YOUR FINANCES AND PET CARE

 

I've heard it said that the whole world is Irish on St. Patrick's Day and, that being the case, we can all benefit from this ancient Irish toast:  "May your blessings outnumber the shamrocks that grow and may trouble avoid you wherever you go."

In honor of the very small part of Desperado and me that is Irish, we always prepare a big pot of corned beef and cabbage today.  It makes a great meal with plenty leftover for sandwiches, etc.

EOB-7....

Even though our economy is showing signs of some improvement, it can still be difficult for the consumer to keep up with rising costs.  In particular, Helpful Buckeye is fully aware that the cost of medical care for your pets has also been on the rise.  In many cases, pet owners will spend money taking care of their pets' medical needs before taking care of themselves.  However, even that can have its limits.  Let's take a closer look at:

When it comes to household spending, the pet is

 the boss

Americans pamper animals despite economy, with billions in sales every year on food, toys, medicine — even prosthetic implants.

This year, Americans will spend an estimated $55.5 billion on their pets, a little more than the gross domestic product of Bulgaria.

And Americans probably will spend even more next year, just as they have every year for the past two decades.

Little wonder, then, that these are boom times in the pet industry. In one example, Petsmart reported it sold $1.9 million worth of goods and services in the fourth quarter alone.  “It’s an industry that continued to grow during the recession,” said retail analyst Chris Boring, principal at Boulevard Strategies. “In Ohio, the number of dog licenses issued is growing faster than the birth rate.”  The reason for such unstoppable growth can be traced to the baby-boom generation and its humanization of pets, Boring said.  “They grew up in the 1950s and ’60s, and one of the most-popular TV shows for families was Lassie,” Boring said. “Every little kid begged his folks to buy a dog.”

As a result, “the baby boom generation was the first generation, really, that commonly had household pets,” Boring said. “Prior to that, most domestic animals were kept outside. Cats were kept in barns or on porches, and dogs had dog houses out back.  Now that baby boomers have become empty nesters, they’re adopting pets in record numbers. I think it’s to fill an emotional need when the last child leaves home.”

They’re not only adopting pets in record numbers, but spending more on each pet, said Dave Bolen, CEO of Pet Supplies Plus, which just opened two more stores locally — one in Grove City and one in Delaware — bringing its Columbus total to seven. The 280-store chain has been doing business locally for about 25 years.  “The people who shop our stores don’t own pets. The pets own them,” Bolen said. “It’s true. The pets run the household. If you go to our stores, you’ll note that all of the signage is the pet talking to you. Our marketing is the same thing, it’s all in the voice of the pet. The pet’s the boss.”

As might be expected, food is the highest annual expense for most pet owners, according to the American Pet Products Association. Owners on average spend $239 on food for dogs and $203 on food for cats. Overall, pet owners will spend a total of $21.3 billion on food this year.

But it’s not just quantity of food. Pet owners — or “parents,” as they’re known in the industry — are going after high quality in their food, too. “That’s a really big deal, organic food,” Bolen said. “It very much follows the trend in natural food in the human space.” In response, his company offers 33 brands of pet foods that don’t contain synthetic additives, artificial preservatives, fillers or animal byproducts.

Pet Supplies Plus is hardly alone in the move toward organic pet food.  In the Short North, “a particularly pet friendly area,” Boring said, Three Dog Bakery touts that its “all-natural dog food” is something that owners “can feel good about sharing with their furry family members.”

Pet People, another national chain which has its divisional headquarters in Columbus, also touts its “high quality, natural, wholesome, and nutritious pet foods and treats.”

The big spending doesn’t end with food. Pet owners are also spending more on human-style fashion gear, grooming and boarding. The American Pet Products Association expects pet owners to spend $5.5 billion on grooming and boarding services this year.

At the prompting of one franchise owner who noticed the rising demand for grooming, Pet Supplies Plus began offering a self-service dog wash, Bolen said. “Sometimes trying to give a larger dog a wash in the home is hard. It’s much easier to do in the dog wash.”

Among the offerings at Posh Pets Boutique in the Short North, for instance, are “the newest organic cotton crocheted toys” and “new winter styles to keep your favorite pet toasty!”

“They’re at a point where they can afford to spoil their pets — and they do,” Boring said. “People are cooking special meals for their dogs, and then there are some of these places where, you call it boarding, but it’s more like plush hotels. It’s almost like anything you can apply to humans can apply to dogs. And it is usually dogs. Cats don’t really care. I say that as a cat owner.”

The pampering even extends to psychological considerations. One product, Neuticles, “allows your pet to retain his natural look, self-esteem and aids in the trauma associated with altering.” Pet owners have bought more than half a million of the prosthetic testicular implants, which sell for about $1,000 a pair.

“I saw a cat stroller the other day for some ridiculous price,” Boring said. “My first question is, what cat would let you put it in a stroller?”

Adapted from:  http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/business/2013/03/14/the-pet-is-the-boss.html

...for the dog that has everything...yes, prosthetic testicles!  If you think this article accounted for all the cost increases, think again.

Pet furnishings go upscale

When Jade Lenzo was getting ready to bring home her kitten, Bella, for the first time, she set about preparing the place for the little ragdoll cat. Lenzo already had the essentials, but top on her list was a scratching post.

"I began my search with a few thoughts in mind," she says. "It had to look good in our modern home, be well made with quality materials, be safe for cats and be reasonably priced."

What should have been a simple task brought nothing but disappointment. She found nothing in the stores she visited, Lenzo says, but cheap and tacky stuff "made out of carpet that was secured with staples." Certainly nothing that fit the sleek lines and soft curves of her decor.

Lenzo, who lives outside of Perth, Australia, turned to the Internet and eventually found exactly what she was looking for at a Fremont-based company called Five Pet Place.

The company, founded by Michael Ostrofsky, was created to appeal to clients just like Lenzo -- people who love their pets but also their decor, who don't want to see a plastic litter box in the bathroom or a garishly colored carpet-clad scratching post.

