Ask The Readers: Do You Have Pets?
Editor's Note: Congratulations to Marissa, @1bets1, and Bernard Boulanger for winning this week's contest!
As the "mom" of a 3 year old golden retriever and 13 year old kitty, I know firsthand that the costs associated with pet ownership can often be a huge budget drainer. Many animal lovers like myself choose to make pets part of their families despite the costs. However, other people choose to avoid the expenses associated with pet ownership by not bringing an animal into their home.
Do you have pets? Why or why not? What do you do to save money on pet-related expenses? Do the benefits of pet ownership outweigh the costs?
Tell us whether or not you have pets and we'll enter you in a drawing to win a $20 Amazon Gift Card!
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Enter 1 of 3 Ways:
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Yes, I own 2 cats, a 11-year old Siamese mix female - Blitzy and a 2-year old domestic short-hair - Joey. It is of course an additional expense to have pets, since they are like kids, they depend on us, and we owe it to them to provide the best possible care within our means. Both mine are rescues and have had very rough lives. I buy them the best food and give them a lot of love. And are they worth it? Absolutely. they bring so much joy, love, and laughter in my life.
I have two cats: one that I got as an adult from the local humane society and one that I got as a young adult from my vet's office (I took the one cat in for her shots and came home with two cats -- this happened about a week after my grandmother's funeral so maybe I was trying to fill a hole in my heart). My fiance has an old tomcat that he inherited from his sister and has cared for about six years even though he's not a cat person.
Combining our cat families will be interesting, to say the least. After one of our older cats "moves on", then he wants to get a Sheltie-type puppy from the local humane society, but he's convinced that three animals should be our maximun household number to avoid living in a chotic zoo (like his sister's house).
We have a 6-month old pug puppy. She's a great cuddler, clown, and companion when one of us is away. There are a lot of costs in the beginning -- initial vaccinations, spay surgery, bowls, toys, bed, tags, leash/harness, etc. but hopefully the expenses will taper off as time goes by.
I have a 5 year-old cat and a 2 year-old dog. Both were rescues from local shelters.
My cat knows when I wake up in the morning so even if I try to sleep in he starts jumping on me for his food. Unless I'm over at my boyfriend's house I NEVER get to sleep in.
And my dog is my best buddy and my favorite piece of gym equipment, haha!
My place would be so quiet and boring without them!
I don't but would love to have a toy poodle. My husband thinks animals belong outside.
As a vet's assistant, I have a small zoo of animals. I have a golden retriever, a labrador retriever, 3 cats that live w/me, 2 cats that live with my mom but I'm financially responsible for, a mouse and a betta fish. I couldn't imagine coming home to an empty house so their companionship far outweighs the costs. The cats get cheap toys on sale or from the dollar store or are random things around the house. The mouse loves cardboard egg crates and toilet paper tubes. All are fed a good quality food twice a day and aren't overfed, which can lead to all sorts of health issues.
I have two cats who moved in with us four months ago when they were abandoned by our former neighbors. I found out the owners had moved when one of the cats came to me injured. That was a huge vet bill, but it was an emergency. The 2nd one went into heat and that's how I found out she needed to be spayed. Animal control recommended a low cost clinic for spaying and told me about weekend clinics for vaccinations at pet supply stores. I'm taking both of them this weekend for the "Luv my Cat" vaccination pack. While the cats have cost a lot recently, they work for their keep. One acts like a dog and follows the kids when they are outside. The other keeps varmints out of my garden.
I also have 2 hens and 8 chicks that are growing quickly. I haven't needed to take them to a vet and it's a good thing because there aren't any vets that care for chickens nearby. I'll have to take them to a country doc. The hens give me eggs every day, but they are also like dogs and come running over to play with me whenever I'm outside. They work for their keep by turning the soil over in my veggie garden. So even though I've had to outlay cash to care for the pets, there is a quid pro quo.
I have a chihuahua who is my baby. I have had pets all my life and can't imagine not having at least one. She is a great companion and makes me laugh daily. She is short haired so is low maintenance and doesn't eat a lot. She is pretty inexpensive to care for, which is an added bonus.
