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Surefire Ways To Save Money While Taking Care Of Your Pets

As much as you love and adore your pets, long-term care adds up. From pet medications to cleaning supplies and vet visits, it is essential to reduce your expenses without endangering your pet’s health. Fortunately, there are many simple saving tips that can employ to keep the costs to a minimum.

CULTIVATE A SAFE SPACE

Responsible care starts with creating a safe environment for your pets. Prevent hefty and harmful accidents from occurring by storing poisonous, sharp, and dangerous items out of your pet’s reach. For instance, bleach and other household cleaners may cause serious accidents for your pets. Yarns can also get stuck inside your kitty’s intestines and cost you more than thousands of dollars for the surgery.

CONSIDER PET ADOPTION

The age-old advice encourages us to adopt and not to shop. Instead of making an impulse purchase at a pet shop, you can rescue lovely animals from animal rescue centers and other animal organizations. You can provide an adopted animal a wonder new life for a lower purchase price compared to investing on a purebred animal. Purebred animals such as Golden Retrievers can cost up to S$5,000, especially if they come with a pedigree certificate.

This tip is beyond saving money. It brings the fulfillment of knowing that you have saved a life too. Just ensure that you are adopting from a reputable animal welfare organization or a rescue center. One example is the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) in Singapore, houses a variety of animals since its existence in the 1800s.

REDUCE THE VET TRIPS

The best way to eliminate medication costs is to prevent diseases. Vaccination is truly cheaper than the treatment for your pet’s disease. Consult your vet about the vaccination that your pet needs such the vaccination against Feline Panleukopenia virus. This virus is a highly contagious, severe infection that causes gastrointestinal, nervous system, and immune system diseases.

If your pet is already sick, ask the professional if a generic brand of medication works as well as the branded one. Generic brands are cheaper than the branded ones but they can also give the same effect.

MAKE YOUR OWN PET TOYS

Resist the temptation of purchasing several pet toys from pet stores. Often times, cheap plastic toys are poorly made and can easily get broken. Handmade toys work just as well. Moreover, you will be able to make sure that your pet’s preferences are met, using safe materials.

Most cats are fond of cardboard boxes and laser pointers. While, most dogs are fond of tug-o-war toys or empty plastic water bottles tied-up in a sock. Search thru the web for more ideas!

SLASH YOUR PET’S DENTAL EXPENSES

Gingivitis can damage your pet’s kidney and your finances since it requires expensive treatment and professional cleaning. To avoid this, do regular dental care at home. Wrap a significant amount of gauze on your finger and swipe your pet’s teeth. Brush your pet’s teeth using pet-friendly toothpaste, which may come in savory flavors such as chicken or malt. Toothpastes usually cost about S$10 per tube.

GROOM YOUR PET AT HOME

It is not only safer to groom your pet at home during this time, but it is also cheaper. It is possible to groom your long-haired furbaby at home. All you have to do is to equip yourself with an ear solution, pet shampoo, brush, and nail clippers.

Opt for a pet shampoo that can ward off parasites and fleas such as the ones available in Carousell, Lazada, and Kohepets. Having this special formulation is helpful due to Singapore’s hot weather.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

Which of these pet care saving tips are you already using? Feel free to share us some of your coveted tips!

The Hidden Costs Of Owning A Pet

There is a reason why cat and dog videos flood the trending pages of YouTube and Instagram! They are so irresistibly adorable and hilarious. Moreover, these fur buddies serve as the best companions for people of all ages.

Taking care of your beloved companion is nowhere near as expensive as raising a child in Singapore. However, costs go beyond food and shelter. Prepare your funds as we introduce the “hidden costs of owning a pet”…

#1: PET GROOMING SERVICES

Bathing your pet and cutting its nails can only go so far! Whether you like it or not, you cannot simply get away with an at-home grooming kit. Only professionals can properly trim your beloved pet’s fur. This is especially true for dogs.

My aunt owns two dogs – a Cocker Spaniel and a Pomeranian. I can vividly recall when she got a rather disappointing grooming experience from a personnel who trimmed the Cocker Spaniel’s fur too short. She regrets that she did not gave specific instructions beforehand. While most dogs are groomed once every 2 months, these breeds need more maintenance. It is best to discuss your preferences to the groomers. Otherwise, you would waste S$40 to S$70 for small dogs and S$90 to S$200 for bigger dogs.

