tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post5127472065813257296..comments2024-03-19T10:26:14.347+00:00Comments on Love my life: Can you afford a cat? Meanqueenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02705837426373680532noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-78925992466967448392019-07-21T01:55:14.091+01:002019-07-21T01:55:14.091+01:00Hi make sure you get the cat vaccinated as we los...Hi make sure you get the cat vaccinated as we lost a cat to feline enteritus and it's terrible. With our dog we put away money each month to cover any vet bills that are high but also take out insurance. All the best xxxsallyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08954157880937240865noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-4355651575850061322019-07-20T10:43:06.495+01:002019-07-20T10:43:06.495+01:00Hi! I have two 16yr old cats currently, both rescu...Hi! I have two 16yr old cats currently, both rescue. I would not be without them for the years of pure happiness they (and 2 passed away cats) have brought into my life! I try to buy food in bulk for Hector, from Amazon when they have 'star deals'. Savings are around 25% this way and it is delivered. <br />For cat litter, I cut up newpapers into tiny squares and fill each tray with that - I change the trays morning and evening. I get the newpapers from neighbours, friends and occasionally from the recycling bins. At moment I can't afford to buy cat litter and this cuts down the dust & smell from shop-bought cat litter.<br />My cat Fifi unfortunately has been ill (incl emergency op). Last 4 months have been doing regular vet appts, tablets, eyedrops, prescription cat food. Cost has been approx £2,500 with ongoing medical costs estimate of £130 per month (vet) and prescription food costing 3 times as much as ordinary pouches. Although I faithfully paid insurance for years without claiming, most policies will not cover cats over 16yrs, so I have had to find the funds myself from selling possessions & savings. Be warned!<br />When taking out insurance, I always got online reductions (est 20%); also Sainsburys/ Tesco often have loyalty points awards if you go with them; Sainsb current offer is 6000 nectar points with new pet policy.<br />Sorry for going on a bit.. last advice is get 2 cats(?!).. they will learn to play together and it gives them companionship when you're out! Gilliannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-31886648009823514182019-07-20T07:14:10.991+01:002019-07-20T07:14:10.991+01:00Tessa, Ilona and everyone here--we are dog people ...Tessa, Ilona and everyone here--we are dog people and have only had a few cats, so I am not an expert in cat care...but I do remember a few things. As someone else mentioned, you may have to have your cat vaccinated for feline distemper (some people call it cat flu) if you wish to board her. Even if you never board her, she could catch it from another cat. This happened to us when I was growing up. Feline distemper is a terrible disease, almost always fatal, besides being highly contagious. So contagious, in fact, that after we had to euthanize a much-loved kitty, we got a kitten a few weeks later and she died of it, too. Apparently, the virus lives on in the house for some length of time and the second kitty caught it just by being in the same house too soon.<br /><br />Also, after we lost a male cat to a kidney blockage, which came on very suddenly, we were advised to feed only a certain dry cat food. It's a brand no longer made, so I can't recommend it, plus I'm in the US. It was either high or low in ash--I forget which--but you can ask a vet for recommendations. So many more specialty pet foods are available now. Also, I believe the vet told me that male cats are more susceptible.<br /><br />None of our pets--cats or dogs--have been particularly fussy eaters. At my house, you ride the bus or you don't go!<br /><br />I never take our dogs to the vet unless they are sick or I have a concern. That's when I update the vaccinations. Then I only have to pay for the shot, since I'm already paying for an office call.<br /><br />Oh, one other thing...we measure our dogs' food to be sure we aren't overfeeding them. You can put your pet on a diet simply by cutting the ration a tiny bit every week or so.<br /><br />Ilona, thank you for all of the good work you do at the cat rescue!mikemaxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06569666073239903588noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-13722248017039789792019-07-19T18:18:10.077+01:002019-07-19T18:18:10.077+01:00Hi Ilona Mayze Heidi and Oscar - my two rescue cat...Hi Ilona Mayze Heidi and Oscar - my two rescue cats Amy and Benny eat similarly to your 3 cats. I do buy them some treats occasionally and chicken they are de-fleaded and very well cared for with lots of TLC. They are both well at present although Amy had a fight with another cat and had a sore mouth but shes back to good health again. Have a lovely weekend. Liz Amy and Benny.xxxxxliz mullettnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-51817881073883685452019-07-19T18:12:32.519+01:002019-07-19T18:12:32.519+01:00We have 5 cats, all rescue ones and all arrived to...We have 5 cats, all rescue ones and all arrived together 6 years ago. A cruelty case from a house over run with animals. I think it's important for them to be vaccinated every year, I learnt the hard way many years ago when a dearly loved cat caught cat flu and had to be put to sleep. I've regretted it ever since that I didn't have him vaccinated. So the 5 have their yearly vaccinations, I think any owner who doesn't vaccinate is being irresponsible. Also flea/tick treatment, they don't only need to come into contact with other cats to get fleas, if they go outside there's a good chance they'll get them, fleas don't live on the cat but hop on and off, so they can easily be caught just by being outside where another animal may have passed by. They have a good range of different foods, not all food has the recommended nutrients for a cat but that can be found out by reading about it.