Cats are incredibly independent pets, but they still need us for sustenance, shelter, care, and attention. Although embracing a cat as a pet is relatively cheaper than others, the lifetime cost of cat care in an average of 15 years can still range from $8,000 to $11,000. Today, we give you six tips to keep these expenses controlled.
1. Take on Rescue Cats
Choosing an animal shelter over a breeder is the cheapest way to get a cat. The majority gives you an up-to-date medical history and makes sure the cat has the necessary vaccinations. Avoid taking on strays without details regarding the cat's past and its current health. You will likely spend the money you think you're saving anyway. A stray cat needs detailed veterinary check-ups and vaccinations.
Adoption fees have an average cost of $30 to $100, depending on where you live, or whether you like expensive breeds of cats. If the cat you're planning to take on is very young, you might have to pay for booster shots--less than $100 for the standard first-year suite, which includes protection from feline leukemia, rabies, and distemper. The cost of adoption is cheaper.
Since strays are rampant, shelters commonly have a broad choice of cats between one and three years old. As long as they have gotten initial inoculations, an annual vet visit and vaccinations for grown-up cats should cost no greater than $40.
2. Stay Away From Bargain Cat Food
Food costs is a significant chunk of the expense for cat proprietors, but it does not mean that it pays to go the "affordable" route. Bargain cat foods make use of corn and other economic grains to provide the majority of their protein. Felines are carnivores, though, so their digestive systems aren't designed to handle substantial quantities of grain. These carbohydrate-rich foods can result in weight gain and allergic reactions.
Economical feline food may also use ash as a filler. It's not reasonably as gross as it sounds: ash has some crucial chemical foundation, such as phosphorus, that felines need. However, it can likewise trigger adverse effects, such as uncomfortable urinary crystals. As a whole, changing to a higher-quality food can support your cat's urinary and intestinal wellness, as well as control its weight.
It is necessary to note that veterinarians are nearly unanimous in suggesting a diet regimen that includes wet and dry food. A 100% dry food diet regimen can cause dehydration, pain, and more expensive health issues, creating hefty veterinarian expenses and stress for owners.
The expense of one vet visit for a urinary tract infection or intestinal tract obstruction costs more than the money you save on buying cheap cat food.
Take advantage of sales, use coupons, and have a look at pet supply websites to find the best price on food for your cat. Keep in mind to compute the per-unit cost to make the most of what you're paying. It's better to pay $18 for a 20-pound bag of cat food than to pay $5 for a 4-pound bag.
Capitalize on the loyalty awards offered by pet supply shops. If you find that you can no longer afford the food you're used to purchasing, do your research to select the next best food for your feline within the budget. Just because you need to cut back does not mean you have to compromise quality!
3. Make Your Own Cat Food
You may have the ability to save more cash by making your own feline food and treats. Though cats are infamous for being picky eaters, doing it on your own is surprisingly uncomplicated. Generally, cat food needs to have animal-based proteins. And since cats need lots of calcium, the bone is a must.
A typical recipe may include the following:
- Six parts lean meat with ground bone (chicken thighs, drumsticks).
- One part gizzard or other organs (chicken liver, heart).
- 1/2 part egg (used as a protein-rich binder).
To reduce your ingredient prices, purchase family packs of meat and eggs, and look for sales at your local supermarket. Don't grab anything that's near its expiration, though--if you wouldn't eat it, your cat shouldn't either.
Some homemade cat food advocates are rather passionate about using a meat mill, which can cost you upfront $15 for simple ones or more than $50 for premium ones. Nevertheless, there's substantial debate regarding whether it's better to permit cats to gnaw on hard bones as they would in the wild. Do your research and ask a pet nutrition specialist before tackling this added expenditure. Additionally, study whether to go the raw or cooked food path (or a mix of both), as there is a substantial dispute over which is best for your feline's health.
If you bulk, prepare your cat food--a time-saving action--make sure to separate the blend into little sections for freezing. For your cat's wellness, you should check out reputable online sources or talk with your veterinarian about healthy homemade cat food dishes.
4. Keep Your Cat Hydrated
Keeping your cat hydrated, especially during summer, is vital.
If you notice that your cats exhibit troubling signs and symptoms such as sleepiness, problems peeing and pooing, as well as avoiding human contact; it may well be signs of dehydration.
Change your cat's water multiple times each day during the summer, given that cats favor freshwater. You can also do daily wet food feedings. Another essential tip, especially if you're in a pinch, is that you can counter mild dehydration by using water to cats' absorbent neck skin.
5. Restrict Outdoor Activity
If you live in a house with a cat door, your feline may be openly roaming the neighborhood. If you find dead bunnies and squirrels at the porch, that may indicate that your cat is relatively active. It won't be long before your cat returns with a limp.
Free-roaming indoor felines can find themselves in significant tussles with other exterior animals, some quite awful. A fight fox, coyote, or other feral cats might create deep lacerations, damaged bones, mangled claws, and gouged eyes. Emergency care expenses swiftly add up: x-rays can cost $100 to $200, an overnight stay at the veterinarian starts at $100, and a prescription for medicines can cost you between $40 and $300 per bottle.
Car accidents pose a severe danger as well. A significant but non-fatal crash can create substantial injuries such as broken pelvic bones and punctured lungs. Post-accident surgical procedures and rehabilitation therapy can cost you virtually $4,000. So while cats enjoy wandering outside, you can stay clear of these costs--and protect your pet's wellness-- by keeping them active indoors.
6. Handle Your Litter
Unless your cats invest a lot of their time outdoors (which we already advised against), you possibly change the litter constantly. Nevertheless, depending upon your cat's bathroom routines, litter can be almost as high a cost as food. Control this cost by staying clear of the cheap, non-clumping, generic-smelling things. Clumping and odor-fighting litter lasts longer and controls odor much better, permitting you to extend each box longer.
Clumping and odor-fighting litter aren't magic, though. If odor persists, you can purchase scent plugs or candles to control it in the box's vicinity. Additionally, make sure you clean the litter box enough to keep your cat pleased: cats might protest against filthy boxes by doing their business elsewhere in the house.
Last Word
For numerous Americans, pet ownership is an emotionally uplifting experience. More than 30% of households own cats, and more than 36% very own pet dogs, though, of course, there's some overlap there. Pet proprietors may likewise enjoy substantial health benefits. It is proven that having a cat or dog reduces anxiety. Pet owners, on average, also have lower blood pressure and resting heart rates than non-owners.
Nonetheless, pet possession does require a commitment of time as well as money. If you have less money than you would like (and even if you don't), trying to find means to stretch your pets' budget without compromising their health and wellness or can be a satisfying experience in and of itself.
What's your preferred approach for saving money on your feline?