While Ostrofsky has found a niche, he is by no means alone. According to research by the American Pet Products Association, about 62 percent of households in the United States own a pet; that's roughly 377 million dogs, cats, birds, fish, reptiles, horses and other animals. Back in 1994, we spent $17 billion on our animal friends. In 2012, it was more than $52 billion.

Pets and the stuff we buy for them have become such a huge market that, according to the association, big-name retailers -- including Old Navy, Paul Mitchell and Harley Davidson -- are branching out to add pet products to their traditional lines.

It is now fairly easy to find fancy clothing, jeweled collars and leather-accented carriers with built-in iPad pouches. But the furniture -- the everyday items that fill conspicuous spots in our homes -- is another story. And some people aren't willing to settle any longer.

Style rules

Style was definitely on the mind of Sue Kindregan when she bought a Five Pet Place scratching post for her kitten, LouLou, an indoor-only cat. "I knew I had to find a scratching post for LouLou, but I didn't want an eyesore," she says.

The color matches her traditional furniture, and the pieces look as if they had been custom-made to match the woodwork in her house in Boston, she says. "We recently ordered the litter tray in all white, and honestly, it blends in perfectly in our master bath. And it doesn't look like a litter box."

Ostrofsky, who founded www.fivepetplace.com , recognized the need for fashionable pet furniture through his own experience.

At the time, he was married and moving into a brand-new home. He and his wife had two cats, but the population quickly grew to five as they kept adding strays. The couple had worked and saved for the house; when they moved, they bought all new furnishings. The cats' scratching posts and litter boxes stuck out like the proverbial sore thumb. Unable to find something that would suit the coffered ceilings, crown molding and wainscoting of their Union City home, Ostrofsky worked with his father to build his own. He researched his own cats' behavior and designed models that they preferred, but it was the enthusiastic response and requests from friends and guests that tipped off Ostrofsky that he was onto something.

Dogs have their day

Five Pet Place features scratching posts, food dishes, litter boxes and beds that can best be described as elegantly appointed. Ostrofsky says that, beyond their decorative beauty, they are made to last, with materials that won't harm the cat or pollute the indoor environment.

While Five Pet Place is primarily for cats, other companies are filling the void for dogs. The Company Store, primarily known for its luxurious human bedding, is now offering fine linens, pillows and four-poster beds for your favorite canine. A company spokesman says it "wanted to extend the same comfort, quality and design we're known for to the four-legged friends of our families."

The line of cozy dog comforters and accessories is continually updated to coordinate with an assortment of bedding and decor for the entire home. So if you love the linens on your California king, Fido can have a coordinating ensemble.

Companies such as Soft Surroundings, which has launched a new line called the Retreat Collection, offer plush mattresses and wicker beds. Robin Sheldon, its founder and president, says, "We are invested in creating lush, beautiful bedding for our customers to create their own soft surroundings. With the introduction of Retreat, our home furnishings catalog, it seemed only natural to include a comfy place to relax for our four-legged best friends. The wonderful response we've received has resulted in a new collection of French-inspired pet beds, which will be introduced in the September Retreat.

Style not cheap

The salute to home decor does not come cheap, which may be the one sticking point for companies. But owners are accustomed to paying dearly for almost anything for their pets. Those who market the pedigree products point out that, yes, the items are costly, but they likely will last much longer than the more cheaply made versions.

Cost wasn't an issue for Lenzo, who benefits from the strength of the Australian dollar over the American. Ostrofsky's prices were reasonable to her, she says, and the quality made them well worth it.

It's the style that gets customers through the door, Ostrofsky says, but if it doesn't function properly, they won't be back. There's also another factor that influences shopping for high-end pet furniture. How does the pet like it?

Lenzo says she is proud to have Bella's cat furnishings in plain view, and she gets lots of compliments from friends and family.

"But most importantly," she says, "Bella loves them."

Adapted from: http://www.contracostatimes.com/ci_22672095/pet-furnishings-go-upscale

 

High Costs of Pet Medicines

You know the drill... you drive to the vet, you come in and your dog weighs in by the front desk, the vet tech checks vital signs in the exam room and then your vet gives your dog a thorough exam. This is usually followed by any necessary vaccinations. Finally, you get your prescriptions and medications and you're out the door.

As you're walking your dog to the car, you glance down at the receipt and you're thinking….

When did pet meds get so expensive?

I know how you feel. The cost of medications has skyrocketed.

Many people question some of the excessive profits that pharmaceutical companies make (I think they have a point). However, there are some good reasons why pet medications are so expensive.

Today I want to share a few of things that drive up the cost of pet medications plus I will share a tip that will save you money and avoid paying full price on pet meds.

First, there's the cost of research and development. Many pet meds have the same active ingredients as their corresponding human drugs; but in much smaller amounts. But even using familiar ingredients, it can take years to develop that particular medication and bring a safe and effective drug to market. In fact, for dogs, it can take five years or more.

For example, a topical medication which controls heartworm and fleas and costs about $200 for an annual supply at your vet's office took nearly 10 years in the discovery process, and millions of dollars before becoming available for pet use.

Second, pet meds are run through the same rigorous testing, patient studies and safety procedures as people drugs. The case studies alone can take years to get the proper number of participants to be statistically relevant. They also must be approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) before they're available for prescription and pet use.

So what's the answer?

Skimp on pet medications? Skip doses? Absolutely not! As pet parents – it is our responsibility to do the best we can for our precious dogs.

So…even though the medications can be expensive, they really are an important part of your dog's care. By providing vaccines and preventative medications – we have the power to prevent our pets from being bitten by ticks, being infested with fleas and having worms invade their lungs and hearts (causing heartworm disease).

Adapted from:  http://view.ed4.net/v/IQEJLW1/5C2U0/6M1RIVS/SXRPW/FORMAT=H

New Comparison Shopping Site for Pet Owners

By ANN CARRNS

A dog owner with an entrepreneurial bent has started a Web site aimed at making it easier for pet lovers to find the right products at the right price.

DugDug.com  is a new price comparison site that aims to provide pet product information from multiple online retailers in a clear, easily understandable format, said David Keh, the site’s founder.