<br /><br />Insurance - we don't have that as my new husband is a veterinarian! (I must admit when we got together I thought ooh lovely - no more vet bills!) <br /><br />A final note - cows milk isn't recommended for cats. Ours only have access to water, changed daily, if you really feel you must give milk you can buy special cat milk. Waste of money in my view! they only need water.<br /><br />Good luck with your new pet.Francesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-6822615465531545062019-07-19T18:04:52.501+01:002019-07-19T18:04:52.501+01:00Hi we have two cats from the cat rescue. I took ou...Hi we have two cats from the cat rescue. I took out a pet healthcare plan at the vets. This covers their flea and worm treatments, vacinations etc. I pay monthly by direct debit. I prefer to have this rather than pet insurance which never seems to pay out when you need it. Pets at home also do health care schemes which cover routine care.Lavinianoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-5189918093609744912019-07-19T14:36:02.347+01:002019-07-19T14:36:02.347+01:00thankyou all we collected miriam she came in had a...thankyou all we collected miriam she came in had a walk round and fell asleep under the side board which is where she still is....we got a months pet plan insurance from cats protection lague so will look for a good price much appreciate everyones idea xxAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-14035848048982052342019-07-19T14:33:43.623+01:002019-07-19T14:33:43.623+01:00many thanks xx tessamany thanks xx tessaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-35648006650326736322019-07-19T14:32:58.269+01:002019-07-19T14:32:58.269+01:00many thanks x tessamany thanks x tessaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-15436798818324923442019-07-19T14:32:18.682+01:002019-07-19T14:32:18.682+01:00thankyou xx she is currently a sleep under the sid...thankyou xx she is currently a sleep under the side board xxAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-23160572130113126532019-07-19T14:31:14.453+01:002019-07-19T14:31:14.453+01:00thankyou tessathankyou tessaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-16244227012694100952019-07-19T14:30:37.813+01:002019-07-19T14:30:37.813+01:00thankyou tessa xthankyou tessa xAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-49508677581459271312019-07-19T14:29:58.754+01:002019-07-19T14:29:58.754+01:00thankyou xthankyou xAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-67985549082787756372019-07-19T14:07:40.618+01:002019-07-19T14:07:40.618+01:00Thank you Debi. Mog has no interest in eating them...Thank you Debi. Mog has no interest in eating them, just batting them across the floor. She's a great cat, we've been very lucky. XJuleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03837629817375132149noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-83248151911604365062019-07-19T13:43:58.867+01:002019-07-19T13:43:58.867+01:00think i've posted this twice,if i have then de...think i've posted this twice,if i have then delete one...<br />Hi we have two cats, one was because my son moved into a flat and they did not allow pets so we took Kitt in, then a year later, thought she might be lonely and got Millie from cats protection, a donation of £50 which we did not mind as CP did the neutering etc. They are now 11 years old and tolerate each other :-) and have always been indoor cats, we have toys, small scratch posts and two large cat trees (one upstairs in spare bedroom and the other in the corner of living room, bought when on offer from zooplus) and cat beds (igloos) all over the house, which they do use. Both have had teeth out at a cost of £200 each, we have a credit card for that and pay off so much a month, we have insurance at approx £26 month for both. Food, whiskas dry food (buy large bags) felix wet food (buy boxes of 40) and sometimes buy better quality food if on offer. Cat litter, clumping, costs about £4 a week costs more than value ones but easier to clean. Cattery, approx £150 once a year for a week. Vet check once a year - £50 per cat plus flea stuff. But would not be without them, I'm self employed and work from home so they are not left on their own all day, that was what CP were bothered about when they came to do a home check before we had Millie but they could see all the cats toys/trees & beds all over the house, so it was never a problem, hope that helps, JoJohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11307151386938476266noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-54465550251640837832019-07-19T13:41:17.128+01:002019-07-19T13:41:17.128+01:00Hi we have two cats, one was because my son moved ...Hi we have two cats, one was because my son moved into a flat years ago and they did not allow pets so we took Kitt in, then a year later, thought she might be lonely and got Millie from cats protection, a donation of £50 which we did not mind as CP did the neutering etc. They are now 11 years old and tolerate each other :-) they are indoor cats, we have toys, small scratch posts and two large cat trees (one upstairs in spare bedroom and the other in the corner of living room, bought when on offer from zooplus) and cat beds (igloos) all over the house, which they do use. Both have had teeth out at a cost of £250 each, we have a credit card for that and pay off so much a month, we have insurance at approx £26 month for both. Food, whiskas dry food (buy large bags) felix wet food (buy boxes of 40) and sometimes buy better quality food if on offer. Cat litter, clumping, costs about £4 a week costs more than value ones but easier to clean. Cattery, approx £150 once a year for a week. Vet check once a year - £50 per cat plus flea stuff. But would not be without them, I'm self employed and work from home so they are not left on their own all day, that was what CP were bothered about when they came to do a home check before we had Millie but they could see all the cats toys/trees & beds all over the house, so it was never a problem, hope that helps, JoJohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11307151386938476266noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-57867343963577382692019-07-19T13:29:48.056+01:002019-07-19T13:29:48.056+01:00Hi