As every owner of a shaggy dog knows, whilst summer opens up our doors and lets in all those lovely vitamins, for our furry pals it represents a whole host of issues. Most importantly the paralysing fear of letting our dog overheat.

Only last summer, our neighbour’s beautiful little dog Frankie ran away on a hot day (not the really hot ones that made us all cry – like a rather temperate 26 degree one), returning only an hour later (after one hell of a play) suffering multiple organ failure… and died that evening. The news really upset us and for an already neurotic dog owner, it has made it my full-time summer mission to keep my own fur baby comfortable and hydrated. That’s all well and good…until you meet Edgar.

• Meet Edgar
• First things first
• What products have we tried?
• What is our winner?

Meet Edgar

Edgar is a long-haired Jack Russell Terrier with very shaggy hair. He also hates the puppy parlour. We have tried to have him shorn on multiple occasions (and will continue to try) and have been called up to come and collect him. The furthest we ever got was a shave from a mobile groomer who gave our boy a kind of reverse Brazilian: after one strip off the butt, he mad-dogged so much she couldn’t keep him still to finish it off… you get the picture.

So, while you could judge and try offer unsolicited advice (we have a trainer helping and an appointment next week) you could also accept that we have learnt a huge amount about keeping a fluffer cool in the hotter weather. And while our situation isn’t ideal, it is not a one-off and many friends have since confessed they have had similar ordeals at the pup parlour.

These tips are to help. After trying and testing multiple products, we can tell you our top five products we use to keep Edgar cool in the summer.

First things first

Whilst products and buying things can help us, the absolute most important thing is to make sure that your pup always has access to shade and water. Even with this, things can still go wrong: one horror story about a beautiful French Bulldog called Bruno dying whilst lay in the shade was shared last summer to really help dog owners remember that hydration is absolutely key and on the hottest days, we are often better keeping them indoors. You should also never walk them on hotter days anyway… remember the saying about mad dogs and Englishmen? Enough said. If the ground is too hot for you to walk barefoot on, it certainly is for them. Be VERY careful if you have astroturf in your garden, as this gets incredibly hot in the summer for pet’s paws.

I should also protect myself and say, I am not a vet nor an “expert”, so whilst these tips have helped us with young Edgar, it’s always worth looking into it from a valid source, because hydrating or drenching your hot pet with water that is too cold can also have detrimental affects.

What products have we tried?

Here are some of the cheaper options…

Kitty Litter Tray

Whilst a strange suggestion, these are cheap and Edgar sits in this little cool bath very regularly. The water is slightly warm from the sun, so not a shock to the system – it is also great for an outdoor bath. The one in the photo was about £14 a few years ago (*here). This one is only a fiver though – *Click here.

I honestly recommend this as he can relax quite happily in the shade in it. He is however a JRT, therefore, JRT sized. I wouldn’t recommend it to my pal with three Newfies.

Doggy Ice-cream

These are a little bit of a rip-off. I am not that sure many dogs even like them. Every time I get carried away and  buy Edgar one, thinking I am some sort of dog influencer, most of it goes in the bin or to another dog owner. In fact, most day trips out at this time of year seem to include being offered one by another despondent dog owner… for Edgar to then also turn his nose up. I should also add that Edgar ain’t fussy. This is a dog that eats pretty much everything and would chow down on a turd given half the chance.

My tip would be to make your own: banana and peanut butter ice cubes for example – absolute winner and a few pence each! The custom-made ice-creams set you back a few quid and are apparently not all that… according to Edgar anyway (his little pal Mouse agrees and actually spat hers out!).

If you are feeling cute and want to make some, then this ice cube tray is designed specially for this purpose. *Click here.

Recipe:

I use this one.

You can also try filling Kongs or Lick Mats with their fave wet food, while natural Greek yoghurt (with no added sugar) is ice-creamy without the weird ingredients in dog-specific stuff (and much cheaper at around £2.50 for a 1kg tub!). Freeze the toys to make the fun last while keeping your pooch cool.

Paddling Pool

Let’s face it! This is the exact same principle as the Kitty Litter tray, but with the added fun that I can sit in it with him! My niece spent a great amount of last summer sitting in this with Edgar so what’s not to love? They come in so many different sizes but this one seems pretty sturdy as is now in its third summer and still going strong. My friend’s lab absolutely adores hers too.

My only downside would be that Edgar struggles getting into it a bit. So sometimes he does need a little helping hand. Again, this is simply Edgar playing us. He does agility and is a great little jumper when he wants to be. He clearly just fancies that extra little cwtch. So, if your Dog simply stands next to it and looks at you with paws outstretched… you are to blame. This is not the fault of the paddling pool … it is the fault of the human (me) treating their dog like a tiny helpless ant. This is the one we have.

Cooling Towel

I recommend this item to everyone! I initially got one from Pets at Home for about a fiver (four years ago), but needed to replace it (due to age, nothing sinisiter) so went for this one. It is a bit more money at £14.99 but has become invaluable when the heat crawls up. I pop this on Edgar (as the picture shows) and he wears it for as long as he needs. Sometimes it can be like a game of hoopla, throwing it to land on his back and stay on. He smoofles round wearing it all day and doesn’t overheat.

When he starts panting, this goes on and it works within a minute. I have bought one for my Aunty’s dog (a collie) and she also agrees with it’s instant relief.  It is so good I got one for myself last summer. I slept with it over my feet when the temperature got silly and whilst it didn’t stop me panting as much as it does Edgar, it is one of my favourite summer must-haves.

Pets At Home also do a great range of cooling items:

Sunny Daze Cooling Mat

No one needs a hot dog on a hot day, and the Cooling Mat is the perfect addition to your Summer comfort tool box. Perfect for use after exercise or on hot summer days, the cooling effect of the non-toxic gel can help prevent heat-related comfort. There’s no additional water or chilling required, simply unfold in a shady spot, and the mat is ready to go.

Sunny Daze Cooling Bandana

Look cool and stay cool this summer season with the Cooling Bandana. Get cool and stay cool for up to 6 hours, simply wet, wring and walk to the best shady spot. The ultimate lightweight, ice-cooling bandana that gives your dog a feeling of long-lasting comfort on hot days or on the go and helps to protect against UV and heat related illness.

Sunny Daze Sprinkle Mat

Embrace everything that summer has to offer with the bold and vibrant Sunny Daze from Pets at Home. Whether you’re adding a splash of colour to your pet’s play or a pop of style to their everyday, from treats to toys there’s something for every pet, whatever the weather.

A cooling shower on a hot summer’s day, the Sunny Daze Round Sprinkle Mat is here to keep the temperatures at bay. Easy to connect to most garden hoses, this mat creates a beautiful sprinkle of cool water for your dog to play or lie in as the temperatures get higher. Super easy to fold down and store away, this mat is the perfect addition to the British Summertime.

IGSM Plastic Dog Paddling Pool

This pool is strong enough to be used as a dog paddling pool but can also be used as a regular paddling pool or sand pit. It is a large 86cm in diameter and just 18cm high, making it easy for dogs to step into and out of. The hard plastic won’t break easily and its light weight for easy moving around when empty.

What is our winner?

It is easily the sprinkle mat and paddling pool because Edgar can leap straight for them on hot afternoons. But we also recommend the cooling towel and bandana, as we can have them easily to hand and Edgar can be in a proper pant, but within seconds his breathing is fine and he is mooching round like a little show pony ready for dressage. It took ages to find the right cooling product due to him being quite particular (which dog isn’t?).