Mr. Keh, a former hedge fund analyst, said he created DugDug out of his own frustration as a new pet owner. (He owns a standard poodle.) When searching for supplies online, he said, most comparison sites returned information that wasn’t presented in a helpful way. For instance, when searching for medications, searching by the product name most often produced lists that weren’t sorted based on the pet’s weight or by the number of doses supplied, making it difficult to compare prices. “You get nonsensical results,” he said. “It was a huge frustration.”

So Mr. Keh’s site attempts to sort products in a more meaningful way. A search on DugDug, for instance, for Advantix, a killer of canine fleas and ticks, returns a menu of options, based on the pet’s weight. When you click on the proper weight (11-20 pounds, say), an appropriate list of vendors and prices appears.

DugDug also includes any coupons next to each item. That way, users can receive the discount when buying the item, rather than having to scour the Web for potentially available coupon codes, he said. (If users want, they can also use an optional browser tool, called Rover, that automatically notifies them of coupons as they visit different Web sites.)

DugDug doesn’t conduct any sales itself. Rather, once you find the best price, you select the vendor and are taken to that Web site to complete the sale. DugDug receives a fee from some sites if you click through and make a purchase. But the site lists the vendors with the best prices, Mr. Keh said, whether or not the site has a commission deal with DugDug.

(If you are buying a pet medication that requires a prescription, you must eventually provide one from your veterinarian — or, often, the site you buy from will contact your veterinarian to verify it, or to request one on your behalf. In general, though, you need to see a veterinarian in person at some point, to obtain the prescription. Mr. Keh says DugDug screens prescription sites displayed on its searches to weed out disreputable carriers that may be offering counterfeit drugs.)

Mr. Keh said he might be new to pets, but has always been entrepreneurial. While an undergraduate at Stanford, he ran a business from his dorm room changing the backlighting on cellphones, earning as much as $150 each.

DugDug focuses on dogs, but will be gradually rolling out other pet categories like cats, birds, fish, reptiles and small pets (including ferrets, guinea pigs, gerbils etc.) over the next several weeks.

Other plans for the Web site include comparison shopping tools for pet insurance, an area Mr. Keh said he saw as lacking in transparency. “We’ll give information on prices and differences in coverage,” he said.

Adapted from:  http://bucks.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/02/19/new-comparison-shopping-site-for-pet-owners/

If more web sites like this one become available, some pet owners might be better able to afford medications for their pets.  Now, let's take a look at how quickly health care expenses can add up at the veterinary hospital:
 

Americans spend millions to keep pets healthy

by Patti Kirkpatrick

PHOENIX -- We love our pets and show that love by spending a lot of money. Americans will spend a jaw-dropping $53 billion on their pets this year.

A big chunk of that goes to health care, which is right up there with medical care for people.

Stephanie Helbig and her husband spent thousands at VETMED in north Phoenix to diagnose and treat their 9-year-old beagle, Lucy, after she fell sick with a life-threatening illness.

"I think I'm like most people. My dog is like my child," smiled Stephanie .

Stephanie brought her beagle to VETMED to be treated after a blood test revealed a complex condition: immune-mediated neutropenia and hemolytic anemia. Lucy is almost cured, but it cost her and her husband nearly $20,000.

"It was never a question of whether we would spend the money or not," Stephanie said.

VETMED is where other veterinarians across the Southwest send their sickest patients for the most advanced diagnosis and treatment -- including many of the machines and procedures common in human health care.

Dr. Arch Robertson founded the clinic in 1995, specializing only in ultrasound technology. Today it's a bustling, new, high-tech facility that fills an 8,000-square-foot building with plans to add another 5,000. 

Robertson marvels at how far his practice has come.

"We can do things so much quicker, so much less invasively, with less cost, frankly, and less morbidity," Robertson said.

He proudly showed off the CT scan, an imaging machine used for diagnosis. Linus, a beagle with sinus problems, got a scan to determine if the cause was a tumor or something else. Cost: $1,000-$1,100.

"So we do the CTs and then we have a board-certified radiologist -- not on site -- but we send through telemedicine -- who reads the films," Robertson said. "So we have one of the top experts in the country reading our CTs."

Veterinary medicine is advancing right along with human medicine. At VETMED pet patients also have access to:

 - Cardiac catheterization, a machine that creates video images of the heart.

  - Lithotripsy, a non-invasive procedure that zaps bladder or kidney stones.

  - Digital radiography, creating high tech x-rays that are and cheaper than film.

  - Surgery, including neuro and orthopaedic

  - Computerized, automated pharmacy system.

  - In-house lab

  - Critical Care, including 24-hour care.

Dr. Nichole Hooper is VETMED's specialist in critical care and on the day we visited was examining a 3-year-old labradoodle named Diego with beautiful, but very sad, eyes.

"Diego likes to get into the laundry and he's eaten at least two pairs of socks that we know of," Hooper said.

Dr. Robertson's quick ultrasound with Diego confirmed a dire diagnosis.  "He needs surgery right away," he said.

His owners gave the go-ahead and the labradoodle underwent successful surgery that day, socks removed, and back home, doing well.

"We know that the human-animal bond, you know just petting a dog and having that relationship, and having them happy when you come home from work, you know, that just makes people feel good," Robertson said.

Adapted from:  http://www.azfamily.com/news/Americans-spend-millions-to-keep-pets-healthy-175327641.html

By now, any sane pet owner is scratching their head and wondering how they can manage the cost of health care for their pets in the future.  Here are some good ideas:

Caring for Pets Without Breaking the Bank

by John Kiernan

In this edition of our “Ask the Experts” series, we identify the factors that drive the cost of pet care, examine saving tips, and identify the most efficient ways to help your favorite animal charities.

Some 72.9 million households in the United States own pets.  That represents roughly 62% of us, and we collectively spend more than $50 billion annually on our furry, scaled, and feathered friends.  The obvious question that stems from that is how do we bring down costs without sacrificing our pets’ well being in any way, shape, or form?

