5 pets, out of work - need to save SOMEWHERE

SadBunny

starryshell wrote: »

Regarding cat litter, I've got two indoor cats and I'm also unemployed and trying to find the best way to keep costs down. I've found Classy Cat Litter from Zooplus (zooplus.co.uk) has been the best litter I've tried. It truly clumps and holds in odours. Two 15kg bags for £23, plus a rebate from Quidco.

According to vouchercodes.com :

12% discount off all orders at ZooPlus with our exclusive voucher code for new customers : 0811VC12PCAM
Added December 7th, 2010 | Ends January 11th.

This might suit someone who doesn't want to join Quidco.

I haven't tried it; because I already do an occasional large shop at Zooplus.
They sent a second 10% voucher to thank me for my first order - so I saved up and got another huge order.

It really helps if you buy in bulk and can plan ahead.
I buy expensive food for my fussy pets, but I probably don't pay too much more than if I bought cheaper food more frequently - because I can wait for the next good deal.
It's not fair. If money is tight you are pushed into spending more and getting less.

Well done Gettingready for planning ahead; and best wishes to you, and to Starryshell, and others who are endeavouring to do the best for their dear pets.

rita-rabbit

Offal - such as heart is v cheap in butchers. Also things like chicken feet & giblets - feed all raw.

Burns - dried is v cheap & good (cats - no idea about dogfood quality - could be as good). Also what about getting all kitten freebies that manufacturers promote: Whiskas, purina, JWB? I bulk buy from Zooplus to save on delivery.

Aniconda carni - also from Zooplus - in tins - twelvepacks are cheap & actually I don't think kittens really `need' kitten food per se. Feeding 75% dry will save on both cash outlay (wet is 75% liquid) and also litter - less `waste' = less needed.

puppy999

Hi been reading your thread and know the feeling I hav 3 cats 2x12mths and 9mths and an akita 2yr he as a funny tummy I use to buy him all the expensive dog food and it give him the run's really bad now I dont hav the money I go to netto I get butchers tinned and complete 10kg £4 (I only put a table spoon of meat in the complete as he wont eat it) or I get cheap bags £9 15kg from were I get my horse feed they also sell cat litter Sophisticat antibacterial 25lts £6 I dont use cat trays as the litter is every were I use tidy bins and I put 6/8ins in and I only take out the poo's and I keep them in the bathroom I hav 2 and they last 3/4 days ....... catsan is ok but does not soak up the pee and there for you use more.......I dont have The Cats Protection League in my area but a cats charitie paid for my 3 to be neutered the 9mth one was only done 4wks ago as he only had 1 ball and they were waiting for it to drop but it didnt he had to have a op ......... its hard but can be done I go without but my animals are my life I had nearly 18mths with no money a friend said sell your horse I said sell your son I have had my horse 23yrs and all my animals are in great condition I do car boot sales (not made much stood all day from 7am till 2.30 for £10) and people ask what I feed my dog on............I do try and get a box of bonio's now and than .... this is the worse time of the year to hav no money

SadBunny

SadBunny wrote: »

According to vouchercodes.com :
12% discount off all orders at ZooPlus with our exclusive voucher code for new customers : 0811VC12PCAM
Added December 7th, 2010 | Ends January 11th.

Today's zooplus Advent Calendar gift is 10% Off all orders with no minimum order value.

To receive the discount just enter XMAS in the 'Your Coupon Code' field when you get to the check out. Click on "redeem" and you'll see your discount deducted immediately.

gettingready

Been without a net for a week (!!!) as BT line got damaged, will catch up with all the posts doon, thanks for all replies

louisedyson

Orijen is probably one of the most expensive foods you can buy as I am sure that you are aware. My advice to you would be to put your dog and cats on a much cheaper brand of food. I manage to feed my three dogs - 2 terriers and a lab X - on a sack of cheap dog food (Pal working dog, or whatever else is on offer) for £12/month. Try putting the cats on supermarket own brand cat food. Ditto the comments on cat litter - I had several cats at one point and I never came close to spending £40/month on cat litter. Now you are on £65/week your priorities will really have to change. The animals will cope!

Girlpantsx

Sorry if it's all been sorted/answered, but The Cats Protection people will give you vouchers for the neutering of your kitties failing that, have a word with your local PDSA or RSPCA. I found the RSPCA were much cheaper when neutering my dog, but the PDSA neutered my cat for nothing (although he was under going an operation at the time so they did it all in one go, poor guy!).

Also, I get wood pellets from Home Bargains (or some similar cheapy shop). It's about £1.29 a bag, you'll probably fill two litter trays with one bag. It does seem to last longer though

Girlpantsx

Oooh, also a trip to the butchers is a good idea. Especially when they're selling bags full of meat for good prices. I got some Lamb Breast for a pound today, pooch loves it

stumpycat

Gettingready - your cats and dog are absolutely gorgeous and you really are an example for making them a priority through lean times. I hope you have another job offer as soon as possible, but I thought I'd offer my money saving tips:

Cat litter - we have 4 cats at the moment, and 2 litter trays. We line them with newspapers (my other half gets the train home, so collects all the discarded ones) then you just need a sprinkling of litter. We use ASDA cheap stuff, or the recycled paper one.

Food. Well, we used to live in Guyana, there was no tinned or dry cat food, so our cats were fed on rice and fish/meat. It's interesting looking at how many cats in this country are overweight, and probably this kind of diet would help them. I was the mad cat lady there, and was given all the struggling and unwanted cats. I think the most we had at one time was 12.
Cats need meat - they can suffer if they do not get taurine:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taurine
But I don't think they actually need as much meat as they get in catfood - so if you wanted to mix a tin of cat food in with rice.
I had a pot for cooking cat food and would add the meat/fish/offal to the rice while it was cooking to flavour it and then the cats would tuck in.

Best wishes for your job hunting!

Girlpantsx

I've always pondered about giving rice to my cats, I seem to have a cupboard full of it, lol. I may give this a try later!