I'm struggling to afford my dogs :(

[Ogoyt]

They're all over 5 and we're adopted as pups when I was in a much better situation.

Things are generally worse now but everything going up in price is killing me in general.

I've already swapped their food from raw food to dry (that I add dog broth to and fish occasionally)

My insurance for them all is 90 a month.

Im going to have to cancel it. I just can't afford it anymore.

I will NEVER rehome them. So don't suggest that.

Just a sad little rant

Please contact Dogstrust charity, they have literally just launched an initiative that aims to keep pets with their owners rather than having to rehome.

The thing is, since you have no intention of rehoming, you need to come up with some solutions, some how.
If they were children, you have no choice anyway.
So, I feel for you, but only thing I can say is just rant away, and get on.

Another one who stopped insurance due to costs. I can't imagine not owning a dog and worked out that the cost I was paying for insurance (similar to op) would mean £30k in premiums if I own dogs until I'm 65.

But what we have done is join the dogs trust which gives third party cover for £25.

If you have contents insurance with legal cover you might find it covers you for public liability for your dogs already

Have you tried Skinners Field and trial, salmon and rice? Vat free, about £38-40 for 15kg, hypoallergenic. Has worked for my lab.

to some of us our dogs are like our children, you are doing your best loved thats the main thing,agree food banks sometimes help with food for pets

Could you get cheaper insurance? My nearly 11 year old pedigreeShih Tzu is only £22 for premium cover?

Also, the food for allergies, how much is it? My DDog has (had) allergies so he is on Burns Sensitive dry pork & potato or duck & rice, could you try this?

Feel for you, everything has gone up so much hasn’t it. I will never ever rehome my dog either.

I've seen adverts for a PDSA pet food bank - and in Northumberland a 'Helping Paws' food bank has opened. Might be something in your area?

£30 per dog seems cheap for insurance, sadly I have cancelled my dogs insurance and have a small pot of savings put to one side for them, but vet bills are becoming astronomical even just for routine care.

I’m going to go against the grain of most people and say don’t change their food. If they have allergies and what they have now they are doing well on then it’s a false economy to change the food. Otherwise you might end up with an allergy flare up and vet costs which will wipe out any saving made. I speak as a dog owner with allergies!!

Can they eat fresh meat, such as beef, chicken, liver etc op?
If so, it might be worth having a word with your local butcher to see if he will sell you his ' scraps '
A friend of mine does this and each week for a fiver she comes home with a carrier bag full of ' scraps ' he always throws a couple of big bones in too.
A couple of times there's been a few pork chops in too which she's eaten herself. Winner.
Please think very carefully about cancelling your insurance, it can be an absolute lifesaver in more ways than one.

Going against the grain; I have horses (no this doesn’t make me rich, I have a very average salary and go without a lot of things to afford them) and I don’t insure them except third party liability which is pennies.

I self insure; I save a certain amount each month. I worked out if I go a couple of years without any major issues then I’ve saved the vet claim limit anyway. I’m aware it could backfire but most vets will do payment plans or there’s credit cards. It’s worked out significantly more economical for me.

Is there any way you could raise some extra money to keep them? I.e. doing a car boot sale, selling some stuff on ebay or volunteering at an animal charity/foodbank where they might let you have some benefit like free care if your dogs are unwell or dog food.

Sounds really hard, Op. Cancelling insurance is just saving up problems for later on though. We have cancelled our insurance for our old cat, it was nearly £80 a month. But we have the money to pay if he is unwell, ie £300 just before Xmas as he had an operation. What will happen if one of your dogs is ill?

I agree,, approach the insurance companies. You won’t be the first to ask. Say you’re thinking of leaving them and going elsewhere. That usually does the trick in getting a reduction.

You’re totally right. We should slaughter and eat all pets. It’s the only way. #thriftytips

I hear you OP. It totally sucks. Our dog is 15 years old and our insurance is costing us £230 per month. It’s ridiculous!!!
It has saved us though. For tests, X-rays, allergy issues.

It is awful to be worried about the cost of your dogs. Could you possibly get cheaper insurance. My friend's insurance is £14 for one small labradoodle. The insurers seem ok. Have recently paid out for an £800 operation. It had £100 excess so the insurers paid £700. If you could get similar it would half the insurance bill 🤔

That's pretty spiteful. Yes, some people are struggling to feed their children. Some people are alone and the only companions or company they have are their pets. Have some compassion.

Since your dogs have allergies would your vet be able to prescribe suitable dry food on the insurance?

Considering your dogs are relatively young, I strongly suggest you change the insurance to PDSA while you can, they are normally cheaper than other insurances and they have a much better record of paying if there is an issue with your dogs.

I have never considered raw food for the simple fact that I simply cannot afford it, but my dogs have been perfectly fine in Burns food which incidentally is much better than supermarket brands but also, you don’t need to feed them as much so a bag, that us a bit more expensive lasts for longer.

I'd try not to cancel the insurance or at least see if you can get it cheaper anywhere. Big vets bills are a nightmare- we have just paid £1200 for our older dog to have a very small cancerous tumour removed.

Like a PP, I’ve never insured pets either (horse insurance is such a swizz that it makes sense to save a sink fund instead). But that really only works if you can afford the big hit when it comes: if OP is struggling day to day then the surprise £3k vet bill probably can’t be absorbed.

Im sure you can save on food though. Barking heads is great, but so expensive. I’ll take a look for some ideas. A cheaper, allergen free food plus a fish oil supplement (which, I suspect, is the main benefit you’re getting from the BH) might work.

I hear you op. I have cats and the cost of food has rocketed. There is not much between the cheap 4% meat product stuff that I wouldn't use and Applaws and Hills closer to the top end either. It's a bit like comparing giving your kids cheap hotdogs from a tin for 50p to giving them fillet steak.