The towel, however, was the cheapest in the range and we recommend them to absolutely everyone. Absolute cool-dog summer game changer. So in true Hitchhiker’s Guide style, always know where your towel is. This is the exact one Edgar basically swears by … and thanks to Pets At Home for their new and marvellous range which has something for every shape and size (and temperament) of dog.

The post Keeping Your Dog Cool in Summer: A Guide appeared first on MoneyMagpie.

Despite these high costs, we are still willing to splurge on treats to please our pets. But the rocketing cost of living means some people are struggling with their pet bills, which is distressing as pets are part of the family.

So how can you deal with the ever-rising pet costs? Slash your expenditure with our handy guide to everything to do with pets.

• Pet insurance
• Cut health costs
• Cheaper and healthier pet food
• Toys and accessories
• More cost cutting
• Make money from pet sitting and walking

Pet Insurance

Quite simply, get some! There is no NHS for pets, and there probably never will be. Don’t do away with pet insurance.  It’s a false economy.

Sadly, every year over 300,000 pet dogs and cats are put down because their owners cannot afford the veterinary fees or ongoing medical costs of looking after their animals.

Vet and medication costs are increasing as more illnesses and disease becomes treatable. In fact, the cost of vet care went up by 50% between 2015 and 2024.

Pet insurance could easily save you thousands of pounds. To help you find the insurance best suited to your pet, read this article on pet insurance and compare premiums before you choose one.

Watch their weight

There is one simple way to cut your pet’s costs and save an immense sum of cash. Don’t let your pet get overweight or obese. More than four in ten of the cats and dogs seen by Britain’s vets are overweight, according to research by Sainsbury’s Finance.

Many medical conditions suffered by pets are linked to or worsened by being overweight, costing you dearly in extra vet fees and medication costs. You could also risk invalidating any pet insurance claim if you’re found to have not taken proper care of your pet.

Exercise

Dogs and cats need daily exercise. It’s great for keeping weight off and providing stimulation for them.

If your dog is ‘hyper’, getting into trouble and making lots of noise he’s probably bored! Regular exercise is essential for dogs and it’s free! Plus, the fresh air and cobweb blowing won’t do you any harm either.

If you don’t like the thought of walking alone, get a friend to come along or join a dog walking group. Ask your vet, pet shop or local dog training group if they know of one locally – or why not set up your own?

Exercise isn’t just physical, either. Mental stimulation is incredibly important for pets, and will significantly reduce their boredom. Did you know that a ten-minute ‘sniff and find’ game with your dog is the equivalent to 30 minutes of exercise? This is particularly important to know if your dog is a working breed such as a gundog or terrier, as they are bred to be mentally switched on all the time and need brain games and tasks to satisfy their natural behaviour. You can also make meal and treat times take a lot longer with lick mats. Simply spread their food (if it is a meat paste type) on it, or use products like Greek yoghurt or peanut butter. Make sure the peanut butter is 100% peanuts without added oil or salt, like Lidl’s 1kg own brand pot (£3.99 at time of writing). Once spread on the mat, you can freeze it to make the treat last even longer for your pet!

Vaccinations

Always make sure you have your pets vaccinated when you first get them. Check with your vet to find out how old they should be when they get their first shots.

Annual boosters are also generally recommended for cats and dogs – along with a check-up – but there is much debate about whether or not they are necessary over time. If you plan to put your pet in kennels or into a doggy daycare, you will need to keep up with your regular vaccinations (including kennel cough) as most places won’t board or take your pet without them.

When it comes to booster time, discuss your pet’s lifestyle, age and habits with your vet.  There is an argument that as cats and dogs get older, they stray less and generally don’t fight with other animals.

You may have an indoor pet less likely to come into contact with other animals.  Your vet will also know which diseases (such as cat flu) are prevalent in your area and can advise accordingly.

To save on vaccinations for your pets, you should take a three-year vaccination plan as opposed to a yearly one.

Worming, fleas and repeat prescriptions

After food, shelter and the odd vet visit, flea and other pest control will be your main regular maintenance cost.

Don’t waste your money on supermarket treatments – they seldom work effectively because they’re not strong enough.  Get a recommendation from your vet, then shop online for the product.  It’s cheeky, but much cheaper than paying through the nose at the vet. However, check whether your vet offers a monthly subscription service. This will usually include the annual worming and flea treatment for your pet, as well as a health check, nail clip, dental check, and annual vaccines, as well as discounts on other services. It can mean significant savings across your pet’s lifetime.

Since the relaxation in prescription selling regulations, you can also get repeat prescription medicines online. Just choose your online site carefully and buy from a UK company like Vet UK or Vio Vet.

Generally speaking, flea and worming treatments cost up to £95 a year for a cat and £76 a year for a small dog.

Flea treatments for dogs and cats are different. Buying one treatment for dogs and using it on the cat too (or vice versa) is not a good money saving tip because you’re liable to poison your pet!

Put the vet in the diary – if you keep up to date with vaccinations you’ll reduce the risk of your pet getting ill, saving you money in the long run.

Feed them the good stuff

When it comes to food, you don’t want to sacrifice quality. You probably do need to reduce the quantity. Because most pets are overweight, reducing their portions will save money on food bills – and on vet bills down the line.

Like us, pets are what they eat.  When was the last time you read the label on the back of a dog food packet?  Feeding them cheap food and treats can lead to obesity and allergies – which cost money to treat.

In effect, good quality food actually costs less than poor quality food per portion, because animals need to eat less good food to get enough nutrition.

Take a look at this pet food cost comparison chart and check out the Campaign for Real Pet Food for more information on what really goes into those pouches and bags.

Remember dry food goes a lot further than wet food and you won’t have to compromise on quality. The feeding instructions on pet food can also be astronomically out of line with what your pet needs, depending on their size and activity level. Try reducing the portions bit by bit, until your pet seems to actually be hungry before a mealtime (rather than trained to eat what’s in its bowl).

Look for subscription discounts, too. Many online pet retailers will offer a repeat subscription order for pet food so you never run out, including a small 5- or 10% discount for your loyalty. Over the course of a year, that could mean a saving of hundreds of pounds!

Freebies

There’s no such thing as a free lunch, but most vets, pet shops and online shops have free or low-cost samples for you to try before you dive head first into a 7kg bag.

If you can’t find what you’re looking for online, just call the company – they’re usually happy to help with free advice and information on the best product to try.

Basic Dos:

Look for food that lists single protein sources – chicken, lamb, white fish, and so on – as primary ingredients.

Make sure good includes wholegrain carbs like brown rice, whole veg, carrots, and broccoli, as well as clear lists of vitamins and minerals.

Lastly, shop at an independent pet shop. If they’re worth their salt they’ll have lots of good advice and recommendations on food that’s right for your pet.

Basic Don’ts:

Simply avoid food that lists animal and meat derivatives, derivatives of vegetable origin, EC-permitted colours and EC-permitted additives in their ingredients.

Don’t get food with carbohydrate fillers like tapioca or modified starch. Picture them as a bucket of wallpaper paste, with about as much nutritional value and culinary appeal! Also, look for added sugar – if there is any added sugar ingredient, put it back on the shelf. Refined sugar is not part of a natural diet for any animal, and can contribute to health problems. (Sugars from natural sources such as fruit and veggies is fine in moderation, we’re talking about refined sugar cane products).

Don’t buy food just because someone says you should.  That includes the big pet warehouses (who will often try and push their own brands) and the vets, who the big companies love to schmooze, offering vets great margins.

In a nutshell, read the label, trust your gut, and don’t be afraid to try new things.