We have a pug who is very ill and about to go over the Rainbow Bridge. We have spent a fortune on medical bills, but would do it again in a heartbeat. The love of a pet is irreplaceable. You cannot factor in "cost-effectiveness" when it comes to unconditional love.
We have a cat that we adopted from the SPCA about 6 months ago. She's the first pet my husband and I have had as a couple, and even though it's an added cost, it is SO worth it. I think that having a cat instead of a dog (or at least, instead of a large dog) is cheaper - less food costs, for example - but of course, you still have vet bills and such. I grew up having dogs and I'm a firm believer in preventative medicine for animals, so I never skip a vet checkup - prevents major, costly (both money-wise for us and health-wise for the cat) problems in the future.
Yes.
I do not have pets, even though I have an enormous affinity towards primarily dogs, though I'm coming around to cats as well. It's more of a freedom/mobility thing than a cost thing.
We have always had pets in my family when I was growing up and I can’t imagine my life without them. As fond as I am of dogs I tend to prefer cats for their independence and ability to care for themselves. You can leave your cats home alone for a few days with little worry; you can’t do that with dogs which require a lot more maintenance.
We have 2 cats right now; a scrappy gray Manx and a fat orange tabby. I know that many people will scoff at this, but they’re like my children. Our Manx is like the brooding teenage daughter who prefers doing her own thing. However the moment I sit down with a book she’s on my lap on demanding cuddles. In the winter when I’m in bed, she’ll sit beside my head until I lift up the covers and let her snuggle underneath.
The fat, little guy is a total momma’s boy. He’s nervous around strangers, runs to his mommy when dad sprays him with water, and if I shut myself in another room for more than 20 minutes he MUST investigate. He’s a total lover boy, too. You just look at him and he’ll start purring.
When it comes to cat toys they’re very inexpensive to please. The Manx loves hair bands and paper balls. If you crinkle a napkin she’ll be right there ready for you to throw it for her. She’ll even bring it back and play fetch with you. Fat guy prefers the laser pointer and the mysterious creature that hides underneath the blanket at night. (ie; my feet!) I think if you ask anyone with cats, they’ll tell you the expensive cat toys never get used. They seem to prefer the junk laying around the house; paper bags, boxes, bottle tops, etc.
The one area where we don’t skimp is our cats’ health. The fat guy has tummy issues that cause him to scarf and barf his food. Both our cats get the higher qualify cat food. They even get real ground meat that it’s made specifically for cats. It’s a little more expensive than the dry stuff you would find at Wal-Mart, but it leads to less vet bills down the line.
Vet expenses are part of the risks and costs that you accept when you decide to adopt an animal. If you can’t afford or are unwilling to care for your pet properly, why have one at all? It just seems selfish. Both of our cats have had their fair share of vet bills. There have even been a couple ER visits as well. It can be disheartening to lay down $500 in one swoop, but that’s part of the deal.
I understand that it’s not like this for everyone, but for me my cats are part of my family. We don’t up and abandon them when things get tough. They provide me with affection, entertainment, companionship, and what I perceive as love. They make me happy, they ease my stress and depression and for all those reasons and more I think the benefit definitely outweighs the cost.
We have two cats right now. In 2010 , two of our cats died, and we spent several thousand dollars on vet bills over the course of one long and one short illness. But we love our cats, and can afford the bills, so we will remain a feline household.
I have a dog named Jazzy. She is part Lhasa, part Poodle, part crazy! She is very smart and can do a variety of tricks like shake hands and jump through my arms. She is a delight :)
We have a 13 year old dog. I'd say our three biggest expenses are:
1) veterinary bills. The only way I can think of to save in this area is to sign up for insurance (some plans pay for annual exams)
2) dog food. I snag to get our brand when it's both on sale and when I have a coupon.
3) dog treats. Again, I'll try to watch for sales/coupons or buy items we haven't tried before just because I can get a good deal. I've also bought the cheaper brands of dog food to use as a treat. He just gets a little bit, but it's different, so it's a treat to him.
