NEW PET

Re: NEW PET

amy sinton — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 10:00:55 GMT

thank you so much for all of your advice. By the sounds of things, I can definately afford a pet (although perhaps not as many as saskia!!)

I will have to look into this further. Although i'd love a dog, I agree with kim & vicky, I don't think it would be fair to leave it alone all day. My mum lives quite close to me and doesn't work so she may consider taking him/her out.

I must admit that i hadn't even thought about how restrictive it might be going on holiday either- it's another thing to look into. i have 2 sisters and 2 brothers so im sure that one of my family members would help me out if i were to go abroad.

Once again thanks for your comments, they've certainly helped me out and i will take into account everything you've mentioned.

Best wishes

Amy

Re: NEW PET

Kim Buckley — Sun, 19 Sep 2010 20:26:55 GMT

I'd def go for a cat in your current situation. I really want a cat!!

Re: NEW PET

Vicky RVN — Sun, 19 Sep 2010 14:58:44 GMT

I agree Kim, dogs are a huge commitment. I wanted one for YEARS before i got one, but had to wait until our situation allowed us to have one. My parents are both retired so are home with Jack. But when i got him they both worked part time, so there was someone home 5 days a week. For the other two days i had a dog walker come and take him out for a short walk twice a day (mid morning and afternoon). On days she couldn't come i'd take Jack to work with me. He could have come to work all of the time but he was happier at home and having visits. He LOVES his walker, and she is rather keen on him! We have one holiday a year with Jack, somewhere in this country, and one holiday abroad. For the away holiday i have a nurse friend stay at my house to look after him. If they couldn't do it i'd use a pet sitter i know (lives around the corner from us), so he'd be in their house with no other dogs. Using a pet sitter is not cheap, but i know Jack would be happy. I'd NEVER put him in kennels, he would hate it.

Costs to think about:
- food
- flea treatment
- worm treatment
- vaccination
- neutering
- insurance
- training classes
- boarding whilst on holiday
- toys, beds etc

It might be worth phoning your local vets for some quotes so you can get can get a rough idea what costings will be.

If you are out all day to be honest i would think about not getting a dog, how about a cat? Or a small furry? They don't need quite the same amount of time spending on them.

Re: NEW PET

Kim Buckley — Sun, 19 Sep 2010 14:27:13 GMT

I'm not being negative but having a dog is really a massive commitment so don't take one on without really thinking about it.

I have two dogs and luckily for me, my neighbour let's them out throughout the day. If you are going to be out all day and there is no-one to let them out then it's not really fair to the dog. My little terrier is rubbish and will mess in the house if she is not let out often enough.

I love my dogs and wouldn't be without them but if I didn't have them I would most likely not be living at home. They are a big tie and me and my mum have to make sure our holidays don't clash so there is someone about for the dogs.

Moneywise I buy 15kg bags of food which last about a month and that costs £45. On top of that I buy advocate and pay for insurance aswell as other bits and bobs.

XxX

Re: NEW PET

Vicky RVN — Sun, 19 Sep 2010 13:07:01 GMT

[quote user="Saskia Paula Muldoon"] I guess there are a fair few treats added along the way [/quote]

Hehe, i think half of Jacks food bill must be treats!!!

Re: NEW PET

Sandra Taylor RVN, MBVNA — Sat, 18 Sep 2010 23:23:30 GMT

Saskia, thats more than my mortgage!

Re: NEW PET

Saskia Quinn — Sat, 18 Sep 2010 22:32:13 GMT

[quote user="Sandra Taylor RVN, MBVNA"]

£250 quid a month!!!!! on food?

I spend about £50 on food thats for 3 cats, 3 dogs. and another £50 odd on insurance

[/quote]

The money I spend goes towards 5 dogs, 3 cats, 2 goats and 3 ducks. I guess there are a fair few treats added along the way

Re: NEW PET

Vicky RVN — Sat, 18 Sep 2010 20:46:11 GMT

I don't know how much i pay for Jack every month...i choose not to think about it! Get Burns food, advocate, practic and milbemax cost price from work to save lots of pennies!

Re: NEW PET

Louise B — Sat, 18 Sep 2010 16:20:28 GMT

[quote user="Sandra Taylor RVN, MBVNA"]

£250 quid a month!!!!! on food?

I spend about £50 on food thats for 3 cats, 3 dogs. and another £50 odd on insurance

[/quote]

- I pay £13/6 weeks for a sack of dog food and £40/month for insurance. Two dogs - I collie x & 1 border terrier. Vaccinations - £10/yr each, wormers (occasionally - no idea re: cost), frontline (occasionally - split large dog vial between two dogs - cost c£17/year). I suppose then I average £27 - 28/month per dog. (not including treats, any other stuff - and paying the insurance excess everytime one of them is ill).

Re: NEW PET

Sandra Taylor RVN, MBVNA — Sat, 18 Sep 2010 15:15:26 GMT

£250 quid a month!!!!! on food?

I spend about £50 on food thats for 3 cats, 3 dogs. and another £50 odd on insurance

Re: NEW PET

Saskia Quinn — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 22:04:44 GMT

Hi Amy,

I'm a single mother and I have both dogs and cats. My cats are fine during the day as they have plenty of food to keep them going as well as litter trays. I tend to leave the tv on in my kitchen for the cats and for 2 of my dogs who stay in the kitchen, basically they have the run of the house as I dont close the kitchen door so they can go into the hall, sitting room etc if they wish.

My other dogs live in the garage. The garage was built for my dogs when we built our house 9 years ago.

However, I wouldnt be able to have all my pets, given my current situation as a single mother to two young boys, but I live very close to my parents and my mum comes up every day to let the dogs out for an hour or so.

I would say if you get a dog, it would need to definitely get out during the day to toilet etc. Maybe a neighbour could help with that? Or if you had a safe enclosed back yard with shelter for the dog?

Regarding the cost of feeding, it pretty much depends on what you decide to feed your new pet. My dogs/cats have a combination of a complete dry diet but have wet food (cans) mixed in with it.

On average, I spend approx £250 per month on my animals, but I dont mind that because I feel I can afford that, otherwise I wouldnt be able to have them. I see them as my necessity!! I dont really have anything else other than my boys and to be honest, wouldnt be without any of my animals.

You would need to also consider the cost of regular flea/worming and annual booster and would be advisable to consider pet insurance for 'in case of'!

I wish you well and I hope you feel you are able to offer a loving home to a needy pet!