Healthy treats

Feeding your pets great food followed by awful treats is a waste of cash! There are plenty of healthy treats out there made of just meat, or fish, or unusual things like sweet potato.

Again, avoid animal and meat derivatives.  You’re paying good money for by-products.

Remember that your pets can also eat some human food. If you have leftovers, share some. Or, when you’re chopping up carrots for your Sunday roast, give one to your dog to chomp on, too. Some foods are poisonous to pets, so make sure to read the ASPCA’s list of toxic foods before you share from your plate.

Make your own treats

This couldn’t be simpler or cheaper – plus you’ll know exactly what’s in them.  Experiment with chicken and catnip jelly for the cat, or bacon flapjacks for the dog. There are plenty of recipes to find online – start with this one from the RSPCA.

Clean their teeth

If you have a dog, brushing their teeth daily can end up saving your pet from contracting a lot of diseases. Remember to buy toothbrush and toothpaste that are designed for your pet, otherwise it can upset their stomachs. If your pet resists having a toothbrush in their mouth, you can start off with ‘finger toothbrushes’ that slip over your fingertip and let you rub their teeth directly. 

Ditch the Bling Not the Bassett!

Owning a pet doesn’t have to be as expensive as you think. Clothes, jewel-encrusted collars and pricey toys are just extras that you like. The dog couldn’t care less! Look at what you do for your pet, cut out the unnecessary stuff and try some of these money-saving tips.

Buy cheaply in unexpected places

Sometimes the least expensive place to find pet supplies is in the human section of a store. Baby gates often sell for much less at baby shops than pet shops!

Get bedding and accessories from charity shops

You can buy beds, leads, collars, crates and toys from charity shops and online websites for cheap. Hunt down a good bargain by being extra savvy with where you purchase.

Make your own pet toys

How many odd socks do you own? Got a fleece top that’s seen better days? Don’t chuck them out, make toys from them for little or no money.

This free site has loads of toy-making projects and ideas for pet stuff, everything from making party hats and costumes to jumps and assault courses for the more adventurous pet owner in you!

Fleece material is great for making tug toys because it’s brightly coloured, doesn’t fray and you can just stick it in the wash when it gets slobbered over one too many times.  Fleece makes great cat toys too, especially the bright colours.

Try giving them empty cardboard boxes to play with, or hiding food inside old toilet roll tubes. Any cat owner will know that if there is a cardboard box to be discovered, the cat will enjoy the box more than the scratching tower that came in it. You can also consider pampering your cat with regular grooming sessions – no need to pay for a professional to do it!

Charity shops are a great place for old kids’ toys which make wonderful pet toys. Buy inexpensive squeakers and sew them into the toys.  Your pets will only see a new toy.

Rotate toys

Sometimes the best toys are already in your overflowing toy basket. Most dogs and cats have piles of toys they never use. It’s like today’s kids!

So, as with children, rotate their toys to keep them interested. Pick up two-thirds of them and put them away. Every couple of weeks, rotate one-third of the toys back out on the floor. Your pets will feel the fun of new toys – and you’ll have the fun of giving them something – without spending a penny.

A word of caution: Always supervise your pets when they’ve got a toy or chew, whether it’s shop bought or home made. And NEVER let them play with string or add it to a toy. String is easily swallowed and can literally tie intestines in knots.

Make your pet house at home

A pet house is a luxurious addition for your dog, whether they live indoors or outdoors. It will provide your pet shade from the rain, hot sun, snow, wind and generally give them their own space. Save the money on a pet house by making one at home.You can build a pet house easily with equally cheap materials including cardboard and recycled materials.

Haggle!

Talk to your vet and boarding kennels. Do they run special offers? Will they give a discount if you bring in multiple pets at one time?

Teach your pets a trick or two

The nights are getting shorter, so switch off the telly and teach the dog (and cat – it is possible!) new tricks. Visit Dog Trick Academy to download dog tricks from professional dog trainers for free. Or amaze your friends by teaching your cat to shake your hand, sit, and come when called at British Psychological Society.

Training

Joining a local training group isn’t going to break the bank. Shop around but expect to pay £15 an hour. An eight week course usually costs around £100 – but it is worth every penny!

Most groups incorporate behaviour, nutrition, grooming advice and training into one course, all of which will save you more money in the future.

Training bonds dogs and their owners, plus they’ll be less likely to have accidents because they will be under your control.

You’ll learn a lot and you’ll get to meet other dog owners who can point you in the direction of that walking group you were looking for! Search the web or ask at the vets or pet shop to recommend local groups.

Make money from pet sitting and walking

Keep fit by becoming a professional dog walker and earn money from pet sitting.  Check out our article all about making money pet sitting here.

You could go the whole hog and combine pet sitting with house sitting for a living – or just to earn extra cash in the holidays.

Animal Aunts offers a full house and pet sitting service to its members. Just bear in mind that all sitters must be fully DBS checked and interviewed before being accepted – plus it’s a big time commitment as you move into the house for the duration of the job.

If you work from home already, why not spend a few weeks of the year being an animal aunt?  Rates vary depending on the job and location, but expect up to £80 per day looking after the dog, watering the plants and tickling the fish!

The post Pets: slash your pets costs appeared first on MoneyMagpie.

If you love animals, pet sitting and pet boarding can be an easy and fun way to make money at home. As around 50% of British families own a pet– but many of them go on holiday without their animals – there’s a lot of money to be made by offering doggy day care. Millennials, currently the largest pet-owning generation, reportedly spent £1.7 billion on their beloved animals in 2018. Among various expenses such as grooming and clothes, the money was also spent on dog walking and pet sitting.

Tap into this potential source of income – Simply sign up for free to a relevant site to advertise your services to thousands of dog/cat owners a month. You can easily get involved with this fun and simple yet well-paid business.

• What is pet sitting?
• What is pet boarding?
• How can I start pet sitting?
• What else is important?
• Will I need pet sitter’s insurance?

What is pet sitting?

Pet sitters look after people’s animals visiting them in their house while the owners are away from home.

They tend to check on the pets a couple of times a day, typically for between 30 minutes to an hour at a time (the owner and pet sitter can decide on time and length of the visit depending on their pet’s needs).

Pet sitters ensure that the animals are fed, given water or any medication they require, and they also clean up litter or cages and play with the pets.

Some dog sitting and cat sitting services also offer extras such as walking and grooming.

In most cases, such as the services promoted via Cat in a Flat, pet sitters only visit during the day but owners may arrange for minders to be house sitters as well through sites like Trustedhousesitters. It’s the perfect solution if they don’t want their pets or home left unoccupied (see our article on house sitting here).

Pet sitters usually charge per pet, per hour but weekly rates or discounts for multiple pets can be put in place. Rates tend to range from around £6 per visit up to £25.

This means you could make between £12 and £50 a day for a couple of visits to one house.

If you did three or four homes, you could make up to £200 a day.

What is pet boarding?

Pet boarding is a popular alternative to kennels. So popular, in fact, that dog owners in the UK spend over £1.5 billion each year on this type of accommodation.

Many owners don’t like putting their animals in kennels for a long time– it’s like leaving your children in a hotel or a school while you go on holiday. Very often pets are unhappy and feel unloved.

Not only that but doggy day care is expensive. Basic kennels can cost between £20 to £50 a day, sometimes adding up to more than the cost of your own holiday!

This is why many owners prefer to leave their animals with other families. It’s more friendly and usually cheaper for them.

Pets stay with a host family and they’re able to continue with their normal routines in the kind of home atmosphere they’re used to. Cats in particular can get very stressed when they’re sent to a kennel so many people now see pet boarding as the best option.

