In a different thread, this was asked: Which is priority, yourself or your cats?

[luvmyparker]

If I was homeless, I would certainly give Parker up. However, I have enough people in my family that totally adore him and would take him if it came down to me re-homing him. He would never be with strangers.

My family wasn't always well off growing up, so I am used to skipping meals or eating Mr. Noodles (Ramen, for the US'ers) or a can of something to get by. So going without a few meals to make sure my little man is fed is fine by me. That being said, it isn't an every day thing. I do budget my money and try to make sure I have enough food for him for the month, plus a bag of dry in emergencies.

I think though, if I needed money in a life or death situation (medical care), I would put myself first but I would certainly make sure my cat was in a safe place that I could see him.

 

[resqchick]

My family care (as far as food goes):
My kids
My husband
My pets
Myself
My children ALWAYS come first with me, there are 4 of them, and they get food and medical care before anyone else. My husband , well, if he isn't cared for, we're all gonna starve, and lose our home.
If it came down to it, my pets can eat less expensive food. It will not harm them to get Iams, as opposed to Blue Buffalo. It will also not harm them to eat dry only as opposed to dry and canned.

I would forgo a meal if it meant that everyone else can eat one, but thankfully money is extremely tight, but not at the critical level yet.

 

[trouts mom]

I've never really had to choose, so I can't really answer the question accurately.

If you're asking, would I get rid of Trout if I couldn't afford to feed her? No I wouldn't, I would make it work with what I had and would go into debt for her vet care if needed.

 

[cyndersmom]

im sorry but i come first over my cat, yes he is well fed well loved and is my responsibility but if i could nt afford him i would not get him... and as far as finances i believe there is a line to be drawn when it comes to vet bills... if it is going to cost me 1000 dollars for care, i just won't do it, im sorry.. don't hate me ok people..

i have a 16 yr old cat at home who was dagnosed with thyroid plroblems 7 yrs ago and i never put her on meds for it, at the time it was 75 dollars a month for the meds, well she is doing just fine and always has since she was diagnosed.. i also don't have any kids but im trying to save up for ivf which is more important to meas i want a child, but of course i will not get rid of my pet to cut costs, its all about balance in this household..

 

[cat person]

Originally Posted by cyndersmom

i will not get rid of my pet to cut costs, its all about balance in this household..

That is what I was trying to say

. Good work, in my humble opinion.

 

[ilovemia]

Originally Posted by cyndersmom

im sorry but i come first over my cat, yes he is well fed well loved and is my responsibility but if i could nt afford him i would not get him... and as far as finances i believe there is a line to be drawn when it comes to vet bills... if it is going to cost me 1000 dollars for care, i just won't do it, im sorry.. don't hate me ok people..

i have a 16 yr old cat at home who was dagnosed with thyroid plroblems 7 yrs ago and i never put her on meds for it, at the time it was 75 dollars a month for the meds, well she is doing just fine and always has since she was diagnosed.. i also don't have any kids but im trying to save up for ivf which is more important to meas i want a child, but of course i will not get rid of my pet to cut costs, its all about balance in this household..

I agree with you, I come first. My meds, food and rent and other monthly bills too. If Im not well for my cat what good am I to her. She will eat but it may not be the "best food" occasionally if the month is short (and being on SSDI it usually is).

This month I had a $78 vet bill and that was tough. I now have $30 until the 3rd of next month. If she had a serious illness that cost alot of money, I would have to make choices. Still she is better off with me than in a shelter. I supply her with food, shelter and lots of love. Thats more than she had.

 

[melorix]

I have no children and I never plan to. Thankfully, I do make enough to not live paycheck to paycheck, though it's by no means a fancy life. However, I make sure my cats are always fed before I feed myself (with the exception of morning coffee

), and they get a good quality food.

However, if it came down to $20 for me or the cats to buy food, I would feed the cats first. I can go a day without food, but I don't want my cats ever having to wonder when they will get a next meal. That's why I rescued them -- to provide a stable, loving home where they never had to worry about anything. Perhaps cats don't have that cognizant ability to worry, but I'm sure you all understand what I mean.

But as far as medical, rent, etc. for myself, I do have to make myself a priority. Without a roof over my head or my health, I am worthless to my cats.

 

[ldg]

Chris, it's one thing to say "my cats come first," and another to be faced with those decisions.

