Cats can make
great pets for the right people and are one of the favorite pets in America
today. While the cost of owning a cat is much less than that of a dog,
there is still a significant cost and is most likely much more than the
average pet owner thinks.
We may argue, "I love my
pets and cost is not a consideration so what does it matter?" The reality
is cost does matter and directly influences both the type and quality of
care that an animal will receive. Every day I see animals that are denied
basic levels of care and veterinary treatment because of the failure of
the owner to recognize that pets cost money. No pet should suffer as a
result of poor financial planning and lack of commitment of their owner.
High veterinarian costs are often blamed for the lack of care, but in reality,
medical care is a necessary expense and is often a small part of the total
cost of owning a pet. Owning a cat is not a right but a privilege and by
recognizing that pets can cost a lot of money, it will help us to be more
prepared and provide better care to these animals.
Cats are different than dogs
in the sense that they can lead a semi-wild life and cost the owner virtually
nothing. There are tens of thousands of these 'pets' living on the farms
and the back streets of America's cities. These animals are often infested
with parasites and deadly viral diseases and survive by hunting which takes
a tremendous toll on wildlife. Their quality of life is very poor and most
do not live more than a few years.
Everyone knows
of these cats and their 'owners' and I do not consider their quality of
care to be adequate enough to even consider it here. In an average year,
the cost for all the required items for proper cat care ranges from $4,521.00
to over $18,000
Did the totals
surprise you? I know some of you are thinking, 'I would never spend that
much,' but in reality these prices are on the conservative side. I live
in the rural Midwest. In the large metropolitan areas the prices could
easily be doubled. These prices also do not take into account animals with
special health or behavioral problems. If you have a cat with a chronic
illness your veterinary cost could triple. Likewise if you have a cat that
urinates on the carpeting and you have to clean or replace the carpeting
as a result, your costs are going to be higher. While some people think
they can cut costs on food, litter, and veterinary expenses (which when
combined are often the biggest expenses) my experience shows otherwise.
If you feed cheap food you can end up with a cat with urinary or intestinal
problems and high veterinary bills.
If you use cheap
litter your cat may use the living room carpet instead. The same goes for
avoiding routine veterinary care ; you will shorten your cat's life or
end up paying in the end. So these prices are pretty accurate. Even for
myself with indoor/outdoor low maintenance cats (I do feed good food and
use good clumping litter) the costs are still very significant.
What does all
this mean? Well first of all, it shows that there is no such thing as a
free kitten. Secondly, it shows that we need to be very committed to our
pet cats, both financially and with our time. If owners are not willing
to meet their animal's financial needs then they are rarely able to meet
their pet's social and basic care needs as well. Before we consider taking
that 'free kitten' we have to be prepared for the time and financial commitment
that the animal requires.
I have spent
a lot of time taking care of animals that had owners that could not spend
the money or time required to meet their basic care. The problem with this
is that the animal that has no control over its situation and suffers as
a result. Therefore, I often spend time talking people out of getting a
pet if they are not getting the pet for all of the right reasons.
The humane shelters
in this country are overflowing with abandoned and unwanted cats and dogs.
Millions are euthanized every year and millions more lead unhappy and poor
quality lives with owners that do not meet their basic needs. If you are
thinking of getting a pet cat, be aware of the cost and time commitment
required and then choose a needy pet from a shelter. If you want to have
a purebred cat, only purchase one that is guaranteed healthy, is well-bred,
and whose parents and grandparents are free of any inheritable disease.
If you are educated
about the cat's needs and committed to the pet, then you can be part of
the solution and not part of the problem.
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