Advice for Pet Owners
Inexpensive Pet Care

Arden Moore
Animal Behavior Consultant, Editor, Author and Professional Speaker
Wednesday, January 7, 2009 11:00 AM

When money is less available, humans aren't the only species that suffer. Financial setbacks often effect the companions we love most -- pets. But animal expert Arden Moore can give advice on how to provide your pet with sufficient care without going into debt. She is an animal behavior consultant, an editor at Catnip magazine, editor-at-large of Fido Friendly magazine and host of the "Oh Behave!" podcast on PetLifeRadio.com. Moore is the author of 20 books on dog and cat care, including "The Dog Behavior Answer Book," "The Cat Behavior Answer Book," and "Clicker Training." She is also a professional speaker who specializes in topics like networking and writing.

She was online Wednesday, January 7, at 11 am ET to take questions on inexpensive pet care.

Please join us again next Wednesday for another discussion on pet care with the Animal Doctor Michael W. Fox at 11 a.m. ET. And check out washingtonpost.com's pets section any time!

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Arden Moore: Paws up to all of you! In these tough times, pets are also feeling the "bite" of this economy. That's why I am happy to participate in this online chat. My goal is to help you save money without sacrificing quality care for your priceless pets. So, unleash those questions, America!

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Washington, DC: Dear Ms. Moore,

Big fan of yours and Susan Sims of Fido Friendly. Question: Should I get health insurance for my two young Westies (3 and 4 years old) or should I just self-insure by putting money away each month into a special savings account. Thanks!

Arden Moore: Thanks for the kind words! Susan is grr-eat! Now, here is how you can feel like a "rock star" to your cute Westies. Get pet insurance now before they get any older and develop any pre-existing health conditions. There are several pet insurance companies out there, but I recommend you get one with a straight 80-20 reimbursement policy. The reason? Less confusion on policy exemptions.

My two dogs, Chipper and Cleo (ages 6) have been on pet insurance plans since adopting them at ages 2 and 4, respectively. Two years ago, Chipper developed an anal tumor (fortunately, it was benign) that required very delicate (and pricey) surgery. My policy covered 80 percent of the bill.

Look for payment options that best fit your budget -- monthly, quarterly, semi-annually or yearly. The beauty of pet insurance is that you can go to any veterinarian -- they have not yet created pet "HMOs" or "PPOs" yet. Having your pets insured gives you peace of mind. Chipper and Cleo are sending sloppy kisses and tail wags to your doggy duo!

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Takoma Park, Md.: I'm submitting a question early as I'll be in meetings all day. I have two cats and a dog, all rescues. The youngest cat, a 1-year-old Bombay, keeps getting worms and it sometimes spreads to the other cat. Every time this happens requires another costly trip to the vet. How can I prevent this from happening, or at least, decrease how often it occurs? (Both cats are largely indoor cats, although I occasionally let them out in the yard.) Any info would be appreciated - thanks!

Arden Moore: Thank you for giving a good home to these second-chance pets! Bombays can have sensitive digestion systems. I suspect that there are some unwanted parasites populating some where in your yard that your cat is coming into contact with.

Worms can be easily treated at a vet clinic but there is the hassle of coaxing a cat into a carrier, the car ride and the time spent at the clinic. Save yourself some time -- and money -- by providing your cat a safe outdoor enclosure. Do let your cats roam freely where they can pick up these parasites. Also, check with your vet to make sure that all of your pets are up to date on their vaccinations, including heartworm. For years, people have been educated about the importance of those once-a-month pills for dogs to prevent heartworm disease, but guess what? Cats can develop their own type of heartworm disease -- that strange-but-true - impacts their lungs. These monthly preventatives can save you lots of expensive vet care and may also aid in your cat's worm woes. Best to you and your cool critters!

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Gainesville, Fla.: Thank you for taking my question! I want to provide my two dogs and two young cats with good nutrition, but the most expensive brands of pet food -- those sold only at pet stores, like Purina Pro Plan -- are getting to be out of my budget. What grocery-store-sold pet food do you recommend for cats and for dogs? Iams? Purina One? Thanks so much!

Arden Moore: There's a direct correlation between what you put in the food bowl and the quality of health (and longevity) in your pets. Like you, I have a "furry fab four" household (two dogs and two cats -- the dogs know the cats are "gods" so there is true harmony).

