It's a sign of the times that this blog is as current now as when it was first posted, in 2008. Let's all hope that 2011 will bring better times for all of us, including our cats. Original Post:
It has not been a secret that our economy is not in great shape. The price of fuel alone has driven prices of consumer goods sky-high, including pet food, cat litter, and other supplies. Because of dwindling disposable income, many cat owners are trying to cut back wherever they can, including buying cheaper food, and minimizing veterinary costs. Home foreclosures have driven many pet owners to either leave their pets behind or at the nearest shelter. As a result, shelters are overflowing, not only because of kitten season, but because of these abandoned cats.
I covered this situation somewhat in the second page of my Costs of Responsibility for a Cat article a couple of years ago. Now that those "hard times" are falling upon all of us, I'd like some input from my readers. How are you cutting costs while still keeping your cats well-fed, healthy, and happy?
Are you cutting back on premium foods, and substituting cheaper, grocery store food? Have you experimented with cheaper litters or even with chicken crumbles? Have you had to withhold veterinary care for your cats? Is your situation so desperate that you've had to give up your cats?
Please vote in the poll, then post your comments below. (You can select multiple choices in the poll.)
Please Note: "Other" applies also to giving up personal extras before economizing on cat food and supplies.
Comments
So far, I’m going slightly longer between routine appointments, routine blood tests, etc. If my CRF cat is doing well, I might stretch the every 3 month blood tests to every 4 months, and only do a mini-profile of the kidney values instead of a full profile. For my healthy 9 year old, I’m stretching the 6 month checkup to 7 or 8 months, and trying to make sure I don’t double up appointments in any given month.
My vet has raised their prices on almost everyting, including Revolution, so I’m splitting one dose between two cats. While not a great idea, its the only way I can afford it, their premium food, and other quality cat products. I’ve also had to delay getting their teeth cleaned since this cost well over $400 per cat. I truly believe a portion of pet case should be a tax write-off.
I’ve changed MY eating and shopping habits, and so far I haven’t even had to look at cheaper options for my kids. I mean, cats.
I try to split as much food between all of my 5 as I can. The girls don’t eat as much as the boys, so I give them less. I change their litter every two weeks, and try to stretch it a little longer each time. They have all had their checkups but for the two little ones, and they get theirs at the end of the year. My vet has a program that gives blood work and they charge only what the lab charges them. I’ve also tried to stretch the Revolution as long as I can. My cats are all indoors, so I feel like I can stretch it longer than the month.
I’ve had to stretch flea and tick meds to 6 weeks instead of every month.
Vet care is on an emergency basis for now.
My crew won’t eat wet, so I haven’t had to change to a less expensive food.
I have been putting off a dental for one cat as I had some emergency vet bills that I have just paid off. I have also been putting off my own dentist.
I have been trying to cut the costs of feeding them but their food of choice is one of the most expensive canned foods, I have my daughter buy it at the pet store near her and deliver it. The local store that carries it is some 30c a can more and 60c a day adds up over a week!
Fortunately, I haven’t had to cut back on anything for my cats, err, kitty companions yet, but in order to accomplish that, I’ve had to cut back on stuff for me. But that’s okay, I don’t need to eat so much ice cream and cookies anyway.
And walking to do local errands not only saves expensive gas, it’s good for my health.
I consider myself very fortunate in that so far (knock wood) my kitties have not had to feel the impact of the current economy. I would rather do without myself, than deprive them of the right food or care.
Since my furkids eat raw meat, I have had to cut down on their meat but I have added more fresh fish because I get it fresh from the river. I have gone to cheaper litter. i will cut down on my treat before I cut down on their quality of food.
This ressesion is just to crazy. I dont take my two kities to the vet. I do not have much money now. We must take the risks. I alzo feed my kities food from our plates at dinner. We brush our kities teethe so we save monie there as well. Mitzie doesnt like it but it saves monie. Heidi is ok.
This economic sitzuation must end or we will all go to poor.
Well, as I look at my kittez as my own children I do what I’d do with my human child (coming soon to a house near..us).
