You really don't need a lot of money to give your new cat a great start. Do you have experience stretching your dollars to give your cat the best? Share your money-saving tips in the comments!
@@jolie1327 that's weird. My vet talked about nail clippings but not teeth. Ask you vet if they have contrimemtary clipping. My cat has them for a year as a kitten. It's $20-30 last I checked in the states. My kitten, vets can't hold him down without two people so.
If I tried to brush my rescue cat’s teeth, I wouldn’t have a hand left to type this comment. I’ve added Plaque Off to their food and will save up to eventually have their teeth cleaned by the vet..
A place for them to sleep ... outdoor temps this morning were down to almost freezing. Woke up with three cats curled up with me on my bed. Apparently I function as a cat warmer.
Regarding scratching posts ... if you pick a sisal rope post from a big box store, it's a good idea to reinforce it before use. Cheaply made posts have the sisal tightly wound around the core (round or square) but as a cat uses it and shreds the rope it can begin coming apart. Eventually the rope will be cut in two and the thing will unwind, rendering it useless. Reinforce by taking a cup of warm water and mixing in a bottle of simple white glue (like Elmer's). Lay the scratching post on its side outside somewhere and slowly drizzle the water/glue solution along the sisal area, turning the post as necessary to catch all sides. Larger posts may need more solution to be mixed up. When done set it aside to dry for at least 24 hours. The solution will soak into the sisal and the core, lightly binding them together so that it will last longer once kitty scratches all the way through the rope to the core.
When the original ropes wear out on mine, I get the plain (no oil added) sisal rope from Amazon and Gorilla Glue Sticks then use my glue gun to attach the new rope. I get the thick rope and it lasts a long time. Just FYI for you after the original rope wears out because eventually it will.
If you visit your local pet shop, you can ask if they have (free) samples from different brands! It’s a great way for you to “test” if your kitty likes the food before committing to purchasing a large quantity.
Yes! And there are a few (not nearly as many post Covid) that will give freebies or coupons for newly adopted cats if you bring proof that they’re from a shelter or rescue!
Over the summer we lost both of our 19 year old kitties due to cancer. We are yearning to adopt a cat but worry about our ability to pay for proper veterinary care once they develop chronic health problems as they age. We were able to properly monitor and care for their medical issues (hyperthyroidism, ckd, ibd, heart issues, then cancer) but our income is changing and aren’t sure that we could afford to provide the same care for cats in the future. Love your feline family members!🥰
You are so right about plastic. One of my little ones got acne from plastic bowls. I was just learning, so I switched to the bowls I use. They have their own from my set of dishes.
If going to petco/petsmart scan your items with their app before lining up, often times the items are cheaper on the app & the stores will price match at the register
I will add just don’t leave any string-like toys out when you’re not supervising the cat, especially if they like the chew things. If they swallow something like that, it can require expensive surgery or cause fatal internal injuries. Hair ties are another thing to keep out of reach when you’re not supervising.
Three great budget toys: 1. Smarty Kat Mice. They come in three packs. Cats love them. Simple. Good for self play. 2. Cat Dancer wand... just a colorful felt rope on a stick, but they are super durable. 3. HUGE KICKER TOY. I like the petstages crunch n wrestle fish... this is a great toy to re-direct cat playtime from hands and forearms to a big toy. It's big enough that the cat can grab it with its front paws, bite it, and bunny kick all at the same time. Good for testing bellies, too.
Costco typically has a 42 pound bag of Scoop Away Clean cat litter and it ranges from $10.25 to $14.25. Its really useful and i pick it up 84 pounds worth whenever it's on sale
i had trouble finding an affordable scratcher that was tall enough for my cat so i bought a rug for $13 and stapled it to a doorframe he LOVES it and it was 4x cheaper than anything else with enough height
Just be sure the texture of the rug purchased for this use is significantly different from those already in your home or any you may be considering for a future addition…as you have just taught kitty, "It’s totally acceptable for you to destroy this stuff!"😌😼🥰
Thank you for the video! The Litter Lifter scooper is the best!! That's the only scooper I've used for a long time now and it's definitely worth buying! For me as far as cat litter goes, I like to use Paws and Claws Unscented Clump and Scoop cat litter from Tractor Supply. You can get a 50 lb bag for $16.98 and it works great! I also have the same carrier and the top loading makes it much easier. I think aluminum foil balls are dangerous because if they bite on the foil and ingest it, that can cause a lot of problems per my veterinarian. Also, I like the kind of toothbrushes that you can put on your finger.
Just a few weeks ago at the Five Below store bought nice cardboard cat strachers for $5.55 each. Also nice beds for $5.55 (obviously the $5 Below store needs to change their name to the $5.55 store.😄).
There could not have been better timing for this video. I am about to adopt a kitten but don’t have a ton of money to drop on overly expensive products. Thank you again for all of the information you provide for us. 💜
I have dangerous allergies to the commercial litter. I used to think I was allergic for cats and it turned out -- I am allergic to the perfumes and chemicals used in commercial litters. I use the pine pellets bc they are free of thsese additives. My cat had to adjust but to his credit -- he did! He uses pine or newspaper pelletes just fine now
Makes sense. I switched my cats to wood pellets because one kept sneezing and had watery eyes after using the litter box. I tried a bunch of different types of litter and this was the only one that didn't cause any reactions. She prefers the texture of clay and other litter like that, so it was a difficult transition for her but she got used to it eventually.
@@jennie9 That's fascinating that would help cats with their own allergies. We as voters need to demand changes to how the FDA doesn't regulate what goes in pet products -- the regulation is in the dark ages and companies prefer it watered down
I will say we can’t always splurge on everything, but getting a self warming bed made the biggest difference for our cats in the winter. They both lay together in it every day, so much that my older cat doesn’t want to leave it!
