Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the last couple of years, you know that times are hard.  

This crisis, which is still being euphemistically called a recession, is hurting pets, too. You’ve undoubtedly heard about the increase in animals dropped off at shelters or abandoned on the streets or near local farms in hopes that maybe the farmer won’t notice a couple more barn cats lurking around.

But what about the rest of us? Those of us who are struggling but who are not in such dire straits that we could even consider abandoning our beloved cats?  How can we save money, meet our basic needs, and still keep our promise to take the best possible care of our feline companions?

Food is one place where you shouldn’t skimp. High-quality food is health insurance for your kitty. A good diet can prevent many potentially life-threatening problems.

Veterinary care: Again, not a good place to shave the budget. By making sure your cat gets an annual checkup and vaccinations, you can keep your cat healthy in the long run. There are at least half a dozen vaccinations you could be encouraged to give your cat, but veterinarians have by and large adopted a vaccination policy that includes just three core vaccines: Rabies, feline respiratory viruses, and feline leukemia.

Rabies vaccinations are required by law here in Maine Rabies is contagious to dogs, livestock, and humans, and even indoor-only cats can find themselves dealing with rabies carriers such as bats that fly in through windows. Most vets use a three-year vaccine, so your cat doesn’t need this shot every year.

Feline respiratory virus vaccinations protect against several upper respiratory viral infections that can be fatal in cats. This vaccination is typically called FVRCP or the “distemper shot,” and is given every other year.

Feline leukemia is a highly contagious and always fatal disease in cats. Generally, vets encourage people who let their cats go outdoors to have their cats vaccinated against leukemia. As I recall, the leukemia shot is the most expensive of all the core vaccines, so if you want to save money on shots, keep your cat indoors only.

Cat litter … well, it depends on what you’re already doing. I’ve been using a very expensive premium clumping litter made of corn. This is going to change in the near future. I’ve been told that unmedicated poultry layer mash is essentially the same thing as this super-premium litter--and a 50-pound bag of layer mash costs probably a third of what a 40-pound bag of super-premium corn litter--but I have yet to try it myself.

As an experiment, I bought a small bag of commercial brand corn cat litter. But when I opened the bag I just about gagged from the overwhelming perfume reek. If I can barely tolerate it, I can’t imagine what my cats, with their super-sensitive noses, will think. Corn mash smells good all by itself, so I have no idea why the manufacturer thought it necessary to imbue it with such a nasty artificial odor. Guess I won't be using that brand.

You can save lots of money on toys and goodies with just a little DIY. Cats don’t need expensive designer toys, Most kitties will be delighted with a plastic milk ring to chase around or a long shoelace wiggled around by their favorite human. Plant your own catnip; it’s a low-maintenance herb that not only will make your cat delighted, but makes a great herb tea as well.

How have you been able to save money and keep your cats happy and healthy? Share your ideas here, and let’s help each other.

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