Stays can range from a few nights to a number of months depending on need. School holidays and the summer months are great times for pet boarders.

Even though the recommended maximum extra pets per boarder is just three at any one time, you could stand to make a lot of money during these busy periods.

Again, rates vary but, for example, Animal Aunts will pay you 75% of the total fee (£102 for an overnight stay for one dog). Some boarders increase their prices at busy times such as bank holidays.

So, if you board three extra animals in your home, you could make around £230 a day (minus the agency fee). Not bad money!

How can I start pet sitting?

Although you can actually apply for an animal boarding licence through your local government, you don’t need a permit to start pet sitting. The easiest way to get involved is to sign up with a local agency. Search for terms such as ‘pet sitting’ or ‘pet boarding’ alongside the name of your local area. That’ll bring up agencies near you.

You could also get on the books of a national agency. Trustedhousesitters, for example, lets you advertise your services.

If you’d rather work for yourself as a pet sitter, then you’ll need to promote your services in your neighbourhood. You could try advertising in your local vet’s surgery, contact local schools to put an advert in their newsletter or pin your business cards or flyers on bulletin boards in hospitals (you could really help a patient unable to walk their dog).

You could also put a free advert on sites such as All Pet Services or Jobsgrapevine so that if anyone from your area is searching the website for pet sitters, your details will be available to them.

In the ever-growing world of mobile, the increasing need for dog sitters has pushed developers to create pet sitting and pet boarding apps. Tailster, recently bought by UK’s biggest pet retailer Pets at Home, connects over 26k self-employed animal carers with clients. Rover promises to be the world’s largest network of five‑star pet sitters and dog walkers, while Wag offers on-demand dog walking services. Your next pet sitting gig could be a touch of a button away. Many customers feel more comfortable dealing with someone who also has pets. If you do have an animal of your own (ideally a cat or dog rather than a snake), make this clear in your pet sitting advert.

If you already own animals, you could also think about joining Pet Sitter Swap. This involves swapping pet care duties with someone in your local area. Although it’s not paid, it’d be a good way of getting the word around about your services and level of care.  Think of it as networking for pet sitters.

Potential clients may also request that you visit them so they can see how their pet reacts to you. This usually involves you spending some time alone with the animal and the owners then assess the situation. Make spare time for such requests as they’ll help increase your business opportunities.

After that, it’s really word of mouth. You’ll find that if you provide a good pet sitting service, then news will get about very quickly.

What else is important?

Some of the things you need to consider before you take pets in are:

Will you provide food and supplies or will the owner?

Most owners prefer to supply their own foods as their pets are used to a particular diet.

Check with clients to see what they want and make sure they know exactly what to bring. It might still be an idea to have extra stock in case of an emergency, or treats in the cupboard so that the pet feels happy and loved.

What type of pets will you look after?

Many pet boarders have rules regarding what type of dogs they allow into their homes.

Aggressive and unruly dogs are usually a no-go. Some boarders refuse male dogs that haven’t been neutered.

You should also be aware that most insurance covers only domestic animals so if you’re looking after more exotic types, you may need extra insurance (see below for details on insurance).

Draw up a contract with customers.

Unless you’re helping friends, drawing a contract will protect you both.

This can include who’s responsible for vet bills and state any emergency contact details.

You should seek legal advice if you want to set out a formal contract, or have a look at contracts on the web and create your own.

Paying tax

You may wonder whether you have to pay tax if you make some extra money occasionally pet sitting or feeding someone’s dog/cat for a week. In general, it depends on whether you have another source of income. Under the current personal tax allowance you can make £12,500 before you have to pay 20% tax on your earnings. If you’re starting out your self-employment venture, trading allowance will save you from paying tax on your first £1k of income. Double check if you’re not sure about your tax situation.

Laws about pet sitting

There are no laws which directly relate to pet sitting or pet boarding but Animal Aunts recommends registering with the local council if you run a pet sitting business.

You should also make yourself familiar with the laws about looking after animals.

If your pet-sitting services include extras such as dog walking, you’ll need to be aware of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 and the Animals Act 1971 (if you live in an area near livestock).

Will I need pet sitter’s insurance?

Insurance isn’t a legal necessity if you’re going to be looking after pets in your own home.

However, you need to think carefully about what the consequences could be if something went wrong while they’re in your care.

Check out our pet insurance article which has all the latest special offers from insurers. But, remember there are some things you should keep in mind when making your insurance choice.

Public Liability insurance  – You could be sued for negligence if an animal in your care gets out of control and causes harm to a member of the public. Public liability is essential if you plan to include dog walking as part of your services. Find the right public liability insurance for you here. 

Key replacement – If you lose a client’s keys and you don’t have insurance, you could be liable to pay for the cost of replacing all the locks.

Housesitting– If you’re being asked to house sit as well as pet sit, most pet-sitter’s insurance won’t cover this, unless your house-sitting duties are significantly less than your pet-sitting ones.

Discounts – If you’re considering becoming  a member of a national organisation, then it might be a good idea to sign up with Petsitters Alliance. They have a deal which includes membership plus third party liability, house-sitting, pet-accident and lost-keys insurance for £95 per year.

If you found this article useful then we think these’ll be right up your street:

• Make £60 an hour by dog walking
• Make money house sitting
• Money-making ideas for the over 60s
• Making extra money – do I have to pay more tax?
• Top 20 tips for running your own business

Have you had any experience pet sitting? Maybe it’s your ideal job but you still have questions. Let us know in the comments section below – we love to hear from you!

The post Make money from pet sitting and pet boarding appeared first on MoneyMagpie.

Whatever the reason and whatever your pet, here are some suggestions for great Christmas gifts for your favourite animals.

Dogs

There’s more than one way to support Guide Dogs this Christmas – in addition to sponsoring a puppy, you can also get some festive gift inspiration with exclusive new gifts from the Guide Dogs shop:

Limited Edition Christmas Jumper – £45

New for 2024, this exclusive limited edition Guide Dogs Christmas jumper is available in unisex sizes (small/medium/large/X large). Woven in a Fair Isle style, it comes in classic Christmas red and white, featuring leaping Labrador pups, snowflakes, and bones. Made from 100% soft-touch acrylic, this cosy jumper is perfect for the festive season and supports a great cause.

Guide Dogs Crochet Kit – Large £36, Mini £24

Also new for 2024, these *crochet kits allow you to create your very own Muriel the Labrador. The kits contain everything you need, including detailed instructions, yarn, a 3mm crochet hook, Guide Dogs label, premium stuffing, a slim wool needle, and a postcard pattern. The finished size is approximately 18cm sitting (large) or 8cm (mini). These kits are suitable for both beginners and advanced crocheters. 100% of profits go to Guide Dogs.

*Please note that they contain functional sharp points, polyester stuffing, and small parts, making them unsuitable as toys.

It’s The Dog’s all-natural peanut butter balls are the first range of snacks that are created with entirely human-friendly ingredients and offer a range of benefits for canines. They are high in protein, grain free, low carb, gut friendly, gluten free and high in fibre. Created under the watchful eye of expert veterinarians and dog care specialists, It’s The Dog’s new treats aren’t just tasty, but also nutritionally balanced and beneficial for our pooch’s overall well-being. It’s The Dog’s are made using dog-safe roasted peanut butter, along with other wholesome ingredients such as chicory fibre, tapioca fibre, chia seeds, toasted pumpkin seed protein powder, sunflower seeds, golden flaxseed, coconut cream, citrus fibre and apple.