You see, we need to identify savings opportunities across the breadth of our lives in order to reverse our dangerous debt habits and stave off future financial meltdowns.  U.S. consumers currently owe roughly $846 billion to credit card companies alone – more than $113 billion of which has been incurred since the Great Recession ended.  We’re also more than $1 trillion in the hole to student loan companies, and thousands of homes across the country are “underwater” – even in the driest of areas.

Trying to make all of the necessary spending cuts at one time could get impossibly overwhelming, so it makes sense to take a step-by-step approach.  This is the pet step, and we turned to the following experts in search of answers:

•Peter Maguire – Veterinarian and professor with Colorado State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences.

•Joseph Bartges – Veterinarian and professor of medicine & nutrition at the University of Tennessee’s College of Veterinary Medicine.

•Brian Collins – Veterinarian and lecturer at Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine.

Peter Maguire – Colorado State University

We touched base with Dr. Maguire via e-mail and asked that he share his insights on a range of issues, from the value of pet insurance to trends in veterinary medicine.  He started by saying that while most savings strategies are obvious, leaving your pets with friends when traveling and/or getting someone you know to walk your dog while you’re at work really can help your bottom line.

We then moved to more in-depth medical issues.

•What types of financial assistance is available to pet owners?

“A.  There are groups who are in business to loan money to qualified pet owners (application is necessary) to help pay vet bills.  Even local banks are sometimes able to offer pet specific loans.  Ask any vet office and they will typically have information on what is available to pet owners.

B.  Some vet offices will extend credit or offer payment plans, but that is less and less common.  Vet businesses who have done that routinely find themselves carrying way too much debt.  I know some vet practices who have found themselves carrying monthly debt of unpaid bills in excess of $50K.  You can’t sustain a business that way.  The cost of overhead in a vet practice trying to provide quality health care is extremely high.

C.  More and more I think people will find foundations established in part to help subsidize vet health bills–some vet practices may have funds established from donations for this purpose.  There also exist non-profit rescue groups who will help subsidize vet medical costs for animals that are homeless but adoptable if their health needs can be met.”

•Should people buy pet insurance?

“I think the true value of pet insurance is debatable.  I have heard opinions pro and con.  As a vet specialist my experience has been that many people who have pet insurance have been disappointed when they find out that their claims have been denied…I have seen this time and again.  I think it very important that people who are considering pet insurance become intimately familiar with the policies they are considering buying. … I personally think it would be a better idea for people to establish a kind of Health Savings Account for their pets.  When you get a new pet, or in anticipation of getting a new pet, start putting away a bit of money each month in a specific account designated for unanticipated vet medical bills/costs.” 

Finally, Dr. Maguire offered some tips for pet owners living on a tight budget:

1.Realize the realistic costs associated with responsibly owning a pet before you pick up that new puppy.

2.Budget a part of your savings each month into a fund set aside for unexpected vet med costs.

3.Thoroughly research your pet insurance options before purchasing a policy….or you might be disappointed.

4.Look to your community of pet owners to share walking and boarding costs….do it yourself community sharing.

5.MOST IMPORTANT:  EDUCATE yourself when faced with big medical decisions and big medical bills.  Don’t just rely on what you are told….seek second opinions, seek alternative options, seek a more thorough understanding of the medical conditions facing your pet.  The more you educate yourself as a pet owner, the better you will be prepared to deal with the important and costly medical decisions on behalf of the pet you love.

Joseph Bartges – University of Tennessee

•What tips would you offer to well-intentioned pet owners living on a tight budget?

“There are several things a pet owner can do when living on a tight budget.  Probably the first question to ask is ‘can I afford a pet?’  I don’t mean for this to sound callous, and pets are an important part of our family and important companions; however, it is worse to have a pet and to not be able to provide adequate care than it is to not own a pet.

When searching for a pet, decide on what type of pet fits the circumstance – a cat, a dog, a bird, etc.  The associated costs for care are different depending on the type of chosen pet.  Also, choose wisely as to what breed of pet – especially with dogs.  It costs a lot more to take care of a Great Dane than a Chihuahua – especially with feeding, living space, activity, etc.  Pure breeds are more likely to have medical problems than mixed breeds.  Acquire your pet from the local humane society rather than buying from a breeder.

[You should also] shop around – but in particular find a veterinarian and practice that you like and that work with you. … Oftentimes, you ‘get what you pay for.’  For example, you may be able to buy a food that is cheaper than a name brand; however, if the cheaper food is less digestible and less nutritious, then the pet will need to eat more and you could not only spend more money on the cheaper food but it would be less beneficial for your pet.

[Finally], prevent the prevent-able.  If you live in an area where heartworm disease is prevalent, then the cost of preventing heartworm infection is much less than treating an active infection.  This is true with many other infectious diseases as well.  Factor the pet into your budget and have a “pet fund” where you can put away small amounts of money to build up the account in case of an emergency.”

•Too often it seems that consumers have to choose between paying exorbitant veterinary costs and putting down their pets as a result of treatable ailments. What kinds of financial assistance are available to pet owners? Is it a good idea for folks to buy pet insurance? Are steps being taken in the veterinary world to make pet care more affordable?

“I don’t think ‘exorbitant’ is the right word.  For example, cancer therapy may cost hundreds of thousands of dollars in human medicine but only cost hundreds to thousands of dollars in veterinary medicine.  The perception that veterinary costs are exorbitant is probably based on the fact, at least in part, that insurance pays for human medical costs; therefore, people don’t really see (or don’t care to actually find out) the cost of their care.  The ‘cost’ to them is their deductible.  It’s only when we have ‘out of pocket’ expenses that the cost actually hits home.  Veterinary medicine does not have this system, even with pet insurance.  It appears to me that many pet insurance policies are still pretty limited [compared] to what is done in human medicine.  Having a pet as part of the family carries a cost.  Veterinarians want to do the best that we can for our patients; however, there is a cost of doing business that cannot be ignored.  If veterinarians under-charged or did not charge, then they would be out of business.  Some things that pet owners can do are to investigate pet insurance to see if it is worth the investment and to save money in a ‘pet account’ to help with unexpected larger veterinary bills.  Many veterinary practices and university practices use Care Credit, which allows owners, if approved, to pay larger bills.”

