Cat Ownership, Good Bad and Ugly

[NYEmomma]

After reading some other posts, one thing I wanted to add regarding certain health issues (especially urinary tract blockages in males and diabetes) is that a high quality food (canned in particular) is the #1 thing you can give your cat to prevent some costly vet expenses later.

Cheap dry food can cause diabetes (the natural diet of cats is grain free, low carb, high protein.) Also, cheap dry food can cause urinary issues... cats don't drink much water, so a canned diet really helps in that area.

I would avoid Cat Chow, Meow Mix, etc.

I'd typically 100% agree with this (anyone remember the huge recall of CHEAP brand dog food a few years back because of toxins & crap in it that killed a number of dogs?? )... but ironically, my cat has IBS & a fish allergy and the only food that we've found he can keep down is Frisky's Special Diet.

He had been on Science Diet Chicken & Rice but they changed the recipe in it and there's a fish by-product in it now.

It's so so hard to find a cat food that has no fish in it. The majority of "chicken" and sensitive diet foods still have some type of fish, fish meal, fish oil, fish by-product in it. And more cats than you'd think are actually allergic to fish.

 

[si-am]

I'd typically 100% agree with this (anyone remember the huge recall of CHEAP brand dog food a few years back because of toxins & crap in it that killed a number of dogs?? )... but ironically, my cat has IBS & a fish allergy and the only food that we've found he can keep down is Frisky's Special Diet.

He had been on Science Diet Chicken & Rice but they changed the recipe in it and there's a fish by-product in it now.

It's so so hard to find a cat food that has no fish in it. The majority of "chicken" and sensitive diet foods still have some type of fish, fish meal, fish oil, fish by-product in it. And more cats than you'd think are actually allergic to fish.

Yeah, I've actually read that fish isn't great for cats, and to feed it rarely. Funny how cats love it so much but it's really not a natural food source for them!

 

[NYEmomma]

Yeah, I've actually read that fish isn't great for cats, and to feed it rarely. Funny how cats love it so much but it's really not a natural food source for them!

I know! I feel so bad for the poor guy because thus far, I haven't found a single "treat" food for him w/o any fish in it... his days of treats are long gone.

When I worked at the vet office, the first thing we told people who had cats that vomited frequently (or had "hair balls" frequently because most people see vomit with cat hair in it & say it's a hair ball when really, it's vomit) was to eliminate all fish and fish by-product from the cat's diet.

That and half a Tagament an hour before feeding works wonders for most cats with sensitive tummies!

 

[mom2val]

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[smokeyblue]

Well this all has been reassuring. My friend actually happens to be a doctor and it occurred to me that he would have already recognized any troubling symptoms.

I'm going to talk with my friend and see if he can keep him for another month or two so I can get my remodeling finished up since he isn't moving quite yet. Although I feel awkward accepting money for something like this, I think I will take him up on his offer and put the money aside for emergencies.

 

[MsLeFever]

We spend about 23 bucks a month for Banfield Animal hospital's wellness plan for our cat and it is well worth it! It covered getting her spade and microchipped and covers twice yearly visits, shots, dental checkups and more. I highly recommend Banfield to animal owners!

 

[Mic]

My first cat was a stray that wandered up 15 years ago(on Memorial Day). She was a beautiful, but skinny sweet girl that I fell in love with. My kids were young, so I feel she did not get the attention she deserved, and my husband refused to let her indoors due to his and our 3-year-old son's allergies(this was before Claritin hit the market). I spent $200 on shots and getting her spayed the first year, and about $50 every few years for boosters. Exactly a year ago, she had a hangnail that got infected($125 for removal, antibiotics, follow-up), followed by an upper-respiratory infection. She had finished her antibiotics before we left for Disney, and my neighbor came over to feed her each day. Apparently she still felt bad, because my neighbor never saw her, but something was eating her food. She wandered off and died as quietly as she came. I still miss Precious. Now we have 2 indoor cats that started out as strays sitting on my deck looking pitiful. Khloe is 1, and Butterfinger is almost 1. I can't offer any advice on what food is better for cats because I have been told two different things. One vet tech recommended I feed Precious dry food for her teeth, and another vet tech told me to feed my two younger cats wet food. My two new cats prefer the dry food(any brand) over wet food, so the neighborhood strays I haven't adopted enjoyed my $20 worth of Whiskas pouches. Most cat owners probably have the same experience I had with Precious; the first year was the most expensive because of exams,shots, and spaying/neutering. The years that followed were less costly until the cat was 10-15 years old, when their health began deteriorating. At that point you just can't imagine life without them so most people pay anything to relieve their pain and hang onto them a little longer. I always considered myself more of a "dog person", but I have to admit I love my cats. Dogs love you unconditionally, while you have to earn the love of a cat. I may never earn Khloe's love!