Right now we're treating Lazlo's cancer with chemo, and it costs a lot. Our grocery shopping reflects that, and we're not just popping in the car to head out somewhere. We stop to think - do we need to spend this gas money? Can it be combined into a trip tomorrow? We sold most of what was left of my jewelry that was worth anything. And I've needed a mammogram for two years now. But we don't have health insurance. That said - as far as I'm concerned, the mammo is a preventative kind of thing, and not "necessary." It's not going to prevent cancer (knock wood).

So while we would put necessary medical care for ourselves above the more expensive wet food we like to feed our cats, we definitely put the cats ahead of more expensive cuts of meat for our dinner (or meat at all, sometimes LOL), for instance. They are eating only wet food, but if we could only afford 9lives, we'd opt for a higher quality dry (I think). But I'd rather live on ramen noodles, myself (and have), than be forced to make that decision for the cats.

We would do whatever it took for their medical care, however, and thankfully we have vets willing to let us make payments.

 

[ldg]

Originally Posted by Cat Person

I agree with Ducman69.

I work very hard to provide for myself and my cats. I am a licensed veterinarian technician (I know some of you cringe) to help fray the cost of owning a terminally ill cat(s), like my DLH. It came in handy when I first got my F3 Savannah Loki as well.

Cringe, yes, because it is "veterinary" technician, so it's really odd that you don't refer to it properly.

Originally Posted by Cat Person

But if it came down to keeping my home, paying for my medicine, or buying myself food, or taking care of my cats, I would rehome my cats.... But I feel my cats are here for my enjoyment. I do not feel I would enjoy them if I was homeless and hungry. Plus on a more practical note, what kind of life would they have if I was sick, homeless, and hungry

Of course if you're going to be living in shelters, you have to rehome your cats. But it's rarely that black & white.

Gary became ill, our industry changed; we couldn't afford the house anymore. We moved back into the RV, and we brought the cats with us. It's not a palace by any stretch LOL, but since moving back in, we've rescued two more cats. So we're 8 cats and 2 people in the RV.

Perhaps my perspective is different, because we didn't make the conscious decision, "let's get a cat." We were adopted by one, and she opened our eyes to the plight of homeless/feral cats. All of our kitties are rescued from outside (not even from a shelter) and would be homeless and likely dead without us. So while we ENJOY having them, and delight in having them with us, we don't "have" them for our "enjoyment." We rescued them because we enjoy having them and they needed a home... but we adopted them, and to us, they're family. Just like I'd make sacrifices for family, I'd make sacrifices for them.

 

[cyndersmom]

Originally Posted by LDG

Chris, it's one thing to say "my cats come first," and another to be faced with those decisions.

Right now we're treating Lazlo's cancer with chemo, and it costs a lot. Our grocery shopping reflects that, and we're not just popping in the car to head out somewhere. We stop to think - do we need to spend this gas money? Can it be combined into a trip tomorrow? We sold most of what was left of my jewelry that was worth anything. And I've needed a mammogram for two years now. But we don't have health insurance. That said - as far as I'm concerned, the mammo is a preventative kind of thing, and not "necessary." It's not going to prevent cancer (knock wood).

So while we would put necessary medical care for ourselves above the more expensive wet food we like to feed our cats, we definitely put the cats ahead of more expensive cuts of meat for our dinner (or meat at all, sometimes LOL), for instance. They are eating only wet food, but if we could only afford 9lives, we'd opt for a higher quality dry (I think). But I'd rather live on ramen noodles, myself (and have), than be forced to make that decision for the cats.

We would do whatever it took for their medical care, however, and thankfully we have vets willing to let us make payments.

see now for me i would not spend money on a cats chemo if it meant me eating ramen noodles. i don't mean to be cruel or hurt your feelings but i need food in my mouth and belly in order to live my life,maybe its selfish but i firmly believe even if a human has cancer they do have the option of using chemo or not and well how do you know your kitty isn't wanting the same thing,maybe he just wants some peace in his life as well and does not want the chemo.. I do feel horrible for your little kitty but like i said there is a limit for ME and i just would not go that far..

 

[ldg]

It doesn't hurt my feelings. We have different priorities.