Brian Collins – Cornell University

•What can people do to reduce the cost of pet care?

“I would say that probably one of the best things that people can do to help make pet care less expensive is to make sure that the pet gets preventative care, which is what veterinarians try to do as much as possible as far as having animals stay current on vaccinations [and] making sure they take whatever kind of preventative products are recommended for whatever geographic area they happen to live in – whether that’s fleas, ticks, heartworm, things like that.  Trying to keep up with those types of things will reduce costs just because it’s cheaper to prevent than to treat patients.  It may seem fairly basic, but trying to keep your pet at a healthy weight, feeding them nutritious food, exercising your pet – these might not be the kinds of things you’re looking for, but they’re what I try to focus on.”

•Does more expensive necessarily mean better when it comes to pet food?

“You don’t necessarily have to buy the most expensive dog food on the market.  In a lot of cases, veterinarians don’t sell those types of foods, so it’s more of a recommendation I’d made for when you go to the pet store or wherever you buy your pet supplies.  There may be some other foods that you could buy that your pet would be just as healthy on but wouldn’t cost an arm and a leg. … On the other hand, I do feel that since pet feed is the majority of what the pet’s going to be eating, you want to make sure it is good quality.”

Takeaways

Ultimately, we can boil down all of these great expert insights into a few key takeaways (great for all you skimmers out there!):

•More expensive isn’t necessarily better, but you also get what you pay for – Pet owners can certainly identify areas where they can cut costs, but you have to be really careful not to sacrifice the well-being of your pet in doing so.

•Pet care isn’t really as outrageously expensive as you might think – Part of what makes veterinary procedures seem so expensive is the fact that people tend to pay out of pocket, whereas we have insurance to cover most of our own health care costs.

•Pet insurance isn’t great – Not only does animal insurance tend to be pricey, but the policies are also often difficult to understand and ultimately leave many folks with minimal coverage.

•You can set up a savings account for your pet – One interesting technique broached by multiple experts is to establish an emergency fund for your pet.  If you contribute, say, $50 or $100 per month, you’ll be less likely to get blindsided by an unexpected veterinary bill.  This also underscores the importance of living within your means in other areas of your life.  If you aren’t already overleveraged, pet care will seem more affordable.

http://www.cardhub.com/edu/reducing-the-cost-of-pet-care/

If you haven't already read Helpful Buckeye's descriptions of pet health insurance, you might benefit from a review of those options:  http://questionsondogsandcats.blogspot.com/search/label/Pet%20Health%20Insurance

Remember to send any comments or suggestions to Helpful Buckeye at: dogcatvethelp@gmail.com  or submit the comment at the appropriate section at the end of this issue of Questions On Dogs and Cats.

~~The goal of this blog is to provide general information and advice to help you be a better pet owner and to have a more rewarding relationship with your pet. This blog does not intend to replace the professional one-on-one care your pet receives from a practicing veterinarian. When in doubt about your pet's health, always visit a veterinarian.~~

 

PET EXPENSES, EXPECTED AND UNEXPECTED....

Two different forms of "Madness"
show up this week...
St. Patrick's Day and
March Madness.



It seems that a lot of our readers were in the mood for a change of pace last week.  Many of you sent e-mails saying that you enjoyed the format...in the words of Rose, from Roanoke, VA: "I liked the looser structure, while still retaining the informative content.  It made for a very comfortable read."

OK, I hear you.  We'll go with this idea for a few more issues and then decide what follows. 

Let's take care of our poll questions first.  Just about half of you feel your dog recognizes itself in a mirror, this despite scientific evidence to the contrary.  Either the science is faulty or perhaps some of you are giving your favorite canine way too much credit.  Half of you also dress your dog in sweaters, raincoats, etc.  Of those who do dress their dogs in clothes, 75% say the dog seems to enjoy it.  Remember to answer this week's poll questions in the column to the left.   

One of the concerns of just about all pet owners is the expense involved in owning and taking care of a pet.  Many pet owners will make adjustments in their family budgets so that their pets will be able to eat the right foods, receive the necessary vaccinations, or have a certain surgical procedure.  In that light, a recent proposal in the Georgia state legislature has veterinarians and pet owners in Georgia concerned about the effect of the proposed new state law that provides for the taxation of veterinary medical expenses:

Veterinarians across Georgia say a proposed tax would be bad for pets and could force some owners to make a life or death decision. Legislation now being considered at the state Capitol is a proposal to tax veterinary services.  Many veterinarians are sounding an alert to pet owners.  The Georgia Veterinary Medical Association says a bad economy has caused a 25 percent increase in the number of pets put to sleep in the metro Atlanta area in the last two years and they say raising the cost of vet bills would force more owners to make some very hard choices about their pet's health care.


Bob Ross has raised Duke since he was a puppy, but now Duke is in his golden years and Ross faces the prospect of more vet visits and possibly surgery some day. Ross said he worries that taxing the services he gets at his vet's office would force him to make some tough choices about Duke's health care.  "As most pet owners are attached to their pets, it would be almost like if they were to tax you on some aspect of your children's care," said Ross.


Trouble, a 13-year-old cat had oral surgery Wednesday. Right now, that service is tax free but under this proposal the vet's office would be required to collect state and local taxes on everything from the x-rays and anesthesia to antibiotics and boarding.


A state commission has proposed taxing all kinds of services in Georgia to help raise state revenues, including everything from hair cuts to oil changes and veterinary services. The plan promises the money back by lowering the income tax over three years.


Many veterinarians worry that some pet owners who cannot afford the proposed tax increase on costly procedures will either allow their pets to suffer or worse.  "People might have to make tough decisions, might not be able to provide good care. Their pets might be in pain. Or worse yet, they might have to opt for euthanasia," said Dr. Vince Obsitnik of the Animal Medical Clinic.


