Spring is here, which means that itching feeling to adopt a baby animal is probably stronger than ever. Luckily, kitten season is upon us, which means you’ll have a pretty good choice of a new pet. Of course, this may mean spending quite a bit of money if you’re not careful with your choice. There are a few ways to cut the prices of bringing a new animal into the home. These ten tips will help you make the most out of your new addition to the family, without forcing you to drop several hundreds of dollars on your pet. So, now you can sit back and enjoy the cuteness of your pet without having to refigure your budget.
1. Adopt from a Shelter
When it comes to bringing a new kitten or cat into the home a shelter is your most frugal bet. In fact, adopting from a shelter will even save on the cost in comparison to getting a free kitten from someone in the newspaper or online. Shelter cats are given their first round of vaccinations before they are adopted out. If they are old enough then they are also spayed and neutered. If they aren’t old enough, then you will be given a voucher to do so at no cost when the cat is of the proper age. This alone can save you quite a bit of money in the long run. Not to mention, by choosing a shelter cat you are also saving a life, which will make you feel really great. Of course, shelter pets are also given a checkup before they are allowed to leave, so you won’t have to worry about any ailment costing you a lot of money right away. Free kittens or kittens from a pet store have no guarantee and could be inbred, which will lead to numerous problems down the line.
2. Splurge on Food
A lot of people think that buying the cheap food is a great option when it comes to saving money. Although this may help you save a few dollars in the short term, it certainly won’t save you money in the long run. Basically, a lot of these foods lead to problems with the cat after the pet has eaten it for some time. You may end up with a pet who has a fatty liver, diabetes or other expensive health problems that will ultimately lead to death. Not to mention, the cheaper foods are equivalent to fast food, which means your pet isn’t going to get the nutrients it needs nor is going to feel full for very long. This can cause your pet to be obese and will ensure you’ll be buying food more often. Starting your pet off on a healthy food will set the pet up for a healthy life for years to come. You’ll have to worry less about vet bills and your pet will eat a lot less, because the food will be filling and full of nutrients.
3. Consider Making Your Own Food
If you want your pet to have a diet of wet food, then one of your best options is to make up your own food. There’s lots of recipes online to choose from, but ultimately you should talk with your vet about what would be best for your cat in the long run. One of the more common recipes for cats includes skinless chicken and rice, so you won’t have to spend a small fortune to feed your pet. These homemade foods are great for kittens, older cats or cats who have dental or digestion problems. Before you start making your own cat food, make sure to do research for proper feeding portions as well as how you should store the food. You may find this method to be more time consuming, but ultimately it can help you cut back on costs while ensuring your fur baby is well cared for.
4. Keep the Litter Box Clean
Litter boxes can be one of the worst aspects of owning a cat; however, it can be one of the most crucial ways to keep your cat healthy. Before buying a litter, make sure you do a little research beforehand as some litters put off too much dust, which could cause respiratory problems, especially in kittens. scoopable litters are usually your best bet if you want to keep your cats litter as clean as possible. These litters are super absorbent, which will help your pet keep bacteria off of their paws. Of course, you will need to clean this type of litter frequently. If you’re not a fan of cleaning the litter often, then it might be wise to buy a self-cleaner. This will be an investment, but it’s well worth it when you don’t have to worry about the chore at all. Keeping the litter box is important for many reasons. The most important being that it will help keep your pet healthier. Often, especially with male cats, UTIs can form due to dirty litter which can cause your pet lots of pain. Generally, UTIs require a vet visit with antibiotics, but once your cat gets one, they’re more than likely to be reoccurring without proper diet and maintenance.
5. Buy a Fountain
Keeping your cat hydrated is essential, especially in the warmer months. Although keeping a bowl of water around may seem like the simplest solution, your best bet is to actually buy a fountain. Generally, fountains shouldn’t cost you over $50, especially if you shop around and they will last you for quite some time. The purpose of a fountain is to make sure your pets saliva and other impurities don’t end up in the water supply. These impurities can lead to problems like infections, which will certainly make your pet feel terrible. Water fountains will also save on the amount of water you need to give to your pet. Since the water is always being filtered, you won’t have to waste water when you dump it out at the end of the day. This helps save you time when it comes to maintenance too. Apart from keeping the water cleaner, the fountain may draw in your pet to drink more frequently, thus ensuring your cat is hydrated. Also, if you keep a fountain away from the food supply, your cat will be happier to drink from it, as many cats do not trust water sources that are so close to their food.
