Maintaining six cats is expensive. My practice is to be as frugal as possible while still making sure that everyone has the necessities.Each kitty is blood tested, dewormed and vaccinated during their first year - no rabies at all (not required in our county) and no yearly vaccinations after they are a year old and have had their boosters.

Each kitty has an annual check-up but no vaccinations. My vet doesn't recommend this, naturally but he knows that this is my choice - to be ultra conservative with vaccines. I do not bring in fecals unless I see the need. Oh yes and I normally do the wellness exams in two trips. If hubby is home, we have taken five in at one time to get the multi-cat discount but it is pretty rushed and hectic that way.

They are all treated with Advantage for fleas only if we suspect that we have brought fleas into the house - this has happened maybe three times in the past 10 years.

Litter and food are costly but I am also fussy about only using clumping litter and I use lots of it. We use Purina catfood as a midpriced choice. We had one kitty who needed ash free food to prevent blockage and one two kitties needed weight control food for a period of time.

Anyone who seems at all sick goes in to the vet right away and receives whatever care is needed.