Chihuahua in the City - How to Choose, Care for, and Afford a Chihuahua in a Big City
Chihuahua
Dogs are the perfect ice breakers for jaded city dwellers. you can meet a stranger and if you start talking dogs the chances are you will part as friends. Because of space and budget restraints, Some of you may feel you can't experience the joy of owning a dog in urban areas. Some breeds of dog are unsuitable for urban living, but several dogs, including Chihuahuas, are ideal for city life.Chihuahuas are small enough to fit into a purse but with lots of heart. They are one of the smallest dogs there are but they are very lively, affectionate, and loyal. One advantage of their size is that they require little exercise, and if they decide to destroy something it is most likely not going to be your whole apartment.
It can be pretty expensive and hectic to care for a dog in the city. There are so many different ways to spoil them-- day care, dog walks, designer duds, gourmet food, and not to mention vet bills! There are techniques to maximizing your budget when it comes to your Chihuahua.
You can save money from day one by adopting a dog from a shelter instead of buying one from a breeder. Not only will you be save hundreds of dollars, you'll also be saving a life.
Practice Preventative Medicine:You can treat your Chihuahua to vitamins, toothpaste, earwash and more to keep him in tip-top shape. You can also purchase vaccines (except for Rabies shots) online and administer them yourself. Purchase premium quality dog food to keep you Chihuahua healthy. Generic food usually lacks vitamins and it contains fillers (including numerous animal by-products) that may produce allergies and contribute to obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. Stick to well-known brands if you're shopping on your own, or ask your vet for recommendations. Premium foods are usually high in fiber, so you pet will eat less, saving money (and pounds!) in the process. Many problems, such as frequent urinary tract infections (very expensive to treat and very painful for your animal), can be avoided by switching to special food. Although you'd be paying more for premium food than for generic brands, you'll end up saving on vet bills in the long run.
Spaying and neutering: This procedure lowers or eliminates the risk of breast and testicular cancers, prostate infections and enlargement, perineal hernias, and false pregnancies. It also prevents many behavioral problems, makes pets less aggressive and less prone to wander away. The procedure also saves you money on caring for a pregnant animal (and the future babies) and cuts the cycle of unwanted and homeless animals.
Purchase pet care insurance: This type of insurance does not cover routine maintenance such as vaccines and check-ups, but you can get protection for serious accidents and illnesses starting at as little as $9.99/month.
Explore Other Options for Routine Care: For routine care, yearly vaccinations, and deworming, you may save a lot of money by skipping your vet. Animal shelters, the local Humane Society, and many pet stores sometimes house mobile clinics that offer great savings on routine care. Some places even offer grooming as a perk or for a large discount. PetsMart stores, for example, have a rotating vet offering low-cost immunizations on weekends. Petland stores have started to offer the same service in large cities.
Consider Vet Schools and Teaching Hospitals: Pets are usually seen by students in their last year of school, under the close supervision of DVM professors and licensed veterinarians. Some places offer complete services, including outpatient surgery and hospitalization, while others only cover basic health problems. Find out in advance and be prepared with alternative clinics in case you have an emergency they cannot treat.
There are also ways to save on the more frivilous expenses of owning a city Chihuahua. Bargain with groomers by purchasing a year's worth of grooming services in advance for a better price. You can also get good deals at grooming schools. Better yet, Learn to Groom Your Pet Yourself. Grooming your Chihuahua is a great way to spend quality time with him and bond with them. The smooth, short-haired coat should be gently brushed occasionally or simply wiped over with a damp cloth. The long coat should be brushed daily with a soft bristle brush. Bathe both types about once per month, taking care not to get water in the ears. Check the ears regularly and keep the nails trimmed.
Skip the Expensive Doggie Boutiques. National Store Chains such as Target and Walmart have extensive collections of awesome products for your pets from leashes to bedding to dog carriers. These products are also available on their websites if there isn't a nearby store. Both 1-800 PetMeds and PetRx offer incredible discounts and shipping is fast and affordable. Many online pet pharmacies will offer special discounts to returning customers, increasing your savings even more. Pet Warehouse and Mail Order Pet Shop sell both medications and discounted premium food.
Practice Rotating Dog Walking. Instead of paying someone $15 per walk, gather six other neighbors who own dogs and assign each person one day per week to walk all of the dogs in the neighborhood. If you can coordinate schedules, you can walk the dogs once a week and get your dog walked for free six days of the week!
City life can be expensive, even without a pet! But don't let the joys of owning a dog pass you by because you live in a big city.
