I can't afford my cats' fud

[Alice S. Fuzzybutt]

A couple of months ago, my cat Alice was diagnosed with a food allergy. The vet prescribed Hill's Diet. It's about $32/8.5lb bag.

After much fuss, they took to it. I have two other cats. I put them on the same food since they're so used to me putting out food and them grazing.

This isn't working well. I give them 1/2 cup of food per day since they're older. It's a really great food. I can feel it in their coats. But I can feel Otis' spine. He's always been fine by the vet. But he's lost weight.

I go through an 8.5 lb bag every 3 weeks. I want to give them more food but I don't know where else to cut in my budget. I just CAN'T live on PB&J 3 times a day, 7 days a week.

Maybe I should just sacrifice Lloyd to the Gods.

[Sue_Bender]

Cut your cable.



Keep your cats.

[sr71blackbird]

Is there a way you can prepare your own cat food? It would likely be cheaper tha premade food. I am pretty sure they have online recepies. My sister finds all kinds of stuff like that for her pets. Good luck!

[biggestmexi]

Cut your cat.



Keep your cable.

I agree with Sue.

[angrymissy]

What is the allergy, and I'll do some research and find a non Hills food! They shill that to vets like Pharma reps. If he needs a grain free food, there are a lot of cheaper options at local pet stores.

For example,

Invova Evo is what I know a lot of people feed for Grain allergy:
http://www.amazon.com/Innova-EVO-Kitten-Food-15-4-lb/dp/B000WFEMHK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1232112766&sr=8-1

Same price for almost TWICE as much food, and there are cheaper options. I was actually feeding it to my cats for a while, but they're too FAT for it.

[nate1000]

Can't you get a whole new cat for about $32?

[Chip196]

Also price shop at different locations. There's a Pet Warehouse that sells the Wellness food I buy my dogs and cat for half the price that the local pet shop sells it for. I have to drive 15 minutes out of my way to get there, but at half price it's definitely worth it.

[boosterp]

I agree with Missy, there are always cheaper options. You could even talk to one of the people at places like Pet Smart that may have an idea.

If Ottis is loosing weight the other cats may be hogging the food leaving him with less. Try two bowls and let Ottis know that one of them is for him.

[grlNIN]

Is it a corn allergy?

We went through this with my boyfriend's family's oldest cat (the wretch!) and found a food that was corn free that worked for her really well.

Other than looking into other foods, if you cat has to be on it and the other don't then i would stop feeding it tot hem and give a more private feeding space to the other.

I know that is easy to say than for them to do, we have 2 kittens and the elder cat and they all play musical dishes.

[cougarjake13]

yeh theres always cheaper options


those hills gimmicks are scams, freaking rip off bastards


dont they get enough money when you visit them ?? they need more ??


fuck the vet i say

[lleeder]

What is the reaction to the allergy? Is it like bad crap or non breathing? You might have to just feed that one cat seperately somehow. Maybe put the cat alone in area with its food for sometime while you feed the other cats in a different spot. Either that or just feed them all the old cheap food. Its horrible to say but you really need to put yourself before that one cat. If you're not around no cats get fed.

[Alice S. Fuzzybutt]

I'm not sure exactly WHAT the allergy is. There was a lot of vomiting and diarrhea on Alice's part. She also had a severe ear infection (I had NO idea! She didn't scratch or complain at all!!) and a bit of licking her arm that resulted in some hair loss. All I know is that it's WORKING. My cats eventually took to it and are healthy and happy.

I suppose I'll just have to work OT to cover it.

Is it bad that I'm sort of waiting for one to die? THAT will be a WHOLE new thing to deal with!! I will be in contact with Missy DAILY!!

[Alice S. Fuzzybutt]

If Ottis is loosing weight the other cats may be hogging the food leaving him with less. Try two bowls and let Ottis know that one of them is for him.

You are SO right Rich!! Otis is VERY passive!!!!!!!!! Alice is very aggresive when it comes to food. Lloyd has always been skinny so I don't worry about him so much.

All cats are active and healthy. I'm thinking this food is really high quality, so they're getting what they need.

My cats (other than Lloyd) are always over weight. I THINK it's ok if Otis and Alice lose weight. She was happy Alice lost weight.


I'll bring them to the vet to make sure!!!

[Death Metal Moe]

We all know you love your pets Petrina.

It's really hard sometimes to make all these hard decisions but we are forced to. I always loved my pets too, but there's a line that much be drawn. I take them to the vet when they need to go, I try to keep up on shots, but I'm not dropping hundreds of dollars a year on stuff for them I can't afford. And if that's harsh then so be it.

You want to do the right thing by getting them the best food you can. But vets want a rediculous amout of cash for special diet foods. I think you're gonna have to find out exactly what kind of food allergy your cat has and search for another less expensive food that won't get them sick. And that's not loving them less, it's just reality of your economic situation.

[boosterp]

Ms. Petrina,

What formula of this food are you using? I will be happy to do a little research and ask a friend of mine and maybe be able to point you to a cheaper alternative that will keep them all healthy and Alice allergy free.

[tanless1]

i dont remember payin $32 for 8# . need to buy bigger bags. take your priscrip to a petsmart w/ a vet attached. youll find a better price there. my cat traveld w/ me so id buy that stuff all over the country.

[Alice S. Fuzzybutt]

Thanks! I'll look for a pet smart with a vet attached.

I was told even if there is no vet on location, they can fax a form to the vet.

Trust me, I'd SO LOVE to pay $22-25.

[Devo37]

have you considered feeding one cat to the other?

[ecobag2]

Can't you get a whole new cat for about $32?

I know a guy that'll give you a whole new cat and $32

[tanless1]

I was told even if there is no vet on location, they can fax a form to the vet.

or your vet can make you a card as well.
often the store wont carry the scrip'food w/o attached vet.
p.s. if you save enough money, maybe you cld run that razor over thine touche, thoust be fuzzy no longer.