I Spent Almost 18k on My First Cat

This is how to I got excited for my first cat and accidentally brought everything I think he needs.

Two years ago, I fell in love with cats more than dogs (still love dogs though) but I realized that cats are great pets too and will love me as much as dogs will, it’s just that they have a different way of showing it.

Back in college, I and my ex-boyfriend adopted a kitten 2 years ago, we named her Sassy, who is still in the care of my ex’s family until today, however, I can’t visit her as often as I want like before. I got depressed and decided to convince my mom (who is more open to having pets than my dad), to adopt a kitten as a new addition to our family.

For over 3 months since the quarantine, I did a lot of research on cat care know-hows and what are their needs. Then, I made a list (in excel) of the things that I need to buy for my cat and I also input the prices once the item was bought.

I categorized them in five; (1) living necessities (bed, feeder bowl, cage & etc.), (2) entertainment (toys & training equipment), (3) essentials (food,treats & litter sand), (4) hygiene (grooming tools & sanitation) and (5) health care (medicine & supplements).

Cat food, feeder bowl, water fountain, nursing bottle, and syringe.

Cat grooming, hygiene products, and common cat illness medications.

Common cat illness medicines, toys, training equipment, aromatherapy oils, sanitizers, and disinfectants.

Container boxes from SM dept store, with ducting tape as labels to organize cat needs/things.

I was lucky to be working from home and I started procuring all the things on the list from April 2020 via Shopee (because there is no near pet store from our home) until the end of June 2020. I spent exactly PHP 17,470.04, almost PHP 18,000.

There is no near pet shop around our area and we have to go by car to reach the nearest vet clinic, hence I don’t want to come unprepared in the future especially for the medications for cat’s common illnesses.

It’s probably absurd, especially for people who do not know how happy I feel about having my 1st cat, I see it the way newbie moms are getting ready for their 1st born baby like you want to give all the good things in the world for your baby regardless of the price.

I just find it funny when people react like I’ve done anything unbelievable. Well, good thing I made a DIY of some of his needs otherwise I will reach PHP 20k.

All of Minggyu's needs and living essentials.

Another good thing is I did not buy the cat anymore because a good friend of mine gave me his cat’s new kitten, and his breed is Permese (50% Siamese + 50% Persian), I was originally gonna adopt a Puspin but my mom is not fond of that idea, so I just go out every other day to feed strays in our village.

DIY Cat cage with a plastic floor mat that is always open as I don't want to cage my cat.

Almost 3 weeks old Minggyu at his original family.

I named him Minggyu, a popular name for baby boys during the Sino-Korean Era. It means, gentle and manly. He will arrive at our house on July 11, 2020, and I can’t contain my excitement.

So if you want to have a cat, know your budget (this is what I failed to do when making my list), don’t go over your budget, and list the most important things you need for your 1st cat.

To help you before your cat arrives, I made a list of the MOST important things you need to get before your cat arrives. So that you won’t end up buying unnecessary things for your cat especially when you are on a budget.