Saving Money When Buying a Cat: Tips for Feline Fans

If you have decided to buy a cat, you may be unaware of the various costs involved before, during, and after you have picked up your new feline friend. It can, however, allow you to budget ahead of time and familiarise yourself with how your monthly outgoings are likely to look with an additional family member in the home. If you are looking to save money when buying a cat, continue reading to find out everything you need to know.

Visit local shelters

If you want to save money and rehome a vulnerable, neglected, or aging cat, a local shelter is a great place to start your search. It can cost a small free to adopt a cat, but this is usually negligible compared to the cost of buying a purebred from a specialist breeder, for example. In doing so, your furry friend is also far more likely to be neutered, spayed, and treated for parasites, worms, or fleas ahead of time which can save you a considerable amount of time and money on trips to your local vet.

Organise pet insurance as soon as possible

If you have been interested in buying a cat for a while but have been deterred by the thought of mounting vet bills, getting cat insurance as soon as possible can provide you with much-needed peace of mind. It can also cover you in the event of a medical accident or emergency and prevent you from being left out of pocket if the worst was to happen. If you are unfamiliar with the process of organising pet insurance, however, you must choose a well-rounded provider, such as Petsure, that offers lifetime coverage as well as coverage for pre-existing medical conditions.

Buy toys and scratching posts

In addition to visiting local shelters and organising pet insurance as soon as possible, buying toys and scratching posts can also save you money when buying a cat. This is because it will discourage your feline friend from scratching your furniture and ruining it permanently. This is a natural behaviour for cats and should be encouraged in order to keep their claws in great shape and mark their territory as they settle into their new home. It can also prevent you from being hit with expensive upholstery bills or even being forced to fork out for a brand-new sofa within a matter of days.

Learn the basics of grooming

If you are looking to save money when buying a cat, learning the basics of grooming can prevent you from splashing out on regular grooming appointments and ensure your cat looks and feels great on an ongoing basis. This can range from cutting their nails and brushing their fur to cleaning their ears and even brushing their teeth. If you are unsure where to begin, it may benefit you to do your research and follow an online tutorial, set of instructions, how-to guide, or list of tips and tricks to ensure you are doing it correctly and in a way that is likely to be comfortable for your cat.

If you are in the process of buying a cat, you may also be looking to save money in any way you can throughout the entire process. This can be done in a number of ways including visiting local shelters, organising pet insurance as soon as possible, buying toys and scratching posts, and learning the basics of grooming, and can allow you to free up more money to spend on treating your new furry friend as they gradually settle into your home.