Chihuahua
Dogs are the perfect ice breakers for jaded city dwellers. you can meet a stranger and if you start talking dogs the chances are you will part as friends. Because of space and budget restraints, Some of you may feel you can't experience the joy of owning a dog in urban areas. Some breeds of dog are unsuitable for urban living, but several dogs, including Chihuahuas, are ideal for city life.Chihuahuas are small enough to fit into a purse but with lots of heart. They are one of the smallest dogs there are but they are very lively, affectionate, and loyal. One advantage of their size is that they require little exercise, and if they decide to destroy something it is most likely not going to be your whole apartment.
It can be pretty expensive and hectic to care for a dog in the city. There are so many different ways to spoil them-- day care, dog walks, designer duds, gourmet food, and not to mention vet bills! There are techniques to maximizing your budget when it comes to your Chihuahua.
You can save money from day one by adopting a dog from a shelter instead of buying one from a breeder. Not only will you be save hundreds of dollars, you'll also be saving a life.
Practice Preventative Medicine:You can treat your Chihuahua to vitamins, toothpaste, earwash and more to keep him in tip-top shape. You can also purchase vaccines (except for Rabies shots) online and administer them yourself. Purchase premium quality dog food to keep you Chihuahua healthy. Generic food usually lacks vitamins and it contains fillers (including numerous animal by-products) that may produce allergies and contribute to obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. Stick to well-known brands if you're shopping on your own, or ask your vet for recommendations. Premium foods are usually high in fiber, so you pet will eat less, saving money (and pounds!) in the process. Many problems, such as frequent urinary tract infections (very expensive to treat and very painful for your animal), can be avoided by switching to special food. Although you'd be paying more for premium food than for generic brands, you'll end up saving on vet bills in the long run.
Spaying and neutering: This procedure lowers or eliminates the risk of breast and testicular cancers, prostate infections and enlargement, perineal hernias, and false pregnancies. It also prevents many behavioral problems, makes pets less aggressive and less prone to wander away. The procedure also saves you money on caring for a pregnant animal (and the future babies) and cuts the cycle of unwanted and homeless animals.
Purchase pet care insurance: This type of insurance does not cover routine maintenance such as vaccines and check-ups, but you can get protection for serious accidents and illnesses starting at as little as $9.99/month.
Explore Other Options for Routine Care: For routine care, yearly vaccinations, and deworming, you may save a lot of money by skipping your vet. Animal shelters, the local Humane Society, and many pet stores sometimes house mobile clinics that offer great savings on routine care. Some places even offer grooming as a perk or for a large discount. PetsMart stores, for example, have a rotating vet offering low-cost immunizations on weekends. Petland stores have started to offer the same service in large cities.
Consider Vet Schools and Teaching Hospitals: Pets are usually seen by students in their last year of school, under the close supervision of DVM professors and licensed veterinarians. Some places offer complete services, including outpatient surgery and hospitalization, while others only cover basic health problems. Find out in advance and be prepared with alternative clinics in case you have an emergency they cannot treat.
There are also ways to save on the more frivilous expenses of owning a city Chihuahua. Bargain with groomers by purchasing a year's worth of grooming services in advance for a better price. You can also get good deals at grooming schools. Better yet, Learn to Groom Your Pet Yourself. Grooming your Chihuahua is a great way to spend quality time with him and bond with them. The smooth, short-haired coat should be gently brushed occasionally or simply wiped over with a damp cloth. The long coat should be brushed daily with a soft bristle brush. Bathe both types about once per month, taking care not to get water in the ears. Check the ears regularly and keep the nails trimmed.
Skip the Expensive Doggie Boutiques. National Store Chains such as Target and Walmart have extensive collections of awesome products for your pets from leashes to bedding to dog carriers. These products are also available on their websites if there isn't a nearby store. Both 1-800 PetMeds and PetRx offer incredible discounts and shipping is fast and affordable. Many online pet pharmacies will offer special discounts to returning customers, increasing your savings even more. Pet Warehouse and Mail Order Pet Shop sell both medications and discounted premium food.
Practice Rotating Dog Walking. Instead of paying someone $15 per walk, gather six other neighbors who own dogs and assign each person one day per week to walk all of the dogs in the neighborhood. If you can coordinate schedules, you can walk the dogs once a week and get your dog walked for free six days of the week!
City life can be expensive, even without a pet! But don't let the joys of owning a dog pass you by because you live in a big city.
Chihuahua
posted by YGBentrepreneur at 10:11 PM
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