Tips on saving money on your cat's care

In my readings and browsings online I came across this great article from Catipper.com on saving money on your cat's care. Be sure to check out their website for other informative articles.

Sourced from Cattipper.com

Cat lovers want to provide their cat the best possible lifestyle—but, at the same time, saving money is a top concern for everyone these days. Whether you’d like to save on must-haves like food, litter, and medications or on occasional purchases such as toys and bedding, with a little pre-planning you can trim those costs while still providing your cat a healthy and happy lifestyle.

Ten top tips recommended for cutting costs when it comes to your feline:

1. Sign up for newsletters of favorite companies. Most pet product manufacturers offer email newsletters and many of these feature exclusive discounts and coupons. Worried about filling your inbox? Set up a special email account just for newsletter signups; it will make it easy to search for coupons before your next shopping trip.

2. Follow favorites on Twitter and Facebook. Just about every company has a Twitter and Facebook presence these days (just check the company website for links). You’ll often find some great fan/follower discount offers that are promoted exclusively through social media.

3. Go the DIY route. Whether you want to build a cat tree, make your own cat toys, or learn to clip your cat’s nails, you can bet there’s a free video available to help lead the way. Check YouTube, Vimeo, and other video sharing services.

4. Start a price book. Regardless of the cat product you’re purchasing, a price book can help you identify sales patterns and recognize a real bargain when you see one. Record the store, date, and price with each purchase of your cat’s staples so you’ll be able to compare per pound prices and identify the best buy.

5. Determine if your cat’s prescription can be filled at the drugstore. Many cat prescriptions can be filled at the drugstore, offering savings and often the option of generic, low-cost equivalents. Some pharmacies also offer prescription clubs with lower costs–and family pets can be added as part of the family membership with many of the prescription clubs.

6. Check your memberships for special offers. Whether you belong to an auto club, a warehouse shopping club, or a work-related affiliation, check all your memberships for special partnerships offering discounts on everything from pet insurance to boarding services.

7. Investigate pet insurance. Check out pet insurance plans while your cat is young, if at all possible. Do your homework and learn about exclusions and limitations, balancing the monthly premium against the amount of coverage.

8. Make your own home cleaning products. Simple, inexpensive ingredients such as white vinegar and baking soda are the basis of many homemade cleaners, ones that are “green” both for the environment and for your budget. You’ll avoid introducing unnecessary chemicals into your cat’s environment–and save money at the same time.

9. Shop thrift stores and garage sales. Bargains await if you’re willing to shop for used products. Items such as stainless steel bowls can be found at a fraction of the price of their new equivalents. Also look for purchases that can be repurposed for your cat’s needs (those zippered pillow covers can be stuffed to make comfy cat beds!)

10. Get proactive. Prevent costly problems before they start by taking your cat to his annual veterinary exam, spaying and neutering, brushing your cat’s teeth, and cat-proofing your home to prevent expensive accidents.
With just a little pre-planning, you can save money and enrich your cat’s life all at the same time…and that’s the cat’s meow!

A big thank you to cattipper.com for this terrific article! Be sure to check them out for many other amazing articles and tips on caring for your furry felines!

Cat-Proofing Your Christmas Tree

from Socialitelife.com

If your kitties are anything like mine, they are fascinated with the Christmas tree. The moment it went up the kitties were both over there sniffing it, batting the branches, and trying to figure out what this giant green thing was that we placed in the middle of the living room. And that was all before we got any decorations on! Anyways, here are some tips and tricks I've gathered from various sources, including my family, the internet, and of course our own learning experiences with our rambunctious feline duo.

1. Decide if you are getting a real or fake tree.  
Both have their advantages and disadvantages. A real tree has sharp pine needles that could potentially get stuck in paws or harm kitty in other ways. Then again, an artificial tree is not a healthy chew toy either, especially if the "needles" fall off and are swallowed. If you choose a real tree, try and make sure you get a stand that does not have much exposed access to the water. Most kitties love to drink any water that is NOT in their bowls, so you will need to make sure that they cannot easily get to the water for the tree. The water for the tree has the potential to make your cat sick, so try and make sure that the water in the stand is not exposed at all. Also make sure you vacuum up any fallen pine needles regularly. If eaten these can make your cat very sick.

2. Hang breakable and irreplaceable ornaments up high.
This seems obvious, but many people don't realize just how high their cat can reach when stretched out. Try placing them as close to the top of the tree as possible to avoid kitty breakage. And be sure to place all glass ornaments out of the cat's reach - you don't want them breaking one and getting cut while you are not home.

3. Make sure the tree is secure.
This is a tough one for our home. Our apartment is in an old building, complete with very slanted floors. Even with a secure base our tree was at a slant. It took the kitties a whole 5 minutes before they had the tree tipped over the first night (thankfully it was before we decorated). Our tree is now anchored to the window sill to prevent it from tipping over because we could not secure it otherwise. You can also anchor the tree to a wall or ceiling to further secure your tree. Additionally, if possible place your tree away from furniture that your cat could jump from onto the tree.

