The report, based on a YouGov survey of more than 4,000 UK adults, revealed that the rising cost of living is a big concern to pet owners.
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The study found that 78% of pet owners think the cost of living will impact their animals, 68% expressed concern that the cost of care was increasing, and 19% said they were worried about how they'll afford to feed their pets.
Pet food can be incredibly expensive so why not explore whether there is a cheaper food that is still high welfare and meets your pets' needs? You could mix your regular food with a cheaper brand to make it stretch further. Dry food goes much further than wet food, even though the upfront cost can be higher. Your pet is eating a well-balanced diet that is specific for their species and suitable for their age, lifestyle and health!
Did you know it can be cheaper to buy medication online? Your vet can write you a prescription for a small fee and you can order medication online which is usually much cheaper than buying direct from the vet.
We all know not to leave our pets at home all day on their own; professional pet-sitters and dog walkers are often a lifeline but they can be pricey. Do you have trusted friends or family who could help take care of your pet when you're on holiday or walk your dog if you're out all day? Or why not start up a responsible community group where you all help each other out with pet care? Just remember to introduce your pets to new people gradually and ensure they are comfortable with their new friends before leaving them in charge.
Some vets offer payment plans through a credit company if you need help spreading the cost. Not every vet can offer this, but it's worth asking if this is an option. Paying off small amounts every week or month might be easier to manage than a large upfront payment. Find out more about getting help with vet bills.
Pet insurance premiums can go up and up so it's always worth shopping around to see if you can get a suitable level of cover with another provider - but beware policies with lots of limitations and remember pre-existing conditions won't be covered. Insurance will also give you peace of mind that any surprise vet bills will be covered.
Pet treats and new toys can soon add up so why not get crafty and have a go at making your own at home? Enrichment is so important for every animal's wellbeing. From rabbits and hamsters to chickens and horses - we've put together DIY guides to make your pet treats, toys and enrichment activities with items you have around the house!
Preventing problems is cheaper and easier than treating them once they arrive. Behaviour problems in pets can be really tricky to get on top of so it's really important to ensure our pets get good early life experiences and are well trained and socialised. Address any behaviour problems early - there are free resources online to help too! And keep on top of preventative care like worming and flea treatments which can become costly problems if not addressed. Some vets offer a paid monthly service for wormer, tick and flea treatment too which helps to spread the cost.
If you're struggling with the costs of heating and lighting, move multiple animals into the same room so heat sources don't have to work as hard, while taking care that they are not overheating. Don't be tempted to turn down temperatures or light sources as this can lead to debilitating conditions for exotic animals - and potentially high vet bills in the future. Speak to your energy supplier if you're struggling, they may be able to offer a cheaper tariff or payment plan.
To help the RSPCA continue rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming animals in desperate need of care please donate online or call our donation line on 123 .
You might think that your pet might be safe from worms because they look healthy, but your cats and dogs might be victims of these intestinal parasites without you even knowing it. Intestinal parasites can inflict suffering, illness, or even death to some pets. More importantly, you should consider the safety of your household as these worms can be transmitted to humans as well. Thus, it is essential to know if your pet has worms and the proper prevention of these worms.
Humans can get roundworms after ingesting egg worms. These eggs are usually found in your pet's faeces and can become infectious after 2 weeks. Unlike in cats and dogs, humans are not the hosts of these worms, so these worms will not go to our intestines. Our immune system will drive them out from our gut; thus, these worms will move to other organs like the liver, lungs, or even our brain. This disease is known as visceral larva migrans. If a parasite migrates to the lungs, asthma-like symptoms may begin. In some cases, these worms can also go in the eye, which may lead to permanent loss of vision. Worm infection in the eye is known as ocular larva migrans.
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Once your pet gets their nose on soil or water contaminated by an infected animal's faeces, and ingest the egg worms, then your pets are infected. Common ways pets can get worms are by:
However, some worms have other means to get to your pet. Tapeworms don't immediately go to your pet. These parasites live inside immediate hosts like fleas, lice, and small rodents. If these parasites are not controlled, these parasites can infect your pet with worms. Hookworms, on the other hand, can get to your pet either by ingesting them or by eating through your pet's skin, usually on their feet.
Puppies and kittens are the most vulnerable as they can get it while feeding from their infected mother. Unborn pups can get worms whilst still inside their infected mother's womb.
Here are some ways to keep your pets off from worms:
Pets need regular checkups with a vet, where a stool sample will be tested for any presence of worms. In case you do see worms in your pet's stool, vomit or around their bottom, wrap them up in a damp cotton towel, and show it to your vet.
As symptoms do not always show, your vet may recommend a regular worm treatment for your pet. For pets who don't manifest any symptoms, some worm eggs or larvae can be dormant in your pet. They can be activated when your pet is stressed. For roundworms and hookworms, they may wait until the later stages of pregnancy, ready to infest soon to be born pups and kittens. These parasites need your pets to stay alive, this is why they don't want to be detected for them to remain inside your pet.
Common signs of worms in pets are as follows:
Intestinal parasites don't usually cause diseases but rather steal nutrients from your pet. This makes them less healthy and, therefore, more vulnerable to skin issues and bacterial infections. Avoid this by using deworming medications on your pet. These medications are usually safe, but for infected pets, they may experience lethargy or loss of appetite as a result of worms being removed from their body. It may still be reasonable to see worms in your pet's stool a few days after your pet has taken these medications.
These medications can have several forms:
Most medications can kill several kinds of worms. Make sure that when you select a product, it can ensure that your pet is wormed completely. There are several medications with ingredients that can kill various worms effectively.
Most wormers will kill adult intestinal worms during treatment, but only a few will be able to target migrating parasites. The frequency of giving treatment depends entirely on the type of worms, and the time it takes these worms to produce eggs.
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