I have an awesome Jack Russell Terrier named Cooper that I adopted two years ago. Pets are totally worth the cost! Cooper went through Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced training classes which were around $100 each and, honestly, I learned a lot too and had as much fun as he did! I feed him quality food and treats and keep him current on his exams and shots, plus we walk and play a lot for exercise, so he stays healthy and hopefully will continue to do so which saves money as well as gives him a good life. I don't mind spending money on him. He's a part of the family!
I have one black lab/corgi mix. She is our only "daughter" and that is what she is to us! She is the PERFECT replacement for a baby at this time :)
I have 2 dogs and 11 cats (all fixed). I can't have kids, and my husband doesn't want to adopt, so my pets are my kids. I'm really an animal person, and I volunteer a lot at our local no-kill shelter, too. Pets are definitely worth the cost!
Yes, I currently have 2 pets... an 11 year old cat and 12 year old dog. They are great company as well as a great source of entertainment for my son.
we have 4 cats (two are rescue kitties) and a 55 gallon fish tank. The tank and stand were freebies from a friend and we grow cat nip, but other than that our pets aren't an area where we're particularly frugal. We have talked about making homemade pet food to stay at the quality level they are used to for less but haven't done it yet.
I have an adorable, fat rabbit. Even though she is sometimes a butt, I am happy to have her in my life, and the expenses for a rabbit are considerably less than those for a dog or cat, which is definitely a relief.
Yes, I have an amazing cat :]
I have a horse, actually. He is HUGELY expensive. I spend more on him than I do on rent, utilities, AND groceries. He is worth every single penny - a lot of equestrians say that horses are cheaper than therapy. He is my heart and my whole world.
There are some things I skimp on and some things I don't. I'm careful about buying new stuff just because. We can't really afford to show. But I pay a premium for quality care and training, and he gets whatever veterinary care he could possibly need.
In my own life, I basically spend no money - $20 a week on groceries, never eat out, get about $100 per month to spend on myself. I drive a 14 year old car with 180,000+ miles on it. I seek out additional part-time jobs whenever I can, and I lived with my parents for three years in order to build my emergency fund to where I could comfortably care for both of us for a year if I lost my job.
I sure do. Three doxie boys: Chas., Nelson, & Riley.
My husband and I have five cats and a dog. Believe it or not, this is down from our previous 5 cats and three dogs. We are currently on a tight budget and admit that the amount we spend on really good food for them and the yearly vaccinations and care is a big chunk our of our budget, but we are empty-nesters with no grandchildren, so we adopted these furry kids from the Humane Shelter and the fun we have with them and their personalities is worth the sacrifice of other entertainment. Besides having given some homeless pets a great life, we have provided ourselves with some unconditional love and countless greetings when we return home from a world that is sometimes pretty joyless. They are all spayed, so we know that this is the limit for us, but I would encourage people to adopt a couple of kitties or pups to broaden their world and get some good old love!!
Yes, a 7 year-old male orange cat (neutered, of course). He was my baby and I adored him until I gave birth to my first daughter four years ago. From that day on I have loathed him. I don't desire to spend any more money on cat treats (to prevent puking), vet bills or cat food. Nor do I enjoy cat hair on all of my possessions or picking up cat puke. I'm over it! I doubt I'll ever have another pet again.
Yep, I have pets-five cats and a dog. All are rescue/shelter pets and they are the best pets to have. In fact, my dog Nicki just came here to her forever home last week. She is a 12 yr old sheppard mix who runs around the yard like a pup. It's great. I have pets because of their companionship and the the knowledge that I saved a life. I buy pet food on sale and use coupons. I can't put a price on the love and companionship they provide.
Yes, I have 4 cats; the most recent two are rescued adults. Over time they have cost me a huge amount of money, what with injuries (even thought they are all indoor only) and old age illnesses, but I don't have children so I figure the amount I spend on them is what I'd spend on kids. My cats are much less trouble than kids--they don't talk back, they love me unconditionally, they love to cuddle, and they stay kid-like and loving their whole lives. They are a joy to come home to as they are always thrilled to see me. I'm happy I can get so much love from them even if they cost me, and I feel bad for children who don't grow up knowing the joy that comes from animal companions.
