If you're like most pet owners, you treat your furry friend as well
as — if not better than — you do yourself. A recent poll of female
shoppers found that while about 68 percent of women were willing to
switch brands of their OTC medications and certain staples to save
cash, only 29 percent would change their brand of pet food. And the
American Pet Products Association forecasts that total pet spending in
2009 will reach $45.4 billion, up from $43.2 billion in 2008. Given the
state of the economy, that's pretty impressive, and tells a lot about how Fido and Fluffy
get treated. But just because you want to give your pets the best
doesn't mean you have to sit back and watch your bills escalate.
Instead, try these smart tips from Goodhousekeeping for spending less — while still showering
them with love.
Lower Food Costs
Feed less. If you can't see or easily feel your pet's ribs, he could probably stand to shed a few pounds. And if so, he's hardly alone: Some 44 percent of dogs and 57 percent of cats in America are overweight, the 2008 National Pet Obesity Awareness Study found. If a medical condition isn't to blame, you may be unintentionally overfeeding. "Most pet food label feeding guides are based on the caloric needs of un-neutered/un-spayed, active adult animals," explains veterinarian Ernie Ward, president of the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention. "A spayed or neutered pet's metabolic needs are 25 to 30 percent lower than that." Petobesityprevention.com will tell you your critter's true caloric needs. Then, feed the lowest recommended amount on your pet food package. If your pet stays at a healthy weight, you may help him avoid diabetes, kidney disease, and other ailments — and you'll definitely save cash. Say you pay $30 for a 17.5-pound bag of Nutro Ultra Adult dry dog food. The feeding guide for a 40-pound dog recommends 1¾ to 3⅓ cups daily; feed the lower amount, and you'll save about $210 a year. Will pets complain about getting less food? "You bet your last kibble — there's a strong behavioral component to overeating," says Ward. To survive the pleading eyes, Ward advises playing with your pet: "By rewarding 'begging' with physical and emotional interaction, pet owners will soon see an improvement."
Supplement wisely with scraps. Think twice before you toss your leftovers; they could stretch your pet's diet. "We keep a container in the refrigerator and add things like chopped broccoli stems, green bean ends, meat loaf, and scrambled eggs. Then we mix it with high-quality dog food daily," says Liz Jenkins, 44, of Nashville. "We've cut our pet-food costs in half, and our dog loves it — and she's fit and trim." A smart move, according to Babette Gladstein, a veterinarian at Bglad Veterinary Services in New York City — but don't just treat your pet like a garbage disposal with a tail; rather, feed her as if she were your 90-year-old grandmother. "No spices, no dairy; be careful with fat; most lean meats and fish are good, as well as vegetables," Gladstein says. "Start your pet on a small amount of the food and, if she reacts well, incorporate more of it into her diet, up to 50 percent of her meals." Some human foods are dangerous for animals to eat, though. Check this list from the ASPCA to be sure you're familiar with which foods are toxic to pets.
Bulk up. If you don't already buy your pet food at a warehouse club, start now. At Costco, we found a case of 24 22-ounce cans of Pedigree Chunky Beef dog food for $24.99, versus $33.36 at a local supermarket; Purina Fancy Feast cat food was $17.49 for a case of 36 three-ounce cans at Costco, versus $28.80. Or try Costco's house brand, Kirkland Signature; 40 pounds of dry dog food were being sold for $23.99 and 25 pounds of dry cat food for $15.89 at press time.
Practice portion control. "Break treats into tiny pieces," says veterinarian Amy Attas, chief veterinary advisor for webvet.com (a pet wellness information site), so a pack goes further. "Pets don't measure the size of the treat; they only know they're getting one."
Try fruits and veggies. "Most pet treats are expensive," says Gladstein. "A 10-ounce bag of Beggin' Strips costs about $6 — more than a good steak at your supermarket!" She suggests offering apples, bananas, and baby carrots (all good for, ahem, regulating the digestive tract). Never give grapes or raisins, though — they're toxic to many pets.
Make your own goodies. If you enjoy baking for the rest of the family, try this easy homemade dog-friendly Gingerbread Cookie treat (oh...you will be loved!) from Brooklyn Dog Bites:
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup molasses
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 1/4 cups water
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 3 cups organic whole wheat flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh ginger
Directions
Preheat oven to 350°.
In a large bowl, combine molasses, honey, water, and olive oil. In another bowl, combine flour, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, and ginger. Mix dry ingredients into wet. Divide dough into 2 balls, wrap, and refrigerate for 3-5 hours.
Roll out chilled dough to 1/4-inch thickness and cut into desired shapes.
Bake for 10-15 minutes.
Let cool completely and decorate with melted yogurt chips or carob, if desired.



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