4. Consider leaving the tree up undecorated for a day or two.

from Socialitelife.com

Cats are always curious when anything new enters the home. Consider putting up your tree, undecorated, and allow your cats to get used to it being in their home. Let them sniff the tree and look at it (as long as they are not trying to climb it!). After a day or two the initial curiosity will be gone and they will have found something else to explore. This will also give you time to teach your cat to leave the tree alone before placing any of your potentially breakable ornaments on it.

5. Don't use ornaments as toys.
This is just asking for trouble. It may be cute at first to tease your cat with an ornament or two, but it will not be so cute when they are knocking over the tree to get to that ornament. Seriously, just don't do it. And no catnip anything on the tree.

6. Consider spraying your tree with vinegar or lemon juice.
Cats hate the smell of vinegar and strong citrus smells like lemon and orange. If you don't mind the smell spritzing your tree with either can help deter your cats from bothering the tree. You can also place lemon or orange peels around the base.

7. Avoid tinsel.
While tinsel can be pretty on trees, especially when mixed with Christmas lights, it can be a serious hazard for your cat. The shininess of the tinsel is very attractive to cats and may entice them to want to play with it. If chewed on or swallowed tinsel can cause serious health problems, such as choking or damage to the intestines. If you have kitties is it best to avoid this shimmery Christmas object all together.

Caring for your pets while away - a few things you should know

I love to travel. I'm one of those people who has a frequent flier account with every airline, the travel credit cards, and can pack for 2 months in a backpack. However, now that my fiance have 2 sweet kittens, we are finding that traveling, or even going away for a weekend, takes a lot more planning. My fiance and I are actually leaving in a few days to fly across the country to visit family for 10 days, and are in the process of preparing to leave our kitties with a sitter.

1. If possible, have someone familiar care for your pets.

For us this is a must. While one of my kittens is very friendly and sociable, my other kitten is very timid and afraid of new people. For many pet owners this familiar person may be a friend, neighbor, or relative that has interacted with the pet several times before, and whom the pet seems to feel comfortable around. Or, if you use a pet sitting service, see if you can request that the same sitter be the one to come to your home. By having the same person care for your pets not only will they be less stressed while you are gone, they will come to understand that this person being there means that you will be coming back to care for them, helping to ease any feelings of abandonment. If you use a kennel try and stick with the same kennel. Not only will they know your pet, but your pet will know them, thus making the transition a bit easier.

2. Boarding.

If you are new to boarding, please make sure you check out the facility beforehand. Inspect for cleanness, safety, and comfort, and make sure they are able to meet both your pet's physical and emotional needs. Is there someone there 24/7? Do the dogs get to go outside? How often? How many walks a day will they get? Are cats taken out and played with? Be sure to ask questions like these when you meet with the staff at the facility. If possible, see if anyone you know has a boarding facility they use that they would recommend. When you do drop off your pet for boarding make sure they have some comfort items with them - a favorite toy, food dishes, maybe a small towel or blanket that smells like you. Animals like to have familiar items surrounding them, just like you or I. Also, make sure the staff has your pet's food (changing food suddenly can upset their stomachs - not a fun thing when they are away from home!), and if you have a cat make sure you bring some of the cat's regular litter as well.

3. Prepare your house to be pet safe.

Pets can get into a lot of trouble when left alone. My kittens do, and my mother's 5 dogs have certainly had their fun when left unattended. If you are home a lot of the time you are able to prevent your pet from getting into anything they shouldn't - plants, food, treats, anything they can shred or chew, etc, but while you are away there may not be someone around to keep their eyes on your pet. Before you go make sure your house is made as pet safe as possible. Put away anything you do not want destroyed (especially if your pet is a chewer). If you have plants that can be poisonous to pets try to put them in a high place the pet cannot get to. Or better yet, put them outside or in a closed off room. Make sure there are no small objects around that the pet can swallow and potentially choke on. Put food and treats in a secure location - more than once I have left the doors to the "kitty cabinet" unlatched, only to come home and find bags of treats ripped open and all over my house. Also make sure that if there are favorite objects that your pet has, that they are out and available to the pet while you are gone. For us this means making sure our kitten Bruin has her favorite blanket (a Boston Bruins blanket, believe it or not!) on the couch, and that Boots has his catnip toys to play with.

4. Routine.

Just like kids, pets need routine to feel secure. Talk to the person who is caring for your animal to make sure they are able to visit at roughly the same time each day, and to do their best to maintain the routines you have with your pet. My cats follow the same meal plan every day, and our pet sitter is really great about making sure she is here to feed the cats at the same time that I feed them. Consider preparing your pet's food before leaving, portioning out dry food into baggies and labeling cans with feeding instructions. If your pet takes medication, be sure the sitter is familiar with the routine for that as well.