If Lazlo's cancer wasn't responding to the chemo, or if the trips to the vet were freaking him out, we wouldn't continue it. Thankfully, neither is the case, and he feels better now than he had in months. You can't really tell he's sick with anything, let alone cancer. Mega massive vibes for Lazlo urgent

But I'm definitely going to give my cats the same opportunity I'd give any member of my family, because that's what they are to me. I'll make the same sacrifices for them I would anyone else in my family. For me, it's not an issue of "balance," but an issue of what I'd do for family.

We also confirmed how Lazlo feels with an animal communicator.

 

[cyndersmom]

ok what is an animal comunicator????

 

[ldg]

...and I'm glad your kitty is doing well despite your not giving her the meds your vet recommended. But for $75 a month you're going to deny her that? We definitely have very different priorities.

 

[cyndersmom]

yes very different priorities lol oh yes she is an old girl thats for sure, but still fine.. and at the time i was only 26 and living at home with my parents.. the vet said she is not in any pain, just that her heart beats faster than normal due to the thyroid so i took her home and thought well if she gets to be in pain then i will know when it is time.. i also had to put my 13 yr old to sleep last yr as she had stomach cancer.. she was not eating and very weak, only drinking a bit of water so we made the decision and i say decision not choice because it is not a choice to put a cat down. the vet called us after to say we had done the right thing as she had a orange sized tumor in her tummy that was cancerous. he said she had a great life with you guys and lived to be 13 what more could we ask for.. its a hard fact to when to know when your cat needs to cross the bridge,but sometimes you just need to let go and move on, not to say it won't hurt like hell, but we all survive and move on.. hugs to your lazlo you obviously love him very much.. and maybe 75 dollars a month is not alot to you but it is to me, thats how much my hydro bill is in my measly apartment if i didn't pay it i would have not heat or electricity,so am i going to give my cat meds or move back in with my parents at the age of 35!!! I don't think so...

 

[ldg]

$75 is a lot.

I also think heat and electricity are a priorty. It seems each week we're not sure where we're coming up with the money for Lazlo's treatment, but we do, and the lights are still on.

We did have to split his last ultrasound into several payments. On the other hand, "things" like jewelry aren't that important to me to begin with.

I do find your suggestion that we're keeping Lazlo alive to his detriment offensive. There is a (currently) 38-page thread in the health forum that is quite detailed in documentation of the process and outcomes.

As to whether or not it's Lazlo's time, thanks to the treatment, it isn't. He's only 9. He had bleeding ulcers from the mass in his stomach, and had we not treated him, he would have bled out within a few days or weeks. Without treatment, it was his time.

With treatment, the bleeding ulcers were fixed inside of two weeks. As to the cancer, with 50/50 odds of going into remission with treatment, and with a likelihood of just 15% that he wouldn't tolerate the chemo, those were odds, to us, that made finding out worth it. And we're willing to make what sacrifices can be made to get him the treatment that is working. The tumor in his stomach was "massive:" it has shrunk 40%. But this isn't the thread for me to defend our decision. If you want to read up on how things evolved, I already posted a link to Lazlo's cancer thread.

I do want to ask for clarification, however. You say, "its a hard fact to when to know when your cat needs to cross the bridge,but sometimes you just need to let go and move on, not to say it won't hurt like hell, but we all survive and move on.. " So you believe we're bad kitty parents for opting to treat cancer, and not just accepting it was his time?

As to the animal communicator, it's just what it sounds like: a person that is able to communicate with animals.

http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/sho...&postcount=128
http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/sho...&postcount=146
http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/sho...&postcount=153
http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/sho...&postcount=164

 

[wellingtoncats]

My cats come first. There is absolutely no question. Unless my medical needs were absolutely life threatening my cats would come first. I do absolutely everything I can to ensure my cats get everything they need. I don't go out to visit friends much anymore, I haven't bought any new clothes in almost a year and I don't buy expensive food. The cats come first. It was all me and my decision to bring them in to my home. So I will provide for them, no matter what.

