Cheap pets

[freeazabird]

I need a pet for companionship. I’ve never owned a pet before. I like cats. any tips for how to own a cat cheaply? How much do you spend on your cat? Any other ideas for a low cost pet that can cuddle that’s not a dog?

[BussoV6]

Maybe a pet rock?  :-)

We have 2 cats and they eat the Hills metabolic diet. It's about $30-40 per month. Annual check up and shots will depend where you live.

Wouldn't want to live without our furry monsters.

[Shamantha]

To be blunt: If you want a cheap pet, don't get a pet. Even though you can calculate upfront what food and vet visits would costs, they may get health issues which can turn quite expensive, in food, medication or vet costs. Once you have a pet, it is for life, and you should budget quite generously for that.

Also take into account what you have to offer your pet, not just that you want something to cuddle. Pets are quite a responsibility, and every pet has different requirements. Rabbits and birds can't be kept solitary, for example. If you have never had a pet, please do some proper research before you make the commitment.

(I have three cats and love them to bits, but they are quite demanding time-wise and sometimes incur high costs)

[Metalcat]

If you've never had a pet, you may not want to start with a living being that can live for 20 years, have complex, expensive health issues, and may not even be cuddly. My cat has cost many, many thousands in the past few years and he throat punches me if I pick him up. My dog also sucks at cuddling. She's a great dog, but more for training, walking, hiking, etc. She's whacky about being touched.

For starting out with pets, I would start with a pair of guinea pigs or rats (never single, that's cruel and illegal in some places). They're both exceptionally affectionate, love to cuddle, and great communicators. Rats are much more cuddly, smart, and trainable than guinea pigs. They're actually more cuddly, smart, and trainable than a lot of dogs.

[lentil]

Rats typically require a fair amount of vet attention in their short lives, which can easily add up to something more than "cheap."

[Metalcat]

Rats typically require a fair amount of vet attention in their short lives, which can easily add up to something more than "cheap."

Realistically all pets can.

I personally have had many rats and none of them required vet attention, but I had lab rats, so much, much healthier supply. It is true that I know nothing of the typical vet costs of pet store supply chain rats.

[Nutty]

Pets have personalities.  Some will like to cuddle and some won't.  It's hard to explain how to find something specific that you want.  If you do get a pet, expect to learn to love it for it's personality.  Like a roommate, you can pick what you think will work, but you won't be able to train them to do the dishes like you want them done. 

Cheap pet.  I'll second the pet rock.  It stays where you put it and doesn't make a mess.

A puppy or a kitten, especially single, may develop anxiety and destroy things.  Puppies chew.  Kittens & puppies can pee and crap everywhere.  I've heard of a cat that liked using the washing machine for it's litter box.  For a full time companion, they can be wonderful, but it is full time.

Make sure you know how big a commitment this is.  Consider a rescue.  Puppies are cute.  Adults may be potty trained.

[Tasse]

Rats typically require a fair amount of vet attention in their short lives, which can easily add up to something more than "cheap."

Realistically all pets can.

I personally have had many rats and none of them required vet attention, but I had lab rats, so much, much healthier supply. It is true that I know nothing of the typical vet costs of pet store supply chain rats.

Aren't all pet rats basically descended from lab rats?

I agree that they're good pets though. Males tend to be lazier and cuddlier, females tend to be more active and curious. (MAKE SURE you get two of the same sex unless you want to be giving away babies!) They are sociable with their handlers, can learn to ride on a shoulder or in a jacket pocket, will groom your hair if you let them, etc. They only live 2-3 years, which is very sad, but it is a smaller commitment.

All that said, cats are great too. Maybe see if you can volunteer somewhere to get some experience with them if you're not sure about committing to one for 20 years?

[Metalcat]

Rats typically require a fair amount of vet attention in their short lives, which can easily add up to something more than "cheap."

Realistically all pets can.

