Acquired a cat and worried about cost

misscomickat

I've found myself the keeper of a cat (a family member moved house and couldn't take her to the new place).

I am on a budget and am trying to pay off debts, so want to minimise the extra costs.

The main thing is that she needs medicine, one tablet a day, which apparently costs £13 for 30 tablets. This seems really expensive to me, is there anywhere I can get pet medicines cheaper?

Another concern I have is that she is 16 years old, if she gets sick I can not afford expensive vet bills.

Also cat food, where is the cheapest place to buy in bulk?

Any other expensese I should bear in mind?

Thanks

cattie

Well done you for taking on an older cat. :T

If you are on a low income & receive any means tested benefits then you would qualify for help for the cat's medical welfare from local RSPCA, PDSA or Blue Cross clinics.

If she is a much loved cat wouldn't your relative be willing to pay towards any treatment she may need if you don't qualify for help from animal charities? If not & the previous owner is on a qualifying benefit then you could get the treatment needed by taking along the cat to one of the clinics on her behalf, if you see what I mean. You'd have to show something to prove her benefit entitlement

Pet medicines can generally be bought cheaper at one of the online pet pharmacies such as http://www.vetuk.co.uk or
http://www.bestpetpharmacy.co.uk
You may need to get the prescription from a vet first though if it's a prescription only medicine.

I find if you keep your eye on the special offers at supermarkets you can get the food at a cheaper price by buying only when the prices are attractive. An older cat shouldn't eat as much as a younger one anyway, especially if not particularly active.

If the cat goes outside then you should consider a flea treatment such as Frontline. During the winter months you don't have to use it so often as you do in the summer. During the hot summer I leave about 6 weeks between treatments & in the winter about 10 or so weeks & my 10yr old lad has never had fleas, thank goodness.:D

There shouldn't really be any other expenses to take into account at the moment. I would imagine you've been provided with her bed & any toys she had?

Good luck anyway, cats are lovely little companions & I hope you'll be very happy with yours.

scat

A family member had this cat for 16 years? Personally I think you're doing enough of a favour simply homing it. I'ld ask them to cover the medication and take out insurance ( assuming you could even get this on a cat that old.. )

misscomickat

Thanks for those tips. I didn't know you could buy pet medicine online. I think I need a prescription though, maybe my Mum will have the cat's old prescription.

I don't think my Mum would be willing to contribute. We don't really get on that well, and when I asked her how much the medicine/food costs she got angry.

I'm not on benefits so wouldn't be able to get free treatment.

She doesn't go outside, I live in a flat. It's not ideal but she has been with me since Sunday now and seems quite happy. She just sleeps most of the time anyway!

scat

My two cats are 15 years old. The one doesn't like being inside ( she disappeared for a week when she was quite young and we are convinced she got shut up somewhere as she gets very stressed if she comes in but can't get out again ) the other is a permanent fixture on the sofa! They are very little hastle really.

It may be worth trying somewhere like the CPL to see if they can help with medication, at the very least they should be able to advise you on care.

Your mum, with all due respect, sounds a bit out of order getting angry when you asked about costs! She should be thanking you, I've done it on her behalf!

Enjoy your cat!

shelly

cattie wrote: »

An older cat shouldn't eat as much as a younger one anyway, especially if not particularly active.

Please come and mention this to my cat If I allowed it she would eat a whole tin a day. She's roughly 17 and eats like a pig! Doesn't do much except sleep all day on the shed roof. :rotfl:

Maz

you can ask your vet for a prescription, which they should sign. then, you can scour the net for the cheapest option for your cat's medication, they should supply it if it's a signed prescription. your vet can't deny this to you, it's against their code of practice! Take heart, my senior cat is 21 and he's as fit as a flea!