 

[torinsmom]

I don't really buy into the expensive/natural food is better for cats' health. I have always fed my cats mid-grade food(canned and dry) like Friskies, Whiskas, etc. and none of them have ever had any food related issues. My oldest had thyroid, but the vet said that is not unusual in cats 15+. The other three have only had calicivirus and one had a reaction to the rabies vaccine, none of which are food related. I've owned cats on my own for 22 years. We had a dozen or so cats at once when we were growing up, and I don't remember a single one having health issues, beyond being run over(in the country) or having kittens. My mom fed them whatever was cheaper.

My dog also eats mid-grade food, both canned and dry. He is 12 years old and has never seen the vet for anything other than shots. He is still very active and healthy.

Obviously, to each their own. If I had a cat or dog that had problems that seemed to be related to food, I would probably switch, but I think it is more genetic predisposition than anything else. Just like people, some pets are more prone to problems than others.

 

[NYEmomma]

We spend about 23 bucks a month for Banfield Animal hospital's wellness plan for our cat and it is well worth it! It covered getting her spade and microchipped and covers twice yearly visits, shots, dental checkups and more. I highly recommend Banfield to animal owners!

Outside of the first year when that price covers the spay/neuter & microchipping (which I wouldn't have done if it was an inside cat), that doesn't seem like that good of a deal to me.

$276 for vaccines and a dental exam? Is it an actual dental cleaning under general anesthesia or is it just a look at their teeth? 2 visits per year isn't need unless the pet has some kind of health issue. What other kind of stuff does it cover?

 

[hsmamato2]

a cat is a relatively easy pet to have- like any animal, an emergency can happen,and vet bills can happen, but normal stuff is not too $$$- emergencies can occur for any of us,so why limit your life based on a 'what-if'?
Cats are cheap, great companions, I've had one or two my whole life-and they're easier than dogs,etc,or caged animals.
YOu can go to Petco for shot updates too-which helps with cost.Or my town runs yearly vaccine clinics for pets,very low cost.
A litter box,scoop daily,and plenty of dry kibble and water, you have a friend for years who will cuddle and watch tv with you! totally worth it!
when we go on a trip- our cats take care of themselves with enough dry kibble and water to last them till we get back- (complete opposite of dogs,who require special babysitting)
My cat is a perfect pet!

 

[hsmamato2]

Well this all has been reassuring. My friend actually happens to be a doctor and it occurred to me that he would have already recognized any troubling symptoms.

I'm going to talk with my friend and see if he can keep him for another month or two so I can get my remodeling finished up since he isn't moving quite yet. Although I feel awkward accepting money for something like this, I think I will take him up on his offer and put the money aside for emergencies.

when we got our cat(my sweet sweet baby I wouldn't trade for anything) she was a stray kitten,6 weeks old,and we were in the process of moving to another home,with a 3 week stay at Grammas in between houses along with a 2 yr.old and an 8 yr. old.....there was NO WAY I was leaving that kitten,we took her,along with all the moves,and have NEVER regretted it. Even with a remodel,don't worry overmuch about 'timing'-sometimes it's meant to be...

 

[apnep]

My cat, Chaplin, is my first child. He will be with me 18 years this coming September. I love him SOO much it hurts!

He is an indoor cat. He may go outside for about 10 minutes tops, to poke around but then he heads right back inside.

I have not had major vet bills for him. I currently have him on thyroid medicine because we just found out he has hyperthyroidism. But other than that, he's still very healthy.

The good: You can go on vacation for a few days and leave food, water, and clean box and not have to really worry about your cat. If we leave for a longer period we have someone come by and check in on him.

The bad: Cat pee is the worst and you can't get the smell out. I haaaaaate cleaning the litter box. If I ever get another cat, I'm going to teach him to use the toilet. They barf up hairballs. As they get older, these things get worse.

But, every living thing gets older. If you are willing to love it and receive love, you will have a wonderful relationship.

 

[marie1203]

Cats can b good companions. The ugly is that cats are very picky, if they pee out of their litter it stinks, furniture might get ruin if they dig their nails to it. Also you have to put heart worm flea medication on them even if they are not outdoors. It is about $79 per 6 months.

 

[angierae]

They are generally inexpensive, but there are emergencies. We had a 4 year old cat go into kidney failure and we probably spent $1000 trying to see what sort of quality of life we could get him before we made the decision to put him down.

Last fall my 9 year old cat got an upper respitory infection that cost $500 and about four visits to the vet (and force feeding him liquified foods because cats won't eat if they can't smell.)

On the other hand, we had a cat get cancer at 9 and he'd never cost more than a visit for shots until he got sick. It's just a crapshoot, you never know.

 

[azdizzymom]

Kitty lover here! We have an indoor kitty-$10 from the shelter. He was neutered and declawed in front so someone had loved him before us. Within the first 2 years he had accident===open rail balcony hall upstairs. He fell thru (he was thinner then). This resulted in leg surgery which had to be done twice because first one didn't work- we only had to pay for first surgery- vet did second at no cost. That was 6+ years ago and no issues since then. Think surgery was about $500-600.

