Are you struggling with pet costs? Here's a guide to getting help with the cost of veterinary treatment, as well as a host of money saving tips on pet food, medicine and lots more.
In Protecting Your Pet: What You Need To Know, I recently looked at the pros and cons of pet insurance, and how to get the right package for you.
Here, I'm going to highlight the free and reduced-cost pet treatment available.
And I've also got lots of money-saving advice on choosing a pet, and where to get medication, food, toys and everything else.
Help with the cost of treatment
Several UK charities provide free or reduced-cost veterinary treatment for pet owners on low incomes. Here are three of the main ones:
1.) RSPCA hospitals and clinics provide this sort of affordable treatment, and they also provide vouchers for treatment at vets who work with local branches.
Contact the RSPCA advice line to find out whether you're eligible to claim financial help.
2.) The PDSA offers free veterinary treatment - as well as preventative measures such as vaccinations and neutering - through its network of PetAid hospitals and practices.
Click here to find out more about what's on offer.
3.) And The Blue Cross also provides free treatment for those pets whose owners cannot afford to pay. To find out if you qualify, read this leaflet.
Choosing a pet
Plan ahead: If you don't have a pet but are thinking about getting one, make sure you factor in all possible expenses - both short-term and in the future.
As well as the obvious (food, medication, housing and so on), this means everything from future kenneling costs and booster vaccinations to ‘optional extras' like dog training classes and micro-chipping.
Which pet? A horse is obviously going to be pricier than a goldfish, but specific breeds make a difference as well.
For example, some pedigree dogs are more likely to develop certain health problems and hereditary conditions, which can prove costly to treat. Obviously you may not have any problems at all - but it's worth doing the research.
Where from? Consider getting your pet from a rescue centre. As well as giving a home to an animal that really needs it, you could save yourself a lot of money.
You'll probably be required to make a smallish initial donation, but certain expensive procedures will already have been carried out.
For example - if you get a dog from the Dog's Trust, it will already have been vaccinated, wormed, de-fleaed, micro-chipped, and - if it's old enough - neutered.
Looking after your pets
Medicine: You can save a packet on treatments for your pet by shopping online.
Non-prescription medicines don't have to be bought from your vet, and can often be got much cheaper elsewhere. VetUK, Pet Drugs Online and Best Pet Pharmacy are all good sites to try.
They'll also allow you to order prescription medicines, as long as you provide a prescription signed by your vet.
Food: Bulk buying can really reduce your pet food bill. If you can't carry it all home, don't worry. Many suppliers will now deliver for free, or for a very small charge.
Lesser-known brands are usually far cheaper than their big-name equivalents - and the ingredients may well be largely the same. Obviously it's important to research your pet's nutritional needs - just don't assume that the famous names contain some magic ingredient!
Feeding your dog or cat sugary food can be bad for your wallet as well as its health. The damage done to its teeth could mean whopping dental bills in the long run, which many pet insurance policies won't cover.
Regularly giving your dog hard, dry food or ‘chews' should mean you and your furry friend avoid the expense - and stress - of regular dental treatment.
Finally, make sure you're not giving your pet too much food: RSPCA research indicates that a big majority of UK pets are overweight.
Over-feeding your pet will obviously up your pet food bill, but you could also face bigger medical bills in the long run. As well as affecting an animal's quality of life, pet obesity can lead to arthritis, diabetes, liver disease and heart disease.
Housing and bedding: If you're on a tight budget, see if you can get some pet equipment second hand.
Rabbit hutches, goldfish tanks and cat carry baskets are all bulky, and people are often very happy to give them away for free. Your local Freecycle network, and Gumtree's ‘pets' section, are both worth keeping an eye on for free or cheap equipment.
Obviously, just make sure you check everything's working properly before you add the pet... and give it all a good clean, as you don't want your new friend catching anything.
Toys: There are plenty of safe, cheap household items that can be turned into toys. Cats, for example, love messing about with ping pong balls, corks, plastic milk bottle tops, bits of string, and tin foil balls.
If you do want to buy something, have a look in your local animal charity shop. Some sell baskets of cheap toys suitable for dogs (and without dangerous bits that could be swallowed).
Other options...
When I was little, I longed for a dog - and a cat - and a couple of mice... but I was allergic to anything furry (sob...)
If you decide you can't afford a pet, but can't bear your sprogs' disappointed little faces, there are other options.
You can choose to sponsor an animal from around £1 a month. The PDSA and the Dog's Trust both run this sort of scheme, and provide regular photos and news of your chosen pet in return.
Most of these animals can't be visited though, so make sure your child understands that or it'll be tears before bedtime!
Or why not encourage your local wildlife? A little pond or garden bird table can be a good way of introducing children to animals - without all the responsibility, potential heartbreak, and expense.
For help and advice on everything to do with your pet, visit the Fool's Pets & Vets discussion board.