Top Tips for Looking After Your Dog on a Budget

The economic downturn has made us all very careful with how we spend our money (no bad thing I suppose!). But when it comes to our dogs, we don't want them to suffer as a result of our tighter budgets. We want them to have the best possible care, just for less if we can manage it. Well, of course we can and Battersea Dogs & Cats Home offers a helpful advice sheet suggesting a number of ways we can go about it.

So, if you're concerned that you're still spending more than you'd like on your dog(s) but don't know where to cut back, try some (or all) of the following tips:

• keep your dog stimulated with simple games and exercises (playing fetch in the park, practising obedience while out walking) rather than leaving them to amuse themselves with expensive toys 
• limit toys to the ones you have, alternating their use to keep your dog's interest 
• use a complete dry food rather than pouches and tins of food (which are more expensive) 
• use part of your dog's daily food allowance for training purposes rather than buying separate treats 
• take your dog with you on holiday (to dog-friendly hotels and cottages) rather than forking out for boarding kennels 
• insure your dog (to avoid huge vet bills should they become ill or injured).

The advice sheet (which was written in November 2008) is available to view/download from the Responsible Owners page of the Battersea Dogs & Cats Home website.