Each ball is high in protein to support growth and repair muscles, as well as promoting a healthy skin and coat. They are also prebiotic which helps to promote a healthy gut that can lead to better digestion, improved nutrient absorption and a strengthened immune system and they are low carb to avoid weight gain. 

The robe is made from a super absorbent microfibre that holds more water than traditional towelling, so it quickens the drying time of your wet dog without causing extra frizz. The robe comes in a matching bag which can also double as a drying glove. The robe is available in five sizes small to XXL and can be machine washed.

Prices start at £24.99

Houndstooth Memory Foam Luxury Dog Bed

With a comfy crumb memory foam cushion that contours to your dogs body shape for superior comfort, this dog bed from Wainwright’s is the perfect touch of luxury for winter nights. Lined with plush faux-rabbit fur, the removable cover is machine washable to help keep things fresh, while the base is slip-resistant to help keep the bed where you put it.

Who Gives A Crap has launched a new range, including 100% Recycled Dog Poo Bags and Rubbish Bags, as well as 100% Compostable Food Scrap Bags. Each is designed for different purposes and end of life, keeping Mother Earth in mind, while getting one step closer to help end the global sanitation crisis. 

Each of the bags are leak and tear-proof with tie handles. In true Who Gives A Crap style, the bags feature an array of unique designs, with bold colours and geometric shapes making taking out the rubbish not only foolproof but fun and stylish too! 

Unwrap the magic of play with Tug-E-Nuff hand-picked gift sets sure to put your dog’s tail in zoomie mode. These toys go waaaay beyond ordinary. They’re created by dog trainers and designed to make dogs go wild! They’re durable, highly motivating and best of all – oodles of fun!Get your dog racing back the first time you call with our high performing recall faves; take your fetch game to exciting new heights with some great fetch toys; or give the gift of choice with e-gift cards (delivered instantly).

Treat your four-legged friend to the ultimate gift this Christmas with the Happy Hound Dog Hamper. Packed with tasty treats & toys, it’s the perfect reward for the most loyal member of your family.

The hamper includes:

• Great & Small Yak Milk Chew (Medium)

• Yora Dog Dental Sticks (56g)

• Yora Dog Rewards – Carrot & Apple (100g)

• Marleybones Boss Nosh Beef (390g)

• Frogg The Brick Dog Toy (Small)

• Great & Small Christmas Moose with Rope

• Signature Macknade Hamper Box

It’s Patch, the Pooch & Mutt mascot! And here he is as a soft and cuddly companion for your dog.

Watch their eyes light up as they see their favourite food brand’s pooch become their new bestie, through snuggles, nibbles and play.

And with a squeaker in his tummy and crinkles in his ears, playtime just got a whole lot more sensory filled!

He’s the best comforting companion when your pooch needs him most, is absolutely adorable (if we may say so ourselves) and is planet-friendly too – as he’s made from recycled plastic bottles.

Cats

2024 marks the exciting launch of Marro, a brand-new Fresh cat food company dedicated to delivering Fresh, tasty, meaty meals directly to your door.

With more than half (57%) of UK cat owners saying they are unhappy with their current cat food, Marro is setting out to change the way we feed our cats. The secret lies in Marro’s commitment to taste. Using human-quality ingredients, gently steam-cooked from scratch, Marro stands proudly apart from the norms of the cat food industry.

Unlike ultra-processed food, this meticulous approach unlocks a banquet of health benefits for felines, including promoting healthy bones, skin and a shiny coat, supporting digestion and ensuring firmer, less-smelly stools. Meals are formulated with the help of expert vets to nourish cats at every stage of life and are also packed with complete and balanced nutrition.

 To celebrate its grand opening, Marro is offering a limited-time discount of 40% off your first two boxes. Creating the perfect opportunity to experience the Marro difference and witness the joy it brings to feline friends. Customers can claim their discount online at marro.com.

PetWipes

Toucan Seek Indoor Pan & Tilt Security Camera

Enhance the security of your home with the Seek Camera, designed to provide comprehensive indoor monitoring without the need for a subscription or base station.

Screenshot

Whether you’re looking to enhance your home security, keep an eye on your pets, or simply stay connected to your loved ones, the Seek Camera offers the perfect solution.

Add https://www.ferneanimalsanctuary.org/product-category/pet-care/ to pet guide as well as https://www.vistaprint.co.uk/photo-gifts/pet-photo-gifts

Why not treat someone to the gift of their own pet’s beautiful hairy face staring at them from a cushion!

Vistaprint are offering this great deal:

Pet face cushion small – 1 starting at  £22.99 but now on offer with 40% off at  £13.79
Pet face cushion large –  1 starting at  £31.99 but now on offer with 40% off at  £19.19

Easy to upload a picture and choose cushions, stickers and other fun pet merch.

The post MoneyMagpie’s ULTIMATE Gift Guide for Pets appeared first on MoneyMagpie.

What is Pet Insurance?

How Does Pet Insurance Work?

What Does Pet Insurance Not Cover?

Annual Versus Lifetime Policies

Should I Insure My Dog or Cat?

How Much Does Pet Insurance Cost?

Save with Vet Plans

What is Pet Insurance?

Pet insurance covers the cost of vet bills for your cat, dog, iguana – any domestic household pet. Vet fees can be extortionate even for small procedures, and often unexpected. Puppies eat things they shouldn’t, cats might fight each other, and illness can strike any animal at any time.

How Does Pet Insurance Work?

Just like your car or household insurance, you pay a monthly or annual fee for your policy. The amount you pay will vary depending on factors like the provider, your pet type and breed, your pet’s age (older animals cost more to insure), how much excess you are happy to pay, and the level of cover you require.

Some vets will require you to pay your bill and reclaim it from the insurance provider, while others will process the claim directly and contact you if the claim is rejected or there is a shortfall (such as an operation costing more than your total cover amount). Check with your vet which way they prefer to do it, as the first option means you’ll need to have a financial buffer saved to allow for upfront payments.

What Does Pet Insurance Not Cover?

There are different levels of pet insurance cover. Basic plans will help you pay for things like emergency operations, accident and legal cover (for example if your dog runs into the road and causes a crash), and small ailments. After that, plans scale up to thousands of pounds of cover per ailment, dental treatment (which basic plans usually won’t cover), and even physiotherapy or behavioural therapy.

Pet insurance usually will not cover the standard annual costs of having a pet. This includes initial or annual vaccinations, the cost of spay or neuter operations (unless there is a complication that arises after), and pet food (unless it is vet-prescribed and temporary for a gastric condition).

Annual Versus Lifetime Policies

Many pet insurance providers give you the option to choose an annual or a lifetime policy type. An annual policy resets each year, and won’t cover things that have been claimed for in the past (for example, if your dog had a stomach bug in year one, other gastric issues will not be covered in future years). This makes annual cover cheaper.

Lifetime cover costs more but will continue to cover repeat costs for recurring health problems, as long as you don’t break your policy by stopping it at any point. You still pay monthly or annually, and the cost will change every 12 months to reflect your pet’s age, but the cover continues for their whole life.

Some insurance policies will also include a death benefit, whereby you will receive the purchase price of your pet on their death (this is not usually available for older animals). This is an extra premium you can add to your policy if you want.

Should I Insure My Dog or Cat?

In the past, pet insurance may have felt too expensive to consider. For example, this writer pays just under £45 a month for a two-year-old golden retriever with lifetime cover up to £7,000 on each ailment. It sounds like a lot, right?

That same dog has, in under two years, racked up vet bills of over £5,000 with a recurring gastric issue and ear infections. Taking into account the £85 excess for the first vet consultation the first time the issue arises, and the cost of plans over two years, that still results in a saving of almost £4,000.