Human nail clippers are most likely to crush a cat’s nails rather than cut them. You should really get pet specific clippers. They cost maybe $4. And there are similar carriers for like half that price. Just don’t buy a small one if you have a kitten! Chances are you’ll have to replace it in a few months.
For dishes, if you can get to a chef store or even BB&B, crème brûlée ramekins/ dishes are the perfect low-sided, wide, flat-bottom dishes that can also go in the dishwasher and microwave. By going to a chef store, you can get more for less. Corelle also has a decent flat-bottomed dish with raised sides. Appetizer and bread & butter dishes work wonderfully too
A couple of cheap or free toys that my cat loved (he was from the street) were a piece of string about four feet long and a tennis ball. I'd flick the string along the floor, and he'd grab at it. I'd roll the ball and he'd chase it and try to do the neck bite when he'd pounce it. He simply wasn't interested in any other toys.
The only problem I’ve found with Fancy Feast is that it’s very high in phosphorus. That won’t be a problem for most young cats, but it can contribute to kidney issues as they get older. I have a cat with chronic kidney disease, so I’ve had to start paying attention to phosphorus levels. But as a starter food it’s totally fine and cats usually love it.
Not only items required for cats, but going to the vet is also a basic cost. Many vets provide free initial check but they charge for vaccines and service like fecal test. My experience is all vaccines for new kitten including FCRVP x3, rabies x1, and deworming x3, revolution for the first month is around $150. Neutering and spaying also have cheaper options. Neutering will be like $80 and spaying is like $150. I’ll say the cheapest option for a new cat budget is $400
The Dollar store in America has stainless steel dishes for $1.25 a piece. Also the 5 pound bags of litter are really nice to have just to have a backup in case the original litter is not available.
My cat prefers a crumpled up piece of paper to play with over any fancy battery operated toy. Btw, I would suggest providing a cat with some fresh catnip, too. I suppose that may fall under the “treat” category, but it’s something my cat really enjoys on occasion.
If you leave a faucet dripping cats will drink out of that. As a matter of fact they prefer it. It's funny when a faucet is not on how my cat tries to get water out of it. They also love to play with the water drops coming out of the faucet. Always supplement the dripping faucets with regular bowls of water too.
I included my 5 year old in making toys for the cat: Toilet paper spider: take a roll of Tp and those baby blankets from Dollar Tree, cut “legs” from the blanket and tie around the roll. Bugs: pipe cleaners (Dollar Tree) wrapped around various sized objects to make different size spiral bug toys. I also want to note the Dollar tree also has a nice pet selection
Very true, they'll play with anything and you really don't need to spend a bunch - or anything! My cat loves chasing bottle tops around - and yes, I've made things to chase from feathers I've found and she's loved those.
If you have a Sam’s Club membership, they have 4-packs of cardboard scratchers for about $15. I also use their litter, around $12 for a 40lb bucket. I used Dr. Elsey’s at first, but could no longer afford it with multiple cats.
I go through your vids often and watch stuff I haven't seen/missed and my cats like your voice or something, they show up and get cozy on my bed when I'm watching you. Then I usually swivel in my desk chair and tell them "I'm shoppin for y'all, tell me what you want. lol they both watch intently. Tao and Mew get what they want haha My dad and I are currently building a catio becuase I wanted 1 for my old boy forever now we got a 1yr old party animal and she needs all the climbing activity she can get to wear her out lol. My poor old boy is being given a run for his money, Mew does circles around him and now he has a private space in the laundry room his electric tag collar lets him in. We cut a hole in a door for that but he really did need his own space and we furnished it ok. I wanna make it more catty but my SO said "thats enough" he doesn't understand
You can get scoopers at the dollar store or Walmart (US) as another option. They're about half the size she has so personal preference Dollar store 1.25 and Walmart about $5 or less depending on size.
Great video. I'd like to second that cat scratcher recommendation. Our cats love that thing. We have it by the sliding doors leading to our screen-in lanai. When they want to go outside, they go to the post and start scratching ... and leave the furniture alone. They have a couple cat trees that they also use for scratching. Of their toys, their favorite inexpensive toy is the wire teaser ... costs less than $3 and they both run to play whenever they see it in our hands. We adopted our cats when they were 6 months old. They were pretty close to feral at that point. There is no way they would let us cut their nails or brush their teeth--we could barely pet them. After two years they are much more affectionate, but there is still no way.
Hi! Can you do a video on how to pet a cat for the first time? I think she was either abused or has never been petted before. She will take treats from my hand but wont let me pet her. 😢. Thank you!
If you already have sewing supplies, or want to split the cost with other cat owners, sew your own cat kicker toys. Socks are easy, stuff with quilt batting and sew one end shut, but may 'train' cats to attack socked feet.
I have a nice cat bed that she fell out of, and now she won’t use it. She usually sleeps on the bed with me. I put her bed in her hiding place now . The closest. Multiple cat scratcher .
Hi there , I never feed my cat in plastic bowls but he got chin aches and I was told by the vet it was due to the advocate and flea and worming medication.
Thank you for a great and informative video, as always! Have you investigated the Felaqua brand of water dish, the one that monitors your cat's water intake? I'm very interested, because one of my girls drinks regularly and visibly, but the other doesn't! Also, their big sister died of kidney failure, so I am especially anxious to prevent that from happening again...
Good question. I haven't tried any of these water dishes that measure consumption, but I have seen them demo'ed before and am curious about them. Will consider for upcoming content!
I heard about a woman who bought a dish for her cat at the thrift store to eat out of. Her cat started acting sick a day or two later and she didn’t know why. She took her cat to the vet and her vet said that the platter that she had been letting her cat eat off of had been poisoning her cat (I think it was lead poisoning). Please don't buy a dish from the thrift shop for your pets to eat off of (or drink out of). After that video, I don’t think I would buy anything to eat off of or drink out off unless it's for decoration.
