Cats on the cheap

[NovelMama]

We really want to get a pet, and we all fell in love with a cat we saw for adoption at PetSmart today. Obviously I don't want to gamble with an animal's health, but are there cheaper ways to feed a cat well than the $1.10/tiny can (on sale!) of all-natural cat food we saw there? Do they HAVE to have cat food or can you feed them canned tuna, salmon, etc less expensively?

And what are the best options for litter? (Both brand and places to buy.)


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[domesticzookeeper]

They have to eat cat food Muscle meat alone is not going to meet their nutritional needs, and a balanced diet is going to significantly reduce their chances of needing veterinary care for digestive issues, allergies, bladder stones, etc So basically, the money you'd save would need to be funneled right into a medical fund

Now, I make my own cat food from *whole* ground chicken and supplements. Comes out to about $20/month per cat, and it's been fantastic for their overall health

As for litter, the best "cheap" option that we found was the large bags of pelleted horse bedding that you can buy at any large animal supply or feed store, usually for about $5-$7 for a 40lb bag. It doesn't clump up, but that's not a deal-breaker IMO. It does cover smells nicely

The one tricky thing about litter...

Cats have a vote in whether or not they will use it, and some cats will exercise that right liberally

My 10 yo cat decided to change her litter preferences this year, so now we use a more expensive clay clumping brand. I'd rather we didn't, but she loves it...and it is her bathroom Whaddya gonna do?

---------- Post added at 05:44 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:40 PM ----------

And while I'm not convinced that every single cat needs to live an indoor-only lifestyle, you do have to factor the outdoors into your expenses if you plan to let kitty roam. Namely, the higher risk of injury and/or disease (and, along with that, the potential need for more regular vaccination). Sheltered lives are cheaper to maintain.

[backtobasicsmum]

While I really can't say if it is the best for a cat's health, anecdotally, my cat growing up and my current cat only were fed dry cat food. Neither have or had any health concerns. My cat growing up lived to be 16 and died of old age, and my kitty now is 14 and still going strong. We buy a hairball control formula, and find he has the most problems with hairball when he is fed tidbits of people food (he loves dill pickles, green olives and cheese) and when he's not been brushed enough.

[ECingMama]

My mom also makes her own cat food with a powder supplement made for cats. She believes in raw meat diets for cats.

Cats need clean, clean, clean litter boxes or they may pee elsewhere. Maybe have a box on every level.

[cheri]

I had cats my entire life until my I had kids with severe cat allergies

They're really not cheap pets. They do need cat food. Canned tuna can actually make cats sick. And ITA that higher quality food equals fewer health issues. They really do need wet food to be healthy.

And if you let your cat go outside, there are vaccinations that are an absolute must. You can't be anti-vaccine with pets. And flea prevention (and you can't get a cheapie collar that's actually dangerous, you have to get the expensive stuff like Frontline) I had an indoor cat when I lived in an apartment and it got fleas I guess from the neighbor's dog, so I dealt with fleas even with a cat that never went outside.

Litter, again, ITA that they'll choose their litter. And if they don't like it, they WILL go outside of the box. Or if it's not clean enough, it will go somewhere else.

I think you have to have some money set aside for vet bills, too. Not just the vaccines, but health stuff. I had a cat with urinary tract issues. And a cat that ate something that made it sick.

[milkmommy]

Our cat can't have gluten or she gets very loose bloody stools and ends up going everywhere even with super clean liter. Ideally would be a raw diet but honestly our fridge freezer space is so limited now I just don't want to full time.
Their are a few "lower" quality brands that at least overall eliminate the hrsh fillers and gluten cats REALLY don't need the classic variety of fancy feast is one (must be the classic) Sheba is another these run around .50-.60 a can.. With the more premium brands you still have to be somewhat careful some I'd say are pretty good others again use too many odd fillers above all cats need protein.
Like my kids our cat is also super picky.. She hates anything pate like or anything with turkey.. We use http://www.petflow.com/product/natur...FcRcMgodvWgAbQ though not this flavor since I just said she doesnt like turkey LOL run just under $1 each and she gets 2 a day.. So yea it is cheaper than many options but still kinda expensive. Ours is also an indoor out door pet she she catches and dines that way as well. (We watch her devour lizards and desert rats pretty often)

liter wise I'm super picky and so is my cat.. We use ever clean in unscented it is a clay clumping liter which some believe isn't cat safe but we have no issues it will be something you'll have to decide your self. It also isn't cheep but works wayyyy better than anything else we tried and it lasts a long time and we tried so many things. It also one of few that doesn't irritate my asthma but it could to another.

[milkmommy]

Weve had issues with kidney failure eventually claiming our dry food only cats. Even high quality grain free. Maybe because of where we live. Dry hot weather. We use dry to sumplement but wont do only dry again.

[mrskellyray]

We always bought good cat food and good litter because it works better. Cheap litter means more stink!