Make an inexpensive dog toy instead of
replacing pricey toys: Drill a hole through a tennis
ball, which is large enough to put a rope through. Thread
a 6-8 foot rope through the two holes, and tie knots as close to
the ball as possible. Then make a loop with the remaining
rope, and tie a knot. PONS love to play tug and toss !
Tip: Did you know that adding a little sage
to your PON's diet may help keep fleas off him? (fleas
hate the scent of sage)
Home cooked diet instead of expensive kibble: Do you
know that it is more economical (as well as healthy) to cook for
your PON instead of offering premium dog food ? Contact PON
Digest for individually formulated diets.
Compare PON clubs: Which one offers more benefits for
more economical yearly fees ? Speak with club administration
about benefits.
All natural, homemade flea dip: Boil a quart
of water; remove from heat and add 2 cups fresh rosemary and/or
mint and let it steep for about 30 minutes. After
straining the herbs, dilute with 4 quarts of warm water.
Pour it over your PON, working it into his coat and skin. This
is extremely refreshing !
Dry skin relief: A low cost home
remedy for your PON's dry skin is chamomile tea.
Just brew a few cups, allow it to cool, and pour it over your
PON, working it gently into his skin. Not only is it
soothing, but it won't leave any oily residue.
Low-Cost Herbal Dog Shampoo: You can make an
excellent and inexpensive herbal dog shampoo from
ingredients that you probably already have around the house.
Simply dilute a handful of Aloe Vera gel with water and work it
into your PON's coat (it's best if your PON's coat is dry!),
then rinse well with water. If you like a little more
foaming action, add a touch of baby shampoo to the recipe.
This shampoo is very mild on your PON's skin and will leave his
coat gleaming!
Dry Pet Shampoo
Rub the powder deep into your PON's fur. The granules binds to
the dirt, oil and odor which can then be easily brushed out.
Dry Shampoo does not leave behind any sticky residue and thus
prevents quick re-soiling.
Dry Pet Shampoo
1/2 to 1 cup bran
1/2 to 1 cup oatmeal or cornmeal
Combine ingredients in a container with tight fitting lid.
Shake vigorously to blend. Brush your dog thoroughly with a
natural bristle brush to remove any loose dirt.
Sprinkle Dry pet shampoo uniformly on a small area of your
pet. Rub it in with a clean dry brush, warm towel or
your fingers in slow, circular movements. Then proceed to the
next area.
Leave for 20 minutes. Allow 50 minutes in the case of
heavy odor. It is possible to tread on the carpet during
this time.
Then brush your PON thoroughly with a natural bristle brush
to remove powder with the dirt and dander is has collected.
Tip: Test a small area for reactions. Use
contents within a short time.
Dry Shampoo For Pets
1/2 cup baking soda
1/4 cup corn starch
1/4 cup rice flour
3-4 drops essential oils of choice (try the flea repellent
blend below)
Flea repellant essential oil blend
5 drops citronella
3 drops lemon
3 drops rosemary
3 drops thyme
Combine ingredients in a container with tight fitting lid.
Shake vigorously to blend scent into powder. Follow
above directions.
Rabies and other vaccinations: In some
areas, local vets get together once a month or so to offer a vaccination
clinic, and charge substantially less than an office visit!
Check with your local pet supply store or vet to see if there's
one in your area.
Additional Frugal tips:
- Don’t disregard pet insurance. For some owners, pet
insurance will save them money when an emergency comes up.
The best thing to do is look at the individual insurance
policies and do the math. Eight dollars a month may be worth
it.
- Search for vaccine clinics in your area. A local animal
shelter offers rabies (and microchip) clinics several times
a year. Local vets donate their time for these events and
the rabies vaccines are given at a reduced price.
- If your community requires a dog license, see if they
offer a life-time license. Pennsylvania offers a lifetime
license. For neutered dogs, the cost is $31. Compare this to
the yearly cost of $6. The lifetime license does require
your dog be tattooed or microchipped (an additional cost). A
local shelter has held microchip clinics to encourage people
to license their dogs
We would love to hear back about your own PON frugal tips.
Just send us an e-mail and we will upload your advice on
upcoming issues of PON Digest !