Chewy Petco has a lot of toys really cheap some Are extremely cheap now ck them out for older cats too. Your wrong the cat clipper is essential the person could use the human nail at first but cat clippers are extremely cheap. I am experienced cat person I know what Mallory is trying to help. My cheap way is to use cheap pumpkin freeze tbsp for digestive problems diaherra constpation. Corn starch for bleeding on nail quick. Coconut oil hairballs . Take on chewy for meds from vet far cheaper join cat to Banfield wellness program. Also ask your relatives take out chewy gift card than they can put monies there.
How do you work with an SO thinking you love the cats more than them?? Like the cats love him too he just crazy? DO I GET OUT NOW!? its been 7 months living together and I have my own finances.
Run, NOW! It’s been 8 months…and no change? If he’s threatened by 2 cats, how will he react when it’s children? Friends he has yet to meet? Your parents or sibs if they (or you) suffer a major illness or life event and it becomes necessary to cohabitate for any length of time? And what kind of person would actually begrudge a cat (no less, one who has given years of unconditional love and attention to that person’s SO) a few more cat amenities to help make their small 'cat cave' an even more comforting safe zone? Amenities which won’t cost them a thing? I find it extremely significant that it’s your DAD who is helping you to build the much desired "Catio"…and NOT your SO. This only one person’s opinion (mine), but I am nearly '60 years-Wise' when it comes to people, animals, relationships and RESPECT;
I am very confused by your cat food reviews. First of all in my opinion, price should not be in the mix. I hope when you buy food for your child you do not pick out the cheapest. Second, after looking at a number of your Unbiased reviews, I am totally confuse. Eg. you give Dr.Elsey’s cat food 9/10 for species 7/10 for ingredient quality and a 46 out of 60 or a B+rating. Then you rate Feline Natural give them a 10/10 for species app and 10/10 for ingredient quality but a 45 out of 60 rating. Ziwi gets a 8/10 for species and 10/10 for quality and a 48 out of 60 rating. You. Rate weruva 8/10 for species and 9/10 for quality but give them a 41 out of 60 rating….Sign me , confuse.
Well, the numbers always add up when you consider the other factors that go into the rating system. I agree that they could be more consistent, and it's something we're working on, but given that species appropriateness and ingredient quality aren't the only two metrics being measured, it makes perfect sense that the overall ratings and grades would be different. Also, I think many, many people in our audience would disagree with you regarding price/value. Yes, many of us do factor price into these considerations, and there's nothing wrong with that. Some foods are great and cheap. Some are bad and cheap. Don't people deserve to know which is which? Clearly, you prioritize ingredient quality and species-appropriateness, so feel free to focus on those qualities when watching or reading our reviews. Everyone will get something different from them, so I would encourage you to focus on the things that are most important to you rather than asking us to change the way we review brands.
@@AllAboutCatsYT You also rate Now Cat food made in Canada which is a pretty good food a 5/10 for species appropriate and give it a B rating….so again, very confused and there are no cheap price tags on good quality cat food, name me one.
Is there any information you have on lowering costs of medical bills. My kitten is almost one and I’ve recently looked into pet insurance but no one really talks about their personal experience or other ways to help lower costs. Just wondering if you have any advice about this for young pet owners?
For litter box: Target’s Room Essentials 67 qt plastic storage bin. ($12 in autumn 2022) These have the most flat bottom I’ve seen recently, only grooved at the long ends. I grabbed the lids but only use them to put under potted plants when I bring them in for winter. I cut an entry hole in one, but left it uncut on the second one and the cats use both fine. Putting baking soda (get the largest size at store) in the bottom before adding litter works like a charm to keep it from sticking to the bottom and the box smelling less
thank you!! i've been watching your videos since i got kitties about 3 weeks ago and your channel has answered basically all my questions! "what do i need? where do i get it? what are my options? how should i do this? what should i consider?" thank you for this budget friendly necessities video too!! it definitely helps to know what is worth the investment!
I’ve tried to share videos like this one (from Jackson Galaxy though, because I’ve only recently found your channel) to encourage my sister to NOT feed her cat dry food and to constantly keep the dish full. Last April we had to put our 15 year old tubby Marvin down because he only ate dry food and had many issues… My sister has a new cat and I want Marcie to be around 20+ years and be healthier. My sister “knows everything” and is like talking to a brick wall….😳
Hmmm, I think you've done what you can for now. It can be hard to accept advice from siblings, even if it's backed up by other people. My guess is that if you give up on pushing her in this direction for a while, she'll eventually come around to it. She just needs to feel like it's her own idea. We'll see!
I have an old plastic tote that I don’t use so I’m just cutting out a “U” shape in it to make a litter box. And you can get those silver emergency blankets and some off cut fleece fabric then with a little sewing you can make a self warming bed on the cheap.
I bought a clear Sterilite container the same width and length as the under the bed one but with high sides and then cut an entry hole in the side. Cheaper and bigger than any big litter boxes I saw and great for cats that pee high or make a mess digging. For litter, I use wood pellets for wood burning stoves because they're about half the price of the ones made for animal bedding. Just do your research to make sure they're okay for this use (the manufacturers often put this information on their websites but not on the bags). However, I agree with Mallory that is better to use a finer and softer litter until your cat has settled in and then transition them. Or try to anyway. Not all cats will use it). For cat beds, old bed pillows or spares if you have any are great. For food and water, you can use a small plate and a shallow bowl. If you don't want to use what you already have, you can often buy something made for humans more cheaply than something made for pets.