6. Shop Second Hand
When it comes to making sure your new pet is happy, toys are probably one of the best routes to go. However, shopping around for a cat tree can turn up many expensive costs. Another great option is to shop second hand. Whether it is thrift stores or answering an ad in the paper or online, you may be able to find a cat tree or post at an excellent price. Often, these cat trees only need a little reupholstering or cleaning, but make sure you check out the item before you take it home with you. Apart from cat trees, you may be able to find window seats, outdoor play areas and even separate toys at a decent price. With a good cleaning, your pet won’t think twice about having fun with his or her new items.
7. DIY Cat Toys
Apart from the wonderful options you have to buy your cat toys, you also have just as many options to make your own. When it comes to saving money, building your own cat tree can be one of the best options around. There’s lots of online tutorials to get you started, so you can choose an option that suits your cat, your home decor and the space you have to work with. In fact, building your own cat tree may bring lots of fun to your new cat ownership and will make you feel like you’re spoiling your cat all the more. Cats love to lounge around too, but cat beds always seem to be overpriced. One of the best things you can do here is make your own lounger out of an old t-shirt. This is one of the easiest things to do and can easily be remade with other t-shirts when your cat wears it out. Apart from that, cats love simple toys. For instance, you can easily make a cat toy with a simple rod and some yarn. Another option is to scrunch up some tin foil as a simple ball for your cat. If you have extra fabric laying around, then sew it together with a bit of fluff and catnip and your pet should go crazy for it. You can even make old toys seem new again when you place them in a bag of catnip overnight.
8. Know Your Plants
If you love to have fresh plants in the home, then it will certainly pay to educate yourself about which ones are safe for your pet and which should be immediately removed. There’s lots of common plants that are incredibly toxic to cats, and despite this, cats will still find a way to chew on it. The common holiday plants poinsettias and holly are two of these unfortunate plants that can really harm your cat. If you like to grow your own aloe vera plants then make sure to keep them outside and away from your cat. Also, if you love to receive fresh flowers, like tulips, daisies and baby’s breath then you’ll need to put the bouquet somewhere that your cats can’t reach. Of course, you can grow some plants around your cat without worry. Obviously, cat nip is a great option and will make your cat feel happy and relaxed when cut off of the plant. Grass is another cat-friendly option, which your cat may like to snack on. Even trendy succulents are okay for your pet to be around.
9. Limit Outside Interactions
A lot of people don’t know that outdoor cats live significantly shorter lives than those who are kept indoors. This is largely due to the elements, diseases, predators and traffic. Modern cats can maintain a happy life if given stimulation indoors, so you don’t have to worry your cat is missing out on something as long as there is adequate play time inside. However, if you do want to allow your cat some outdoor time then consider an enclosure. There’s many on the market today that actually fit into the window, so your cat can come in and out as desired. This is great if there’s a sudden change in the weather or if a larger animal makes an appearance outside. Of course, the enclosure is entirely opened and closed at your discretion, so you can keep the cat indoors if you know there may be cooler temperatures or precipitation headed your way. These enclosures can also easily be made at home as there’s lots of DIY tips to help you find the perfect fit for your home.
10. Pet Insurance
One of the best ways you can help out your pet is to purchase pet insurance. Usually, for young and healthy pets you should be able to spend about $30 a month for basic coverage. This should help you pay for yearly checkups and vaccinations, which tend to be overbearing at times. Some insurance companies will even provide you with great coverage for emergencies and other vet expenses that add up. Make sure to call around for a great rate though or ask your vet for a recommendation.
Having a cat can be a great way to reduce stress while bringing joy to the family. These ten tips should help you find the savings you need to enjoy your cat even more. So, start looking around for your new addition, because money shouldn’t get in the way of your happiness.