I personally have had many rats and none of them required vet attention, but I had lab rats, so much, much healthier supply. It is true that I know nothing of the typical vet costs of pet store supply chain rats.

Aren't all pet rats basically descended from lab rats?

I agree that they're good pets though. Males tend to be lazier and cuddlier, females tend to be more active and curious. (MAKE SURE you get two of the same sex unless you want to be giving away babies!) They are sociable with their handlers, can learn to ride on a shoulder or in a jacket pocket, will groom your hair if you let them, etc. They only live 2-3 years, which is very sad, but it is a smaller commitment.

All that said, cats are great too. Maybe see if you can volunteer somewhere to get some experience with them if you're not sure about committing to one for 20 years?

I doubt pet rats are descended from lab rats, at least not the kind of lab rats I worked with who are carefully bred for countless generations and controlled for health and intelligence.

No pet store is carrying any rat line that's at all identifiable as a Wistar or a Long Evans.

I mostly had female Wistars, who are very very smart, and I had one female Long Evans who was more affectionate because that's a feature of their breed. And I had one neutered male Wistar who was the most affectionate, cuddly animal I've ever known. He was also enormously fat from being neutered.

When I worked as a children's science entertainer, he was my sidekick.

[Sibley]

Please get a hobby. Or multiple hobbies. Do not get a pet without knowing exactly what you're getting into AND committing to that animal for the entirety of its lifespan, because it's a recipe for disaster. The animal doesn't deserve it.

If you want to really consider getting a pet, volunteer at your local animal shelter. Do pet sitting for friends/family.

But "cheap" is relative and also not really predictable. I thought I'd have minimal vet bills for years adopting 2 kittens, and I've got one who has minimal vet bills (at least until she eats something she shouldn't and needs surgery, which is a real possibility) and another who has a chronic digestive condition which requires regular vet visits. More recently, I deliberately adopted a 17 year old cat with kidney issues, who then turned out to have the herpes virus and nearly died a week after I got her because of it.

Also, between the 3 cats, you'd think someone would be sitting on me all the time but none of them are lap cats. I get some cuddles, and lots of affection in other ways. But I also get yelled at a lot.

[BECABECA]

You could foster a cat. A lot of foster agencies will cover vet and sometimes even food. It’s a short commitment, you get to snuggle but you don’t have any long term responsibilities. The other edge of the sword is that you become attached to one cat’s personality and then you have to give them up to their forever home, but another foster can come in and replace the snuggles.

[Drink Coffee And Stack Money]

Pets are like tattoos, cost should never be part of the thought process.
We have two cats we adopted from the Humane Society as kittens three years ago; they were littermates/siblings. One has been relatively "cheap", but the other had a medical issue at around 18 months old, ended up in the vet ER at midnight on a weekend, and we ended up with a $1,600.00 bill. Thankfully she's happy and healthy today but does require medication every other day and will for the rest of her life, which is expected to be a full life.

I'm definitely not discouraging the OP from getting a pet, they're awesome; but you need to be financially prepared and willing to step up if the pet has a problem. Our emergency vet bill was $1,600.00, but I'd have gladly paid $10k+ to save her if needed. Unfortunately not everyone looks at pets in the same light.

Just my two cents.

[aloevera1]

Goldfish?

[jrhampt]

If you want to own a pet cheaply, what this realistically means is that if they develop either a chronic or acute issue that will require expensive medical care, you will put them to sleep or not decide not to treat the medical condition and let it kill them more slowly.  I don't think this is very kind to the animal.  My cat had a medical issue which would have killed him at least ten years sooner than his actual lifespan, and this was only his first medical issue.  Eventually if they live to be an older cat, they will probably develop thyroid disease, kidney problems, or cancer (or some combination of all three).  With treatment, my cat lived for an additional 6-8 years at least with thyroid disease (controlled first by prescription diet and then by daily medication).  He lived 19 years in the end, and I considered the money we spent on his care to be well worth it.  It was not cheap, though.  If you want cheap, don't get a pet.