For my cat, her plate was free. To avoid whisker fatigue and chin acne, I used a couple old saucers. I got a nice ceramic cereal bowl for her water. For her bed I found she loves the fluffy baby blankets I can find at the 99¢ store. They cost $2.99. But I observed her first to see which kind she liked best. I got both vertical and horizontal scratchers. She loves both. I got short cat tree that I placed on an old table that I was considering tossing and securely attached it and placed it next to the window. The best wand toy is a long willowy twig with jute twine tied to it. Since I hate the way the plastic cat litter boxes smell, I got a recycled cardboard box for her. They come in a three pack. I line them with cardboard on the bottom since my cat scratched down to the bottom of the box. By replacing the liner every few months and keeping the camping litter cleaned properly one set of boxes lasted me two years. Also petco has their brand of clay litter that is half the price of Dr Elsie’s and I think it clumps better snd low dust. It comes in a 30 lb refillable bucket container that’s only $10 per refill and I think $12 if you get a new bucket of litter. Most discount stores like dollar tree and big lots have pet accoutrements. Chewy and Amazon deliver as does petco but for a fee.
I learned the hard way... every month put away 50 dollars for upcoming vet bills. Where I live it is relatively reasonable for vet bills but you can guarantee about 150 a year for check up and shots. the rest will be an emergency fund if / when your beloved cat gets sick. 50 dollars a month is doable and if you don't ever need it for a vet bill in ten years you have a nice little savings.
I do this--though more as I have a cat and dog. Still an excellent idea. I don't actually touch it unless it's an emergency--I do just pay for routine care.
This is very thoughtful for all those new cat owners. I don’t have cats, I have ferrets and Guinea pigs…but the price of good animal products I feel are going up. It’s good to know the basics and costs :)
Happy Thanksgiving to all my fellow hoomans and our kitty overlords. I am gratefurr for all the staff from All About Cats and the opportunity to share this space of cat camaraderie with everyone here :)
Can you just use sand for kitty litter? I think it's cheap too. Just go into your neighbor's yard where your cat is using for their litterbox, and carry that in and put it in a litterbox instead. All joking aside, thank you for your great recommendations.
We are feeding our cat fancy feast for the reasons you mentioned. We tried him on more expensive meat first, grain free wet foods but he likes the taste of fancy feast because he was used to cheaper foods at the shelter. Oh well lol.
dollar tree has bowls some plastic but they also have Stainless steel ones too 5 below has some pet beds for $5 and a cat scratcher for $5 all are amazing quality you can make this budget less then $80 honestly.
Hey Joshua, I'm not sure if I'll be able to cover it on UA-cam, but we did add it to the Kirkland review on the AAC website: allaboutcats.com/kirkland-cat-food-review
You really don't need a lot of money to give your new cat a great start. Do you have experience stretching your dollars to give your cat the best? Share your money-saving tips in the comments!
Buying food (wet/dry) in bulk & looking for sales on the litter (sometimes costco/BJs has them cheaper)
My tip is Paws and Claws Unscented Clump and Scoop Cat Litter from Tractor Supply. 50 lb. bag $16.98. Works great and clumps very well.
@@Classic7-4-7 Good idea!
@@PennySue Nice! Thanks for sharing!
@@Classic7-4-7😊
I’m glad you included toothbrushes too! Not many people realize they have to brush their cat’s teeth
When I brought my mama cat and two babies in-the vet didn't talk about nail clipping or dental care. Very frustrating as I've learned the hard way.
@@jolie1327 that's weird. My vet talked about nail clippings but not teeth. Ask you vet if they have contrimemtary clipping. My cat has them for a year as a kitten. It's $20-30 last I checked in the states. My kitten, vets can't hold him down without two people so.
If I tried to brush my rescue cat’s teeth, I wouldn’t have a hand left to type this comment. I’ve added Plaque Off to their food and will save up to eventually have their teeth cleaned by the vet..
A place for them to sleep ... outdoor temps this morning were down to almost freezing. Woke up with three cats curled up with me on my bed. Apparently I function as a cat warmer.
Great stuff M.
No matter how much you spend of your cat's gift, they will prefer the box that it came in versus the actual gift.
Cold hard facts
Chewys has a 40lbs bag of litter for only $18. It’s the Frisco Multi cat unscented clumping clay litter. It works well and is very inexpensive.
Nice. Good tip!
In Colombia it's very cheap to buy baby baths, that's what I'm using for the litter of my cat
That's a great tip! Thanks for sharing.
Regarding scratching posts ... if you pick a sisal rope post from a big box store, it's a good idea to reinforce it before use. Cheaply made posts have the sisal tightly wound around the core (round or square) but as a cat uses it and shreds the rope it can begin coming apart. Eventually the rope will be cut in two and the thing will unwind, rendering it useless.
Reinforce by taking a cup of warm water and mixing in a bottle of simple white glue (like Elmer's). Lay the scratching post on its side outside somewhere and slowly drizzle the water/glue solution along the sisal area, turning the post as necessary to catch all sides. Larger posts may need more solution to be mixed up.
When done set it aside to dry for at least 24 hours. The solution will soak into the sisal and the core, lightly binding them together so that it will last longer once kitty scratches all the way through the rope to the core.
When the original ropes wear out on mine, I get the plain (no oil added) sisal rope from Amazon and Gorilla Glue Sticks then use my glue gun to attach the new rope. I get the thick rope and it lasts a long time. Just FYI for you after the original rope wears out because eventually it will.
Nice! That's a great tip. Thanks for sharing.
If you visit your local pet shop, you can ask if they have (free) samples from different brands! It’s a great way for you to “test” if your kitty likes the food before committing to purchasing a large quantity.