I’m not compromising food or vet care if it’s needed, our litter is the refillable kind from Petco and they like it fine and it’s not too pricey. As for toys, my kiddos tend to like the simplest things like boxes and forts made from blankets and shirts draped over things. I have plenty of scrap fabric at home to make toys for them and I grow my own ‘nip so that’s perfect.
While we don’t have recession as bad as in the US yet, I’ve had to cut back on routine vet visit to deal with an emergency vet visit. I now make decisions I can live with and what must be done, like postponing dental; refusing annual vaccinations (but rabies shots must be done as per law). Compromising on food is not an option as one of my cats has IBD. It’s expensive, but I’ve put my other cat on the same food so I do not need to buy 2 different brands now.
I am afraid though of making decisions if it comes down to economic tough times… do I give up my healthier cat who’ll have a better chance at adoption, or do I put down my IBD cat if she has a downturn in the future?
I haven’t changed anything about what I spend on my pets, at least not at this point. (besides keeping my eye out for sales on litter) I refuse to stop buying them premium food because their health is more important to me then the trivial things that I have cut out of my budget. I cut down on my grocery bill and skimmed down my services so my bills arent so high, and just found recreational things to do that are cheap/free. But, back to the point, I already was going to the SPCA to get their shots (they only charge 5 dollars… i think they do it quarterly. There is always a long line, but its worth it) So that might be something one would like to look into – the SPCA offers services and vouchers for different things.
My partner has been laid off since the middle of January but we haven’t changed our cats diet at all. The people of the household have given up a few luxuries, though, in order for this to happen. It means that I bake more bread than I used to, because its cheaper to make your own than to buy at the store.
And rather than take all three cats to the vet at the same time for their wellness checks, we will take them individually, spreading out the expense. Of course, just like the human kids, if the need arose and one of the cats had to go to the vet for an emergency, it would be done without hesitation.
Being that my 8 week old kitten is just a baby, I have decided to sacrafice my own needs to ensure that he is healthy. I would rather cut back on my own food intake, than to have him eat food of lesser quality. I also found a very cheap veterinary center a few miles from me which has saved me a ton of money, and they have a very solid reputation for animal care which puts me at ease. If anything, I may begin to cut back on the amount of toys I purchase for him, but as far as his health is concerned, my baby comes first and foremost nomatter what the expense or economic woes.
After paying $400 to the Animal Medical Center in NYC for an exam because my 14 yr old male domestic shorthair was drinking water and urinating a lot, the lab panels came back inconclusive; I read up on “The Natural Cat” by Anitra Frazier and started to follow her directions….he’s fine and I don’t give him shots since he’s strictly indoor. I feed him only canned food (Wellness) and I’d rather cut back on my purchases than give up his food cuz it prevents visits to the vet.
My furboys haven’t noticed a change in anything other than frequency of treats. I’m not going to give them a cheaper food because a) it upsets the oldest boy’s tummy and b) this isn’t their problem, it’s ours. We always bought the cheapest clay litter because it was large enough not to stick to long haired paws and track everywhere, so that cost is pretty low. Vet visits have always been emergency only as we’re lucky enough to be able to do our own home vet care. We’re very fortunate to have a vet office nearby that gives needed injections at actual cost – the difference between actual cost and our former vet’s cost for the same vaccinations is unbelievable. If medications to be given by mouth or in the ear are prescribed it’s much cheaper to get them filled at a local pharmacy – especially amoxicillin. We’ll do without before our little furboys will.
Nothing is changing for our cats, but I’m buying their food by the case for a 10% discount.
We’ve been fortunate that we haven’t had to tighten our belts too much.
If things get worse, we’ll give up things for ourselves before we lower the living standards to which our delightfully spoiled cats have become accustomed…and they’ll still get the medical care they need if there’s a problem, even if I have to use a credit card and do without a meal or more myself if necessary.
I made a commitment to give them the best care possible and I am devoted to their wellbeing.
