Our cat has been sick for over the past month. He has started to have accidents on the carpet which is bad enough, but we also noticed his urine was a reddish orange. Worried, we called our regular vet office and scheduled an appointment.

He was diagnosed and got medication, but after some weeks we haven’t seen any improvement. we took him to the vet for a follow up

My friend had her pet go through something similar and recommended her vet. I was scheduled an appointment Wednesday and had the records from the old vet sent over so I could get an informed second opinion. We are on a new diet regime and he got some medication. We’ll wait and see if it improves. I’m grateful that we some money saved to pay for his bills. I’m considering getting some pet insurance for him, but I have to run the numbers first.

If anyone thinks having a pet is cheap, they’re wrong. Having a pet means being responsible for a life, with all the expenses of food, medicine, and everything else.

Try to get my cat feeling better

What’s Having a Pet Going to Cost?

Pets are not as cheap as people think. SPCA has some yearly estimates on the costs of pets. Are these estimates close to what you thought pets cost?

DOGS:

CATS:

While these are estimates, it would be reasonable to try and see if you could afford the financial responsibilities of being a pet owner. For some people in this economy, now is not a good time to decide to own a pet. Look at these numbers as a guideline and see if you can afford it.

Personally we have spent more money than we saved from paying off the car loan and switching our car insurance. The truth is we love our pets and make sacrifices to take care of them. It can be excruciating to decide the tough choices.  Life happens and we do we have to protect our pets.

Tips on Saving on Vet Care

• Schedule regular check-ups: You may think you’re saving money by only taking your pet to the vet for emergencies, but you can easily end up paying more when they get seriously ill.  Take your pet to their yearly check up exam.
• Ask your vet about treatments: Check with your vet if treatments are necessary or are some optional. Shop around to see if you can find good deals on pet meds.
• Try some DIY grooming: Bathe your pets at home. Grab a Pedi-Paw or something like it and trim your pet’s nails.
• Consider Pet Health Insurance: Check around and see if  pet health insurance is a smart financial move for you. Some policies can save you some money, but double check the fine print. Puppy and kitten insurance can save you some money during that expensive first year.
• Keep careful records of your pet’s inoculations and other health-care services. If you move and or switch vets, make sure you can send the information to avoid duplication and misdiagnosis.

Please plan ahead and save money up for your pet. Be sure you can afford them before you get one. What tips would you give to potential, new, and current pet owners?

Photo Credit: Green Panda

This articles was included in the Festival of Frugality #170 – Frugal Living is Timeless.

I’ve had my (baby) cat for about five years. I got him while I was still in school, which meant I did not have a lot of money to play with. He’s been healthy and for the most part happy (he’s a bit mean at times). I’ve set aside money in my budget for him and it has worked so far. Now that I’m married and my husband has adopted my cat, there are two people looking out for him.

Having a pet is not cheap, so if you’re struggling to make ends meet and want a pet, please wait. Even though there are ways to cut some expenses down, it cost money to take care of an animal.

Find a good and affordable veterinarian

If you’re low income, consider speaking to your local animal shelter. Some of them have clinics with reduced fees for vet visits and commonly used medications for lower income families. Also ask around for more information on vets in your area. A good vet can save you money if they can diagnose the problem early.

Also don’t be afraid to ask the vet if you can workout a payment plan. Some are willing to work with you if you’re upfront.

Consider a healthcare plan for your pet.

PetSmart also has the Banefield clinics which are supposed to be affordable to most people. They also have a monthly health plan that covers many common appointments. I haven’t used it, but my sister swears by it.

Keep your pet up to date on vaccinations.

Some cities sponsor events that offer vaccinations at lower than normal costs. Take advantage of such programs.

Vaccination Recommendations for Cats

• FVRCP(Panleukopenia, Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, Chlamydia)
• Rabies
• Feline Leukemia (FeLV)
• FIP (Feline Infectious Peritonitis)