More than that, there is peace of mind that, if the dog seems unwell, a vet appointment is made and tests are done. There is no worrying about whether you can afford the blood test or x-ray to get to the route of the problem – and then further worry about how you can pay for the operation or medication to solve it.

However: insurance is a bit of a gamble. You could have a wonderfully healthy pet that lives for ten years, never needs to see the vet, and you’ve poured thousands of pounds into a policy that never gets used.

If you have a financial buffer, it could be worth putting a large lump sum into a high yield savings account and earning interest from it, instead of paying out for insurance each year. This is especially true if you would only insure your pet on a basic plan, as you would most likely need additional savings to top up a large vet bill.

How Much Does Pet Insurance Cost?

The factors vary so much that it’s hard to put a specific price on pet insurance costs. However, you can get a plan for as little as around £15 per month from some of the most popular providers like PetPlan, if you want the equivalent of ‘third party’ insurance you’d have on your car. This provides legal cover and basic cover for minor ailments.

As your pet ages, the amount will go up. You could find yourself paying £60+ per month for a senior dog or cat on a high cover plan. This is when you should start weighing up whether it would be better to stop paying into insurance and instead keep some savings in an account for vet bills, especially as some insurance policies won’t cover some ailments after a certain age.

You could save money on your insurance with a multi-pet policy which covers more than one pet in the same household.

Save with Vet Plans

One way to ensure your insurance premium stays low is to look at your local vet’s health plan. This will often include annual vaccinations, health checks, nail clips, dental checks, and monthly flea and wormer medication.

Some policies will offer a discount if you’re part of your vet’s health plan, others will not cover certain ailments if you cannot prove that you’ve not taken every step possible to avoid the ailment. For example, you can’t claim for a parasite problem if you can’t prove that you’ve been giving your pet monthly wormer tablets, or for dental work if there is no evidence of regular dental checks.

Vet health plans will usually save you around £100 or more each year on these regular costs, so even if you aren’t going to buy pet insurance it is worth looking at them to keep your pet healthy on a budget.

The post Pet Insurance Explained appeared first on MoneyMagpie.

We’ve outlined some of the best ways to cut your pet expense without compromising on animal care.

1. Why are Pets Expensive?
2. The Typical Pet Expenses
3. Buy Food in Bulk to Cut Pet Expenses
4. Share Costs With a Fellow Pet Friend
5. Shop Second Hand
6. Share Dog Walks With a Friend
7. Weigh Up Self Insurance Versus Pet Insurance
8. Cut Pet Expenses With DIY Toys
9. Make Your Own Treats
10. More Tips

Why are pets expensive?

A dog can cost you anywhere between £4,500 and £13,000 or even more over its lifetime, while a cat is likely to cost around £12,000.
This may seem like a lot, but when you break it down, it’s understandable.

Pets have 5 welfare needs that you are legally required to meet. These are:

• Health – Protection from pain, injury, suffering and disease and treated if necessary.
• Behaviour – the ability to behave naturally for their species.
• Companionship – to be housed with, or apart from, other animals as appropriate for the species. i.e. company of their own kind for sociable species like rabbits or guinea pigs, or to be housed alone for solitary species.
• Diet – a suitable diet and access to clean water. This includes feeding to prevent obesity or malnourishment.
• Environment – This should include the right type of home with a comfortable place to rest and hide as well as space to exercise and explore.

Meeting these 5 requirements comes at a cost. But, you can be savvy and save some money without compromising your pet’s wellbeing.

The typical pet expenses

According to the PDSA, one of the UK’s leading animal charities, the average monthly cost of a dog is £50 for a small breed, £65 for a medium breed and £80 for a large dog. Meanwhile, a cat will cost you around £70 a month.

These costs included things like annual booster injections, which are very important for preventing disease, food, new equipment like leads and collars, and medical costs and/or insurance.

But, these sums are the average cost after your initial start off costs – and we’re not just talking about adoption or purchase costs. When you first get a pet, costs include the first set of vaccinations to prevent serious disease and even death (usually between £40 and £60). You may also need to pay for microchipping, which is a legal requirement. Although, some breeders may do this for you.

You will also need to buy a bed, food and water bowls and any other equipment needed, not to mention a toy or two.

These sums also don’t include any pet sitting or dog walking fees you may have to pay.

More information on what to expect in terms of costs can be found on the PDSA website.

Adopt Don’t Shop

The initial price of buying a pet can be high. Dog breeders, in particular, took advantage of the huge rise in demand for puppies in 2020 due to the lockdown – and prices have spiked to astronomical levels. A Golden Retriever puppy would have set you back around £750 – £850 in 2019. Now, you’re looking at £4000. Yes, really.

Many of those who bought puppies in the March 2020 lockdown have found a dog is harder work than they expected. The same for other pets, too! Dog shelters and rescue homes are inundated with animals who need loving homes. So, instead of supporting the backyard breeders (who care more about money than animals), consider adopting from your local shelter. Adoption fees vary, but are often around or below £100 – regardless of breed.

Buy food in bulk to cut pet expenses

If you have a bit of extra storage space, buy your pet food in bulk. This might not work for fussy animals, who like a lot of variety in their diet, but most pets won’t mind, particularly if they get the odd treat!

The cost saving of buying food in bulk is huge. For example, if you buy a standard 2kg bag of Royal Canin puppy food it will cost you £14.99 or £7.50 per kg. In contrast, buying an 8kg bag will cost you £32.99 or £4.12 per kg. This means you’re saving over £3 per kilogram!

As a bonus, Pets at Home is on Quidco, so you can get cash back every time you order food. You can also take advantage of subscriber discounts on many pet food sites – saving a few percent on each order AND getting the order automatically renewed and delivered before their food runs out!

Cheap food isn’t always the answer, either. You might be tempted to try a food because it’s the cheapest on the market – but the cheap ones are full of fillers and lack the best nutrition. If it’s all you can afford, of course your pet will be fine. However, the higher quality foods (that are more expensive) can help you avoid vet bills in the future. For example, your dog might have a grain allergy – and a hypoallergenic food will help reduce gastric problems and prevent lots of vet visits and medicines.

Share costs with a fellow pet friend

If you’re worried about having too much food from bulk buying or you only need one dog comb but the pack of 3 is cheaper – why not team up with a friend who also has pets?

This approach also applies to training classes. 1 on 1 classes can cost £50 an hour. If there’s two of you, the cost is likely to be much lower.

If you don’t have a pet-owning friend to share with, get online! Check Facebook or NextDoor for local dog walking groups, pet owner groups, or even just post in your local community app to find someone to share with. You’ll make new friends AND have something in common!

Shop second-hand

This particularly applies when you have a puppy or a kitten. They grow so quickly, that there’s no point spending a lot of money on a bed, collar or harness that will only last them a couple of months.

Good sites to try are: Preloved, Gumtree, Ebay and Facebook Marketplace.

You could even make some money by selling any equipment or toys you no longer need on the same sites.

Share dog walks with a friend

Rather than employing a professional dog walker why not team up with a friend to walk each other’s dogs?

Maybe you struggle to get out on Thursdays, but they’re tied up with their children’s activities on Saturdays. This way, they could walk both dogs on Thursdays, while you take them out on Saturdays. Then, neither of you will have to pay for a dog walker.

If there’s a day neither of you can do, it might be worth booking with the dog walker together as most offer discounts when you book multiple dogs. The dogs may need to be picked up from and dropped off at the same house for this to work though!

weigh up self-insurance versus pet insurance

Pet insurance is one of the biggest expenses of owning a pet. It sets owners back around £24 a month. When you consider the average lifespan of a cat or dog is at least ten years, that’s a whopping £2,880 – that you might never get to use.

