1. Use Catnip Infused Spray On Old Toys
Cat owners have a bad habit of buying too many toys for their cats, only to find that their cats lose interest in them very quickly.
Instead of constantly buying new toys for your cat, try spraying the old ones with catnip infused spray!
This a cost effective way to keep your cat interested in its toys, scratching posts, and bedding.
Not to mention catnip infused spray is much better than loose leaf cat nip because it is more potent and less messy.
Our top choice for catnip spray is the From the Field catnip spray rejuvenator pictured below. It’s cheap, non-toxic, all natural, and easy to use.
2. Buy Cat Supplies in Bulk
The secret to saving money on cat food and cat litter is to buy in bulk – that’s where the deals are.
Chewy is by far the most affordable online retailer that offers great discounts to customers that want to buy in bulk.
Chewy is the one stop destination for flea medication, toys, accessories, food, and litter.
Why make the trip to the grocery store and carry home heavy food and cat litter when you can have everything delivered right to your door with free shipping?
With Chewy, any order over $49 has free 1-2 day shipping.
Chewy even offers a special discount when you add products to your auto-shipment, meaning your cats will always be delivered their food and litter exactly when they need it.
3. Make Your Own Cat Toys
You’ll find that cats are largely uninterested in most toys you buy for them. As referenced in tip #1, use a catnip infused spray to make old toys your cat doesn’t use exciting again.
Also, don’t buy too many toys. Cats are more than content with homemade toys.
Cut pieces of fabric into thick (1-2 inches wide) strips and tie them in a knot.
Try repurposing old cardboard boxes into houses and obstacle courses for your cat.
Let your cat bat around an empty toilet paper roll or sew a felt, catnip stuffed plush toy.
WARNING: Remember that yarn, string, and ribbons are life-threatening for cats.
LEARN MORE: Why Yarn & String Are Dangerous To Cats
4. Buy Quality Cat Food
Buying good quality cat food now will save you hundreds if not thousands of dollars on vet bills in the future.
Making healthy choices is the best preventative care for humans and cats alike.
Raising your cat on a high quality diet plays a big role in preventing health problems down the line.
Although it’s a little pricier, wet food is the best choice for cats. Cats are originally desert animals, therefore they get most of their water from their food.
Wet food ensures that your cat is staying hydrated. Dehydration can lead to bladder problems, urinary tract diseases, kidney disease, tumors, and bladder stones.
Click here to read this complete guide on how to find the best cat food for your cat.
5. Portion Control
Portion control goes hand in hand with buying good quality cat food. Do not overfeed your cat. A chunky cat may be cute, but it’s certainly not healthy.
Obesity can lead to diabetes and other serious health complications which are costly and potentially life threatening.
To prevent yourself from having to buy expensive perscription food, insulin, and frequent trips to the vet, control your cat’s food portions.
This is especially true if you have an indoor cat. Although indoor cats are safer, they are less active than outdoor cats.
Without as much activity, indoor cats don’t have the opportunity to burn the calories they consume.
Keep your indoor cat active by having scheduled playtime with interactive toys that require them to run and jump.
In many cases, it’s a great idea to have at least two cats so they can play together to burn calories and stay active.
6. Dental care
Spending money on dental care from the start will save you hundreds if not thousands of dollars as your cat ages.
Bacteria associated with dental disease can travel in the bloodstream and infect the heart, kidneys, and liver.
This is why dental disease, though seemingly confined to the mouth, can affect a cat’s entire body.
Start taking care of your cat’s teeth now to prevent needing expensive teeth cleanings from vet.
If your cat’s dental disease is bad enough, they will have to have teeth extracted which can cost as much as $1,300.
The best way to prevent dental disease is to brush their teeth.
You can slowly train your cat to allow you to brush their teeth. Some cats even look forward to it.
However, not all cats are going to let you brush their teeth. In this case, invest in some high quality oral hygiene chews.
My vet highly recommends Virbac C.E.T Enzymatic Oral Hygiene Chews. They are big enough so that cats to have to bite them in half, giving the active ingredients a chance to work on the teeth.
7. Keep Your Cat Indoors
Indoor cats avoid the dangers of the outdoors that end up being costly, or more importantly, deadly.
The dangers include cars, predators, animal abusers, other cats, and diseases.
Outdoor cats are required to have flea, worm, and tick treatment monthly.
Good treatment is not cheap – it can be as high as $60-$120 a month to keep your cat free of fleas, ticks, and worms.
There are many types of fleas, ticks, and worms that cause a variety of diseases.
If your cat goes untreated, its life expectancy drops due to the risk of developing one of these diseases.
Indoor cats don’t need flea and worm treatment after their initial round as kittens unless you bring new cats into the house.
In this case, all of your cats will need a round of flea and worm treatment.
Avoid this cost by simply keeping your cat indoors where it is safe and healthy.
HOT TIP: If you are considering purchasing flea or worm treatment for your cat, my vet highly recommends Revolution Plus Topical Solution for Cats.
This is a tremendously affective treatment that eliminates fleas, heartworms, roundworms, hookworms, and ear mites.
Revolution requires a prescription, but this can easily be requested online through Chewy without having to visit your vet.
LEARN MORE: Why Indoor Cats Live Longer Than Outdoor Cats
8. Keep an Eye Out for Deals – Shop Around
I recommend establishing a good relationship with a high quality vet that can get to know your cat over the years.
However, not everyone can afford this and there are alternatives to ensuring your cat gets the medical attention it needs.
If you’re planning on getting your cat spayed, neutered, or vaccinated (which you should), call different vets and ask their price.
Call your local animal shelters and ask if they offer these services at a lower price.
Many towns offer low-cost spay/neuter clinics that offer a variety of services at an affordable price.
9. Groom Your Cat Yourself
As your cat ages, it can’t take care of itself the way it used to.
Establish a good grooming routine now so that you can prevent your cat from developing mats that only a groomer can treat.
WARNING: If your cat currently has matted hair, do not attempt to cut them out yourself. This can be extremely dangerous for your cat. Please seek professional help.
Don’t let your cat’s fur get to the point where only a groomer can help.
Groomers are expensive and there is always the risk that they will accidentally injure your cat.
Prevention goes a long way. Brush your cat daily and condition them to enjoy it by rewarding them with treats.
Your cat will learn to enjoy your grooming sessions and be less likely do develop matted fur in the future.
LEARN MORE: Matted Cat Fur: Solutions & Prevention
10. Rescue a Shelter Cat
If you’re considering adopting a cat but don’t know where to start, a shelter would be the best place to adopt your future kitty.
Adopting a cat from the shelter is not only more ethical, but it saves you money in the end.
The fee you pay when adopting a shelter cat covers flea/parasite medicine, spay/neuters, vaccinations, and even microchipping at some some shelters.
Not to mention the fee you pay goes towards keeping the shelter running so they can rescue more cats and find them loving homes.
Always adopt, don’t shop!
Summary: 10 Genius Money Saving Tricks Every Cat Owner Should Know
- Spray catnip infused spray on old toys to make them exciting again.
- Buy cat supplies in bulk.
- Buy good quality cat food for preventative care.
- Make your own cat toys.
- Make sure your cat has good dental care.
- Practice portion control.
- Keep your cat indoors.
- Groom your cat each day.
- Keep an eye out for special deals.
- Adopt a cat from a shelter.
QUESTION: What is your best money saving tip for other cat owners? Share in the comments below.
Sharlene Osorio
Sunday 8th of December 2019
GOOD ADVICE, THANKS ....