I have a stupid question ... ;)

[dab_20]

when people post *bump* what does that mean exactly? lol kinda slow...

[Don Juan's mom]

I adopted both of my cats as young adults (1 to 1.5 years old), and loved doing it. My first cat, Cardamom, was 5 years old. Adopting from the Humane Society is good, as the cat will be spayed or neutered before you take it home. (In other words, before I could take Don Juan home, he was rendered incapable of BEING a Don Juan. )

I use Premium Choice Flushable cat litter, which comes in an 8-pound jug. Prices at stores around here range from $5.99 to $10.99 , so it's a good idea to shop around. One jug will supply one litterbox for 1-2 months, depending on how fastidious you are. A little baking soda mixed with the litter really helps with the, ahem, aroma.

Don Juan and Zerlina are approaching the end of a 10-pound bag (2 POUNDS FREE!) of Nutro Nature's Choice Indoor Formula, which I bought about two months ago. It usually runs around $12 to $15, but I had a coupon for $2 off, and I can sometimes get more off with my PetSmart Pet Pals card. I don't free feed the kitties, as the vet got on my case about Don Juan's weight (talk about the pot calling the kettle black!), and Zerlina is a, shall we say, enthusiastic eater. Once again, it pays to shop around.

Then, there's catnip, toys, treats, vet visits, kitty grass....

Liz

[Craftlady]

when people post *bump* what does that mean exactly? lol kinda slow...

Making sure that the post stays at the top of the list. Bump is a generatic term used in this type of reply.

Average cost for 4 kittys on premium food (Nutro) 20 lb bag last us 2 months at $28 a bag. Average $200 a year. When it's on sale I get a bag inbetween the normal time we would buy. Right now I have 2 (20 lb) bags plus a small bag that was free. Litter we get anywhere from $8 to $10 depending on if it's on sale or not. We go through 28 lbs of litter in about a month for 4 kitties. I'm always buying our litter when it's on sale, so I have a stock supply

[.sarah]

Making sure that the post stays at the top of the list. Bump is a generatic term used in this type of reply.

Average cost for 4 kittys on premium food (Nutro) 20 lb bag last us 2 months at $28 a bag. Average $200 a year. Litter we get anywhere from $8 to $10 depending on if it's on sale or not. We go through 28 lbs of litter in about a month for 4 kitties. I'm always buying our litter when it's on sale, so I have a stock supply

Man cat food sure does last a lot longer than dog food I have to buy two new 40 lb bags (different brands) every two months for my girls, and they really don't eat that much. I'll probably go with Natural Balance cat food, since that is my preferred brand.

Thanks for the replies so far!

[catnapper]

when people post *bump* what does that mean exactly? lol kinda slow...

It means that they were way down and nobody was seeing their thread so they put a *bump* to bring it back to the top of the list. Its personally one of my biggest pet peeves on a message board. I always try to say "anybody else have an opinon?" I often bump my threads to the top, but always use a quote from someone else's reply -- its friendlier and encourages more conversation, therefor more replies.

[.sarah]

Thanks Don Juan's mom! I'm actually hoping to go with Feline Pine for litter, and it sounds like a similar litter to what you're using. I have allergies. Usually dust isn't bad, but I have my days at work where the litter just bothers me, however it doesn't happen often (just when I forget my medicine lol).

when people post *bump* what does that mean exactly? lol kinda slow...

It's just a post to bump the thread up to the top of the forum. This one was moved back a few pages where people wouldn't see it and I'd still like replies, so I bumped it.

[Craftlady]

P.S. to my reply above...
Nice you work for a vet and get discounts on meds etc.
I would say that's the biggest expense.
We adopt older kitties usually around 2-4 yrs old average. Cindy was youngest at under a year, she was neighborhood stray so we didnt get her through PetSmart.

[heidiv]

I have three kitties 2 which are adults and a 9 months old. I change their litter 2 boxes!! (have to make sure that everyone is happy!!) I have to buy a 10lb bag of clay litter every 2 weeks about $7.00 (remember I have 3 kitties) and I am very particular that the litter stays clean. I buy a 10 lb bag of Iams food for all three each month$ 13.00. And of course treats. (They work VERY well to teach them tricks!!$1.00) My cats also love to play with the sparkley pom poms that you can buy in the craft section of any store (Walmart,K-mart ect.$2.99) And for other ideas about toys Milk Rings, an old fishing real with a toy mouse will keep a cat active also. That is the only way I keep my orange kitty from getting to fat. Hes a big eater. Depending on if your kitty is long hair or short haired you will have to get a brush. It helps keep the hair down for allergies. Also I have been thinking about putting insurance on all three of my cats since my 6 yr old himalayan one day started to have seizures and it cost 1,000 dollars down to just get a diagnoses. And a microchip is good for a indoor/outdoor cat also. The love that they give in return is so worth any amount of money I Promise

[carole]

Sarah the fact you work at a vets and get half price cost really is great, owning a kitty is not that expensive initially, the food being the least IMO, but keeping them vaccinated, de-wormed and de-flead is the most expensive and if anything goes wrong, an accident or dental work, or surgery that as you know is where the big cost comes in, in your case it will be minimal, so i would go ahead and work out a budget first and then make your decision, great to see that you are working it all out ahead of time before making an adoption.

An adult cat is a great option, as they don't get adopted so readily and also will not be as lonely as would a kitten, honestly i don't think you will ever regret your decision.

My cats cost me around 70 dollars a year for vaccinations and check up, that is NZ dollars remember, 15.95 a month in flea treatments, about 6 dollars every three months for worm pills, food around five to eight dollars a week sometimes Ten depending on what i buy them and kitty litter around six dollars a month or so. These are just averages and vary from time to time.

Good luck , hope you choose a kitty soon.

[shais_mom]

Having a dog(s) and cat(s) is a love and a joy like no other. I was never much of a cat person before I adopted my greyhound, Shaianne. She made me much more of an animal person in general. Now I have my heart cat Kylie that I can't imagine life without. I got her in June when she was exactly a year old (2001). The adjustment of her living with a dog took awhile. She was just starting to become comfortable with Shaianne when she passed away. Then I brought home a puppy! My name was MUD for a few weeks. Now they have a bond that is truly special. When I had the pet psychic "talk" to Kylie she didn't even know I had a dog until Keegan started barking when I was on the phone with her - then she was shocked b/c Kylie made no mention of her at all. She said they must live in true harmony! Course Kylie and KLOE are another thread entirely! lol But I digress - I apologize you didn't ask about that stuff you asked about cost...
Having one cat - litter and food will last a lot longer - the litter I reccommend is Tidy Cat Small spaces. Right now I have that mixed with some from PetSmart but seem to get along well with it. I am BLESSED with 2 cats that don't have litter issues - I SUCK at cleaning the box and am not good about doing it every day or even every other day - and they both just go and go!!

I agree with you tho getting an adult vs. a kitten as you haven't had a cat before. I have had Kloe since she was about 6 weeks old (and she was a TERROR - heck she still is ! )and she hasn't particulary bonded with me but she is very bonded with Keegan. She much prefers Keegan's company to mine! Funny b/c I actually got her as a companion to Kylie and Kylie hates her! I told someone the other day I would never be able to rehome Kloe b/c her and Keegan are so bonded.
I have had Kylie since she was a year old (she is now 5 1/2) and she is my heart and my shadow.
I reccommend indoor only b/c I would be the same way - I would freak out everytime I let them out!

Looking forward to seeing your new addition(s)!!!