Cutting Pet Care Costs

As responsible pet parents, we have an obligation to care for our furry friends in sickness and in health. But as pet care costs rise, how do we do what’s best for our pet? Here are a few tips to help you save money on your pet’s health care.

Schedule Regular Check-Ups
Don’t skip your pet’s yearly exam. It’s much more expensive—and risky—to treat illnesses than to protect against them. It’s also a good idea to shop veterinary practices by comparing fees for preventative care.

Personalize Your Pet’s Vaccines
Some vaccines are optional, while others are essential in preventing serious diseases. Never skip any shots required by local laws or mandatory for your pet’s protection, but do talk to your vet about personalizing your pet’s vaccine protocol.

Spay or Neuter Your Pet
Spaying or neutering your pet can save a lot of money by preventing serious health problems, including uterine, ovarian and testicular cancers. Many local shelters provide resources for low- or no-cost spay/neuter surgeries.Visit our online database to find a low-cost program in your area. If you live in New York City, check out our mobile clinics serving the five boroughs.

Brush Your Pet’s Teeth
Dental disease can lead to heart and kidney problems and expensive procedures. Start a dental routine to keep your pet’s teeth and gums healthy. Ask your veterinarian what products to use and how often. Don’t use toothpaste made for people, which contains fluoride and may irritate your pet's stomach. Visit our Dog Grooming Tips page to learn more.

Protect Your Pet from Parasites
Flea and tick infestations can cause a host of costly medical problems from minor skin irritations to life-threatening blood loss. Stick with a topical flea and tick solution to keep the critters at bay. Make sure to only use products as directed. Never use a product intended for a dog on a cat. Visit our Fleas and Ticks page to learn more.

Toss the Cigarettes
Secondhand smoke is no joke for pets—it can cause asthma, bronchitis, lymphoma and oral, nasal and lung cancers. Quit now and you’ll save money on vet bills. At the very least, avoid smoking around your pet.

Consider Pet Health Insurance
If the cost of an emergency veterinary visit or serious illness would be a financial strain, consider investing in pet health insurance while your pet is healthy. Be sure to read the fine print, though—not all plans are created equal.

Buy High-Quality Pet Food
A good quality pet food—formulated under the guidelines of the American Association of Feed Control Officials—is often more cost-effective than a homemade diet. Avoid overfeeding your pet, which can lead to obesity and other health problems. Visit Dog Nutrition Tips and Cat Nutrition Tips pages to learn more. Get FREE Shipping on orders of $49 or more. Valid within the contiguous 48 U.S. states and to military APO/FPO addresses! Offer Ends Soon! Click here

Groom Your Pets at Home
Save the price of a visit to your groomer with regular nail-trimmings and brushings. It’s good for your pet, it will reduce the amount of hair floating around your home, and your cats will have fewer hairballs. 

Latest Petsmart Coupons & 3 Things Veterinary Professionals About Pet Care

ACTIVE PETSMART COUPONS

PetSmart Coupon Up To 30% OFF Sale Items + FREE Shipping On $49+
PetSmart Coupon Up To 30% OFF Sale Items + FREE Shipping on orders of $49 or more! Go through this link and save!

Up To 50% OFF Treat of The Week + FREE Shipping W/ PetSmart Coupon
Get Up To 50% OFF Treat of The Week + FREE Shipping W/ PetSmart Coupon. Save now!

FREE Shipping on $49+ at PetSmart
Get FREE Shipping on orders of $49 or more. Valid within the contiguous 48 U.S. states and to military APO/FPO addresses! Offer Ends Soon!

35% OFF All Greenies + FREE Shipping On $49
Save 35% OFF All Greenies + FREE Shipping On $49 at PetSmart. Offer Valid 8/1 - 8/28.

Up To 25% OFF On Select Terrariums
Get Up To 25% OFF On Select Terrariums from PetSmart. Buy now!

25% OFF on Select Desktop Aquariums
Save 25% OFF on Select Desktop Aquariums - just in time for Back-to-School! Shop now at PetSmart!

Up To 30% OFF On Litter Genie
Save Up To 30% OFF On Litter Genie. Online Only! Buy now!

Up To 15% OFF On Select Filters & Filter Media
Get Up To 15% OFF On Select Filters & Filter Media at Petsmart. Buy now!

Shipping at rate of $1 with Gift Card
Enjoy Shipping at rate of $1 with Gift Card. Enjoy now!!!!!!

Step into savings with grooming specials and promotions at PetSmart's grooming salon. Don't miss these Petsmart grooming coupons and deals

3 Things Veterinary Professionals Want You to Know About Pet Care

It can be difficult to stay on top of what's best for your own health and well-being, so knowing what's good for your pet may seem a little confusing.

Keep your feline friends and canine companions healthy and happy by following these 3 pet care tips the pros want you to know.