 

[3catsn1dog]

For us, animals come first. I am very budget oriented and I have my purchases down to a science where with tax I know exactly how much I need to spend for everything week by week. I know how much I need in cat litter when I dump and wash the boxes and fill the tub. I know exactly how many bags of food it takes to fill the food bin, how long the dog food last along with cost. Knock on wood (well a whole forest) noone has been in need of a e-vet trip since Fatman but I take them to low cost rabies clinics for their shots and they get a mini check up and if anything would be brought up to say hey get this checked out I would do it in a heartbeat. I bust my butt to try and give my cats and Franklin the world. I cant afford a cat tree and want one in the worst way so I tore apart and modified a big screen tv to give them a place to play and lounge in the living room. I make toys for them and door dangle toys so they have plenty of stuff to play with and when I find jingle balls on sale I get a bunch at a time. If money is tight they dont get the extra stuff. Like treats and toys. But when I have the extra I get more treats than I need and more toys.

Thank heavens Ive never been in the situation where I had to make the choice between them or me.

 

[cat person]

Originally Posted by LDG

Cringe, yes, because it is "veterinary" technician, so it's really odd that you don't refer to it properly.

What did I do wrong now

? Seriously, I am confused care to explain? If you mean "veterinary" technician v.s. veterinarian technician that is just what my actual degree says. But I still really

what you are talking about

.

Lastly on this topic, do you want me to do what a lot of what my co-workers say, which is "animal nurse"

? If so, not happening.

Originally Posted by LDG

Of course if you're going to be living in shelters, you have to rehome your cats. But it's rarely that black & white.

While you are right to a point, I would like to add that I would not allow myself to possibly risk losing my home, medication, job and so on to care for a cat.

Originally Posted by LDG

Gary became ill, our industry changed; we couldn't afford the house anymore. We moved back into the RV, and we brought the cats with us. It's not a palace by any stretch LOL, but since moving back in, we've rescued two more cats. So we're 8 cats and 2 people in the RV.

I truly commend that

, but I would never live in an RV with my cats. I would re-home all the cats and then move to an RV.

Originally Posted by LDG

Perhaps my perspective is different, because we didn't make the conscious decision, "let's get a cat." We were adopted by one, and she opened our eyes to the plight of homeless/feral cats. All of our kitties are rescued from outside (not even from a shelter) and would be homeless and likely dead without us. So while we ENJOY having them, and delight in having them with us, we don't "have" them for our "enjoyment." We rescued them because we enjoy having them and they needed a home... but we adopted them, and to us, they're family. Just like I'd make sacrifices for family, I'd make sacrifices for them.

That is the main difference between me and most people on this site, as far as I am concerned. I believe these animals are here to enrich my life, around for my enjoyment and so on. Due to that, I am to give the best care possible without sacrificing my necessities. To me necessities are home, work, car, and so on.

 

[ldg]

Originally Posted by Cat Person

While you are right to a point, I would like to add that I would not allow myself to possibly risk losing my home, medication, job and so on to care for a cat.

I haven't read anyone on here saying they would. You can't care for them well without a home. But let's face it, if you had a cat that ill that expenditures for care would threaten your home, you'd most likely have to put the cat down, as who's going to adopt that cat?

A hypothetical question for you. You lose your job and your benefits. You have some savings, enough to stay in your home for a few months without a new job. Do you scale back on what you spend on yourself and your food so you can feed the kitties while you look for a job, or do you immediately start trying to rehome them?

Originally Posted by Cat Person

I truly commend that

, but I would never live in an RV with my cats. I would re-home all the cats and then move to an RV.

Why?

Of course, we lived full time in the RV, on the road for 7 years. The first five cats were rescued while we still lived in the RV. THEN we moved into a house. When our "fortunes" changed, we moved back into the RV.

Originally Posted by Cat Person

That is the main difference between me and most people on this site, as far as I am concerned. I believe these animals are here to enrich my life, around for my enjoyment and so on. Due to that, I am to give the best care possible without sacrificing my necessities. To me necessities are home, work, car, and so on.

I consider home, work, and a car necessities.

 

[cyndersmom]

honestly i would sell my home and use the money to rent a place, but i'm also canadian and it gets cold up here in the winter,and i would rehome my animals to family members, like my parents until i got back on my feet.. i made the decision not to bring my other 2 cats with me when i moved out of my parents because they had been in the home for sooo long that i didn;t want to stress them out with a new place... it really amazes me the length people will go to for their animals, i commend them but that is just not for me

.. i have debt coming out the wazoo and our economy is not much better. i could move to a cheaper province but my family is here and way more important than saving a few bucks on taxes.. its definatley all about priorities isn't it ladies