Tip of the week: How to cut pet expenses
Avoid premium food; Check your vet’s pricing; Fight fleas for less
Avoid premium food. Since “premium” has no legal definition, look instead for phrases like “complete and balanced” or “total nutrition.” If a product is so labeled, it’s met an industry standard and will meet the needs of “the vast majority of healthy pets.”
Check your vet’s pricing. Most veterinarians set all their fees as a percentage or multiple of their standard physical-exam charge, so call around—“the best time to comparison shop is when your pet needs a routine checkup, not when you’re stressed out by a sick or injured animal.” Also, if your pet needs medication, check if your local drugstore carries it. Vets usually charge premium prices for pet meds.
Fight fleas for less. An expired patent means that the active ingredient in Frontline Plus flea and tick collars—fipronil—is now available from more-affordable brands.
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Source: Consumer Reports
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