Cut the costs of your pet!

Pets and the recession: how to make ends meet!

Are you thinking of getting a pet? Or perhaps you already have one and you're struggling financially.

Here, I'm going to look at how you and your furry friends can weather the credit crunch together.

Abandoned

Many pets are suffering as their owners are put under credit crunch strain. Figures from The Blue Cross animal welfare charity show that in 2008, a record number of pets were abandoned or handed in.

Specifically, there was a sharp rise in the number of pets handed in because their owners were facing financial difficulties, had lost their jobs or their homes.

In December 2008 alone, 23 animals were brought to the charity because their owners could no longer afford to keep them. This is compared to just three in December 2007.

And heartbreakingly, 216 animals were found tied to gates or dumped on the streets, a sharp rise from the 128 found in 2007.

Which animal, which breed?

First things first - if you're thinking of getting a pet, work out exactly how much it's going to cost you over the course of its life.

Recent RSPCA figures show that an average dog will cost you just under £10,000 over the course of its life, with the average cat costing just under £9,500. (Read The priciest pets in Britain to find out how much it costs to care for everything from horses and snakes to rabbits, rodents and goldfish!)

Bear in mind that insurance generally costs far less for a non-pedigree mutt/cat, and because mixed-breeds are relatively robust, both vet bills and other expenses (like specialist food) are likely to be lower.

Plus, you'll always be able to find a friendly mongrel or tomcat at an animal rescue centre. Here you'll pay far less than at a pet shop or breeder, and many expensive health procedures - like neutering and vaccinations - may already have been performed.

Insurance

According to recent research by insurer LV=, nearly a million pet-owners plan to get rid of their pet insurance over the next year, to save money during the recession.

But that £10-£20 monthly saving could turn out to be a false economy if their pets need expensive medical treatment.

And a good pet insurance policy doesn't only cover injury and illness. Some pay out if your pet is lost or stolen, while others will pay your expenses if your pooch causes a car accident or knocks over the postman.

A really good policy will also provide dental cover for both injury and illness-related issues. According to Sainsbury's Finance, Britain's pet owners face a collective annual bill of over £28 million for the non-routine dental care of their pet dogs and cats - so it's worth thinking about.

Unfortunately, cheaper insurance policies often don't cover all of the above. To find out more about the different types of pet insurance on offer, read my earlier article Protecting your pet: What you need to know.

Cut everyday costs

Whether you own a pooch, a python or a palomino pony, there are lots of ways you can cut your everyday pet costs.

Have a look at Money and pets: All your questions answered to find out how you can save money on food, medication, housing and bedding - without reducing your furry (or scaly) friend's quality of life.

Prevention is cheaper than cure

Don't over-feed your pet. Many medical conditions suffered by pets are linked to or worsened if a pet is overweight, and your pet insurance claim could be deemed invalid if you're found to have not taken proper care of your pet.

Here's are the top five conditions associated with overweight pets, alongside the average amount claimed:

• Osteoarthritis: £500
• Heart disease / congestive heart failure: £800
• Renal (kidney) problems: £500
• Type Two diabetes: £500
• Respiratory disorders: £500

Source: Sainsbury's Pet Insurance

As you can see, healthy feeding and regular exercise could avoid pain for both your pet and your wallet!

Finally, make sure that dangerous substances are kept well away from inquisitive noses - and this means cigarette butts and chocolate as well as prescription medication and dangerous chemicals.

According to Marks & Spencer's Vetfone customer helpline (a sort of NHS Direct for pets), there was a 34% increase in calls last year relating to poisonings, with many relating to the consumption of nicotine patches, gum and inhalers.

Free care while you're away

If you need someone to look after your pet while you're on holiday, have a look at Pet Sitter Swap. The service puts local pet owners in touch with each other, for a one-off cost of £9.99.

After that you can contact as many potential pet sitters as you want - and the sitting itself is entirely free.

A bit on the side

If you regularly walk your own dog, you could offer to walk other people's dogs at the same time - for a few extra pounds

It won't make you rich, but it might help you pay for that occasional dog treat or bag of dog food. Just make sure you're confident handling more than one pooch at a time - and that they all get on with each other!

Get help

If you're having real trouble paying for your pet's medical treatment, bear in mind you don't have to buy your pet's medicine from your vet. You can get a prescription and shop around online for cheaper, non-branded medication.

Plus, the RSPCA, the PDSA and The Blue Cross all provide free or affordable treatment for pets whose owners can't afford to pay.

With the increase in abandoned pets and a drop in donations caused by the recession, animal welfare charities are under huge pressure at the moment. If you can afford to contribute, I'm sure they would really appreciate your support.

More: Protecting your pet: What you need to know | 50 things you can get for under £5