Pet Therapy: How to Raise a Cat on a Really Tight Budget
Approximately 68% of US households own a cat, and why shouldn’t you?
Cats are amazing creatures and they make great companions. Coming back home to your furry little kitty can make any day better in an instant. After all, there are amazing health benefits to owning a cat and they can enrich your life so much.
But if you’re on a tight budget, you may think owning a cat is too expensive. It doesn’t have to be though.
Here is how to raise a cat without breaking the bank.
1. Buy in Bulk
Buying cat food may seem more expensive in bulk, but in the long run, it’s a lot cheaper. When you buy regular amounts of food, it all adds up fast.
Make sure to invest in bulk, high quality cat food. Hills Science diet cat food is a good example of bulk pet food which will keep your cat healthy. It doesn’t cost much and will keep your cat satisfied.
2. Make Your Own Toys
If you’ve seen any cat video online, you’ll know that cats find almost anything amusing. You don’t need to buy them the best toys on the market, they’ll play with anything!
Toilet paper rolls, pipe cleaners, and fleece toys are great! They’re safe and won’t choke your cat either.
Most of this stuff is free to make or cheap to buy the materials for. Look for tutorials online and have fun making your own!
3. Adopt From a Shelter
If you’re adopting a specially-bred or pure-breed cat, they’re going to be expensive. But if you only want an average house cat, head to your local shelter.
You can adopt a cat for pretty cheap and if you get an older cat it may already have its vaccinations. You can spend as little as $25 for a loving companion who will be forever grateful for a new home.
4. Restrict Outdoor Time
It’s no secret that most cats love to be outdoors. If they bring you little treats (i.e. mice and birds) it means they love you! But it’s not all gross fun and games out there.
Cats can fall from trees or eat something bad and they can get very sick. These can lead to expensive vet bills and bad health problems. The easiest way is to restrict the amount of time they spend outside.
Try to give them plenty of ways to stay entertained indoors so they won’t want to venture outside.
5. Look for Cheap Spay and Neuter Clinics
It’s important to make sure you get your cat spayed or neutered if they aren’t already. You may think it’s an unnecessary expense but it is important to do. If not it can lead to illness, pregnancies and a lot of mess!
Ask around in animal shelters and vet’s offices for information on low cost clinics. They take place in local communities to keep unwanted animal populations low.
You can save a lot of money this way so make sure to do your research and get it done.
That’s How to Raise a Cat Without Spending a Ton!
Now that you know how to raise a cat on a budget, now it’s time to get one! You won’t regret bringing a friendly feline into your life and you’ll both be happier for it.
Find this article interesting? Check out our blog for more ways to live your best frugal life!