Vets across Georgia are starting an email campaign urging pet owners to write their representatives. The bills are House Bills 385 to 388.
Pet owners could see an almost eight percent increase in their medical bills if these house bills pass.


“I think they should find another way to get their money. I shouldn't be charged extra if I have a pet,” says pet owner Virginia Swift.


“I know everybody has to pay their fair share, the money has to come from somewhere, the state can't run without a budget, but I have a hard time agreeing with taxation on medical procedures whether it be an animal or human. I'm a veterinarian so I’m the animals' advocate,” says Veterinarian Dr. Sonny Odom.  Odom says he does not want to be the tax collector for the state when he is already charging some patrons extra for particular drugs their pets take because of taxes.


Senator Freddie Sims says economic times are tough and the state needs money for their budget.  “We’re trying to make it fair, equitable and balanced,” says Sims. “Rather than target property owners only or people’s personal income only, you’re using consumers and every one of us in one way or another is a consumer at some point in time.”  She says the economy is going through a rough patch and the state budget is in need of money. She says it is not lawmakers’ intentions to make any group or service feel like a target.  “In order for us to improve our revenue in the state, these are proposals. None of this has been passed yet but these are proposed fees and taxes on services that have not been taxed before,” Sims says.


Veterinarians say while pets may seem like a luxury to tax and people should only own them if they can afford them, they say that to many people their pets are like family.  “They're friends, they're little kids best friend, they're your grandmothers, and they’re there when no one else is so they mean a lot,” says Odom. “It is something that you have to look after and there's a certain standard of care that's expected.”


Vets are worried if pet medical expenses are taxed and they have to charge pet owners more, the owners won’t keep up with the care of four legged family members.

Two news stories contributed to this report:  http://www.mysouthwestga.com/news/story.aspx?id=587610 and http://www.myfoxatlanta.com/dpp/news/vets-pet-owners-concerned-over-proposed-tax-030211

As more states get deeper into their economic slump, their legislators will be looking for additional sources of revenue from previously untapped areas.  Even though legislators claim this type of "service" tax helps them to balance their budget without raising taxes, Helpful Buckeye has to ask, "How is this tax any different from raising already-existing taxes?"  If these politicians would just finally admit that, after cutting all that they can from their budget expenses, they still need to "raise taxes" in order to provide enough revenue to run their states properly, perhaps none of us would be scratching our heads over these supposedly non-tax increases...like this service tax on veterinary care.

So, while you're sitting there reading about what these proposed service taxes might mean to your wallet, perhaps you should also start thinking about whether it's more expensive to have and take care of a dog or a cat.  Which do you think costs more?  Jason Cochran has put some effort into this topic:

SAVINGS EXPERIMENT: CATS VS. DOGS

Although the companionship of an animal is priceless, their upkeep costs money, and too many people get involved with pets before realizing they can't actually afford to take proper care of one. Our pounds are overflowing with creatures who were evicted by owners who found themselves in over their financial heads.
But the cold financial facts shouldn't keep you from sharing your love with a four-legged, furry friend. You just have to know how much you should expect to spend. The American Veterinary Medical Association estimates that, 37.2% of our households kept at least one dog, and 32.4% of us kept at least one cat, making the two animals the most popular domestic pets by far.


Of course, depending on your pets' temperament, it's easy to have both a cat and a dog. But if you broke down the costs of each, assuming both animals are healthy, how do the expenses differ? In each category, which costs more, dogs or cats?

Adoption

To save the most money and to save a life, don't use pet stores. Get your pet from the pound or ASPCA. You're more likely to get a mutt or mixed breed there (which, if you ask me, makes a more healthy and emotionally stable animal), but if you insist on a purebred, there are many rescue associations that you can find online by breed: Pugs, Dalmatians, Pit Bulls, and other popular breeds are often discarded when their owners tire of trends.  Even the ASPCA charges a fee for adoption, although the cost of starter health care (spaying or neutering, shots, micro-chipping) are folded into that. Expect about $75 for an adult cat or $125 for a kitten, which requires more care. Dogs cost $75 to $200, depending on how much health care they require.

Most expensive: Dogs

Spaying and Neutering


Shots and routine health care are more or less the same, although when it comes to surgery, you'll generally pay more for a larger animal. At the vet's near my house, a cat costs $160 to neuter, and a dog costs $290.

Most expensive: Dogs

Routine Health Care


Some pure breeds are afflicted by particular health issues -- for example, Cocker Spaniels are more prone to ear infections. But assuming that your pet is generally healthy, your basic health care costs for standard preventative procedures don't differ much.

Most expensive: Tie

Setting Up Your Home


Dogs, unlike cats, need more equipment: a leash (start at $12, with optional harness for $15 to $30). Your dog's energy levels and your schedule may require you to put it in a crate at bedtime and when you're not around. Those cost between $100 and $225.  Some expenses will be the same. You'll pay the same price for a pet carrier (for cats and small dogs) and food and water dishes no mater which animal you adopt. Flea powders, collars, and other routine care items also come with negligible price differences. Cats can claw furniture, but puppies can be just as destructive. In time, proper training can even the score.

The next time you're in a pet store, though, notice how many of the products, including toys, are for dogs. That's because dogs seem to go through toys at a faster rate than cats, and owners tend to indulge their emotive personalities more. Dog toys also cost a tiny bit more, or $5 to $9 per toy as opposed to $3 to $5.50 for cats.


Cats aren't big on treats, either. A $2.50 jar of catnip and a few cheap felt mouse decoy toys will satisfy them for weeks, while dogs go through Milk Bones ($7 a pound), generic biscuits ($6.50 for 2 pounds of the Petco brand), and pig ears ($17 for a dozen). Dry snacks are the cheapest route here, and they're good for dogs' teeth, but soft treats are popular, even if they're much more costly ($6 for six ounces of Snausages is a typical price).

Most expensive: Dogs

Food

Dry food is always cheaper than wet food, but animals are picky, so you never know what you'll have to buy until you see snouts turning up at what you've served. Here, the price is pretty close: about $1.50 to $1.75 per pound for dry for both cats and dogs.