Jules.Mine used to play with conkers,but Ive be...Hi Jules.Mine used to play with conkers,but Ive been told that they can be poisonous to cats and dogs?.Just thought that I would mention it.None of my 5 have ever been interested in the toys Ive bought them either.One of mine found it entertaining to rip the wallpaper off..so I nailed carpet sample to the wall...they werent interested in that either,lol,xxDebinoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-2596282111577134882019-07-19T13:21:23.243+01:002019-07-19T13:21:23.243+01:00Hello Tessa,Well I have got 5 cats and I am lucky ...Hello Tessa,Well I have got 5 cats and I am lucky that they all eat the same food...after a few expensive buys in the begining!.They all eat Aldi meat pouches,Vitacat,which is £1 89p for 12 pouches.They also eat Aldi pockets which are 59P,sometimes on offer for 55p a pack..I buy 40 packs of these then they are on the cheaper price so that I get a good saving.I also buy the big packs of Purina Go Cat from Home Bargains..These are £3 99p which works out a lot cheaper than buying the smaller packs.I also have a cat flap so they can get in the garden,when we are out.I buy the cheap cat litter but I line my litter trays with newspaper,that the neighbours give me.All my cats are neutered..very important in my opinion!.None of them have had jabs...my last cat didnt and he lived to be nearly 20 years old!.Holidays can be a problem if you havent got any one to look after them,but Im lucky because my mam n sister live near by.I still dont like to go away for more than a couple of days though because I know that they miss me and I worry about them!!.We have got used to this way of having a holiday now!Like Ilona says,there is also flea treatment to buy,but if you get the good stuff it works.The cheap stuff is a waste of money.Yes,I do have to spend quite a bit with having 5,but I buy lots in one go so I only have to do this every couple of months.It is all worth it though,because I love them all to bits!!I hope that Miriam settles in well and I am glad that you have given it some thought.Within a couple of days you will be wondering how you ever lived without her,when she sits on your lap purring away!.Let us all know how she is getting on!,xxDebinoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-39621588229782985152019-07-19T13:12:03.924+01:002019-07-19T13:12:03.924+01:00One point is, to ensure your insurance is valid ch...One point is, to ensure your insurance is valid check small print, ours have to have their yearly injections as part of the insurance plan, the cost is not covered by the policy. We buy tin food on line, cheapest price as one cat will only eat Felix fish flavours in jelly. The cans are never put in the fridge as same cat won't eat cold food. It's not cheap to keep at cat and we have two. Poppypatchworkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12749159567150084975noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-53466734842357167562019-07-19T12:57:17.460+01:002019-07-19T12:57:17.460+01:00This is a very good post. Being a cat owner my ent...This is a very good post. Being a cat owner my entire life, I would add that keeping a cat as an indoor-only cat will keep it from getting lost or hurt, getting fleas, (but sometimes if still happens in the south), or catching diseases from other animals or even being poisoned by eating something it shouldn't. I had a cat that lived to be 20 years old. She never went outside, nor do my current two. I also feed them a dry food only diet. I helps keep tartar build up from forming their teeth. Both my cats are on special Hill's prescription formulas. One for kidneys and one is on diet food. It's not cheap but it keeps them healthy. Lorrainehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15328674280714013955noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-56642440224956656542019-07-19T12:48:50.212+01:002019-07-19T12:48:50.212+01:00I have had 5 cats over the years from CPL or simil...I have had 5 cats over the years from CPL or similar charities and always paid about £70 for each cat, they call it a donation but suggest the amount. There are none of the cheap shops you quote where I live, so Tesco it is and not much choice at that, dried food and junk in jelly atm until he decides he would rather starve than eat what he has been having for months. I don’t insure and cannot get this one to vet so just hope for the best.Sarah Deehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06744771859309359933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-43548244963170232342019-07-19T12:28:37.023+01:002019-07-19T12:28:37.023+01:00thankyou tessathankyou tessaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-77152135684504386412019-07-19T12:27:31.320+01:002019-07-19T12:27:31.320+01:00thankyou tessathankyou tessaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-18381171729226602052019-07-19T12:02:28.167+01:002019-07-19T12:02:28.167+01:00My friend recommended buying cat food online and I...My friend recommended buying cat food online and I'm so glad she did. Once I worked out which one suited Mog - not difficult as wet food disagrees with her - I chose some dried food (recommended by the vet) which costs me £26 and lasts for around four to five months. <br />Mog has never scratched carpets or furniture, possibly because she spends quite a lot of time outside, and has never been interested in the toys we originally bought her but she does love to play with conkers!<br />Aside from her annual vaccination fees and the ocassional cattery stay, her monthly insurance costs me £4.80. My biggest expense has been her cat flap which is chip operated, again purchased online and cost £54. X<br />Juleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03837629817375132149noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-24728573138374508162019-07-19T11:54:30.096+01:002019-07-19T11:54:30.096+01:00your a star thankyou xx we are off this pm to coll...your a star thankyou xx we are off this pm to collect miriam from the cats protection this afterneoon...thanks again tessaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com