Diabetes was our next venture. He was a dry food only eater. He weighed about 15 pounds but is a good size kitty too. He started drinking lots- took him in and diagnosed with diabetes. Spent almost over a year doing twice daily insulin shots and feeding special diabetic dry food vet recommended. Symptoms flared again in August 2009. Long story short ended up with fantastic new vet---found feline diabetes website and discovered as others have been preaching that WET FOOD IS THE BEST!! Especially the lower carb ones. People on the boards claim cats can go off insulin (in some cases) from switching from dry food to wet food. Well my baby is another one of those success stories.....September 19, 2009 was last day my baby had insulin. He eats Fancy Feast canned food (yes an expensive one and only certain ones are low carb for him ....yes I could try switching but not worth the chance of flaring up his diabetes which is in remission).

Now other than normal yearly shots he is a cheap kitty. Just be prepared---we have had other cats that are just yearly shot kitty only. Don't let any story scare you....if something unexpected comes up research and be prepared. I wish I had found the diabetes board a year earlier but am thankful everyday that my kitty is in remission---and has lost 4 pounds (on his new diet he also eats pasta, chinese food, ice cream, swiss miss fudge bars, every type of beef, pork and chicken--but he is healthy).

Good luck....love your kitty they bring so much joy and love! Kitty will be lucky to have a caring, loving home!

 

[Earstou]

I'm so sorry about your cat.

Thanks! He would have been 16 in a few weeks. He had a long happy life! We all miss him.

 

[Dorothy22]

I have 2 cats. They are both healthy, so I have the regular expenses at the vet, plus any unexpected situations (like when one of them hurt his leg). I signed up for Pet Assure, which is a discount program where I get 25% off at any of their vets. It's been a huge help for me. I highly recommend it to anyone getting a pet. And it's cheap! (For my 2 cats, it's $11 a month. Definitely pays for itself.) Good luck!

 

[blueiis99]

I vote...keep the kitty!!

I have 4. The last 2 were adopted from Brooklyn NY. (I live over and hour from there)
We had just lost a stray kitten I had taken in from a co-worker. (she had feline lukemia...She didn't make it a full year. My daughter was so attached, and she took it very hard)
I was searchng craigs list for infants (the prior cat had been one, when we got her) and I found this nice man that had found these infant kittens that were near death...He took them to the vet and offered to give them to a good home.

Long story short... we have the most beautiful twins..and we love them dearly. they haven't cost us much...and it is so worth the love they give in return.

 

[hopemax]

- I'd factor a yearly dental cleaning into your budget. It seems weird to be cleaning cats' teeth, but it really is preventative maintenance. If you let them go & the cat has particularly bad teeth you could get to the point where the cat refuses to eat because of the pain & you're looking at a long, expensive procedure. The cat could also have an abscessed tooth & that's seriously dangerous. Most of the cost involved in the procedure is the anesthesia & time involved... so you're better off springing for a short dental cleaning once a year then waiting to the point where the doctor has to be in there for 3-4 hours pulling most of the teeth in your cat'sl mouth. At our vet office I think it was something around $180 for a typical cleaning.

This. We adopted an older cat, last year. During his examination they said he had some calculus and that we should have a cleaning. We delayed it until this year. First, they did blood and urine tests to make sure that his organs were functioning properly, before putting him under. This was about $140. Then there was the procedure. Once he was under, they found out that 6 of his teeth were in such bad shape that they had to be pulled. And they found a small mass on his tongue, that we had to have biopsied. Since the mass was by one of his diseased teeth, they were hopefully that it was related to that, and not cancer. Turns out it was some scar tissue, like if he had bit his tongue or something. So we have spent about $1300 dealing with all his mouth issues.

And we've been told that he will probably develop more teeth issues in the future, so we would be wise to have him on a yearly cleaning schedule.

But even though that was a big expense, we wouldn't trade him for the world. It's so nice to come home and have him jump on your lap and start purring away. We say, "He's cheaper than therapy!"

 

[puffkin]

We have 2 female cats (7 & 3) and one male dog (8). I do feed them a fairly high quality food (Wellness for the cats and Natural Balance for the dog) and their foods run me about $100/mo. Litter costs are nominal.

Riley is 3. She has had no issues so far. She came to us already spayed from the cat foster care home we adopted her from at age 7 months. She has just had a yearly vet visit/vaccination which runs about $80.

Lilly is 7. We also adopted her at age 5 months also from the cat foster care home. She also came to us spayed. She also has a yearly vet/vaccination bill of $80. At age 4 she lost a lot of weight and after some blood work to rule out a bunch of stuff they decided to put her under to check her teath. She had to have 12 teeth removed (which is pretty much all of them except for one canine and the teeny ones across the front). That whole issue cost us about $1200. She also has a lot of stress now eating and has had urinary track issues. We have probably spent another $500 on that. If she gets another one or loses any more weight, she is going to have to go on something like Prozac.

In comparison, our dog is a male Beagle. We have spent at least $500 a year on him since we got him as a puppy (usually much more). Between neuturing him, annual visits, several severe ear infections, multiple regular ear infections, allergy medicine, thyroid medicine and twice yearly bloodwork for that, and being tested for Cushings disease, diabetes, etc he is our problem child.