Cats eat less food than dogs, though, which can make expenses lower. Cans of wet food contain less food for felines than for canines, making them cheaper than single-serving meals for dogs. Figure on 60 to 90 cents for a can of wet cat food versus $1.50 to $2 for a can of wet dog food.

Then again, dogs are more likely than cats to settle on dry food. That means cats tend to eat less food, but it's more expensive per weight. Assuming your dog eats a half-pound of dry food a day (75 cents to 87 cents) and your cat eats one can of wet food a day (60 cents to 90 cents), the cost is pretty much even.

There are other variables, such as if your animal requires a special diet, but that can happen to either a cat or a dog. Your dog may be enormous, with an enormous appetite to match, but assuming you've got a small- to mid-sized dog that doesn't mind dry food, the cost is close to a cat's appetite for wet food. (If your cat likes dry food, good for you! That's the cheapest route of all.)



If your pet eats dry food, buy it in bulk bags for even more savings. That way, you'll pay $35 for 20 pounds ($1.75/pound) of cat food, versus $11 for 4 pounds ($2.75/pound). Buying in bulk for dogs creates similar savings, and since dogs usually gladly dig into dry food, buying in bulk is more feasible with man's best friend.

Most expensive: Tie

The Poop Question


You have to pay for your pet's meals both coming and going. For cats, a pan filled with litter will do the trick. You'll use about 2 pounds of litter a week. Petco's cheap house brand costs $18 for 30 pounds, or 60¢ a pound, and the fancier (if that's the word) Yesterday's News brand goes for about 73¢ a pound. So for a cat, you'll spend about $1.20 to $1.50 a week to help it take care of business.


This is where the expenses really mount for dogs. If you have a yard, pooping is free as long as there's someone around to let it out. If you don't, or if need someone to walk it, you'll pay. Poop collection bags cost $9 for 60 or $15 for 120, so you'll spend about 12¢ to 15¢ each time your dog goes to the potty. Assuming that happens twice a day, you'll spend $1.68 to $2.10 a week for bags. That's not much more than cats.

So if you walk your dog yourself, it's a tie.

But if you work a lot, or travel a lot, you'll pay more for a dog. If you have to leave home for a couple of days, a cat can make do with plenty of water, food, and a clean litter box. But a dog will eat your house. They require daily attention and exercise, while cats generally don't.



Hiring someone to walk your dog will hit you for $15 to $25 per walk. Hiring someone to walk your cat is just an exercise in madness.



And when you go away, boarding a cat costs about $15 a day, while dogs start at $18 for animals under 30 pounds and scales up for heavier dogs, typically capping out in the mid-$20s. That's the price in both a typical town (Penrod Kennels in Milton-Freewater, OR), and in the big city (Barks 5th Avenue in Houston), although there's no shortage of luxury kennels and indulgent doggy day care facilities to milk you out of far more cash.

Most expensive for apartment or city people: Dogs.

Results

The results are clear, and it's not even by a whisker. For most lifestyles, dogs are higher-maintenance so they're more expensive. Although cats and dogs tie in some arenas, there's not a single category in which cats are pricier.


Some dog owners might say there are some benefits to the extra spending. Dogs can be taken with you on vacation, they can play with you at the park or accompany you on long walks, and they're vastly more social and playful than cats. A cynical pet owner could argue that they get more return for their dollar on that count, though of course, the self-reliance, low maintenance, and soothing presence of a cat are selling characteristics on their own.

There are lots of variables, including where you live, the size of your pet and the amount of free time you can spend at home taking care of it, and the health of your animal. But with all things being equal, cats have the edge.

Dog owners can rationalize all they want about the intangible benefits of having a dog but, as Jason has adequately shown, from the perspective of expenses alone, cats take this battle...hands (paws) down.

You can find Jason Cochran's report at wallet pop: http://www.walletpop.com/2011/03/01/savings-experiment-cats-versus-dogs/

Just when dog owners are tired of being reminded that their choice of pet is costing them more money in the long run, comes this report from American Public Media that Border Collies and other herding-type dogs run into trouble because of their boundless energy. Their unspent energy apparently has contributed to some destructive behaviors at home.  But some sheep farmers in the Pacific Northwest are getting paid to let those dogs herd a real flock of sheep.  This is a fascinating story from "Marketplace":

The popularity of herding dogs has come a long way in recent years.  We're mainly talking canines such as Australian Shepherds. So some sheep farms now let dog owners rent time with their flocks so their herding dogs can do what they do best. 



From Olympia, Washington, Ann Dornfeld reports....


Ann Dornfeld: On this chilly Saturday, half a dozen city-dwellers are lined up with their dogs along a muddy field. The dogs are waiting for their turn to chase a flock of sheep into a tiny pen.
Sylvia Griggs is the facilities manager at Fido's Farm, an 80-acre spread with hundreds of sheep. It's been in operation for seven years. Griggs says business is booming thanks to the growing popularity of herding dogs as pets.


Sylvia Griggs: A large base is mainly Australian Shepherds. People have no clue how active those dogs really are. They're not designed as a pet. The dogs are bred to work, to have a job, and they don't do well if they don't have some type of outlet.  When herding dogs don't have an opportunity to round up livestock, they devote that extra energy to nipping at your kids' heels as they ride their bikes or chewing up the house.


Greta Zuercher knows firsthand. She's here with her young Border Collie, Tess.


Greta Zuercher: She destroyed some Oriental carpets -- every single one she chewed the edges. I ended up duct-taping them to the floor to keep her from chewing them.


Dornfeld: How much were those worth?


Zuercher: About $5,000 each.


Today, Zuercher is spending $15 so Tess can spend a day with the sheep. Zuercher lives in a Portland suburb. But she says the two-and-a-half hour drive is worth it. Zuercher says as soon as she got Tess around sheep, it was clear that this dog was born to herd.


Zuercher: It was actually really interesting. I carried her into a packed pen and she had them all in the corner just by looking at them. It was just impressive to me.