When it comes to selecting quality food, the most important advice I can give you is to become a label reader. Select foods that list a REAL protein as the first ingredient (such as fish, chicken, beef, turkey) and not "meat by-product" (reminds me of the mystery meat served in my grade school cafeteria years ago) or certainly not wheat or other grains. Dogs are omnivores (meat and veggies) and cats are obligate carnivores (MEAT and more meat). That is how their bodies are designed.

Step 2. Portion control. Don't guess on how much you are feeding your pets. Measure it using a measuring cup. You can s-t-r-e-t-c-h food by measuring properly. Also, knowing exactly how much you feed your furry crew is helpful should they suddenly start gaining or losing weight. Conveying to your vet your pets' food portions is a helpful clue in pinpointing the "why" behind the weight change.

Step 3. Clip coupons. And, contact the pet food manufacturer and inquire about any possible "special sales" or promotions. Pet food is a very competitive business -- just like the phone biz -- and companies don't want to lose a customer to a competitor. Express your loyalty to their brand.

Step 4. Shop in bulk -- to an extent. Store your dry food in plastic bins with resealable lids to prevent the kibble from becoming stale or rancid. Opt for a one-month's supply at max -- because the food can become bad. Look for 2-for-1 sales or buy a 12-case or 24-case of canned food (far less than one at a time).

Step 5. For your dogs, you can actually serve a little less kibble and canned by including steamed veggies (no seasonings, no butter) into the bowl. Perfect place to put your leftover broccoli or carrots! Veggies help a dog feel full without adding calories.

Bottom line: investing in your pets' chow -- by selecting quality food -- may cost you a few pennies extra at the checkout line, but you will be saving plenty of dollars in their health because they won't be having to be treated for poor food-related conditions like pancreatitis or obesity. Paws Up!

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Washington, DC: Is mass-market pet food really that bad? I mean the kind of food you buy in a supermarket, like Purina or Friskies. I have three cats and the prices of the expensive stuff seems astronomical. Thanks.

Arden Moore: As I mentioned earlier, it is the ingredients -- not the name of the food -- that is most important. There are reasonably priced foods that contain healthy ingredients. Purina, for example, has a range of cat foods and recently came out with one that is high in protein (dry food) that meets a cat's need for meat.

It may sound contractive, but investing in your cats' food bowls with quality chow will actually save your mega dollars in vet bills. Food is one of the big price ticket items in pet care, but it is a good investment. You can save other money by making homemade cat toys (paper wads, a tent of newspapers, etc.), but please don't skimp on the quality of their food.

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Fairfax: Hi. I have a spoiled male border collie who is not great with kids (the dog lives with two adults and is the center of attention etc.); I think he sees small kids as competition for food, toys, etc. (maybe as another dog???). How do I deal with this behavior when my 2-year-old nephew comes to visit? The last time he visited, the dog barked at him and kept acting very nervous around him, as if he were about to snap at him, etc., especially when my nephew entered the kitchen (the food area) or was near a toy of any kind. Thanks.

Arden Moore: This is definitely a behavior that needs to be addressed quickly before your dog truly becomes a bully around the food bowl. As an animal behavior consultant, I go all over the country to help explain why dogs and cats do what they do.

Your "spoiled" dog needs to develop some meal-time manners before your young nephew -- or anyone else -- gets hurt. Step 1. Have your dog sit while you prepare his food.

Step. 2. Teach your dog to Stay when you go to put his food bowl down.

Step 3. Teach your dog the "watch me" command to maintain eye contact with you.

Step. 4. Teach him to Leave it until you give the OK command for him to eat.

You may need to start with him on a leash at mealtime, but he needs to relearn that you -- and other two-leggers -- are in control of all doggy resources -- food, treats, toys, walks, etc. Teaching him doggy manners at meal time is very important.

I offer a lot more meal time tips in great detail in my book, "The Dog Behavior Answer Book." You have a smart breed but one who may test who's top dog in the house. Please look into this book or work with a dog trainer in your area. Good luck!

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Manassas, Va.: Our daughter's 9-year-old cat was diagnosed with a nasal sarcoma January 2007. We followed the recommended path of radiation, with the total cost for surgery, MRIs, radiation and care being around 8K. Now the growth is back. She has an appointment with the oncologist tomorrow morning. The specialized pet care cost is very expensive. I'm not sure of my question, basically what choice do we have if we don't go to a specialist? Put the cat down? It is very troubling. Thanks.

