Hi! My sister lives on an extremely low income, plus savings from selling Mom’s house. I’m trying to help her cut costs, which are really becoming an issue. She has two cats. One had kidney issues (very expensive hospital stay last year), so now she needs the specialized kidney food, and feeds it to both cats since they eat from same bowls. She told me she’s spending 300 dollars a month, I think through Chewy. I’m appalled, because it’s eating through her savings.
Any cat folks here have any suggestions? I would like to come back to her with specific ideas–if i just suggest she figure out cheaper alternatives, I will stress her out (she’s on permanent disability for anxiety/depression). She does know that the money issues are real, but gets overwhelmed.
I would think a conversation with the veterinarian would be the best thing. But also, the cats can be fed separately! They don’t need food in front of them at all times if feeding wet food.
UCB linked to the same article I was going to, so I won’t bother. Maybe it would help if you do the research and find out what specific cans, if any, meet the guidelines, and then suggest them to her or even buy a couple so she can see if her cats will eat them. If you have animals and a relationship with a vet, maybe you could call yours and see what he/she recommends.
I can empathize - I had a cat spend 5 days in the ICU last year for something related to diabetes (pancreatitis). We have to feed one cat a special (prescription $$$) diet, and we choose to feed both the same because it’s easier for us. (Diabetic has to eat every 12 hours, and not graze). I do know there are some commercial foods we could use instead of the prescription, but since it cost us thousands to get her stabilized, we just stick to what they recommended and she’s been doing great for over 18 months.
Thanks. She knows about what’s necessary. I’m mostly interested in anyone with experiences of cheaper ways to get it. Tiny home, feeding separately not going to happen.
Raw diets can be great, but this cat is on a medically required diet for kidney failure. I am an animal person, living on a farm, and I 100% wouldn’t mess with a diet that was necessary to keep an animal healthy without working with my veterinarian. The best bet is to explanain the situation to the veterinarian and see if there’s a cheaper alternative s/he can recommend. Or a homemade recipe s/he thinks is ok.
@garland - my mom used to make her cat food - sautéed chicken livers (sautéed in a tiny bit of water) and brown rice - she’d grind it up. Cat loved it and lived another 6 years after - he also had kidney issues. She’d make a weeks worth at a time.
Renal diet cat food is lower protein-so more carb. If she, with the help of the vet can figure out some way to replace this high-cost food with a combination of brown rice/vegetables and meat in the appropriate percentages, it might be cheaper than the premade diet. Might be, as everything is expensive these days, rice and meat included. I had a cat on a renal diet at a point, and yes, not cheap. Though I got it here in town from the vet.
To get a bit more food, she might try advertising on Craig’s List or Next Door as cats with renal failure die eventually. When mine did pass away, I had a volume of the food left over that I donated to a shelter.
You could check Petsmart or PetCo or maybe a farm/feed store, like Tractor Supply, in her area. Sometimes they carry Hills. She might look into pet insurance too.