[Kris]

House pets can all be sorta cheap when they are healthy. But even the healthiest beings get sick, and decline in health over time.

If your main criterion for a pet is that it should be “cheap,” I suggest volunteering at a pet shelter or fostering for a place that will cover any medical expenses, not actually adopting a pet yourself.

[PMG]

I love my cats. They are worth every penny. Both are healthy (knock on wood). Annual vet visit costs about $120. Monthly flea, tick, heart worm treatment costs about $20 each. We feed a mid range dry food and use a ridiculously expensive grass litter. To keep costs down we do our best to keep their lives interesting and keep them active. We make sure they drink water (especially important since they eat dry food, but they just don’t do well on wet). We occasionally spend on toys, and we rotate what we already have and get creative.

Some folks find pet health insurance to be cost effective. We have chosen instead to save a bit of an emergency fund designated for them. I would empty my savings for them if needed.

I also carefully deal shop and often find a credit card rebate or discount code for food and litter orders from chewy. Still expensive but it helps a little.

There are some programs out there that help with initial expenses and rabies vaccines. A shelter pet often comes altered and with its first round of shots which makes it “cheaper” than picking up a stay and paying those costs out of pocket. A shelter cat has also been tested for Feline Lukemia and other diseases.

If you compare a cat to a horse it might be cheap?

[GuitarStv]

Goldfish?

Goldfish are the only pet where it's cheaper to buy a new pet than to buy food for the one you've got.  :P


Also, they are not particularly cuddly.  (As very young GuitarStv found out, sometimes taking them out of the bowl to cuddle is terminal.)

[couponvan]

If you want a pet, start pet sitting. Benefits of both worlds in that you get to cuddle them but don’t have the obligation of financially caring for them-and the make you money. I used to “share” a dog with the neighbor who worked full time. I got the dog M-Th and she got the dog on weekends. Also some evenings when I was out, etc. we lived right next door to each other so it worked out well. She was the owner, my only costs were some dog toys and food.

[LifeHappens]

Fostering cats is a great option if you don't want to/can't afford the ongoing costs. There are sooooo many cats in need of foster homes.

[innkeeper77]

Cats are cheaper than dogs- but like other have said, they are up to a two decade commitment. They are also not cheap. Their food, enrichment, and vet (especially end of life vet) costs are significant, but again, significantly LOWER than a dog would be.

I would happily call a cat a cheap pet- you are likely to only spend many thousands of dollars to keep them rather than tens of thousands.

Spend a lot of time with cats in general before committing. I grew up with them, so I knew what I was getting into. Adult cats are also much safer than kittens. Cats aren't as trainable as dogs (though with patience and the right mindset / understanding of the feline behaviors they are surprisingly trainable) so you are much more at the mercy of their inherent personality vs a puppy you can raise. That means meeting the cat as a fully formed adult will allow you to connect and understand the right one. Plus, SO many adult cats need homes.

I have cats, and a dog. I love my dog, he will continue to have a great life full of adventures, but honestly I will never get another dog when he is gone in what will most likely be seven to twelve years from now. Turns out, I am a cat person. And I found that out even AFTER living with a different dog a few year ago for a year, being the primary dog walker, etc. Be prepared to live with your decision for a long long time, and it is your responsibility to give the animal the best life possible, even through end of life care (Yes, euthanasia is an option for end of life, and is honestly probably more ethical than prolonging the life of a scared animal... but there are many issues that are likely to happen before that makes sense, when you can still give them a great quality of life- and it gets expensive)

[spartana]

Considering I first read the Ops name as "Freeze a bird" my first though was no pets for you!!

I've had lots of dogs and cats - often all at the same time (had 3 dogs and 3 cats when I first FIREd all rescues)  - and while great for companionship they can be very expensive and a lot of work. Especially if there are medical needs. Even day to day food and care can be expensive. They also limit you in ways like travelling and just being flexible with your time. You'll have to schedule your free time around their needs a lot and this can include where you live if you decide to move and rent. If you've never had pets before I would suggest what others have said and foster first. See what level of commitment from you that they require and if you're able and willing to do that.