Arden Moore: First, my heart goes out to you and your daughter. Cancer is very indiscriminate -- strikes any person, any pet. That is a lot of money. Foremost, you need to consider your cat's quality of life. Like you, I recently incurred a major expense for my senior cat (diagnosis was actue pancreatitis) and I wrestled with the economics of my decision. Fortunately, the meds worked on her. But ask these specialists to be candid with you about the possibility of your cat having recurring bouts with this cancer. That is a lot for a cat to under go. I wish you the best. The important message to give your daughter is that you both love this cat and love means doing what is best to ensure she has a happy, healthy life and not one filled with lots of trips to the vet and treatments.

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14-Year-Old Dog with Cataracts: Hello. Thanks so much for doing the chat. My 14-year-old Norweigan Elkhound is in great shape, but she has cataracts. Not in any way to skimp on surgery for her (assuming she is in good enough health to have the surgery) but is it safe and/or less expensive to contact a vet school? Would getting pet insurance now, would she have a pre-existing condition? Thanks!

Arden Moore: At your dog's golden age, a pet insurance policy would be very pricey. I'm editor of Catnip - a national magazine affiliated with Tufts University's vet school. I would encourage you to contact a vet school in your area and ask them to price out the cost of treating cataracts. It may indeed be less than at a veterinary specialist center. Good luck!

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Takoma Park, DC: When we first adopted our 3-year-old male cat, he had major litter issues. We were finally able to rectify that by discovering that he only would use clay litter. Since then, we moved to a new house, where he had no litter issues. However, several months later, after no issues, he's suddenly decided to start peeing in the front hall. His litter is cleaned regularly and he doesn't seem to mind using it for solid waste. What can we do to get him to use his box again? Thanks!

Arden Moore: Ah, the mystery of inappropriate elimination. Cats have yet to learn how to talk English, so their actions convey their messages. Not sure of your house's design, but sometimes, cats pee by a window or a front door because there is an outside intruder (say, a stray cat or other critter) that is paying an unwanted visit. Your cat's pee on the floor is a way of claiming, "hey, this is my turf!" to the trespasser. That said, your cat may also have a urinary tract infection, so I urge you to have her thoroughly examined by your vet. Cats are masters at masking pain. Finally, avoid using any bleach product in cleaning the urine because -- guess what -- bleach is a kissing cousin to urine and only serves to attract cats back to the scene of the crime. Use protein-enzymatic cleaners instead such as Zero Odor or Nature's Miracle.

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Washington, DC: Are there ANY kinds of bones (leftovers from our meals) that we can safely give our dog (supervised of course!) I have a large ham bone in the refrigerator that I know my dog would love but I've heard that bones can shatter and harm the dog.

Arden Moore: I'm leery of serving real bones to dogs because of the splinter possibility and the parasites that can quickly emerge on a raw bone.

Here is a better alternative: buy a synthetic hollow bone and let it marinate in your ham bone juice and perhaps, stuff it with a little bit of ham (no fat trimmings, please). Your dog will enjoy it and the best part is you can then put the bone in the dishwasher and clean it so it is ready for the next time!

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Washington, DC: Is there any science behind the claims that Feliway can calm a nervous or upset cat? I have found it to be expensive and worthless. Thank you. (Mom of three cats)

Arden Moore: The use of Feliway has supporters -- and doubters -- in the veterinary community. The purpose of this product is to emit synthethic feline pheromones designed to ease stress and anxiety. It comes in plug-ins and spray forms. We humans can not detect its odor.

Personally, I have found it to be very effective -- especially in spritzing carriers before taking cats to the vet clinic or on long trips and to ease in the introduction of a new cat into a cat-residing home. Arnold Plotnick, DVM, board-certified internal medicine vet who operates a cat-only clinic in NYC, serves as medical editor at Catnip -- the national monthly magazine for which I serve as editor. He is one of the best experts in feline medicine I know and he advocates the use of Feliway.

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DC: Hello, Arden! Recently my dog and cat both seem to have contracted some kind of ear irritation. Is there some kind of OTC meds or home remedy I can try before I have to take them to the vet? Thanks!