1. Regular Exams are Vital

Just like you, your pet can get heart problems, develop arthritis, or have a toothache. The best way to prevent such problems or catch them early is to see your veterinarian every year.

Regular exams are "the single most important way to keep pets healthy," says Kara M. Burns, MS, Med, LVT, president of the Academy of Veterinary Nutrition Technicians.

Annual vet visits should touch on nutrition and weight control, says Oregon veterinarian Marla J. McGeorge, DVM, as well as cover recommended vaccinations, parasite control, dental exam, and health screenings.

2. Spay and Neuter Your Pets

Eight million to 10 million pets end up in U.S. shelters every year. Some are lost, some have been abandoned, and some are homeless.

Here's an easy way to avoid adding to that number -- spay and neuter your cats and dogs. It's a procedure that can be performed as early as six to eight weeks of age.

Spaying and neutering doesn't just cut down on the number of unwanted pets; it has other substantial benefits for your pet. Studies show it also lowers the risk of certain cancers, Burns tells WebMD, and reduces a pet's risk of getting lost by decreasing the tendency to roam.

3. Prevent Parasites

Fleas are the most common external parasite that can plague pets, and they can lead to irritated skin, hair loss, hot spots, and infection. Fleas can also introduce other parasites into your cat or dog. All it takes is for your pet to swallow one flea, and it can to end up with tapeworms, the most common internal parasite affecting dogs and cats.

Year-round prevention is key, says McGeorge, who suggests regular flea and intestinal parasite control, as well as heartworm prevention in endemic areas.

Using Shampoos and Conditioners to Wash Your Dog

We explore what to look for when choosing a shampoo and conditioner to wash your dog.

Dogs have very sensitive skin that is half the thickness of human skin and has a very different pH balance. So to ensure you don’t irritate the skin, avoid using human products or soaps on your dog and instead use products that have been specifically designed with your dog’s coat and skin in mind.

WHAT NOT TO USE

There are many home-made remedies for various skin maladies and parasites. And while some may be perfectly safe, often they are based on human skin needs. Generally if something is safe for humans, that does not necessarily mean it is safe for our pets. Humans don’t tend to lick themselves when grooming, while dogs do, so we must be aware that some things can be toxic when ingested.

In particular, avoid tea tree products. Tea tree is antibacterial and antiseptic, but if the tea tree in a product is in sufficient concentration to have all the purported benefits, it will be toxic if consumed.

ITCHY SKIN

If your dog has itchy skin, consider a medicated shampoo, perhaps even an oatmeal shampoo such as Aloveen. Shampoos with aloe vera and oatmeal are particularly soothing.

FREQUENT SKIN INFECTIONS

If your dog is prone to dermatitis and bacterial or fungal flare-ups using a medicated shampoos that contains miconazole or chlorhexidine may be recommended by your Veterinarian. These shampoos can be drying, so should only be used on medical recommendation.

GREASY SKIN

If your dog is quite smelly or greasy a shampoos such as sebolyse may help. This shampoo is also antibacterial and antifungal, two other sources of smelly skin. Medicated shampoos really need a long contact time of 5-10 minutes, so read the label to work out how long you must leave the shampoo on for.

FLAKY SKIN

Dogs that have dry, flaky skin will do well with Aloveen or a very gentle shampoo and a good brush to redistribute the natural oils through the coat, They may also benefit from fish oils, particularly in the form of Dermoscent, with the correct ratio of omega 3s and omega 6s. Shampooing can actually dry the skin, so backing off with the baths might also help for dogs with dry skin.

NORMAL SKIN

If your dog has fairly normal skin, with no flakes, grease or excessive smell, using a natural pet shampoo is fine. Aim for a good quality shampoo. Aloveen is also a great shampoo to use for normal skin.

DO I NEED A CONDITIONER?

If you have a nice gentle shampoo, a conditioner is not necessary. Conditioners can help with a dry coat, and are often left in. Conditioners can also be applied in between baths if your dog is getting a little smelly and you don’t have time for the full bath. They can help to mask that doggy smell.

DO I NEED TO BATH MY DOG?

If your dog is not smelly, doesn’t tend to roll in things at the park and doesn’t swim, there may be no need to bath your pet at all. A good brush can do a great job of redistributing the oils in the coat and gives a nice healthy shine. For some hints on what sort of brush to choose for your pet take a look out our article on grooming tools. 

Check out our dog washing guide for a step-by-step process on how to give your dog the ultimate wash and leave their coat in tip top condition.

There is a dazzling array of shampoos and conditioners available and while many are suitable for normal skin, many pets have skin problems that may respond to a specialised shampoo. For further advice and information on what shampoo is best for your pet, visit your Veterinarian.

Step into savings with grooming specials and promotions at PetSmart's grooming salon. Don't miss these petsmart grooming coupons and deals.