[Goldendog777]

Foster for your local rescue. They typically pay for medical bills. All you have to do is provide the food and a loving home.

[PMG]

I meant to add the cost of a pet sitter during travel to my post. We’re paying $15 per visit and that’s a bargain.

[RedmondStash]

Pets are basically like roommates: you can't be certain of who they really are until they settle in at home, and then it's too late to return them without a lot of stress. There's no guarantee that a given pet will be cuddly or good company with you.

I agree that fostering for a local animal shelter might be a good way to get your feet wet.

You could also consider volunteering onsite at an animal shelter and chatting with the staff about what you're looking for. They can probably help you figure out if a pet would be a good fit for you.

The best rule of thumb in figuring out whether to get a pet is not "What can they provide for me" but "What can I provide for them." Because pets need things, and not always on your schedule or at your financial convenience.

[curious_george]

Buy a goat.

Use the goat to eat the grass in your yard so you don't have to mow. Saves you money on lawn mowing and gas and time.

Drink the goat milk instead of cows milk. Saves you money on milk.

Cuddle the goat. Yes - this is a thing. Some people even pay to cuddle with goats.

When done slaughter and butcher and eat the goat meat. They make excellent burgers.

[GilesMM]

Don't take your pet to the vet unless it is extremely sick and in need of care.  Skip all the checkups and nonsense. When do go, find a local discount vet, maybe on the other side of the tracks.  The waiting room will be a bit of a horror, but you will save a lot.

[iris lily]

Rats typically require a fair amount of vet attention in their short lives, which can easily add up to something more than "cheap."

Oh! I didn’t know that. I would bet not all small animal vets will treat rats either because they may not have the expertise.

[Car Jack]

We have always had cats.  We have always had extra money.  Our 17 year old cat has been having medical issues.  In the past month, we've spent $3000.  This will continue but to us, $3000 is not of any concern.  If you think that's an outrageous amount of money, don't get a cat.

[Sibley]

Don't take your pet to the vet unless it is extremely sick and in need of care.  Skip all the checkups and nonsense. When do go, find a local discount vet, maybe on the other side of the tracks.  The waiting room will be a bit of a horror, but you will save a lot.

Wonderful way to ensure you have a sick cat but have no idea until they've been suffering for months. If you want to neglect your pets, please don't have a pet.

[Nutty]

Buy a goat.

Goats stink.  I mean, they have a distinctive smell, more so than dogs or cats.  Yes, goats can be cuddly but some would rather butt heads.  Explore non traditional pets!  Get a kid.

[GuitarStv]

Explore non traditional pets!  Get a kid.

Kids are far inferior pets to dogs.  They're less obedient, love you less, and just when they start to get properly trained/housebroken they leave you.

[YttriumNitrate]

Explore non traditional pets!  Get a kid.

Kids are far inferior pets to dogs.  They're less obedient, love you less, and just when they start to get properly trained/housebroken they leave you.

Clint's Reptiles rates kids at 0.6 out of 5 as pets [1]. Considering the Black Mamba got a score of 2.0 out of 5 that's saying something.[2]

[curious_george]

Buy a goat.

Goats stink.  I mean, they have a distinctive smell, more so than dogs or cats.  Yes, goats can be cuddly but some would rather butt heads.  Explore non traditional pets!  Get a kid.

I already have four kids...

Why do you think I am recommending other people to buy a goat?

[Nutty]

I already have four kids...

Why do you think I am recommending other people to buy a goat?

A double entendre was intended. 
Kid is defined as
1. a child or young person
2. a young goat

Having raised four children, I understand the attraction of goats.  Once you are bonded, the love is always there.  My brother has 7 children and 30ish goats.  He won't commit to which ones he prefers but loves them all.  LOL

[curious_george]

I already have four kids...