Arden Moore: I've authored two herb books and work with some holistic vets, but I do not feel comfortable giving out medical advice -- especially when it involves the ears. Please don't automatically think that OTC meds or home remedies will be less expensive or more effective than prescriptions. My answer: please have your pets treated by your vet. Once the problem has been addressed, you might ask what you can do with at-home remedies that may prevent this from happening again. Good luck!

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Northern, Va.: Hello. I have to go out of town soon (just for a long weekend) and leave my big, boisterous 1-year-old lab behind. I do not feel comfortable asking a friend or neighbor to pet sit (either in their house or in mine) because she is very energetic and social and needs lots of walking every day. This seems to leave a kennel as the only option. What do you think is best in this kind of situation; if a kennel, what should I be looking for? Thanks!

Arden Moore: Having known the original Marley (I worked for 9 years at the Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel with John Grogan), I can emphathize with your high-energy lab. You're right in not expecting a friend or neighbor to pet sit your go-go-go Lab unless this individual is very dog savvy and can be home the whole time. Labs take about two years to fully mature and can be fun but challenging.

My advice: seek out a boarding facility that offers doggy day care. I do that on occasion for my two dogs. They get to play with other dogs during the day and then camp out in their own boarding rooms at night. Visit a few places WITHOUT your lab first and make sure they give you a full tour. Watch the body language of the dogs there -- do they seem happy or stressed? Make sure there is a good ratio of kennel staff to dogs. Once you pick a place, make sure you walk with in with good energy so your lab regards this as a great place -- a vacation spa for dogs -- so he doesn't feel you are abandoning him.

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Better cat food: I have two senior kitties and one MEOWS like mad until she gets Fancy Feast -- other canned foods don't satisfy her. The other one nibbles on wet food, but prefers dry food. Problem with the dry food is I think I'm buying stuff that isn't good for him -- especially since I recently read how most cat and dog food is made (gross!). Is there a brand you'd suggest, or particular ingredients to look for, or avoid? When I got my dog's food, I could bring her in to the store, get some samples, and see what she preferred. I'd rather not waste money, but I do need to get food that is healthier - especially since the cat that likes the dry food seems to have dry skin now. My sister's cat had this and when she switched to organic cat food, the condition cleared up. The cat that has the Fancy Feast obsession will eat dry food, but only if someone's not there to give her fresh wet food.

Arden Moore: A cat is led to a bowl by his nose. Most cat food contains more aroma than dog food -- that also explains why dogs dig cat food so much! You can try warming up your cats' food in the microwave (a few seconds) to unleash the aromas and entice them to eat. But at their age, they need and deserve quality food designed for seniors (high protein). The switch needs to be gradual because cats have sensitive digestive systems. Your sister has made a smart choice and you see the results. I would encourage you to talk to your vet and work together on selecting a quality food that best meets your cats' age and health condition.

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Clayton, Mo.: What can I do to make my 8-year-old dog more comfortable in his crate? He had one when I first got him six years ago, but he hated it, destroyed anything in it or around it and after six months I got rid of it. Now he has an injury that requires forced rest, but he has not mellowed in his old age and I'm afraid being in the crate could make his injury worse.

Arden Moore: That was a long time ago -- especially in a dog's memory. My advice is to get a crate that is different in design from the original one. Second, attitude is very important. Your feelings of "oh no" or fretting can be read by your dog. You need to incorporate a positive, upbeat attitude and convey that "crate is great" to your dog. Crates should be viewed as doggy condos, canine getaways -- not places of punishment.

Your dog needs to have his movements controlled so he can heal properly and completely. Remind yourself of that goal. Introduce the crate by letting your dog sniff it, toss a high-quality treat inside it for him to go in and retrieve. Initiallly shut him in for 30 seconds -- praise him and let him out. The crate needs to be where you are -- bedroom because he is a pack animal.

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Olney: I have three very destructive cats. They have completely shredded three chairs and my carpets. I have tried sprays, tape, etc. I have put out scratching posts with catnip on them but they just ignore them. These cats are 8 years old and cannot be de-clawed. Any suggestions?

Arden Moore: Time for SOS (save our sofa) help! Not all scratching posts are created equal. Your cats need and deserve sturdy ones that contain up-and-down post, slanted post and horizontal post (cats claw in all these ways). Also, organic catnip (kept fresh in sealable bags) is much more beckoning than the cheap, stale stuff. Finally, check with your vet about applying caps on their nails. Do not declaw -- the procedure does more than remove the nails.