Insurance has its limitations. It often doesn’t cover consultation fees or the standard vaccinations. You may have to cover costs of up to £100 yourself before your insurance kicks in, too. Your pet also won’t be covered on cheaper policies for things like long-term medication, emergency admission costs, overnight stays… you can see how it adds up.  

Instead, you could instead consider putting aside £20 each month and saving or investing it. You can then use this pot to fund the cost of any care your pet requires. If you don’t need to dip into it – great! You’ve kept hold of your cash and your pet stayed healthy. If you do – it’s right there to use. (That’s another disadvantage of insurance – many only reimburse you, so you’ll still have to find cash to pay for treatment first).

However, it’s worth considering how you’ll cope if your pet has a sudden accident or illness. The cost of investigations and operations can soon rack up and it’s not uncommon to be faced with a bill well into the thousands. When you self-insure, you could be faced with the incredibly tough decision of: “Spend thousands of pounds that might help your pet live a little longer – or put them down”. So, always weigh up the EMOTIONAL cost of insurance before you decide whether to self-insure or opt for a formal policy.

Cut pet expenses with DIY toys

You’ve probably all seen pictures on social media of cats ignoring fancy beds or toys in favour of the box they came in.

You really don’t need to spend lots of money on toys for your pet. Empty toilet rolls, flower pots, old cuddly toys and cardboard boxes can all be repurposed to be the most exciting toy for your furry friend.

Some dog trainers even recommend tying up old pairs of tights and sports socks to make ‘tuggies’ that will entertain puppies for hours. You can even hide treats inside them to make them seem even more exciting.

Make your own treats

Who can resist giving their pet a treat or two every now and then?

Pet food companies have cottoned on to our weakness and now sell every kind of treat you could imagine, usually at quite the price.
Instead, why not chop up a left over chicken breast from dinner for you dog or use the remnants of a tin of tuna for your cat?

One tip is to buy reduced meat – such as turkey or liver – on your next supermarket trip. Cook it when you get home and freeze it in small portions ready to use when you need it.

If you like cooking, why not trying baking your own treats? Battersea Dogs Home has a range of recipes for both dog and cat treats on its website that your pets will love – like this dog biscuit recipe.

More like this…

• Make £60 an Hour and Get Fit with Dog Walking
• 10 Fun and Free Ways to Entertain Your Dog This Summer
• Slash Your Pet Costs
• Five Ways to Make Money with Your Pet

The post How to Save on Your Pet Expenses appeared first on MoneyMagpie.

What’s more, to mark International Cat Day, we’ve rounded-up the best ways to make money from moggies, whether you’re a cat owner or just like spending time with other people’s pets.

• Become a qualified carer
• Help pet companies with market research
• Make your cat Insta-famous
• Share your knowledge
• Sell photos of your cat
• Shows and competitions

Become a qualified carer

According to our recent research, you could earn up to £2,350 a year as a cat carer. There are a good few cat guardian clubs out there such as Pawshake, Rover.com and Cat In A Flat. You may want to sign up to work for one of those businesses, or just to set yourself up as a cat-sitter. 

Angie Rance, based in London, has been a cat-sitter for a couple of years. Angie works with Cat In A Flat but has also picked up a few cat-sitting and cat-feeding gigs via word of mouth, and said she can make about £20 a day. If she has the time or is required to do this five times every week, that works out to £400-plus a week. In a typical month, however, she tends to make a couple of hundred pounds, due to her availability. 

“Cat feeding, for me, has provided a wonderful supplementary income. Which, after switching to being self-employed, is very helpful,” said Angie.

She said it has also given her the opportunity to “meet neighbours, explore new bits of the neighbourhood…and best of all to hang out with friendly animals”. 

So there are several places to start there with your plans to become a cat-sitter. It can fit around your job and lifestyle, and you get to meet lots of wonderful felines! 

Help pet companies with market research 

Just like every other industry, pet-focused companies need to know as much as possible about their target market to deliver good products. 

Of course, since your cat’s ability to provide feedback is limited, you can step in and be his or hers voice. An easy way of doing this is filling in paid online surveys focused specifically on cat products. 

The best way to go about this is to sign up for survey sites, such as Swagbucks, LifePoints and Nielsen Panel. The money isn’t enough to live on and it won’t provide you with a steady income, but paid surveys are a great way to make some cash with very little effort. You could make in excess of £50 a month without doing much at all. 

Read more about doing online surveys for cash. Or click here to help pet-focused companies with market research. 

Make your cat Insta-famous

If you have a cat, you probably hundreds of pictures or videos of them doing cute or funny things at home or when you’re out and about. 

People love cute cats, especially when they are doing something funny or memorable. Their demand for new pictures and videos online will never be satiated, so you might as well give the people what they want and get paid for it. 

While there is no cut-and-dry method for turning your cat into an internet celebrity, here are some ideas that might help: 

• Give your cat a memorable nickname, like the dear-departed Grumpy Cat.
• Observe their behaviour and document them doing things they love. 
• Create social media accounts dedicated to your cat. It might be good to focus only on Instagram or Facebook to start off with. 
• Use hashtags to help broaden your audience. 
• Take good quality photos and videos. 

• Post regularly to create consistency. 
• Focus on something original or specific about your cat. 

While you won’t get any money from your new endeavour initially, you could develop a following over time. Eventually your cat could hit the big time, and advertisers may pay you to show their products and services to your audience. 

In time you could be raking in the big bucks. Grumpy Cat, for example, before his passing, earned over $100 million. Not too bad for a sour-puss! 

Another way to get your cat Insta-famous is to jump onto trends. Search data can be used to determine how much interest there is in a trend, which can be a factor in how profitable it is. 

Share your knowledge

If you’ve had cats for a long time and enjoy reading articles and studies about their behaviour, breeds, etc. why not share your knowledge with others? They may find it useful and, in time, this could earn you some money. 

You can achieve this by setting up a blog and writing regular posts about interesting cat-related topics. As more and more people start reading your blog, you could approach cat product companies to partner with you. They could buy advertising on your site or sponsor some of your social media posts. 

In time, your blog could even lead you to an eBook or a full-blown book deal! 

Finally, you could offer to do talks at local events, schools and community organisations for a small fee.  Who knows, you might even get the chance to share your cat knowledge on world stages one day. 

Sell photos of your cat 

You can also make money by selling them to stock galleries and other online resources. Believe it or not, people really need these to help draw people to their articles, products or website with your adorable cat’s pictures. It’s a nice way to make some money from things you enjoy. 

While you probably won’t make buckets full of cash, it could provide you with a welcome little windfall every once in a while. And your fluffy friends will live on forever in the work of others. 

Read more about selling your photos online. 

Shows and competitions 

Finally, you will notice that many cat-related competitions don’t really offer prize money. However, in many cases, once you enter your little friend, you could be in the running to win pet food for a year or something similar. 

Many companies regularly run competitions like these, where all you have to do is simply upload a photo and to join. 

Remember to also keep an eye out for cat shows in your local area too if your furry one is particularly bonny! 

The post Make money from cats appeared first on MoneyMagpie.

And at the moment particularly, many people are finding it hard to make ends meet, with the much-publicised Cost of Living Crisis driving up our daily bills. So how do we find the money to support and nurture our pets, let alone ourselves? 

Thankfully, there are multiple places set up to help us provide for our pets without worrying about the financial cost of this, and these are the pet food banks around the UK. 