Why do you think I am recommending other people to buy a goat?

A double entendre was intended. 
Kid is defined as
1. a child or young person
2. a young goat

Having raised four children, I understand the attraction of goats.  Once you are bonded, the love is always there.  My brother has 7 children and 30ish goats.  He won't commit to which ones he prefers but loves them all.  LOL

Ohhh - lol.

I have clearly never actually raised goats - had no idea a baby goat was called a kid. Lol.

I am learning new things on the interwebs today.

Thanks for the explanation.

[Just Joe]

We have several cats and a dog. They cost us a few hundred per year in checkups, shots and flea/tick medicine. This is can be quite affordable until something happens to the dog (hit by a car) and then you might spent $7K on that dog. She's still with us years later and quite healthy though she runs like something is bent a little - and she worries about all sorts of things that she never worried about before - storms, gunfire, loud mufflers, etc. We live in the country aka dog Eden so she is having a good life. Nursing her back to health was important as one of our offspring was going through a touch patch and losing a dog right in the middle of that might have further complicated things so we consider it money well spent.

Today everyone is healthy and happy.

[RWD]

Our last two cats cost $10k each in end of life care.

[ca-rn]

I need a pet for companionship. I’ve never owned a pet before. I like cats. any tips for how to own a cat cheaply? How much do you spend on your cat? Any other ideas for a low cost pet that can cuddle that’s not a dog?

Please don't get a pet if your main concern is how to have one cheaply.

As others have already suggested- take up fostering.  And/or pet sitting.  This would be the only way to have access to pets without the cost.

Perhaps VR pets? 

[LifeHappens]

Our last two cats cost $10k each in end of life care.

Yeah. The last cat we had to say goodbye to cost $2200 for one emergency vet visit. That was literally just the visit, blood tests and couple of antibiotic and steroid shots.

That's why I say if budget is a concern, look into fostering.

[theninthwall]

I agree with two suggestions above - fostering and rats.
Considering you have not owned a pet before, fostering may be a good idea to sample a cat and a dog and see if either would suit you.
If you want to own a pet that can cuddle without being too expensive in the long run, rats are surprisingly good. They will cosy up to you and sleep, ride on your shoulder and play basic games (like chasing them with your hand, they will run away then come back for more).

[vand]

I sorta agree that you gotta be looking at a dog or cat to get much "back" from a pet.  Rodents and bunnies etc are lower on the sentience scale and aren't affectionate back to you.

Maybe try a Ferret?

Aquariums can be very rewarding to own though, thanks to their relaxing qualities

[Metalcat]

I sorta agree that you gotta be looking at a dog or cat to get much "back" from a pet.  Rodents and bunnies etc are lower on the sentience scale and aren't affectionate back to you.

Maybe try a Ferret?

Aquariums can be very rewarding to own though, thanks to their relaxing qualities

This is not even remotely true.

Rats are extremely interactive and readily learn commands.

I worked with rats in research for years and they are phenomenally intelligent and bond intensely with humans. They're an obligatory social animal, so connecting with others is how they survive.

A lot of rodents aren't, so yes, a lot of rodents are less likely to really bond with a human, but rats are amazing pets.

[2Birds1Stone]

Get something that doubles as food, like a chicken......that way if you realize it's not for you......nuggets!

[Metalcat]

I agree with two suggestions above - fostering and rats.
Considering you have not owned a pet before, fostering may be a good idea to sample a cat and a dog and see if either would suit you.
If you want to own a pet that can cuddle without being too expensive in the long run, rats are surprisingly good. They will cosy up to you and sleep, ride on your shoulder and play basic games (like chasing them with your hand, they will run away then come back for more).