We have 2 cats.One of the things we do to save money is take them to the pet store for their shots. Our pet store offers this service twice a year.
Yep, I have a 12 year old cat and a 2 year old dog. both are entertaining, loving, adventurous, comical companions. Funniest part is is that they don't like each other! they don't fight, but they are jealous and do all sorts of things to get my attention. Hilarious! They are loved and very well cared for and it they get too expensive, well, then, I'll just have to cut the budget somewhere else. It is my responsibility to care for them and love them and keep them from the shelters and the streets. They chose well the day they found me. :)
I have a pet! Her name is April and she's ahhhmazing! The costs are sometimes hard to keep up with but are always worth it because she is always there for me!!
I have a cat and a dog
Two cats here, and worth every penny they cost us - and a whole lot more!
My husband and I have no human children, but we have a dog whom has brought such a great energy to our home. Yes, pets add expenses to the household budget, but what you get back from them (loyalty, affection, love, etc.) makes any expense worth it!
I have had pets for as long as I can remember, and I can't imagine living without them! I do, however, understand the tremendous costs that can be associated with pet ownership, and so I completely understand why it's not for everyone.
My family bought a dachsund puppy 12 years ago, and like most dachsunds he recently needed back surgery for a herniated disk (dachsunds are prone to back problems because of their body shapes). He then developed cancer and needed surgery, then chemo therapy, then further surgery to remove one of his eyes. He is now as happy as ever, but the vet bills put us close to, if not over, $10 000.
When my boyfriend and I adopted a stray kitten, we decided to plan ahead for vet bills and potential issues. We considered pet insurance, but the benefits just didn't justify the premiums for us (especially since, at the moment, the kitten does not go outdoors). Instead, we've made a conscientious effort to put aside the amount we would have spent on premiums every month, and have set up a little safety fund to cover vet bills and unexpected pet expenses. This strategy might not be for everyone, but it's perfect for us :)
Must LOVE Pets is our motto! We have a "Morkie" named Poopsie and a
"Snoodle" named Obadiah.........Our dogs and 2 cockateils bring SOOOO
much laughter into our home. Definitly worth every penny spent at the vet!
We will be bringing them to Texas in June and despite the search for Pet friendly hotels we wouldn't travel without them.......
I have two wonderful dogs. I save money by buying dog food at Costco. They are definitely worth the money.
I have a cat that lives with me and a dog I left with my dad when I moved out and did the whole college/job thing. I still help my dad with the costs of the dog.
We have three cats and feed them organic food. So, they're not cheap but cheaper than dogs. To be honest, though, if my daughter wasn't allergic to dogs, I would have two of those too! Love animals. They do cost a bit, but life isn't all about saving money. I do try to be as economical as I can, but my pets are worth it!
I have a 2 year old black Lab, Pepper. She's my first dog and I can't believe it took me so long to get one! She's a handful, but so worth it! My local pet store has a membership that allows us to save a percentage on her food. We chose a healthier food than the common brands, but with the discount the price its about the same cost!
I've had my cat for 4 years now and I wouldn't trade her for anything. She's priceless to me. I save on food and treats by clipping coupons. Vet visits are expensive, but she's worth it.
Yes I have a 5 year old Pit Bull mix. A friend found her on the street when she was only about 6 months old and he took her in, his mom wasn't too happy and after two weeks she was a 'guest' at my house, but hasn't left yet. She's the best friend ever. To save money I use coupons for dog food and shop the cheapest prices. For health care there is a local vet clinic that offers coupons in the newspaper for check-ups and I take advantage of the local non-profit pet advocate agencies when they offer low or no-cost treatments and medications. The benefits of always having her around definitely outweigh the costs of owning my doggy, she loves me no matter what crappy mood I'm feeling, she keeps me healthy as I try to keep her healthy as she's my running partner, she reminds me to get up and do something every day and that's totally worth it!
