Hello all. Just after some advice, please. At the moment we have no pets because DH is not keen on animals at all. I grew up with cats and rabbits, and I want DD to have animals around so she doesn't become nervous around animals like her dad is. We also have an annual mouse problem which means I spend about a month putting down poison (ugh), and filling in gaps. I'd rather have a cat to keep the mice away and keep us company. DD is 4, and I'm pregnant at the moment.
Is this a good time to get a cat? How much does it cost to keep a cat, in terms of food, litter, vet bills, insurance etc.? DH has recently changed jobs and we will be on a lower budget, so I know that will be one of his objections. We would try to get a rescue cat from a shelter if a small-child-friendly one was available, so it would be vaccinated and neutered already. Any opinions or advice? Thank you.
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Cost of keeping a cat, and other questions
philbee · 25/09/2012 10:26
Well getting a cat may not be the end of your mouse problem. (They're not all mousers by any means.)
Neither am I sure that now is the best time for you to get a new animal in the household with you expecting another DC. There are a lot of changes for you ahead anyway and adjusting to those, a lower budget and a DH who is not keen seem like a big ask to me. (Especially thinking in terms of the cat. If they come from a shelter they just might need extra attention and be more problematic in the initial stages and could be really unhappy if you're not able to give them all the cuddles they need.)
Food for me is not cheap but I've got an elderly boy who has managed to up the ante on his food because he needs meds (and knows I want him to eat it !) so I'm not typical. Neither do I use insurance because I wouldn't get it, although vet costs haven't been dramatic, luckily. Other people could give you a better idea - but I really think you should evaluate the situation carefully before getting a lifelong commitment like a new cat. You may be better placed to consider it in a year or two - and DD will still be young enough to enjoy and get used to animals. (In fact a couple of extra years might benefit both her and the new DC. I got my first cozieboy at 9 years old and we had no previous animals in the house. I managed fine. 
)
Good luck anyway - and congratulations on the coming arrival.
Buy some traps, philbee. Then give DH the duty of loading and setting them, emptying them, and cleaning them. You may well find that after a couple of seasons of that, his attitude towards cats has changed markedly! (The fact that any future cat may be a hopeless mouser is neither here nor there. 
) Once it arrives, he'll fall for its charms.
You could try poison bait but that's down to the individual. I don't like it personally because I'm always concerned about a semi-poisoned mouse getting out and being eaten by a hunting cat - and also about the dessicating skeletons under the floor boards. It does work though and can be put in lofts/cellars/places where the DCs wouldn't ever get near.
My on and off lodger raised himself on the streets so learned to feed himself through hunting - and thieving from open windows and local shops/takeaways. He used to bring us 'gifts' of mangled chops, half fish and spare ribs from the local Chinese!
Now is the time, traditionally, that mice come inside with the worsening weather so make a big thrust at the moment and that will help. Absolute cleanliness is essential - any crumbs around the place (and how difficult is it to avoid that with a DD) will be a feast to them. Everything in sealed containers if you can - no cardboard packets of food left around for instance. You're bound to have something they can eat but if next door has more on offer, they'll go there out of preference.
Best of luck.
I have 1 cat, but easily costs £40-50 a month, between food, insurance (£13), frontline (£7);
I refuse to give him cat food that does not look like food, so buy most of it from zooplus - however, he is not a greedy cat, so 1 small tin does 2 meals, he also has biscuits but never finishes the bowl.
He goes outside so no cat litter required but I have had expenses like microchip flap as well as zillions of toys, basket, scratching post, brushes.....! 
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