Cats - how expensive are they really?

WeAreGhosts

LaoCapon wrote: »

UPDATE!

Some friends of my parents are going on a 3-week holiday and I've offered to look after their moggy - I have said that as I am looking to dip my toes in the water re owning a cat of my own, I will pay the costs over the 3 weeks and see how I get on, so they've told me the food brands/flavours she likes, what catlitter they normally use, and the rest is up to me
I will be trialling various measures from this thread...!

Sounds like a great plan! Good luck with it

krlyr

LaoCapon wrote: »

UPDATE!

Some friends of my parents are going on a 3-week holiday and I've offered to look after their moggy - I have said that as I am looking to dip my toes in the water re owning a cat of my own, I will pay the costs over the 3 weeks and see how I get on, so they've told me the food brands/flavours she likes, what catlitter they normally use, and the rest is up to me
I will be trialling various measures from this thread...!

Can kind of see where you're coming from - but no way would I be paying to look after someone else's pet, they should be paying you!

I personally often recommend that people thinking to get a pet work out the costs and then put this money aside in a savings account for a few months. Not only does it let you see if you can afford it, but after a few months, you then have a nice little emergency fund for vet bills etc.

rising_from_the_ashes

mmmm it will be a good practice run and get you used to a cats needs - but I'm not sure how it will give any kind of indication of costs?

You will need to feed the food the cat is used to (you certainly couldn't change these in a) such a short time and b) the cat will be unsettled anyway with its owners being away and either it being in a strange place (if staying with you) or a strange person in its home (if you're stating there) .... and the same with its litter