#2: PREMIUM PET FOOD

As you explore the aisles of the nearby supermarket, you will notice how affordable their selection of pet food is. These brands may be cheap, but are they healthy for your beloved buddy?

Most pet owners switch to premium brands to provide food rich in nutrients. Moreover, some pets may have developed medical conditions that require a change in diet. Switching diets come with a cost!

#3: EXPENSIVE MEDICAL COSTS

As your pet ages, your veterinary bills will undoubtedly shoot up! Your beloved cats and dogs may suffer from the same conditions that aging humans experience. From tumors to epilepsy, your furkid is vulnerable to unexpected veterinary attention. What should you do?

For starters, you can expect to pay around S$20 to S$60 for a basic veterinary consultation. This is why, it would help if you had an insurance policy to back up the costs. Take a gander at these pet insurance policies: My Paw Pal by CIMB Bank, Paw Safe by AIA, and Happy Tails by AON. Choose which policy suits your needs the best!

Image Credits: pixabay.com

HOW TO MAXIMIZE YOUR PET’S BUDGET

#1: ESTIMATE HOW MUCH YOU NEED TO SAVE

The added responsibility of taking care of another being comes with a cost. Estimate the expenses of having a pet by breaking down how much you will need to save per month. For instance, you want to save around S$700 per year to cover unexpected medical bills. Consider saving S$60 per month.

#2: OPEN A SEPARATE PET FUND

A surefire way to separate your personal money to your pet funds is to open up a new bank account dedicated solely to it. Money inside this account is off-limits unless you are going to use it for the benefit of your furkid. Shop around to get the best savings account available in the market!

#3: CREATE A LINE BETWEEN NEEDS AND WANTS

Lastly, you must weigh whether an expense is necessary or not. Do you really need to buy a digital pet tag for your cat? Or, another bed to replace the one you just bought last week? What is important is that you take care of your pet’s health and wellness.

Sources: 1 & 2

Get Your Pet A “Pink IC” For As Low As S$25

Now, more than ever, pets play an important role in enriching our lives. Whether you own a dog or a rabbit, these pets typically become a part of the family. Some pet owners go beyond dressing their pets by creating social media profiles for them. Creating their own identities strengthens their roles in your homes.

To protect your beloved pet’s identity, you may purchase a “pink identity card”. Do not rush to the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) just yet! I am referring to the novelty products produced by two local companies. Both Plus Accessories and MyPetInc create tags resembling the pink NRIC. These products steer away from the traditional round pet collar tags to provide more information to identify your pets. Let us start with the products offered by Plus Accessories.

Image Credits: facebook.com/Plus-accessories

At first glance, one will be shocked by how the wallet-size “pet IC” (i.e., retails for about S$25) looks somewhat like the actual identity card. It has all the necessary details such as the pet’s name, breed, date of birth, country of birth, and identity number. Moreover, it will feature a small picture of your pet. On the top, the card playfully says that it belongs to the Republic of Singapaw! Please note that it takes about 2 months after the confirmation of design to receive the product. What’s more, the Plus Accessories offer pet tags (i.e., about S$28 to S$38) and customized car displays.

On the other hand, MyPetInc was founded in 2014. Its founders created the company to “reunite lost pets with their owners in the fastest way possible”. They created a product that provides more information than a traditional dog collar tag. That being said, relevant information relating to the pet (e.g., health condition, allergies, or address) were considered. Each collar tag is uniquely made and personalized through your order. For instance, small dogs like Chihuahuas and Terriers will be offered smaller collar tags with measurements of 4.5 cm x 3.5 cm.

Image Credits: facebook.com/MyPetIC

What I like most about this tag is that it is waterproof and coated with a layer of material that claims to withstand scratches and bites from your furry pal. MyPetInc collar tag retails for about S$29.50.

For the holiday season, you may want to check these online shops out! 🙂

Sources: 1 & 2

Purrfect Christmas Gift Ideas For Cat Lovers Costing Under S$30

Lovable, clever, quiet, sweet, and playful are just some of the words to describe your feline friend. Their comforting nature has been proven to reduce one’s stress levels that even renowned Psychologist Sigmund Freud believed that the “time spent with cats is never wasted”.

This Christmas season, while searching for the purrfect gift for your cat-adoring loved one, keep in mind that you must also be financially savvy.