Yes! And there are a few (not nearly as many post Covid) that will give freebies or coupons for newly adopted cats if you bring proof that they’re from a shelter or rescue!
Ahh, I love all of the great tips y'all are sharing! Thank you so much.
Over the summer we lost both of our 19 year old kitties due to cancer. We are yearning to adopt a cat but worry about our ability to pay for proper veterinary care once they develop chronic health problems as they age. We were able to properly monitor and care for their medical issues (hyperthyroidism, ckd, ibd, heart issues, then cancer) but our income is changing and aren’t sure that we could afford to provide the same care for cats in the future. Love your feline family members!🥰
Yes so good to consider when considering a pet. I feel like many people don’t think about this expense that will come at some point
You are so right about plastic. One of my little ones got acne from plastic bowls. I was just learning, so I switched to the bowls I use. They have their own from my set of dishes.
If going to petco/petsmart scan your items with their app before lining up, often times the items are cheaper on the app & the stores will price match at the register
Nice, that's a great tip! I know I've missed some online-exclusive deals while shopping in the store before. Thanks for sharing!
Extra shoe laces are great toys
I will add just don’t leave any string-like toys out when you’re not supervising the cat, especially if they like the chew things. If they swallow something like that, it can require expensive surgery or cause fatal internal injuries. Hair ties are another thing to keep out of reach when you’re not supervising.
Three great budget toys: 1. Smarty Kat Mice. They come in three packs. Cats love them. Simple. Good for self play. 2. Cat Dancer wand... just a colorful felt rope on a stick, but they are super durable. 3. HUGE KICKER TOY. I like the petstages crunch n wrestle fish... this is a great toy to re-direct cat playtime from hands and forearms to a big toy. It's big enough that the cat can grab it with its front paws, bite it, and bunny kick all at the same time. Good for testing bellies, too.
Costco typically has a 42 pound bag of Scoop Away Clean cat litter and it ranges from $10.25 to $14.25. Its really useful and i pick it up 84 pounds worth whenever it's on sale
Nice! That's a great tip.
use a high quality “human” nail clipper! turn them sideways as to not crush the nail.
i had trouble finding an affordable scratcher that was tall enough for my cat so i bought a rug for $13 and stapled it to a doorframe he LOVES it and it was 4x cheaper than anything else with enough height
Just be sure the texture of the rug purchased for this use is significantly different from those already in your home or any you may be considering for a future addition…as you have just taught kitty, "It’s totally acceptable for you to destroy this stuff!"😌😼🥰
Thank you for the video! The Litter Lifter scooper is the best!! That's the only scooper I've used for a long time now and it's definitely worth buying! For me as far as cat litter goes, I like to use Paws and Claws Unscented Clump and Scoop cat litter from Tractor Supply. You can get a 50 lb bag for $16.98 and it works great! I also have the same carrier and the top loading makes it much easier. I think aluminum foil balls are dangerous because if they bite on the foil and ingest it, that can cause a lot of problems per my veterinarian. Also, I like the kind of toothbrushes that you can put on your finger.
Just a few weeks ago at the Five Below store bought nice cardboard cat strachers for $5.55 each. Also nice beds for $5.55 (obviously the $5 Below store needs to change their name to the $5.55 store.😄).
Love it! Thanks for sharing.
I got a stainless steel water fountain from Amazon 48.00 but well worth it my cats LOVE it
There could not have been better timing for this video. I am about to adopt a kitten but don’t have a ton of money to drop on overly expensive products. Thank you again for all of the information you provide for us. 💜
What a great video! It’s so easy to get overwhelmed by marketed cat items, this is a nice reminder of the basics for your best friend.
Cheap litterbox and its huge For xlarge cats: Concrete mixing tubs from menards or home depot ect.
I have dangerous allergies to the commercial litter. I used to think I was allergic for cats and it turned out -- I am allergic to the perfumes and chemicals used in commercial litters. I use the pine pellets bc they are free of thsese additives. My cat had to adjust but to his credit -- he did! He uses pine or newspaper pelletes just fine now
Makes sense. I switched my cats to wood pellets because one kept sneezing and had watery eyes after using the litter box. I tried a bunch of different types of litter and this was the only one that didn't cause any reactions. She prefers the texture of clay and other litter like that, so it was a difficult transition for her but she got used to it eventually.
@@jennie9 That's fascinating that would help cats with their own allergies. We as voters need to demand changes to how the FDA doesn't regulate what goes in pet products -- the regulation is in the dark ages and companies prefer it watered down
I will say we can’t always splurge on everything, but getting a self warming bed made the biggest difference for our cats in the winter. They both lay together in it every day, so much that my older cat doesn’t want to leave it!
Human nail clippers are most likely to crush a cat’s nails rather than cut them. You should really get pet specific clippers. They cost maybe $4. And there are similar carriers for like half that price. Just don’t buy a small one if you have a kitten! Chances are you’ll have to replace it in a few months.
Yep!!
For dishes, if you can get to a chef store or even BB&B, crème brûlée ramekins/ dishes are the perfect low-sided, wide, flat-bottom dishes that can also go in the dishwasher and microwave. By going to a chef store, you can get more for less. Corelle also has a decent flat-bottomed dish with raised sides. Appetizer and bread & butter dishes work wonderfully too
A couple of cheap or free toys that my cat loved (he was from the street) were a piece of string about four feet long and a tennis ball. I'd flick the string along the floor, and he'd grab at it. I'd roll the ball and he'd chase it and try to do the neck bite when he'd pounce it. He simply wasn't interested in any other toys.
We have the same rocking chair
Toothbrushes and toothpaste is always on my list. Many of us ignore the importance of dental care. Thank you for this nice video.
