This post is dedicated to my reader, Alma. She recently left a comment about how expensive it is to care for cats, and I couldn’t agree more! Here are a few ideas to cut costs for kitty:

1. Food

The price of cat food can vary quite a bit. I’ve found that a high price doesn’t always mean better quality either. My cat, Pumpkin, is not brand specific which makes it much easier. Usually, I buy Purina which he loves and I’ve also fed him brands I’ve gotten for free with a coupon or product reviews. Pumpkin prefers dry, but my sister’s cat likes wet food. She has found great deals on free Sheba.

I try to only buy cat food when it’s on sale and I have a coupon. This is one of the benefits of having a big stockpile. There are lots of cat food coupons in the newspaper and printables. If possible, I try to stack a manufacturer’s coupon with a Target coupon for double savings! Current printables include $3.00 Purina Beyond, $2.00 Iams, and $5.00/2 Purina items.

In addition to adequate food, cats should have a constant supply of clean, room-temperature water. It’s very important for cats to remain hydrated. Pumpkin has food and water bowls on the floor 24/7, but he prefers to drink out of the bathroom sink.

2. Litter

Pumpkin is an outdoor cat and he only uses litter in the winter. Just like cat food, I try to only buy litter with a coupon. Arm & Hammer works well and they consistently have deals. Last May, I was able to take advantage of a rebate and scored a free box!

3. Medicine

I apply a tick drop to Pumpkin once every three months. Other than that, I’m blessed to have a very healthy cat who doesn’t need any prescriptions. If your animal does, check around for the best deal (not at the vet). There is competitive pricing with the online pharmacies like PetCareRx or 1-800-PetMeds. Always look for generics.

One medical procedure that’s totally unnecessary is declawing. Pumpkin was declawed before I had him and it’s been a terrible thing! He was once in a fight with another animal and almost lost his right eye! Claws are there for a reason; please don’t mess with nature.

Pet insurance can help some, but many pre-existing conditions aren’t covered. If your pet needs medical care and you can’t afford it, try this extensive list of financial assistance for sick pets.

4. Loyalty Cards

Sign up for a loyalty card at every pet specialty store in your area. I like Petco Pals the best, because they seem to have the most deals. By subscribing to their emails, I find goodies all the time. At the store, always check the clearance section.

5. Toys

These aren’t a necessity, but most cat owners go overboard anyway. Pumpkin doesn’t like toys at all. I’ve tried a few different ones with him and he’s always bored. His favorite activities are playing outside, jumping on counters, and crawling into cardboard boxes. He is also in love with his homemade cat condo. (Want to build your own cat condo for FREE? Check out this awesome tutorial!)

6. Adoption

Every cat I’ve ever owned came from the ASPCA. There are tons of strays in need of a good home. Rather than buying from a pet store, consider going to your local shelter. Not only is it cheaper, but it helps everyone. Pet adoption fees range from $30-$100, way better than $400-$3,000 for a designer, fancy breed. Another benefit to shelter cats is that they will already be spayed or neutered. (Yes, kittens are cute, but caring for 8 animals isn’t!)

Pet ownership does require a commitment of time and money, but with careful budgeting, owning a pet doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Any cat owner will tell you their kitty is worth every penny.

Another practice I really recommend is tracking every expense from food to vet care. I do it with Fresh Books. Knowing at a glance how much these pets cost often remind me that I can’t afford another!