Page 10 | I regret getting a cat

tellmesomethingtrue · 2026-05-02T11:03:25+00:00

It is too expensive. Annual vaccinations, insurance, flea and worming. I wish I hadn’t got her to be honest. How do poor people afford pets?

ToadRage · 14/05/2026 22:56

Our indoor cat is really not that expensive. She eats whiskas twice a day but there are cheaper foods and a small handful of dreamies, we buy huge bags of litter. We have a lifetime deal on jabs but cos she doesn't go out she doesn't really need them, we only flea treat her if she appears to be scratching more than normal.

ConstanzeMozart · 15/05/2026 09:20

sundaysurfing · 13/05/2026 12:32

Cats are expensive. I had two from kitten and I could definitely feel the money every single month going out on their food, then the treating them for worming and fleas. I hated it that I had fur all over my house and all over my clothes. I hated that sometimes I’ll come down to poo randomly in my kitchen or on the other occasion they’ve been sick in my kitchen. They were indoor cats and I hated that my house constantly stunk of cat piss and poo.
I hate that after a long days work I would have to come back feed them change their litter - The worst was having to do the weekly whole litter box change. The joy that I got from them didn’t make up for the labour and costs involved in their care.

Cut a long story short, I rehomed them through the ginger cat house rescue charity. Found a very lovely family with a beautiful home and garden for them. They are so happy and so am I.

If you need to rehome them, think of yourself as their foster mum until they find there forever home. I would definitely recommend the ginger cat house rescue charity - they will match you with potential new owners and they do their own due diligence and checks on them. As much as I didn’t want them anymore? I really wanted them to go to a good home and I was able to meet the family beforehand and I went there a couple times after my cats had moved just to see how they were getting on. Absolutely no regrets!

Another one who found themselves surprised that a pet needed food and healthcare, and that they'd have to feed and clean up after them? And that they have fur that may find its way onto clothes, and may have the odd accident or vomiting incident
Did you just think that pets were all like tamagotchis or something? Are you generally a bit hard of thinking?

Aintgointogoa · 15/05/2026 20:38

With my two in the UK, I used to get a 'script from the vets for about a tenner for their flea / anti parasite whatever, then buy it online = much cheaper. They never objected to this.
I am lucky that here the vet comes to me to vacc or treat my two, which as they are indoor is only when they go to the cattery. Much less expensive.
in the meantime, I am currently obsessing over getting a new model tamagotchi.
Thanks @ConstanzeMozart 🤣😻

ConstanzeMozart · 15/05/2026 21:37

Aintgointogoa · 15/05/2026 20:38

With my two in the UK, I used to get a 'script from the vets for about a tenner for their flea / anti parasite whatever, then buy it online = much cheaper. They never objected to this.
I am lucky that here the vet comes to me to vacc or treat my two, which as they are indoor is only when they go to the cattery. Much less expensive.
in the meantime, I am currently obsessing over getting a new model tamagotchi.
Thanks @ConstanzeMozart 🤣😻

Sorry 😄 I wasn’t even sure if tamagotchis still existed (I’m old).

Aintgointogoa · Yesterday 00:20

@ConstanzeMozart well, having had a deep dive in 'tinernet (thanks to you) apparently they do. Gen 2 or 3 - or Z ? My previous (about 30 years ago) died of neglect in my office drawer 🤭 Not proud. However all my cats have survived my care so far ! Includes being very carful where I tread in the morning in case of fresh furballs.....

Favory · Yesterday 07:45

You don't have to insure your cat. BUT at some point you will need a credit card or the guts to say to vet "I'm not paying for treatment, PTS". Always have a sum for diagnosis and disposal put aside.

To reduce risk of accidental injuries, cat proof your garden to keep it in or build a catio. This will also help prevent disease from contact with other cats.

Re your comment on insurance not paying on pre-existing conditions being a rip-off. It's not, it's normal for ALL insurance policies. If insurance paid for pre-existing conditions no-one would take out insurance until there was an actual problem. And then, by definition, it wouldn't be called insurance,

You've only had the cat two weeks, it's from a rescue. You sound like you have buyers remorse. Take it back to the rescue so that they can find it a long term loving home with people who've done their homework on having a pet.

And then don't get any more pets.

SpryTaupeTurtle · Yesterday 09:45

Favory · Yesterday 07:45

You don't have to insure your cat. BUT at some point you will need a credit card or the guts to say to vet "I'm not paying for treatment, PTS". Always have a sum for diagnosis and disposal put aside.

To reduce risk of accidental injuries, cat proof your garden to keep it in or build a catio. This will also help prevent disease from contact with other cats.

Re your comment on insurance not paying on pre-existing conditions being a rip-off. It's not, it's normal for ALL insurance policies. If insurance paid for pre-existing conditions no-one would take out insurance until there was an actual problem. And then, by definition, it wouldn't be called insurance,

You've only had the cat two weeks, it's from a rescue. You sound like you have buyers remorse. Take it back to the rescue so that they can find it a long term loving home with people who've done their homework on having a pet.

And then don't get any more pets.

It was me that mentioned insurance not paying out. I assume other posters might have as well.

Gettingbysomehow · Yesterday 10:08

SpryTaupeTurtle · 03/05/2026 18:38

I got pets when I was in work and I'm not in work just now. I have never had insurance for them - but if they have needed vet care they've always had it. My mum spent a fortune on insurance for her cats and rabbits for years - thousands - when one cat needed an operation the insurance wouldn't pay out

I'm not going to rehome my pets just because I'm on a low income.

That's not the issue here in my view. It's the fact that the OP needs to shop around for vet care before deciding that their cat is too expensive

Insurance paid out everytime for my cats. You need to read the policy document and exclusions very carefully when choosing a policy not just hope for the best.
My last cat had thousands of pounds worth of treatment. About 10k worth and lived a happy and healthy life until she was 21. All covered by insurance.
Her medical problems were caused by the negligence of her previous owner who allowed her to get seriously overweight.
I adored her. This is her during her last year.

SpryTaupeTurtle · Yesterday 10:14

Gettingbysomehow · Yesterday 10:08

Insurance paid out everytime for my cats. You need to read the policy document and exclusions very carefully when choosing a policy not just hope for the best.
My last cat had thousands of pounds worth of treatment. About 10k worth and lived a happy and healthy life until she was 21. All covered by insurance.
Her medical problems were caused by the negligence of her previous owner who allowed her to get seriously overweight.
I adored her. This is her during her last year.

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My mum didn't just hope for the best. She was told that an operation for her cat would be covered and then told they wouldn't pay out

Gettingbysomehow · Yesterday 12:22

SpryTaupeTurtle · Yesterday 10:14

My mum didn't just hope for the best. She was told that an operation for her cat would be covered and then told they wouldn't pay out

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Any idea why not?

ConstanzeMozart · Yesterday 15:00

Aintgointogoa · Yesterday 00:20

@ConstanzeMozart well, having had a deep dive in 'tinernet (thanks to you) apparently they do. Gen 2 or 3 - or Z ? My previous (about 30 years ago) died of neglect in my office drawer 🤭 Not proud. However all my cats have survived my care so far ! Includes being very carful where I tread in the morning in case of fresh furballs.....

Live and learn! I guess the advantage of live animals is that they tend to tell you when they’re hungry or need something.

JennyForeigner · Yesterday 15:11

I bought flea treatment from the supermarket for a new months and we ended up with a flea infestation that took several horrible months to get rid of. I wouldn't save money there.