenerative myelopathy. Now that a test is available the disease can be bred out of breeds with a high preponderance. The test is only recommended for predisposed breeds, but can be performed on DNA from any dog on samples collected through swabbing the inside of the animal's cheek with a sterile cotton swab or through venipuncture.  The test determines whether the mutated copy of SOD1 is present in the DNA sample submitted. It must be interpreted with caution by a veterinary clinician in combination with the animal's clinical signs and other lab test results.

What are the Symptoms?
Degenerative myelopathy initially affects the back legs and causes muscle weakness and loss, and lack of coordination.  These cause a staggering affect that may appear to be arthritis. The dog may drag one or both rear paws when it walks. This dragging can cause the nails of one foot to be worn down. The condition may lead to extensive paralysis of the back legs. As the disease progresses, the animal may display symptoms such as incontinence and has considerable difficulties with both balance and walking.  If allowed to progress, the animal will show front limb involvement and extensive muscle atrophy and paralysis. Eventually cranial nerve or respiratory muscle involvement necessitates euthanasia or long term palliative care. Progression of the disease is generally slow but highly variable. The animal could be crippled within a few months, or may survive as long as 3 years of more. 

Is there Treatment?
Degenerative myelopathy is an irreversible, progressive disease that cannot be cured. There are no treatments that have been clearly shown to stop or slow progression of DM.

What Can I Do?
Exercise has been recommended to maintain the dog's ability to walk. Physiotherapy may prolong the length of time that the dog remains mobile and increase survival time.  Canine Hydrotherapy (swimming) may be more useful than walking.  Use of a belly sling or hand-held harness allows the handler the ability to support the dog's hind legs for exercising or going up and down stairs. A 2-wheel dog cart, or "dog wheelchair" can allow the dog to remain active and maintain its quality of life once signs of weakness or paralysis of the hind limbs is detected.

This disease is progressive so it is important that you take the steps needed to keep your doggie comfortable until the end.  As pet parents, we promised to love them their whole lives, so take care of your pups any way you can during this time.

Why It's Important To Groom Your Dog and Cat

By: Laurie Brzostowski

Most people think of grooming as a luxury.  Far from it.  Grooming is important to their health and happiness.

My dog actually likes going to the groomer and making sure that your dog can actually handle grooming is something you need to start when they are very young.  They need to be able to accept brushing, bathing, nail clipping etc., so get them used to being groomed at a very young age.

Keeping your pet well groomed not only makes for a clean-smelling companion, it also helps keep your dog more comfortable and allows you to spot health problems before they become serious, or even life-threatening.

Matted Fur:  Have you ever had your hair in a ponytail that was just a little too tight? Maybe your hair was just bunched up or stuck together? A mat can feel the same way to your dog or cat — a constant pull on the skin. Try to imagine those all over your body, and you have an idea how uncomfortable an ungroomed coat can be.  Regular grooming also allows you to look for lumps, bumps and injuries, all while clearing mats and ticks from the coat. Follow up with your veterinarian on any questionable masses you find, and you may detect cancer early enough to save your pet's life. 

 

A Cleaner Home: Grooming removes loose hair, dandruff, and any particulates in your animal’s fur, preventing them from dropping off around your house. It can also help prevent triggering allergies, if you or someone in your household has them. Animal hair and dandruff are also a main component of dust and grooming your pet can help cut down on the amount of dust as well!  

Nail Clipping: When a cat or dog’s nails are left untrimmed, several things can happen. The nail can break or tear off, a painful experience for the animal. Ingrown nails can become infected, as can split claws. If you don’t feel comfortable cutting your pet’s nails yourself, take them to a grooming salon in your area.  I am not comfortable cutting my own dog's nails so we make a trip to the groomer every few months.

Ears and Teeth: Both dogs and cats can get ear mites, small parasites that manifest as black dots in the ear. Dogs are more amicable to having their teeth brushed than cats, and are also more prone to gum diseases like gingivitis. If your animal’s breath is not appealing, brushing its teeth can help remove any plaque buildup and freshen up your dog's breath.  

If you can do all of these above in your own home, that is wonderful.  If you aren’t able to do any type of grooming in your home, for whatever reason, find a reputable groomer in your area.  I take my dog twice per year to a groomer in April and August for a full grooming and I take him into the groomer every 3 months for nail clipping.

Making sure your pet is happy and healthy is your job as a pet parent, so make your grooming appointment as soon as you can.

can keep your home cleaner. Grooming removes loose hair, dandruff, and any particulates in your animal’s fur, preventing them from dropping off around your house. It can also help prevent triggering pet-related allergies, if you or someone in your household has them. Animal hair and dandruff are also a main component of dust and grooming your pet can help cut down on the amount of dust as well! - See more at: http://www.healthypawspetinsurance.com/blog/2011/08/15/how-to-keep-your-pet-healthy-grooming/#sthash.naVfz54H.dpuf

It can keep your home cleaner. Grooming removes loose hair, dandruff, and any particulates in your animal’s fur, preventing them from dropping off around your house. It can also help prevent triggering pet-related allergies, if you or someone in your household has them. Animal hair and dandruff are also a main component of dust and grooming your pet can help cut down on the amount of dust as well! - See more at: http://www.healthypawspetinsurance.com/blog/2011/08/15/how-to-keep-your-pet-healthy-grooming/#sthash.naVfz54H.dpuf