Doesn't everyone? :)
I am the proud parent of two cats, Duncan and Abby. They're family members--and for me, the only "kids" I really was ever interested in having. Well, one day I'd like a dog, but petkids are all I ever really wanted.
Although we don't keep expenses down (for example, Abby was having digestive issues til we switched to Newman's Own cat food) in general, I keep the ones we do have down by trying to buy smarter. We buy pet products from Amazon. I've researched out the cheapest (and yet odor absorbing) way to have organic, natural litter material. We have a ceramic fountain, but I found no-name filters that are the same size so we buy them instead of the higher-priced, name-brand ones.
Duncan regularly does something stupid--costing me anywhere from $500 to $1000 at the vet, so he has pet insurance. And after my "healthy" cat got instantly sick (and died), costing me $1500 in a day, my new "healthy" cat also has pet insurance. I brush their teeth, another cost-center with Duncan (he only has four left, so it shouldn't cost much more).
Overall, I try to spend money up front to prevent potential problems later. Just as I do for myself--good food, exercise, regular checkups, etc.
We have three dogs. One was free, one was from the local shelter, and one was from a breeder. We save money by feeding them all the same Kirkland Brand dog food from Costco (with our Vet's approval.) Only one of the three requires grooming and we shopped around for the best price (after trying to groom her myself-a miserable experience for both of us.) We try to stretch out her haircuts to four per year to keep the price down. We've also been adminstering out own shots which we buy at the farm supply store, and then we notify our Vet to keep their shot records current. They bring us so much joy, entertainment and exercise that thay are totally worth the expense. Studies show that pet owners have lower blood pressure and our pets keep us active and get us out of the house more than we would otherwise. The biggest hassel is traveling without them so we try to go places they can be with us.
Yep! Cows, horses, sheep, chickens, cats and a dog. We love animals. Each one is different and has their own unique personality. Some of the animals can be a nuisance (I am thinking of my screaming cow). It is never a dull moment and they make for the most "unusual" stories. Why do we have them? Well, the chickens for the eggs and one cow for the beef, but the others are just pets. We save money on shots by doing them ourselves. Also, if you have a good vet, he/she will discuss alternative treatments if you explain you are trying to save money. It can be something as simple as an over-the-counter med versus prescription. I am not sure the benefits of ownership outweigh the costs, but we feel that no one could better care for them than us. Pet ownership is expensive and must be thought through carefully before taking the leap. My husband has renamed our farm "Hobby Gone Wrong"!!!
Yup, we have pets. I've always loved animals and can't imagine them not being a part of my life. Thank goodness I finally found one I wasn't allergic to also!
Yes, We have a fat, cat, name Matt :) We adopted him with that name
yes, 3 cats, 2 weiner dogs, and some fishies...they are my family too
I had dogs for nearly 20 years, and said goodbye to my last a couple months ago. I miss having dogs so much that we've decided to adopt a new, older dog soon. Time to start budgeting and saving again!
We are owned by 3 cats and 3 dogs. They are our entertainment, our mental health consultants and our medical consultants. They help pay for themselves by keeping each of the these costs down for us. We don't have to pay for the entertainment or going to a mental health dr or a medical dr for stress. LOL Plus no matter what you say they never tell your secrets, they are always happy to see you and they love you unconditionally. They have a thousand other uses, hand warmers, bed warmers, alarm clocks, early warning doorbells, alarm systems and many more. Most importantly they are family and we love them!
I don't have any pets. I like them, but haven't had time to take care of them, mostly. Maybe will change that in the next few years. I also have moved around a lot, but plan to be a bit more stable now.
I have no pets.
I Do have a dog and I think the benefits outweigh the cost. There's so many pets that need homes and although it isn't cheap there are ways to save.
One big way is pet grooming. We bought a pet grooming set from a garage sale and have been grooming our dog at home ever since. This saves significant $ as pet groomers charge about $69 in my area.
sure, one midwestern love cat
We have 1 Beautiful Dog, 6 Goldfish, and many Guppies/Mollies. 8-)