Here are 5 Christmas Gift Ideas For Cat Lovers Costing Under S$30…

1. HAND-KNITTED FELINE TOYS

Doggy Friend maybe one of the cheapest online pet stores out there but their services are optimum. Looking at their user-friendly website that is easy to navigate, I saw a wide range of cat food brands. You will definitely find a product and price that suits you best.

Also, there are adorable hand-knitted toys made with toxic-free wool, 75 cm strings, and bell to tease the kittens with. Hurry as these JU-BE Feline toys are on sale for S$5 only!

Screen-grabbed from: doggyfriend.com.sg

And if you want to give a present for your friend but you do not know what cat product to get him or her, you may buy a Doggy Friend gift certificate instead. Their gift certificates range from S$10-S$50.

2. PRETTY CAT LIP GLOSS

Pucker up as the cat-shaped lip gloss by Rubi Shoes can be used wherever you go. You can choose from three delightful scents such as mint, watermelon, and coconut as well as three vivid colors such as silver, mint, and hot pink.

Screen-grabbed from: cottonon.com

Retailing for S$7.95-9.95, this novelty lip gloss will surely be loved by your friend’s lips and your own wallet!

3. NOT YOUR AVERAGE GRAPHIC TEE

You can never go wrong with the classic crew neck printed tees as it goes well with anything from skinny denims to loose skirts.

Made with 100% cotton, Cotton On Singapore takes a humorous route as their white shirt for men is basically a cat version of the singer Pharrell Williams. It is on sale now for only S$10!

Screen-grabbed from: cottonon.com

If you prefer printed words, you can go for the unisex “ARE YOU KITTEN ME RIGHT MEOW?” tee by TrendingTops. It is handmade and shipped internationally from United States. This is why the variety of sizes range from XS-4XL. 4XL- a size unheard of in most Asian countries! They cost about S$20.31.

Screen-grabbed from: etsy.com/sg-en/listing/209522050/cute-kitten-t-shirt-are-you-kitten-me?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=cat&ref=sr_gallery_23

Image Credits: TrendingTops via etsy.com

4. DAINTY CAT NECKLACE

Nothing says simplicity and sophistication better than a dainty cat necklace. Its lovely shape made with 925 sterling silver exudes femininity to the everyday wear. The necklace is shipped from China and costs about S$14.33 on Etsy.

Image Credits: SilverLiningsByNoel via etsy.com

5. KITTY HAND WARMERS

As the breeze of cold December air graces the nation, keep your loved ones warm and happy with these finger less gloves. Customize these pair of gloves by choosing the yarn or color of the fun kitty design.

Friendly reminder: Purchase these gloves for over S$18.84 under Priority Mail International in order to receive your order prior to Christmas day!

Image Credits: SunOverVegas via Etsy

May these gift ideas bring nothing but delight! 🙂

Savvy Pet Care Saving Tips

From pet medications to cleaning supplies and vet visits, these pet care measures add up. Even the pet’s food expenses can add to the pile of cost. This is why it is important to cut down pet care costs without endangering your pet’s health. Spend less with these Savvy Pet Care Saving Tips…

1. SLASH YOUR PET’S FOOD BILL

Some owners overfeed their pets, leading to a condition called obesity. But, feeding a smaller amount can improve your pet’s health and save you money. Consult your vet about the appropriate food amount your pet needs. To save more, you may buy pet food in bulk.

2. DENTAL CARE FOR LESS

Gingivitis can damage your pet’s kidney and your finances since it requires expensive treatment and professional cleaning. To prevent this, do regular dental care at home. Wrap a significant amount of gauze on your finger and swipe your pet’s teeth.

3. CUTTING DRUG COSTS

The best way to cut down drug costs is to prevent diseases. Consult your vet about the vaccination that your pet needs such as one against Feline Panleukopenia virus. Vaccination is truly cheaper than the treatment for your pet’s disease.

If your pet is already ill, ask the professional if a generic brand of medication works as well as the branded one. Generic brands are cheaper than the branded ones but they can also impart the same effect. And if your pet needs a drug that we take such as antibiotics, compare around the several pharmacies to get the best price.

4. PREVENT ACCIDENTS

Image Credits: Gavin St. Ours via Flickr

Keep poisonous, sharp, and dangerous items out of your pet’s reach. For instance, acetaminophen, household cleaners, and liquid potpourri can cause accidents. Yarns can also get stuck inside your kitty’s intestines and cost you more than thousands of dollars for the surgery.

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