The only problem I’ve found with Fancy Feast is that it’s very high in phosphorus. That won’t be a problem for most young cats, but it can contribute to kidney issues as they get older. I have a cat with chronic kidney disease, so I’ve had to start paying attention to phosphorus levels. But as a starter food it’s totally fine and cats usually love it.
Not only items required for cats, but going to the vet is also a basic cost. Many vets provide free initial check but they charge for vaccines and service like fecal test. My experience is all vaccines for new kitten including FCRVP x3, rabies x1, and deworming x3, revolution for the first month is around $150. Neutering and spaying also have cheaper options. Neutering will be like $80 and spaying is like $150. I’ll say the cheapest option for a new cat budget is $400
The Dollar store in America has stainless steel dishes for $1.25 a piece. Also the 5 pound bags of litter are really nice to have just to have a backup in case the original litter is not available.
I have a plastic jug of this kitty litter in the car for emergencies for getting unstuck from mud, snow or ice.
Sweet, good tips!
New video YESSSS thank you!
Yes, it's been a bit! Thanks for sticking around. :-D
My cat prefers a crumpled up piece of paper to play with over any fancy battery operated toy.
Btw, I would suggest providing a cat with some fresh catnip, too. I suppose that may fall under the “treat” category, but it’s something my cat really enjoys on occasion.
If you leave a faucet dripping cats will drink out of that. As a matter of fact they prefer it. It's funny when a faucet is not on how my cat tries to get water out of it. They also love to play with the water drops coming out of the faucet. Always supplement the dripping faucets with regular bowls of water too.
I included my 5 year old in making toys for the cat:
Toilet paper spider: take a roll of Tp and those baby blankets from Dollar Tree, cut “legs” from the blanket and tie around the roll.
Bugs: pipe cleaners (Dollar Tree) wrapped around various sized objects to make different size spiral bug toys.
I also want to note the Dollar tree also has a nice pet selection
Very true, they'll play with anything and you really don't need to spend a bunch - or anything! My cat loves chasing bottle tops around - and yes, I've made things to chase from feathers I've found and she's loved those.
Thank you for all of your videos Mallory! Very informative and insightful. Much appreciated.
Thank you for your budget friendly items!
If you have a Sam’s Club membership, they have 4-packs of cardboard scratchers for about $15. I also use their litter, around $12 for a 40lb bucket. I used Dr. Elsey’s at first, but could no longer afford it with multiple cats.
Thank you.
Great lesson. Thank you 😊
I go through your vids often and watch stuff I haven't seen/missed and my cats like your voice or something, they show up and get cozy on my bed when I'm watching you. Then I usually swivel in my desk chair and tell them "I'm shoppin for y'all, tell me what you want. lol they both watch intently. Tao and Mew get what they want haha My dad and I are currently building a catio becuase I wanted 1 for my old boy forever now we got a 1yr old party animal and she needs all the climbing activity she can get to wear her out lol. My poor old boy is being given a run for his money, Mew does circles around him and now he has a private space in the laundry room his electric tag collar lets him in. We cut a hole in a door for that but he really did need his own space and we furnished it ok. I wanna make it more catty but my SO said "thats enough" he doesn't understand
Thank you so much for the litter genie tip! Just got ours today and it is awesome! ❤
I found 5 lb. Bags of unscented cat litter at dollar tree for $1.25. If you see them, stock up!
The cat litter disappears fast and is quite heavy. I buy about 4 or 5 bags for litter backup as it is not my first choice.
You can get scoopers at the dollar store or Walmart (US) as another option. They're about half the size she has so personal preference
Dollar store 1.25 and Walmart about $5 or less depending on size.
Don't use plastic. Use a designated plate. A small plate is fine or a large saucer.
Good tip.
I have tried many different clumping clay litters and I always go back to Tidy Cats.
At 1:36 you said ‘butt’ Nice.
Great video. I'd like to second that cat scratcher recommendation. Our cats love that thing. We have it by the sliding doors leading to our screen-in lanai. When they want to go outside, they go to the post and start scratching ... and leave the furniture alone. They have a couple cat trees that they also use for scratching. Of their toys, their favorite inexpensive toy is the wire teaser ... costs less than $3 and they both run to play whenever they see it in our hands. We adopted our cats when they were 6 months old. They were pretty close to feral at that point. There is no way they would let us cut their nails or brush their teeth--we could barely pet them. After two years they are much more affectionate, but there is still no way.
Use a plate instead to avoid whisker stress
Hi! Can you do a video on how to pet a cat for the first time? I think she was either abused or has never been petted before. She will take treats from my hand but wont let me pet her. 😢. Thank you!
If you already have sewing supplies, or want to split the cost with other cat owners, sew your own cat kicker toys. Socks are easy, stuff with quilt batting and sew one end shut, but may 'train' cats to attack socked feet.
I have a nice cat bed that she fell out of, and now she won’t use it. She usually sleeps on the bed with me. I put her bed in her hiding place now . The closest. Multiple cat scratcher .
I don't recommend the Litter Genie. tried it. the opening is too narrow. it was too annoying.
Good point. It's a little fussy and annoying. I agree.
Hi there , I never feed my cat in plastic bowls but he got chin aches and I was told by the vet it was due to the advocate and flea and worming medication.
Thank you for a great and informative video, as always! Have you investigated the Felaqua brand of water dish, the one that monitors your cat's water intake? I'm very interested, because one of my girls drinks regularly and visibly, but the other doesn't! Also, their big sister died of kidney failure, so I am especially anxious to prevent that from happening again...
Good question. I haven't tried any of these water dishes that measure consumption, but I have seen them demo'ed before and am curious about them. Will consider for upcoming content!