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Philadelphia, Pa.: I see you wrote about clicker training dogs. I look forward to reading this book. What are the advantages of the clicker over just vocal commands?

Arden Moore: Clicker commands are quicker -- sometimes, we can stumble over words or say words that sound like other words and create canine confusion. I'm a fan of using voice, hand and clicker cues for my dogs so they can be responsive in any situation. Karen Pryor is the queen of clicker training and I learned from the best!

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nwdc -- : I could really use your advice...I now have three dogs (large, medium and small) on my own after my husband and I split apart. My day is long and I cannot afford a walker/sitter. Two of them now urinate in the house while I'm away from 9:30 am until 6:30 pm five days a week. I videotaped for week to catch the culprits. I'm losing my mind because of course it is ruining the floor (laminate and hardwood)/carpet/furniture. Of course they miss the company and walks my husband used to give them. He doesn't want one or any of them. I cry over the thought of giving one or more of them to a shelter, etc. The idea of one of them being put down in a shelter hurts so deeply. What course of action should I try? I can't train them if I don't catch them in the act. It never happens when I'm at home. Please, any suggestions would be very much appreciated. :(

Arden Moore: That is a long time for a dog to try to hold a bladder from splattering. I would strongly recommend you create a safe outdoor access for your dogs - a doggy door, enclosure. This would eliminate the bathroom accidents. It is also far less expensive than replacing your flooring. Also see if there is a responsible neighbor (savvy on dogs) -- say a senior or a mature teen -- who can come in once or twice a day to let your dogs out. Consider bartering a service for them to avoid spending money.

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Catonsville, Md.: Hi there! My question involves my (almost) 3-year-old male cat. He is an indoor cat, and faithfully uses his litter box, but likes to clean his paws afterwards by washing them in the water bowl. This makes for damp paws that then leave clay prints all over the hardwood floors. Any solutions?

Arden Moore: Sounds like you have a feline racoon in your house! Actually, it is a myth that cats hate water. Some, like Turkish Vans, revel in making a splash. Can you place your water bowl on a large absorbent surface like a wide/long rug so the paws can be drid before they hit the hardwood?

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Wheaton, Md.: Ciao Arden. We have a cat, about 8 years old, who throws up his food on a regular basis. We don't feed him much at a time, since we initially thought he was gorging on an empty stomach. He gets dry kibble food (we've tried many different brands), but we have not found anything that he doesn't end up bringing back up. Now, he doesn't always bring the food back up, it only happens about once or twice a week, but usually if he does bring up some food, he does it again the next day. He is a short hair cat, and we do not notice hair balls of any sort in what he brings up. Mostly it is just the solid pieces of kibble with some stomach juices. He is active so we don't think he not getting enough to eat. In fact, he is gaining a bit of weight in the last year or so. My wife has taken him to the vet a number of times, but so far no luck. Any ideas? Thanks.

Arden Moore: Consider taking your cat to another vet for a second opinion -- that is not normal or healthy for a cat to vomit so much. Also, consider talking with a vet nutritionist about picking a diet that may be better digested. You can go to www.petdiets.com and consult with a veterinary nutritionist. I suspect your cat may fare better with quality canned food. Also hairball medicine should be applied on the nose for a cat to lick off and ingest. Good luck! Ciao for now!

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Clifton, Va.: Spoiled BC: The BC sees your nephew as a new dog competing for food and attention. Actually he sees the nephew as a new puppy. I would have the nephew assist in the feeding with adult supervision. Have the nephew scoop the kibble into the dog's bowl and place it down for the dog. The BC needs to realize this human is above it in the pack order. Playtime can also be used to emphasize this. Have your nephew throw the toy to the BC. BC retrieves, and have nephew if he has the verbal skills give the command to drop the toy and have nephew pick it up and play. Remember most BCs are the closest thing to their ancestor the wolf in dogdom.

Arden Moore: That's good advice -- but the nephew is very young. I would be careful and have the nephew present but take cautions so that the dog does not bite him.

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Arden Moore: Wow -- time sure flies when you're talking pets! Thank you for writing me. I can tell you all truly adore your dogs and cats. Remember, pets give us so much each and every day -- they are truly a treasure to all of us! Paws Up! Arden

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