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We all know how expensive vet visits can be and medications for pets can be just as abhorrent. But there are a few ways to cut down on pet med costs.
There’s always pet insurance, but studies show only about 2-3 percent of insurable pets actually are insured. This may be because the monthly cost of the insurance outweighs the total benefits you receive. Or, in these times of budgeting every penny, a monthly fee may just be too much.
Luckily, there are other alternatives for meds. If you belong to a medication savings club at a local pharmacy, you can find out if the medication prescribed for your pet has a human equivalent. This should be covered under your plan. If you have a Walgreens near you, you’re really in luck. They cover many human-equivalent pet medications and you can even put your pet on your account. Another option is using a discount pet med online service such as www.1800petmeds.com or www.petcarerx.com. You’ll often get free shipping and up to a 50% discount. These options will almost certainly cost you less than filling a prescription at the vet. Kelly is a dog columnist and pet writer. She lives in the Boston-area with her three pit bulls and one neurotic cat. |
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Another option is something you add to...
You are viewing entries tagged 'allergies'.
October 21st, 2009
October 15th, 2009
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Once a week, use hot water to wash anything the cat touches regularly and dry these items in a dryer, as well. Note whether the beds you buy have zip-off covers so that you can easily strip them off and give them a hot washing.
Washing also applies to areas without zip-off covers – if you can’t remove the cover, keep a big towel or blanket covering the area where the cat spends most of his time hanging out and wash that cover at least once a week. Radio show host and pet expert Tracie Hotchner is the author of The Dog Bible and The Cat Bible. Click here to follow her on Twitter. |
October 14th, 2009
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Having wall-to-wall or large area carpeting is going to prove to be a problem for you if you are allergic to your beloved cat. It is best if you can minimize or remove the carpeting, but if you feel you must have it, then choose materials that can be easily cleaned.
The carpet types that are easiest to clean are those that have low pile height and density, fluorocarbon-coated fiber and high-denier filament. What’s the absolute best? Easy-to-clean hard-surfaced floors: linoleum, vinyl, stone, tile, bamboo or wood. Radio show host and pet expert Tracie Hotchner is the author of The Dog Bible and The Cat Bible. Click here to follow her on Twitter. |
April 16th, 2009
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Vacuum the floors as often as you can, and follow up by using a wet-mop. The more often you clean, especially running the vacuum cleaner, the fewer allergens there will be in the environment – which means that to keep a house as allergy-free as possible, vacuuming once a week is not going to cut it. Frequent vacuuming reduces particles that could become airborne – and it also keeps particles from becoming deeply embedded into materials, carpets, and small corners of the house. |
March 19th, 2009
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Footpad problems are rare in cats but when they happen it’s usually because the cat was allergic to something he touched, inhaled or ate. If a cat’s footpad is red, swollen and sensitive to the touch, that can be a sign that he is allergic to something in his environment. |
February 4th, 2009
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A common misconception is that a cat’s fur is what causes your allergic symptoms. However, the real allergens are the secretions from the oil glands in the animal’s skin, her dander (which are the tiny dead particles of skin that flake off) and, perhaps most surprisingly, the proteins in the cat’s saliva. Cat saliva is a big factor in the allergy picture because a cat spends nearly half of her waking hours grooming herself with her tongue, which leaves saliva all over her. After that saliva dries on her fur it can become airborne, sticking to walls, furniture and floors. |
January 27th, 2009
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There are several sprays that are designed to completely remove the dead skin cells (dander protein) and saliva proteins from your cat’s coat. Many people who are allergic to cats are actually allergic to the dander and saliva that dries and then becomes airborne. Neutralizing these proteins before that happens is recommended. Spraying your cat regularly with a “probiotic solution” and massaging it down into her skin allows the solution to “digest” those proteins before they dry and are released into the air. These sprays contain friendly microbes that digest dead skin cells and other microbiotic waste. |
December 11th, 2008
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Keep cats out of rooms where allergy sufferers spend a lot of time. This may sound obvious – or it may seem very restrictive towards your cat(s) – but it will really make a difference. The most important off-limits room should be the bedroom: exposing an allergic person to cat dander all night will kick allergic reactions into high gear. In fact, cats should not be allowed on the bed at any time, since that will cause the same reaction when the bed is being slept in. Keeping closet doors closed will also help in reducing the number of allergens that are found in clothing, sheets and other materials. |
December 10th, 2008
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The same sticky residue of dried dander and saliva that can cover your walls clings to your baseboards as well. Regularly using a spray cleaner to wipe down the area where the wall meets the floor can make a measurable difference. If you have baseboard heating that blows air around the room, pay special attention to the wall area above the baseboard. |
November 27th, 2008
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Draperies and curtains are very effective when it comes to trapping airborne allergens, so you might just breathe easier if you get rid of them. With or without fancy vacuum attachments, it’s nearly impossible to properly clean them while they’re hanging. If you just can’t bear to let go of the drapes, then use easy-care materials that you can wash frequently and hang again without any hassle. Taking drapes and curtains to the dry cleaner may seem like less work, but keep in mind that the cleaning fluids used for dry cleaning are toxic to the environment and emit substances that also may not be good for you. |