How to Save Money as a Cat Owner by Kate Johns

With the economy in a continual state of ups and downs, even a cat owner must cut kitty corners. But that doesn't mean you have to throw your cat out of the house, causing her to fend for her nine lives. There are many ways to save money while owning a cat. And that's without cutting necessary items out of your own life. Here's how:

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• coupons
• boxes, string
• newspapers
• You will need a cat or two

1. Owning a cat seems easy enough, but with prices rising, it can get quite expensive keeping your tabby the well-kept critter that she has become accustomed to. Cats don't need expensive toys. Cats will play with whatever you have in your home that looks like fun---like your new living room curtains. They love small shoe boxes, and large boxes to rummage around in. A cat will chase and fight with a tennis ball, an old slipper, and a ball of yarn. Unwind some yarn and let the cat chase it around the house. Buy catnip and place it on a newspaper and watch your tabby go straight to cat heaven.

2. Cutting coupons can save you a ton of money when comes to your cat. You don't even have to switch to a cheaper cat food, just clip some coupons. The Sunday newspaper is a wealth of cat saving opportunities, and offers many cat food, and cat litter coupons. Get on a mailing list at a local pet store and have them send you sales information and coupons. Ask them to send information on when your cat's favorite food goes on sale.

3. Adopt a cat from your local SPCA or animal shelter. Or better yet, make a new home for a wandering skinny stray. By adopting a cat from an animal shelter you can save a lot of money. Many times they will spade or neuter the cat for free while you pay for adoption costs. Sometimes they will charge for fixing your new cat, but they give you all or most of the money back after the operation is completed.

4. Take your cat for regular veterinarian visits. While it may seem expensive to take the cat to the vet every year, it will be more expensive if your cat has a major illness. It is better to catch the disease or illness before it gets really bad, which can run into the thousands of dollars or could have been prevented. It's just like getting a wellness checkup at your doctor, only you are preventing illness from happening in your cat by getting the necessary shots now.

5. Take care of your cat by making certain that she gets plenty of physical exercise. If she happens to be a lazy tabby, take her for regular walks in the fresh air. This will invigorate her and you at the same time. Then she will want to run around when she gets home. Provide stimulating toys for her to play with. Play with your cat at home by throwing a ball for her to run after and fight with. Make certain to brush her fur at least once a week to keep furballs at a minimum.

Tips & Warnings

• Take care of your cat now, so that small problems remain small and cost less money now.
• Provide inexpensive toys for your cat to keep her from becoming a big fat lazy kitty.