I heard about a woman who bought a dish for her cat at the thrift store to eat out of. Her cat started acting sick a day or two later and she didn’t know why. She took her cat to the vet and her vet said that the platter that she had been letting her cat eat off of had been poisoning her cat (I think it was lead poisoning). Please don't buy a dish from the thrift shop for your pets to eat off of (or drink out of). After that video, I don’t think I would buy anything to eat off of or drink out off unless it's for decoration.
If your cat takes to the Pine pellets you can get a 20lb bag on Chewy currently for less than $10 and that for me is a better option and buy
Got some stainless steel dishes for 3.50 each at ross.
Great info 👌
Chewy Petco has a lot of toys really cheap some Are extremely cheap now ck them out for older cats too. Your wrong the cat clipper is essential the person could use the human nail at first but cat clippers are extremely cheap. I am experienced cat person I know what Mallory is trying to help. My cheap way is to use cheap pumpkin freeze tbsp for digestive problems diaherra constpation. Corn starch for bleeding on nail quick. Coconut oil hairballs . Take on chewy for meds from vet far cheaper join cat to Banfield wellness program. Also ask your relatives take out chewy gift card than they can put monies there.
Thank you, Jean.
Have you checked out Kirkland wet cat food?
J'ai les papillons dans l'estomac!
I hope you see this comment, it is a couple of hours left of Amazon prime and I can't decide which pet vacuum grooming kit to get, have you tried any?
I buy 42lb tubs of Members Mark cat litter from Sam's Club for just over $12 a tub. It's kinda dusty tho
Is it better to feed my cats both wet and dry food or just one or the other? What are the benefits of incorporating wet food?
How do you work with an SO thinking you love the cats more than them?? Like the cats love him too he just crazy? DO I GET OUT NOW!? its been 7 months living together and I have my own finances.
I think this might be a better question for someone who focuses on interpersonal relationships, not cats!
Run, NOW! It’s been 8 months…and no change? If he’s threatened by 2 cats, how will he react when it’s children? Friends he has yet to meet? Your parents or sibs if they (or you) suffer a major illness or life event and it becomes necessary to cohabitate for any length of time? And what kind of person would actually begrudge a cat (no less, one who has given years of unconditional love and attention to that person’s SO) a few more cat amenities to help make their small 'cat cave' an even more comforting safe zone? Amenities which won’t cost them a thing? I find it extremely significant that it’s your DAD who is helping you to build the much desired "Catio"…and NOT your SO. This only one person’s opinion (mine), but I am nearly '60 years-Wise' when it comes to people, animals, relationships and RESPECT;
How do you feel about cat wheel s?
Not sure yet, but my One Fast Cat wheel arrived a few days ago! Coming out with a video on this soon!
@@AllAboutCatsYT awesome, I'll keep an eye out for it
I am very confused by your cat food reviews. First of all in my opinion, price should not be in the mix. I hope when you buy food for your child you do not pick out the cheapest. Second, after looking at a number of your Unbiased reviews, I am totally confuse. Eg. you give Dr.Elsey’s cat food 9/10 for species 7/10 for ingredient quality and a 46 out of 60 or a B+rating. Then you rate Feline Natural give them a 10/10 for species app and 10/10 for ingredient quality but a 45 out of 60 rating. Ziwi gets a 8/10 for species and 10/10 for quality and a 48 out of 60 rating.
You. Rate weruva 8/10 for species and 9/10 for quality but give them a 41 out of 60 rating….Sign me , confuse.
Well, the numbers always add up when you consider the other factors that go into the rating system. I agree that they could be more consistent, and it's something we're working on, but given that species appropriateness and ingredient quality aren't the only two metrics being measured, it makes perfect sense that the overall ratings and grades would be different. Also, I think many, many people in our audience would disagree with you regarding price/value. Yes, many of us do factor price into these considerations, and there's nothing wrong with that. Some foods are great and cheap. Some are bad and cheap. Don't people deserve to know which is which? Clearly, you prioritize ingredient quality and species-appropriateness, so feel free to focus on those qualities when watching or reading our reviews. Everyone will get something different from them, so I would encourage you to focus on the things that are most important to you rather than asking us to change the way we review brands.
@@AllAboutCatsYT You also rate Now Cat food made in Canada which is a pretty good food a 5/10 for species appropriate and give it a B rating….so again, very confused and there are no cheap price tags on good quality cat food, name me one.
@@AllAboutCatsYT No offence intended by the way, I since you love cats very much.
@@AllAboutCatsYT keep up the great work.
Let's see you brush your cats teeth
Here you go: ua-cam.com/video/KyKnh6DvFYI/v-deo.html&
DO NOT USE PLASTIC
Is there any information you have on lowering costs of medical bills. My kitten is almost one and I’ve recently looked into pet insurance but no one really talks about their personal experience or other ways to help lower costs. Just wondering if you have any advice about this for young pet owners?
Out of all the litter we have tried our boy prefers wooden pellets but above that he actually prefers the flower bed in the garden.
why does my cat only snuggle when I am in toilet....
Maybe it's the only time they can find you sitting still-hard to say!
@@AllAboutCatsYT lol lets gooooo
Same here!
For litter box: Target’s Room Essentials 67 qt plastic storage bin. ($12 in autumn 2022) These have the most flat bottom I’ve seen recently, only grooved at the long ends. I grabbed the lids but only use them to put under potted plants when I bring them in for winter. I cut an entry hole in one, but left it uncut on the second one and the cats use both fine. Putting baking soda (get the largest size at store) in the bottom before adding litter works like a charm to keep it from sticking to the bottom and the box smelling less
thank you!! i've been watching your videos since i got kitties about 3 weeks ago and your channel has answered basically all my questions! "what do i need? where do i get it? what are my options? how should i do this? what should i consider?" thank you for this budget friendly necessities video too!! it definitely helps to know what is worth the investment!