I’m buying the largest bags I can get of my two girls’ food and litter, splitting the cost with my fiance and his two kittens and keeping everything in airtight tubs so it doesn’t get stale. This is saving us $20-$25 a month and means we don’t have to switch to anything cheaper (plus Eagle Pack does online coupons, and our local pet store has a buy-10-get-one-free deal on the food). Other than that, we’re not buying them a lot of fancy toys on a whim – their favorites are those little fur mice or crumpled paper anyway – and cutting back on our own discretionary spending, like unnecessary new clothes or eating out. We also do our own grooming, but we’ve always done that, so I don’t know if it counts.
I guess I don’t see what the economic problim is. My husband’s job provides all that I need for our pets so maybe the base line pay is low?
Although we aren’t suffering yet, we’re saving against the day the recession catches up to us… that means fattening up the vet fund, among other things, to ensure everyone gets enough care.
We are donating prescription cat food for those cats whose owners can’t afford to pay for it to a vet who runs a small “food bank” for clients in need.
when our old cat died we were thinking to adopt two elderly cats from a shelter.We ended up with one, but he will get all the vet care he needs and healthy food.
Taking care of our 4 cats is just as important as ourselves. They are part of of family & we will do whatever it takes to make this happen even if it means give up something for ourselves. That’s what you do for family.
I am using a cheaper dry food for my cats but it’s one that all 7 of them can eat. It’s not the lowest on the chain but not the highest one either. I have begun mixing my cat litter with half of the Walmart brand scoopable and half with Worlds Best litter which I found at a great price at my local Big Lots store. Seems like litter last twice as long and using less litter if I mix it. My 7 won’t use just the Worlds best (they refuse!!). Since one of my cats needs medication, I have to make sure that there is money for that first. I will compromise on my own food before I compromise on Buddy’s meds. It has gotten more difficult since I am retired and on a fixed income but somehow I manage.
We are fortunate enough not to have to be too worried about rising prices just yet but I have started being a bit more economical about things anyway just so we’re used to it. When I feed wet food, I only feed an amount I know they’ll eat now so there is no waste. I use the Halo chicken treats on top of their food and I used a little less because those are rather expensive. But they will eat the same food and use the same litter no matter how high gas prices go. That is not negotiable. They get Wellness wet and dry and it works for them. I won’t risk their health to save a few bucks.
If anything, I’ve cut back on my own entertainment expenses and treats. I feel that maintaining good feline health now will actually be more cost-efficient. I also have a “kitty fund” for unexpected feline expenses.
I thought about eating my screaming big fat cat tonight, but he has too much fur to deal with, plus he’s got a sort of chicken leg thing going on.
Naw, actually, we haven’t cut back on food or vet bills for our cats at all. We’d starve to death before we’d deprive them. Well, we might eat them, but we’d never deprive them.
Franny, you don’t seem to have a choice of “making no changes”, which would be me. I drive a car that is very good on gas (40 mpg on the highway!), and can telecommute once in a while. So, I cut back there. But for my cats? NO cut backs.
My husband and I always end up adopting the cats that others leave behind for economic or convenience reasons. So Answer #5 would never be an option, even if we had to make drastic changes. I met a guy who lost his home and lives in a car with a rescued, pet squirrel. If he can make it work with a squirrel, we’d make it work with our cat.
I’ve found a cheaper source for my preferred litter. I already am cheap with everything else for the cat.
I plan to look into an online vet pharmacy for her flea drops that would be cheaper than a local vet.
But I could save myself a lot by keeping her indoors. She had a fight a few days ago and I’m just praying she didn’t get a scratch that will abscess and cost me hundreds of dollars.
To wb –
Keeping her indoors would indeed save on a lot of vet bills. I’d watch the online pharmacies, though. I just heard a story on the news that said 60% of online pharmacies are fakes and 90% don’t have a licensed pharmacist working for them. I also remember hearing last winter that there were fake meds being sold online for pets; they were at best ineffective and at worst poisonous. I’d even ask a local vet where their medicines come from, because the fake meds story mentioned some vets had bought them to resell.
I admire you for sticking with prescription flea drops, though. You never know what will happen with storebought flea collars or treatments – my sister’s cat went into convulsions and nearly died from one of those, and my Audrey had lost half her fur when the woman who rescued her gave her a storebought treatment before giving her to me.
Some things just aren’t worth the money you save.
We’re fortunate in that we haven’t had to cut back. In fact, we just adopted another neighborhood stray last week so our cat costs have increased.
