| I am a dog person. I love the wagging tails, | | | | required by law to give you a valid |
| the licking tongues and the simple | | | | prescription that you can use anywhere to |
| companionship that these pets provide. But I | | | | purchase needed medications. Just fax it to |
| hate the way the expenses seem to pile up. | | | | the online retailer and you?ll be all set. |
| First it?s the shots, the food, the toys and | | | | |
| then the new carpeting I need after training | | | | Pet food is another necessity to keep in |
| a puppy. Despite all that, I could never give | | | | mind. Hopefully, you?ll wind up with a dog |
| up on my furry friends ? nor could any other | | | | that will eat anything in sight ? not a picky |
| true dog lover that I know. Fortunately, | | | | eater whose taste buds will tolerate only the |
| cutting down on these pet-related expenses is | | | | finest in doggy cuisine. Whatever food you |
| easy with a few of the following tips. | | | | purchase, try to get it in as large a |
| | | | quantity as you can. You?ll save more money |
| If you?re thinking of getting a dog, one of | | | | by purchasing in bulk than buying tiny ten |
| your first major expenses will be shots and | | | | pound bags each week. If you?ve got a picky |
| medications. Young dogs are required to have | | | | pooch, check with your local feed stores or |
| certain shots as they grow up, and these can | | | | farmer?s supply stores ? you may be able to |
| be costly. If you?re adopting an older dog, | | | | find specialty brands at lower prices. |
| you may need to purchase medication to treat | | | | |
| existing conditions. Check with your local | | | | If you?re a pet owner on a budget, indulging |
| pet stores to see if they offer any special | | | | in doggy day care, pet spas or any of the |
| low cost vaccination clinics, which can save | | | | other chic pet establishments that have |
| you a lot of money. These events can charge | | | | recently popped up is probably out of the |
| lower rates because they don?t have all the | | | | question. If your dog is too big to be washed |
| extra overhead associated with a full | | | | at home, check with your local pet store to |
| veterinary office. | | | | see if they have a pet washing station with |
| | | | bigger wash tubs and longer hoses. And if you |
| You?ll also want to check with your local | | | | crave a dog-free day of doggy day care |
| government to see if they offer any | | | | services, why not pair up with a fellow dog |
| pet-related services. Some cities and | | | | owner? One week, you drop off your dog at a |
| counties offer low cost vaccinations and spay | | | | friend?s house for the day and then return |
| neuter procedures that you can take advantage | | | | the favor the next week. You?ll both get a |
| of. Since these procedures lead to fewer | | | | little break without breaking the bank. |
| unwanted, unhealthy pets being born, the city | | | | |
| benefits by cutting down on animal control | | | | Always keep your eyes out for pet store |
| and sheltering expenses. You benefit by | | | | discounts in your newspaper and coupon |
| saving lots of money on the same exact | | | | circulars, and watch your local pet stores |
| procedure that would be done at a veterinary | | | | for clearance sales. You might be able to get |
| clinic. | | | | that fancy toy you?ve been eyeing at a |
| | | | substantial discount. And keep in mind that |
| If you find that your pet needs medication, | | | | the things pets love most aren?t necessarily |
| you?ll get a better deal ordering them online | | | | store bought toys. My dog is never happier |
| from a discount store. You can find basic pet | | | | than when he?s chewing on a homemade tug toy |
| medications like flea and heartworm drugs at | | | | made from heavy duty rope found at the |
| companies like 1800petmeds.com, which offer | | | | hardware store. So don?t let the expenses of |
| the same products at lower prices. You?ll | | | | pet ownership scare you off ? you can share |
| still need a prescription to order certain | | | | your life with man?s best friend without |
| products online, but your veterinarian is | | | | going broke. |