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Keep your pet’s skin and coat
healthy when money is tight
Pet ownership can be costly, and in tough economic times, many pet owners look for ways to cut back spending on pet care.
Grooming is essential to your pet’s good health, but it can be expensive. Val Pentsone, director of grooming for Best Friends Pet Care, offers these tips for saving on professional grooming:
Brush, brush and brush more. If you have a long- or heavy-coated dog, step up your brushing to prevent matting. When the groomer has to spend time dealing with a matted coat, it will cost you more.
Ask for a shorter cut. It will last longer and be easier for you to maintain between professional grooms. If you are concerned about how your pet will look, ask the groomer to show you pictures of the cut ahead of time.
Shampoo at home midway between haircuts. It’s a messy job, but your pet will be nicer to be near, and it will be easier to stretch the time between appointments. Always brush and comb thoroughly before the shampoo – or you may "set" the tangles, making them harder to remove.
Learn to clip nails. If you trim your pet’s nails every few weeks, they won’t become overgrown and require special attention. Purchase a good quality nail clipper and a product to stop the bleeding (in case you nick the blood vessel in the nail).
When you do need professional grooming, be sure to ask whether your groomer offers a loyalty program, Penstone recommends. "A quality grooming shop will offer special discounts for regular clients, like our ‘Best Friends Forever’ rewards program."
Best Friends has locations in Avon, Bethany, Norwalk and Rocky Hill. For more information, visit www.bestfriendspetcare.com or call 888-FOR-PETS.
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