I’ve tried to share videos like this one (from Jackson Galaxy though, because I’ve only recently found your channel) to encourage my sister to NOT feed her cat dry food and to constantly keep the dish full. Last April we had to put our 15 year old tubby Marvin down because he only ate dry food and had many issues… My sister has a new cat and I want Marcie to be around 20+ years and be healthier. My sister “knows everything” and is like talking to a brick wall….😳
I feed wet food in am and dry food for free feed. The frustrating part for me is mama cat continues to prefer dry food. She is only 2 years old.
Hmmm, I think you've done what you can for now. It can be hard to accept advice from siblings, even if it's backed up by other people. My guess is that if you give up on pushing her in this direction for a while, she'll eventually come around to it. She just needs to feel like it's her own idea. We'll see!
I have an old plastic tote that I don’t use so I’m just cutting out a “U” shape in it to make a litter box. And you can get those silver emergency blankets and some off cut fleece fabric then with a little sewing you can make a self warming bed on the cheap.
Phew, good thing my budgets $107!
😹
I bought a clear Sterilite container the same width and length as the under the bed one but with high sides and then cut an entry hole in the side. Cheaper and bigger than any big litter boxes I saw and great for cats that pee high or make a mess digging. For litter, I use wood pellets for wood burning stoves because they're about half the price of the ones made for animal bedding. Just do your research to make sure they're okay for this use (the manufacturers often put this information on their websites but not on the bags). However, I agree with Mallory that is better to use a finer and softer litter until your cat has settled in and then transition them. Or try to anyway. Not all cats will use it). For cat beds, old bed pillows or spares if you have any are great. For food and water, you can use a small plate and a shallow bowl. If you don't want to use what you already have, you can often buy something made for humans more cheaply than something made for pets.
For my cat, her plate was free. To avoid whisker fatigue and chin acne, I used a couple old saucers. I got a nice ceramic cereal bowl for her water. For her bed I found she loves the fluffy baby blankets I can find at the 99¢ store. They cost $2.99. But I observed her first to see which kind she liked best. I got both vertical and horizontal scratchers. She loves both. I got short cat tree that I placed on an old table that I was considering tossing and securely attached it and placed it next to the window. The best wand toy is a long willowy twig with jute twine tied to it. Since I hate the way the plastic cat litter boxes smell, I got a recycled cardboard box for her. They come in a three pack. I line them with cardboard on the bottom since my cat scratched down to the bottom of the box. By replacing the liner every few months and keeping the camping litter cleaned properly one set of boxes lasted me two years. Also petco has their brand of clay litter that is half the price of Dr Elsie’s and I think it clumps better snd low dust. It comes in a 30 lb refillable bucket container that’s only $10 per refill and I think $12 if you get a new bucket of litter. Most discount stores like dollar tree and big lots have pet accoutrements. Chewy and Amazon deliver as does petco but for a fee.
I learned the hard way... every month put away 50 dollars for upcoming vet bills. Where I live it is relatively reasonable for vet bills but you can guarantee about 150 a year for check up and shots. the rest will be an emergency fund if / when your beloved cat gets sick. 50 dollars a month is doable and if you don't ever need it for a vet bill in ten years you have a nice little savings.
I do this--though more as I have a cat and dog. Still an excellent idea. I don't actually touch it unless it's an emergency--I do just pay for routine care.
my cats have been asking if there's ever going to be a Wessie plushy in the allaboutcats store ;_;
I mix horse bedding 50/50 with regular clay litter, works perfect !!
Litterbox - rubbermaid tubs, throw the lid away, cut the "door" in side for entry.
This is very thoughtful for all those new cat owners. I don’t have cats, I have ferrets and Guinea pigs…but the price of good animal products I feel are going up. It’s good to know the basics and costs :)
Thanks for watching!
Buying cat toys are a waste of money. Cats would prefer to play with random its of trash.
Happy Thanksgiving to all my fellow hoomans and our kitty overlords. I am gratefurr for all the staff from All About Cats and the opportunity to share this space of cat camaraderie with everyone here :)
Can you just use sand for kitty litter? I think it's cheap too. Just go into your neighbor's yard where your cat is using for their litterbox, and carry that in and put it in a litterbox instead. All joking aside, thank you for your great recommendations.
I use fluffy cheap pillows instead of pet beds by placing the pillow in a cardboard box (Amazon shipping box is perfect).
We are feeding our cat fancy feast for the reasons you mentioned. We tried him on more expensive meat first, grain free wet foods but he likes the taste of fancy feast because he was used to cheaper foods at the shelter. Oh well lol.
What do I do if I can’t get a carrier?? Will I still be able to take my kitten home?!
It depends. Some shelters will give you a carrier, so I'd recommend contacting in advance to find out.
@@AllAboutCatsYT okay thank you!
I feed raw food. And if you hit walmart get the little mason jars
dollar tree has bowls some plastic but they also have Stainless steel ones too 5 below has some pet beds for $5 and a cat scratcher for $5 all are amazing quality you can make this budget less then $80 honestly.
Man, the litter box i got was smaller than I expected so I'm going to return it.
When I cared for cats, I would use paper plates, cuz it's way easier.
Good video. I like the specific recommendations too
Mal can you review the new Kirkland Pate cat food; since there are costcos everywhere im sure a lot of owners will be searching for reviews soon.
Hey Joshua, I'm not sure if I'll be able to cover it on UA-cam, but we did add it to the Kirkland review on the AAC website: allaboutcats.com/kirkland-cat-food-review
Your a life saver! Great channel
Thank you!
Hey Mallory! What’s your take on Tuna Tuesday’s? 😂
...what are Tuna Tuesdays?
@@AllAboutCatsYT ua-cam.com/users/shortsc1iQ73tZlEU :)