Friday 10 October 2008

Stop the credit crunch biting your dog




This week the credit crunch has taken even more twists and turns, and as The_Independent reported back in May this financial unrest has led to a 23% increase in dog abandonment.

On the flip side of the coin a staggering 80% of pet owners surveyed by gumtree.com say they would rather buy economy food for their family than cut back on their pampered pet’s favourite grub.

To help out those who’d rather not starve their families and still want to pamper their pooches Milo and I have sought out a few useful tips to help you curb your pet spending. So as we ride the wave of recession here are some ways to save some pet pounds.

Pet insurance

Insuring your pet will help slash those nasty vet bills. Many high street retailers are offering pet owners discounted rates when you purchase online. We suggest you shop around before deciding using moneysupermarket.com to get the best bargain for your breed

Buy in bulk

It’s cheaper to buy pet food in bulk so try an online store like valupets.com or pet-supermarket.co.uk which offer most pet food brands at discounted prices as well as free delivery when you spend over a certain amount. If you need your monthly stock of dog_supplements Pooch_and_Mutt is now offering its probiotic and joint_supplements in larger bags which work out cheaper for you.

Dog day discounts

Visit some local dog markets like Cabbages_&_Frocks Dog Day Afternoon or the Mayhew_Animal_Home_Christmas_fayre. Pet suppliers will often give discounts on their products or special offers to stand visitors at these dog events. Look out for Pooch and Mutt at Discover_Dogs on 8th and 9th November.

Take a walk

Before it gets too cold outside take advantage of the autumn sunshine, leave your car at home and take fido out for a jog in the park or a cycle_walk to your local newsagents. You won’t only be saving on but you can save on those expensive gym fees.

Sniff the sales

Many pet couture brands have a sale section on their website with end of line or old season pet apparel. You can still get your dog the coolest gear but you will save yourself those extra pounds. Holly_and_Lil have a sale on for their funky collars and Dogs_Department is offering free P&P on all UK orders.

If you have any more tips on saving money on pets share your ideas with us on this blog.

If you want to try your luck at our monthly Pooch & Mutt draw just enter here

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