Zuercher says Tess' behavior has improved a lot since she started herding. Sylvia Griggs says Fido's Farm now gets more than a dozen customers like Zuercher a day.


Griggs: Basically, it's all word-of mouth! We do very little advertising about the herding.


Other breeds can herd, too. Standard Poodles, Rottweilers and Rhodesian Ridgebacks all have a knack for it, apparently. But if your dog doesn't have a natural herding instinct, Fido's Farm gives lessons for $35 a pop.

Helpful Buckeye supposes this is the canine version of the movie, City Slickers, in which Billy Crystal and friends from New York City visit a dude ranch in order to become toughened cowboys.  This opportunity to allow the herding dogs to dissipate some of their pent up energy obviously lets their owners keep down the "costs" of canine destruction at home, while helping the sheep farmers make a few bucks in the process.  In the American way, it's a win/win situation!

This report is available at: http://marketplace.publicradio.org/display/web/2011/03/02/am-farmers-get-paid-to-let-pet-dogs-herd-their-sheep/

This concludes the discussion of some of the types of expenses pet owners can expect to confront as they work to give their pets the care they deserve.

Before getting to the end of the trail this week, Helpful Buckeye would like to share this very topical report with our readers.  Topical, because it has to do with Daylight Saving Time, which goes into effect this weekend (2 AM, March 13th) in all states except Arizona and Hawaii.  Do you think pets are at all affected by Daylight Saving Time?  Michelle Bryner of LiveScience.com offers this answer:

You might think it unlikely that the switch to daylight saving time (DST) could throw your cat or dog's busy schedule — eat, sleep, eat, sleep — off-kilter. But, as it turns out, some animals are so in tune with their owners' schedules that the one-hour spring forward can cause some confusion.



Just like humans, animals have internal clocks that tell them when to eat, sleep and wake up. This biological timekeeper, also known as circadian rhythm, is set in motion by natural sunlight. However, for pets this effect is minimized by the artificial environment they live in, where light comes on not with the rising sun but with the flip of a switch.


Humans set their pets' routines, said Alison Holdhus-Small, a research assistant at CSIRO Livestock Industries, an Australia-based research and development organization.


"Animals that live with humans develop routines related to human activity — for example, cows become accustomed to being milked at particular times of day, or pet dogs become accustomed to going for walks or being fed at a particular time of day," Holdhus-Small told Life's Little Mysteries. "When humans apply daylight saving time to their own lives, if they carry out their routine according to the clock, the animals can become confused." Holdhus-Small gives some examples of how animals might respond to a time change: If a farm owner arrives an hour later (when the clocks are turned back) to milk the cows, they will be waiting, bellowing because their internal routine tells them that they're late. Conversely, if the farmer arrives an hour earlier (when the clocks are turned ahead) the cows will not be inclined to come in to milk until closer to the "proper" time.


"When humans change the clocks for daylight saving, to suit our preferred working environment, from an animal's point of view, we are suddenly behaving oddly," Holdhus-Small said. "To the animals, it is inexplicable that suddenly dinner is an hour later or earlier than expected."


This behavior shift could cause animals psychological and physiological stress, Holdhus-Small said. A cow's udder, for example, will continue to produce milk regardless of DST and pressure will build up until the cow is milked. Household pets might get grumpy when they show up to an empty food dish at their perceived dinner time.


So when you set your clock forward an hour this weekend, remember that your pets need a little paw-holding during the time change. Holdhus-Small suggests gradually changing the animal's activities by a few minutes a day rather than the whole hour at once.

Some of you had to be wondering about this very question, Helpful Buckeye suspects.  So, there you go.  This report can be found at: http://www.livescience.com/13166-pets-affected-daylight-saving-time.html

SPORTS NEWS

One of Helpful Buckeye's favorite times of the sports year begins this week...yes, that's right, March Madness!  On Thursday, both of Helpful Buckeye's alma maters will begin the quest for the NCAA Basketball Championship.  Both Ohio State and Pitt were selected as #1 seeds, with the Buckeyes being the overall #1.  Of course, there are usually 5-10 teams that are capable of winning 6 games in a row during this tournament and winning the Championship.  However, being a #1 seed is a good place to start.  Helpful Buckeye is hoping that at least one of my schools will remain when we reach the Final Four.

With all of the good things happening to the Ohio State basketball team, it's hard to believe the bad atmosphere around our football program.  With our head coach now guilty of trying to cover up information about a problem with some of the football players, he has already been given a punishment from the school.  What the NCAA will do remains to be seen, but Helpful Buckeye says that he should have been fired as soon as this charge was verified.  As long as he walks the sidelines in Ohio Stadium, no one will have any respect for him or our football program.

PERSONAL STUFF

Helpful Buckeye rode his bike outdoors on Friday (the 11th) for the first time this year...6 days earlier than last year.  Since we haven't had as much snow as last winter, the bike lanes don't have as many piles of hardened snow or deposits of cinders.  This is always an exciting day for me...sort of like "Opening Day" in baseball.  After riding the upright stationary bike in the gym all winter, while waiting for the warm and sunny days to return, I felt like a caged animal that has been let loose.  I saw our resident Bald Eagle 3 times during my ride...it felt great! 

While cruising, thoughts of my 2011 Quadathlon were formulating in my mind.  I've got it narrowed down to 4 probable events that will no doubt present a harder challenge than those of 2010.  One thing I'll need to change is the name of the Quadathlon.  It will no longer be "...of Northern Arizona" since one of the events will take place in southern Arizona and another will be in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado.  So, let's just go with Helpful Buckeye's Annual Quadathlon for now.  Helpful Buckeye has already had inquiries from several friends about coming along as "athletic supporters", groupies, and mainly fun-seekers. 

Here's an anonymous toast, found by Desperado:

May you always have

Love to share,

Health to spare,

And friends that care.

~~The goal of this blog is to provide general information and advice to help you be a better pet owner and to have a more rewarding relationship with your pet. This blog does not intend to replace the professional one-on-one care your pet receives from a practicing veterinarian. When in doubt about your pet's health, always visit a veterinarian.~~