Rats can learn pretty complex things. I spent many years in a lab running them through mazes and complex tasks. They're phenomenal learners and tremendously food motivated, so easy to train.

https://youtu.be/7g2rxtWu_FM?si=xaJbTso-ndXOfg2b

[vand]

I sorta agree that you gotta be looking at a dog or cat to get much "back" from a pet.  Rodents and bunnies etc are lower on the sentience scale and aren't affectionate back to you.

Maybe try a Ferret?

Aquariums can be very rewarding to own though, thanks to their relaxing qualities

This is not even remotely true.

Rats are extremely interactive and readily learn commands.

I worked with rats in research for years and they are phenomenally intelligent and bond intensely with humans. They're an obligatory social animal, so connecting with others is how they survive.

A lot of rodents aren't, so yes, a lot of rodents are less likely to really bond with a human, but rats are amazing pets.

Fair enough, yeah, Rats are an exception.  Personally I like my Ferret suggestion.

[Metalcat]

I sorta agree that you gotta be looking at a dog or cat to get much "back" from a pet.  Rodents and bunnies etc are lower on the sentience scale and aren't affectionate back to you.

Maybe try a Ferret?

Aquariums can be very rewarding to own though, thanks to their relaxing qualities

This is not even remotely true.

Rats are extremely interactive and readily learn commands.

I worked with rats in research for years and they are phenomenally intelligent and bond intensely with humans. They're an obligatory social animal, so connecting with others is how they survive.

A lot of rodents aren't, so yes, a lot of rodents are less likely to really bond with a human, but rats are amazing pets.

Fair enough, yeah, Rats are an exception.  Personally I like my Ferret suggestion.

I love Ferrets, but they're not a low commitment pet. They can be a handful and quite destructive.

But they are so frickin' cute and so much fun. I've always wanted one, but never had the lifestyle for one. Its extremely hard to get a pet sitter for them. Meanwhile, your average neighbour's kid can take care of your rats over a weekend.

But I do totally agree with you, most rodents aren't actually great pets.

The main reason rodents like hamsters are the pet of choice for children is because they can survive neglect because they're not obligatory social.

If you neglect a rat and have one solo, they literally lose their minds and will engage in repetitive behaviours until they die. It's pretty horrific actually. 

[nessness]

I've owned a lot of pets (though not a rat!). The betta fish and dwarf hamster were the cheapest and easiest to care for, but not that interactive.

A pair of guinea pigs is a good balance of inexpensive, easy to care for, and snuggly.

I've only owned my cockatiel (technically my daughter's cockatiel) for 7 months, but she's super fun - I've been teaching her some simple songs, and it's cool to see her listening carefully as I whistle then trying to repeat the song. Her daily care is cheap, but I know it will be expensive if she needs vet care, and she does need about an hour of interaction a day.

Two pets I don't recommend: rabbits (way too smelly) and ducks (noisy, messy, and don't like to be handled, though on the plus side they lay tasty eggs)

[GuitarStv]

Get something that doubles as food, like a chicken......that way if you realize it's not for you......nuggets!

Depending on your culinary background, both dogs and cats fit that bill.  :P

[MarionBerry]

Get something that doubles as food, like a chicken......that way if you realize it's not for you......nuggets!

Chickens require a good bit of space and need a whole structure for them to live in which could be expensive. However, once you have them you get passive egg income that might help offset the initial cost.

[Nutty]

Chickens require a good bit of space and need a whole structure for them to live in which could be expensive. However, once you have them you get passive egg income that might help offset the initial cost.

Eggs are loss leaders and you cannot produce backyard eggs for the grocery store price.  You will lose money.

The marketing ploy is close food, healthier, happy chickens (free range, cage free, et al) and anything else that you can't put a dollar value to.  Bottom line, if you don't have free chicken food, the eggs cost more to produce.  But they taste better and may be healthier from a varied diet.  I failed at trying.

The big attraction is chicken zen.  Sitting in the back yard and watching the birds.  But like kids, you can't train them, they eat everything, they get into everything and crap everywhere.  I'm at 7 chickens at the moment.  They are a project that takes time to do right.