[mimi888]

Hi, I would like to know how much should I expect to spend per year on owning a house cat. If I can get a cat that is already pre-immunized. I would also like the cat to be de-clawed. I'm not too sure about the expenses involved in owning a cat. What is there other than feeding them if they already have their immunizations taken care of.

[Fr_Chuck]

Most pet groups do not recommend a de-claw for a cat.

But you have feed and litter and at a min a yearly visit to the vet, you will have annual shots. Plus you have to be prepared to take them to the vet if they are sick.

So if you can't afford to take the cat to the vet next month or next week, you should not have them.

[excon]

Hello m:

Pets are part of your family... One doesn't ask about the costs associated with having a baby, as part of their decision making process. Therefor, one ought not ask about it regarding pets either..

If you're worried about money, don't buy a pet. If you're worried about your furniture, don't buy a pet.

excon

[mimi888]

Hello m:

Pets are part of your family.... One doesn't ask about the costs associated with having a baby, as part of their decision making process. Therefor, one ought not ask about it regarding pets either..

If you're worried about money, don't buy a pet. If you're worried about your furniture, don't buy a pet.

excon

UM, thanks for your 2 cents-as condescending as it sounded... but if I was thinking about bringing a baby into this world I WOULD think about finances to make sure I had a stable job etc so that I could raise that child, feed it , give it a good education. It would be irresponsible to not think about it and unfair to the baby if I didn't as I am responsible for it's well being.

After reading about de-clawing and what it involves I probably won't go through with it.. didn't realize it involved such invasive surgical procedures.

[Akoue]

Vet bills will run you a couple of hundred bucks a year, barring illness or injury (then the bills go way, way up). If you figure a can or so of wet food per day at anywhere from .60 to 1.00 per can, plus a bowl of dry food for munching--it's not all that much, really. Get a couple of good scratching posts with something rope-like wrapped around them to save the furniture (these usually run about 35.00 up) and some nice toys, a litter box, litter (a good clumping litter is best), a couple of blankets (cats don't mind hand-me-downs). A brush or comb. The occasional treat, catnip.

The principal investment is time. Don't believe the myth that cats aren't social. They really do need a lot of time and affection. If you've got that to give...

One last thing: Please keep the cat inside, and get it fixed. This will keep your vet costs down, because it'll be less likely to get hit by a car or attacked by another cat/possum/racoon/dog if it's inside.

And, if I can be really opinionated, rescue one from a shelter. They don't deserve to suffer the way they do in those horrid places. (Just make sure to get it checked out and fixed right away, since they sometimes pick up bugs while stuffed into those metal cages.)

[Alty]

Had to spread the rep Akoue, but I agree.

And to make you even more willing to consider a rescue, I've included a few pictures of some of the cats available for rescue in my town.

Attachment 15319

Attachment 15320

Attachment 15321

I also found this link on their website.

Adopt a dog or cat in Edmonton. Edmonton Humane Society - Animal Shelter

Good luck.

[Alty]

Akoue agrees: Dammit! Now you've made we want to take in another--it would be #7.

How do I push you over the edge and get you to do it? ;)

I can't have cats, hubby and the kids are allergic, besides, if I asked to adopt another fur baby I think hubby might have me institutionalized. ;)

[Akoue]

How do I push you over the edge and get you to do it? ;)

Make the days longer? Please? Come on, I have faith in you.