I just spent about $1000 to move both of my cats to Europe for my husband’s new job, and even though we have practically no money (grad student + former grad student), there was never any consideration of reducing their care or quality of food (God forbid leaving them behind in NYC!).
To us, the cats are like people – their needs are part of our daily budget, and just as with our food + medical care we make sure that everything for the cats is covered before we look at discretionary spending like clothes, nights out, etc.
To be honest, I never even considered that the recession could impact my guys. Admittedly, we are the couple that while in college spent our entire savings to give one cat life-saving surgery. I would (and will eventually) do the same thing for my children. As far as I’m concerned, it’s part of the bargain when you take on the responsibility for another life.
Cheapest cat food available for the outdoor strays–the indoor one is still a bit pampered. I have got them all fixed so that I don’t have more “strays” around so that alone cuts down on some cost down the line.
Also–I have discovered that my cat really doesn’t mind just using sawdust that I can get from the woodshop at my school rather than buying litter.
I have only one cat, and have not cut back on his costs in any way. I do use coupons as much as possible – which I was doin anyway. After a $800+ dental surgery bill for “Leo”, I got myself a part-time job as an art instructor.
I have seven cats so I have to watch costs closely. I buy flea prevention on the internet from a trusted seller.
I also have researched shots for cats , found that some can be given only once every three years, which I also buy on the internet. Rabies vacinations are free or a small fee
sponsored by the county.
I buy food and litter at BJ’s wholesale club (which also honors all coupons )BJ’s own litter is terrific. I clean litter boxes daily to extend the length of time I have to add new litter and clean the box. I use 18 gal plastic boxes for litter boxes. the litter lasts longer before it gets contaminated and the higher sides keep litter from getting on the floor.
For vet visits when really needed, I try to schedule two cats at once. (my vet gives a discount for two cats at once)
I know it’s difficult for a lot of cat owners to make ends meet, especially right now. I have three cats and I’ll tell you right now, I use this fantastic stain remover called GET SERiOUS, it saves me an untold amount of money every day simply because it takes on anything I apply it too. I get it at PetSmart in the dog stain remover aisle, but its really made for both cats and dogs, the formula is so strong I guess it covers both!
Well no matter what my pets track in, GET SERiOUS does the trick! It has saved me hours scrubbing and dollars with cheap stuff like natures miracle that doesn’t work!
Fortunately, while we have been hit by the bad economy, our 2 cats haven’t had to change their lifestyles yet. I’m saving money in other ways right now. My male is on a special diet because he gets urinary blockages and I really don’t want to change that and risk another $800.00 vet bill. My female eats Wellness canned and dry food which is pricey. I’m hoping that it will keep her healthy and I’ll have fewer vet visits. Don’t feel guilty if you have to change to another food. Try to find one with good ingredients and know that your pet is well loved by you and much better off than in a shelter or homeless.
Althought my kids and I are survivors of domestic violence and are struggling to get by, we always find a way to take care of our furry family members too. They are late getting their shots this year, however they eat well, and when one of them needed a trip to the er I had to pay my rent late because I spent 400.00 on the kitty. I have no regrets the kitty is doing great now. My kids and I love our cats and would gladly sacrafice on some of our extras because those cats have been our support and comfort through out the years.
Taking care of a cat, loving it and feeding it as well as you can afford, keeping it clean and warm and comfortable, is so much better than it being in a shelter or left on the street!
In spite of the hard economic times, I have added a new cat to our household. The only extra cost is its food, since it has already had its basic vaccinations.
I and my children live a very frugal life, and so do my cats, but both humans and pets are well fed and taken to doctor/vet as needed.
Some people have told me they think my four cats are a luxury, and that a person with my (low) income doesn’t need them as they constitute an extra cost. Needless to say, they themselves do not own pets.
I think our cats actually save us money, as we prefer spending time with them at home, to going out.
And they give us lots of comfort and entertainment, and who doesn’t need that in times like these?
I would not doubt to take on another cat, if homeless, if I had to. It might be that I would have to change to cheaper cat food (and food for ourselves), but I would definitely still do it if necessary.