Most of these banks, or collection points set up in local supermarkets, are always looking for a wide range of pet food and accessories for animals, as well as: 

• Food pouches for dogs, cats and small household pets 
• Dried biscuits and food 
• Cans of pet food 
• Accessories for animals like warm beds and blankets, especially over winter months 
• Pet cleaning supplies like pet shampoo and hygiene products 
• Pet toys 

PET BANKS UK 

All of the following pet food banks are on the lookout for, and can provide, most if not all of the above. 

1. Local Pets at Home stores. Give yours a call or drop in first to make sure they’re after donations: you can provide them with money and goods that will help.
2. The RSPCA have branches in Wimbledon, Wandsworth and Sutton. 
3. In Scotland, The Pet Food Bank provides food, jackets, collars, leads, bowls, and bedding to owners who can’t afford the things their pet needs. They also have trained and experienced staff on hand in case you might need any advice or other support.
4. Social media pages such as Facebook will have many groups set up by people who are gathering help, money and items to help people with pets.
5. The RSPCA have collection bins at Tesco and Morrisons where you can drop and collect items.
6. Cats Protection also accepts donations via supermarkets. 
7. Pets of The Homeless are ready to accept donations at any time.
8. Blue Cross are working with partner organisations in Sheffield, Grimsby and Manchester.
9. The RSPCA have partnered with over 40 food banks across the North of England.
10. Ask around and check online to find independent or locally volunteered food banks available in your area. You may find these at your nearest rescue centre or cat and dog home.

FareShare

An alliance of national animal charities has joined forces with FareShare and global corporate donors including Pets at Home, Petplan, Purina Petcare, Lily’s Kitchen, and Mars Petcare to help owners in need to feed their hungry pets in the face of the cost of living crisis.

Dogs Trust, RSPCA, Battersea, and Cats Protection are working together with industry body UK Pet Food to secure food from pet food manufacturers, which is then distributed all over the UK through FareShare, the UK’s largest charity fighting hunger and food waste.

This initiative has been made possible thanks to Petplan, the UK’s no.1 pet insurer, covering the cost of distributing food to pets in need.

Pet food arriving at FareShare Thames Valley, to be distributed to charities/community groups

The alliance will help redistribute pet food to FareShare’s network of 9,500 charities which, as well as providing food banks, also provide wraparound services that help tackle the root causes of poverty, including homelessness shelters, women’s refuge centres, older people’s lunch clubs and after school clubs. This pet food will help owners most impacted by the cost of living crisis.

To date, the programme has received 43,621 kilograms of pet food, the equivalent of over 304,000 meals for hungry pets across the UK, who might not otherwise have been fed a proper meal that day.

Start your own pet food bank

As we’ve mentioned, looking around on social media or in your local area is a great place to start, as you’ll find hundreds of like-minded people concerned about pets and their owners and eager to help. Once you’ve made people aware of what you’re doing, you can start collecting items and donations while seeing if any pet owners in the area are in need of help and supplies.   

Finally, you can always try speaking to your local councillors to see if they’ll offer information and support for you to start this kind of work in your area. 

What to do if I can’t Afford my Pet

We have written a helpful guide of what to do if you simply can’t afford your pet here.

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As fuel and bill prices rise along with grocery costs, many people just can’t justify spending money on an animal as well. 

Jo Evans, who manages a shelter for the RSPCA near Exeter, told the BBC that people are struggling to pay for vet bills: “We are beginning to see people say they just can’t afford to own an animal so they have to rehome it,” said Evans, before noting that people should take the time to understand the cost involved before they take on a new pet. 

According to Pet Keen, an estimated 2.7 million animals a year in the UK are being taken in by shelters: mostly dogs and cats but also fish and small mammals, which is financially stretching the shelters. And with the cost of living crisis, the problems are piling up. 

• Lockdown pets
• Financial help
• Crowdfunding
• RSPCA advice
• Giving up a dog you’re no longer able to care for
• Giving up a cat you’re no longer able to care for
• One last piece of advice

Lockdown pets

Financial help

RSPCA advice

 

Below are some charities that may help you rehome your dog:

• www.battersea.org.uk
• www.adch.org.uk
• www.bluecross.org.uk

The post What to do if you can’t afford your pet any more appeared first on MoneyMagpie.

I think it’s fair to say that I love my little dog more than I love most people, so is pet insurance a necessity?. I got him at a time my health was bad, and his company and relentless positive little face became my absolute saviour.  

This feeling isn’t unusual either. Speak to any pet owner and a huge percentage see them more as a family member. In fact, according to a 2017 survey of 2000 dog and cat owners conducted by Lily’s Kitchen Pet Food: 96% said they regard pets as part of the family, and a whopping 60% admitted to being closer to their pet than to some members of their family. Therefore it is fair to say we would do anything to protect them.  

A Little Bit About My Dog 

Rupert is a 4 year old Jack Russell Terrier. He was supposed to work as a ratter, but due to a large overbite and a far too gentle nature for such work, he came to me as a puppy. He is now very much a pet. A bed-sharing, sofa-hogging, agility-doing pet with a capital P. He has everything he wants and I cater to his every whim.   

An Emergency Occurred  

One fine day – or not so fine as you’re about to discover – we had a friend over for a garden picnic. The sun was shining and we had some nice treats on the table, including a bunch of grapes. What we didn’t see was one of the grapes rolling off the table, so when Rupert appeared scoffing something down, we discovered in horror that he’d eaten one of the grapes. Too late to stop him, and aware that grapes and dogs don’t mix, we Googled what to do. All the advice said SEE A VET IMMEDIATELY, so we phoned our trusted local vets and they said yep, we should bring him in for tests. For those who don’t know, grapes and grape derivatives like juice and raisins can poison dogs. In fact the vet said if we didn’t flush out his system (he’d already digested it), there was a 50% chance of imminent liver failure: yes, it’s that serious. 

We had no choice but to leave Rupert at the vet overnight – in fact for two nights – while he endured a very painful-sounding procedure where his system was flushed out with charcoal, just to make sure all traces of the grape were gone. Thankfully, despite us having to leave him for 48 hours, the most we’d ever left him alone for, he was fine despite the ordeal. Then of course we were faced with a lovely vet bill for £700. Now, since this horror we went and did some homework and realised that if we had had Petsure insurance, then that wouldn’t have taken a hefty bite out of our accounts. Had we opted for the £5000 of cover, with £100 excess, which would have cost us just £17.40 monthly (£208.75 annually), this whole ordeal would have been covered in a much more manageable way.  

 So while of course we would have paid anything to get Rupert the best care, immediately we saw a huge need for insurance and why everyone had warned us. Had we signed up for Petsure insurance, the financial stress could have been saved. 

HOW DOES PETSURE MEET MY OWN NEEDS? 

Petsure is designed to meet the demands and needs of those who wish to insure against unexpected veterinary costs. The levels of cover may vary depending on which cover option you choose. 

 You can navigate the site easily as you search for the best policy for your pet, with easy to use sliders that show how much cover you’ll get and then how much it will cost. This is all easily changeable if you alter your cover level options. You can then click forward to a quote that lets you pay monthly or annually.  

OPTIONAL EXTRAS 

That’s for the standard  cover most pet owners will need. Petsure also offer optional Dental Illness cover, Farewell cover, Missing Pet cover and Travel and Holiday cover that will of course alter the cost, but again, the option to chop and change until you’ve adjusted the insurance to your liking is very easy to navigate. 

Was Rupert OK?

Rupert is currently running round the garden absolutely fine. We managed to deal with it quickly and no long-term damage occurred. We are however, never buying grapes again.

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