5. Make sure your sitter has all the information they may need.

With technology today it is much easier to in touch with someone when needed. Even so, it is best to make sure your sitter has any and all relevant information that they may need in the case of an emergency. Let your sitter know where to take your pet in case of an emergency. Be sure to leave your contact information as well as your vet's number and address. Make sure your sitter knows where items such as leashes, harnesses, and carriers are in case they need to transport your pet. Remember, emergencies can happen to people too - if possible, try and have a person that is willing to stop by and care for your pets if your sitter is unable to. Make sure the sitter has their contact information, just in case.

6. Make sure there is enough food.

This seems simple enough, but you would be surprised how many people misjudge how much food their pet really eats. I suggest buying an extra bag and a few extra cans of food, just in case. This will also make coming home less stressful for you since you will not have to rush to the store right away. Leave instructions for how much food to feed your pet, and if there are any other specifics they may need to know regarding food. For instance, when our two cats were on medication they had different morning and night food. I had to make sure I clearly labeled each can before I left so my sitter would know exactly what to feed and when. I also leave my sitter a giftcard to our local pet store or some cash just in case she runs out of something, along with a note listing the exact kinds of foods to purchase if needed.

7. Know your pet.

This of course is the most important part of preparing for your vacation. You know your animal best, and how best to care for it, and sometimes it can be difficult to leave that care in the hands of another. Tell your sitter or boarding facility about your pet, and what works best for them. One of my kitties is very talkative and loves when you talk with him. When he is not talked to he feels ignored and can get upset. My sitter knows this, and talks to him frequently while she is here. My other kitten is very shy and timid, and you need to move slowly and speak very softly to her. Again, because I know this about my pet I can tell my sitter and help to ease anxiety in my pets.

Vacation is supposed to a fun and relaxing time, not one filled with worry. Following these tips will help to ensure that both you and your pet have a pleasant time.

Tips on finding pet food deals

Tip #1: Realize that couponing only takes moments, not hours.

Many of us have heard about TLC's show Extreme Couponing. The ridiculous amounts of product these people buy, the crazy checkouts, and the mini-markets these people have in their basements and garages. For those of you who think look at couponing and think "I never could, nor would never want, to do that," please hear me out. Coupons are a great way to save money on the items you need and use, especially on everyday items. Unlike the extreme couponers who spend up to 40hrs. a week clipping and sorting (seriously, who WANTS to do that?!), most people can save lots of money with just a few moments during the week.

Tip #2: Utilize your printer.

Some of the best coupons I have come across have been printables I found online. Some great websites to keep in mind are:

Coupons.com
RedPlum.com
SmartSource.com

Also from time to time companies will post coupons on their websites. Sometimes these coupons can be really high value coupons, so print them quickly! Oftentimes the better coupons have print limits, and once that is reached the coupon is no longer available.

Tip #3: Keep your eyes out for coupon sources.

Coupon sources are growing. We no longer have to rely on the Sunday paper, but can find coupons online, in stores, and even in magazines. One of my biggest tips is to keep your eyes open for coupons while you are out shopping. No, this does not mean stocking the aisles or buying 40 newspapers. It simply means keeping a lookout, just like you would for an incredible pair of shoes. On a recent trip to PetSmart I noticed that there were coupon displays in many of the aisles. I happen to be buying a bag of cat food, and there on the shelf below was a coupon for two free cans of food if I bought a bag. Had I not kept my eyes open I would have missed the coupon and the two free cans of food I got.

Tip #4: Match up coupons with store deals and promotions.

This is probably one of the best tips out there. Even pet food items go on sale, which is awesome to begin with, but when you top that sale with a coupon the savings get even greater. My cats favorite treats were on sale recently at our local grocery store for $1/pk. Great price, but on top of that I had a coupon for $.75 off when I bought two packs. Lucky for me our store doubles anything up to $.99, so I got two packs for $.25 each! Even without doubling it would have been $1.25 for two packs, instead of $2 with just the sale price, which is a great bargain. Take a glance at your weekly fliers and take a quick walk through your pet store to see what deals you can match up with your coupons!

Tip #5: Email your pet food companies.

This took me a while to learn, and it may seem a little far fetched, but man oh man, how the savings rolled in! Many pet food companies have websites with contact emails. Simply send a quick note to them, either stating how much your pet enjoys the food or that you would like to switch your pet to their food. And then ask if they ever have coupons for their products, and if it would be possible for them to send you some. 9 times out of 10 the company is more than happy to do this, and I have gotten some incredible coupons this way. These coupons are sometimes higher value coupons, making your savings even greater for the minute it took you to type up an email.

Tip #6: Don't give up.

Pet food deals may not be as numerous as grocery deals, so be patient. It may take a while for you to get the hang of using coupons, or the products you use for your pet may not have frequent offers and deals (this is especially true of specialty foods). Keep looking though, because you don't want to miss that terrific deal when it does come along.