The Way of Cats

Some cat expenses are essential, some are not, and some are optional. How can we tell the difference? The key is recognizing a sensible investment. All the money we might spend on our cats are for bonds which pay off in love. So we must invest with that return in mind.

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If we have our heart set on a particular breed, we should research the subject the way we would any large purchase. Good cat breeders are not looking to make money. They would be the first to tell us that between the mother’s prenatal care, possible stud fees for a good match, and medical expenses for the kittens, they are doing well to break even. This is why purebred kittens cost as much as they do.

This is not an area to look for a discount. We may pay less up front, but we will get substandard merchandise. Kittens with congenital or genetic problems are both heart breakers and bank breakers. Don’t risk it.

Kittens from other sources may not be purebreds, but they are often recognizable breeds or the mixes therefrom, and have the advantage of hybrid vigor. Even if we get a bargain initially, kitten expenses are both basic and non-negotiable. We must alter the cat and get them their vaccinations, or pay the shelter or breeder who had it done.

Since our greatest expenses would be about the cat’s health, it is not a wise investment to skimp at this stage. An unaltered cat will not make a good pet, and is likely to result in property damage. We will become exasperated and angry at the cat for something which is not their fault. Likewise, a vet examination will evaluate the cat’s health, catch things at an early stage if there is a problem, and give us peace of mind. Which is invaluable.

For value seekers, look no further than an adult cat at your local shelter. They’ve been altered, chipped, vaccinated, vet checked, and evaluated, all for one fee that’s a fraction of the cost of a purebred kitten. The shelter can tell you about their personality and a bit of their history, so we come home with a calm, wise adult who is easy to integrate into our daily routine and eager for affection. Best kitty bargain around!

Invest in some karma, and pay a bit over the fee. Shelters work hard to make this opportunity available to cat seekers, and deserve some return.

Now that we have made our investment, we want to hang onto it. Collars are either able to be gotten out of, and likely to be lost, or not able to be gotten out of, and likely to get the cat trapped somewhere. I don’t see them as a good investment. Far more valuable is the chipping procedure, which can be done during the altering operation. A microchip is implanted in the cat, which shelters and vets can scan to find the owner. It can’t get lost and it doesn’t bother the cat.

Another way to save money on our cats is to make them indoors only. We save in the short run on litter and cat toys, but that is more than offset by whopping vet bills when the cat becomes sick or injured because of all the dangers they encounter outside. Outdoor cats need to update their vaccinations more often because the cat is being exposed to diseases, fleas, and parasites. I’ve known many outdoor cats who become chronically ill or disabled because of outdoors encounters, and then the problems, and the bills, multiply. If we love our cats, we can head off these disasters by keeping them in.

The next decision is what to feed them. We save money in the long run by paying a bit more in the short run. Cat nutrition studies indicate that a high protein, low carb diet is best for the cat’s health. As complete carnivores, cats lack the enzymes to digest carbohydrates, and the supermarket foods are no more than meat-frosted grain flakes. This leads to chubby cats prone to diabetes, kidney problems, and urinary tract infections.

A high quality, protein based food is more expensive, but the sticker shock is moderated once we realize cats eat less of the high quality food. I’ve seen this with my own cats. The cat lives into a healthier old age with fewer medical and behavioral problems. This is a great way to protect our cat investment.

The cat will need some checking up for optimal health, but when it comes to vaccinations, we can avoid unneeded expense and risk by evaluating their needs with their health professional. I take a holistic approach; once the cat is properly vaccinated, I only update when a new cat enters the household or the cat needs to stay in the vet’s office for a procedure and might be exposed. We can be alert to our cat’s mood and normal routines, and be quick to get attention when the cat needs it. In this way we catch problems earlier, when they are more affordable.

Certain procedures, such as teeth cleaning, can be done at longer intervals if we feed a more natural diet supplemented with kitty grass. This is inexpensive grasses we plant for them, which offer fresh nutritional sources and acts as “floss” when they eat it. We can also brush our cat’s teeth, further reducing the need for teeth cleanings and safeguarding their health.

Declawing is a waste of money. It’s so much cheaper to invest in a few good scratching posts and invest our time in training the cat where they are supposed to scratch. Don’t be misled by soothing stories. The cat is now crippled, and prone to health problems caused by their lack of proper exercise. The cat is now frustrated and miserable, and prone to behavioral problems such as aggression, biting, and depression.

Is it worth it to get cat health insurance? Study the policy carefully. If they have high deductibles or restrictions on conditions, we might be better off with a self-insure procedure, where we put that same monthly amount away in a savings account for when it’s needed. We should consider high quality food and preventive maintenance as a supplemental insurance policy we administer ourselves.

So be a smart cat investor. Start the cat off right, maintain the cat properly, and monitor their health to catch problems early. This is how we reduce our expenses, and cash in those great love bonuses.

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There’s more ways to care for our cat with The Way of Cats than the article you are reading now. See all of my posts on CAT CARE.