STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

dot · Marc Jacobs

question for animal owners

RyanJ · Coach

I am pretty ridiculous when it comes to my pets. They are spoiled crazy. Definatley the best foods (in my opinion) and all the toys, beds, carriers, treats, accesories and toys that they want.

Here are my latest purchases. I could go crazy at this website. Everything it too cute.

Metric · Gucci

I admit I spend more than necessary on my dog. She is spoiled. She gets good food (not the most expensive though), all kinds of treats and toys galore.

The Pope (the old pope) once said that pets do not have a soul and we shouldn't pamper them and spend money on them. I can't believe that. What do you think?

dot · Marc Jacobs

well i guess everyone is different and everyone's budget is different, but i probably spend about $3-4 a day on my cats' food. i feed them wet food and natural, no artificial stuff wet food at that.

i know alot of people would find that crazy to spend over $100 a month on their animals (that's food and litter alone) but i never even bat an eye. i was just interested in where others stood.

also for those with cats, what kind of litter do you use? i know clumping kinds are not supposed to be good for them. i found a wheat one i like but it's really expensive and not really so effective at odor. looking for recs.

RyanJ · Coach

BrazenCanadian wrote:

I admit I spend more than necessary on my dog. She is spoiled. She gets good food (not the most expensive though), all kinds of treats and toys galore.
The Pope (the old pope) once said that pets do not have a soul and we shouldn't pamper them and spend money on them. I can't believe that. What do you think?

I know that my pets could care less if they have a $100 coat or a $50.00 collar and they don't probably don't care what kind of toys the have because my kittens favorite thing to play w/ is a milk jug ring or a pony tail holder. The pampering is more for me because I think they look cute, but I do think they should be spoiled as far as their food and health. They depend on us. If I can spend $500.00 on a purse then I can definatley spend money on the best food and health care for them.

Whether they have a soul or not I don't know, but I don't know if I really belive humans have souls. I do know they are very excitred to see me when I come home. My kitten purrs and head butts me for hours. Maybe she doesn't "love" me, but she definatley has some sort of feeling toward me. The same goes for my dogs.

Dot- I use Arm and hammer clumping litter. I have tried a million and have never found any that totally take away from the smell. I now put coffee grounds in the bottom of the litter pan and cover the grounds with litter. That has really helped to mask the yucky smell.

Kittens under the age of 4 months should be given non-clumping, unscented litter. They are less careful about grooming themselves and if they ingest clumping litter, it could clump in their digestive tract and cause serious problems. We recommend it at work because it seems to help cover the scent better than non-clumping. Some cats can drive themselves crazy trying to cover up the smell w/not clumping.

gruiz · Kenneth Cole

I don't think I over-spoil my cats w/ things (mostly just love.) I just make sure they're comfortable with what we give them. I feed them Iams wet and dry. The litter is Cedarific (non-clumping, cedar chip). But we do have one of those water dishes that filters the water. This one:

They seem to like that the water doesn't just sit in the dish and get stale.

We also have tons of toys and scratching posts and fun kitty things.

RyanJ · Coach

Gruiz- Do you like your water foutain? I always want to get one, but I just never end up doing it.

luckylily · Gucci

I don't necessarily spoil my animals with stuff like collars, coats, and toys. When we first adopted our dog I was really into getting him collars, but I kind of got over it. Eventually I bought him a really nice pink leather collar and that's the one he wears. My mil is *always* sending the animals care packages w/ toys and treats, so I don't have to buy a lot on that stuff.

I do spend quite a bit of money every month buying top of the line food. I consider that part of taking care of their health tho and not really spoiling them.

As a side note, one of my cats had dental surgery this week. That puts a huge dent in the savings! Ugh!

RyanJ · Coach

luckylily wrote:

].
As a side note, one of my cats had dental surgery this week. That puts a huge dent in the savings! Ugh!

Poor baby. Dental surgery can be pretty major. I hope she is feeling better.

halleybird · Hermes

My dogs don't get the best food, but it's only because my lab mix won't eat anything other than Kibbles 'n Bits. We went through like 5 foods before she'd eat!

I do splurge on their toys, though -- we have every form of dog toy imaginable. My husband gets mad when I go to Petsmart by myself, because I always come home with toys. I used to buy Halley cute collars, but since we got Sully, I can't, since he chews them off her.

I do have two pricey dog beds, though, but they were worth it!

-- Edited by halleybird at 16:59, 2005-07-07

halleybird · Hermes

BrazenCanadian wrote:

The Pope (the old pope) once said that pets do not have a soul and we shouldn't pamper them and spend money on them. I can't believe that. What do you think?

I have had at least 12 dogs in my life, and I think that statement is impossible. Truly.

Cortney1982 · Chanel

I just spoil my cat with affection. Food and litter is pretty basic. Just Purina weight management and hairball control and Arm & Hammer hard clumping litter. She doesn't like kitty treats, so I don't buy those. Toys she likes but she won't touch her toy fur mouse, probably because she can smell the rabbit fur it was used to be made with. Her favorite toy is one I actually one from one of those claw games one drunken night! She also loves those cheap cotton gloves, pony tail holders, and milk caps. Here she is:

Tati · Chanel

shes beautiful!

beachgirl · Kenneth Cole

I'm not sure how much I spend, I try to buy good food for them (Iams for my dogs, and some natural kitten food for Jake, I can't remember the name). My boyfriend always rolls his eyes at me when we go to PetsMart because I always have to buy new toys. But then when we get home and get to give them their new toys he's as excited as they are because they just LOVE having new stuff to play with and get all excited.

Other than that, I try to give them a special treat at least once a week and just try to spend as much time with them as possible. I don't spend a lot on collars and clothes, I have in the past, but the just get ruined so fast. We have two labs and a pomeranian and they all play pretty rough, so nice things just don't last. They're happiest when we're able to take them for a walk, or to a park to run around. This post is making me want to go home right now and play with them!

greendiamond · Marc Jacobs

I totally spoil my pets, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

My dog had to have knee surgery about 4 years ago (that was a $1500 venture) plus some follow up procedures (another couple hundred). So, she gets Nutro dog food with glucosimine condriton (sp?0 to help her joints. My parents dogs teeth rotted, and it was horrible to watch her in her final year becasue eating was such a painful experience. So, I now add in the dental food that nutro has. My vet gave me some fancy dental perscription diet food, but it was astronimical. So we use it as treats now instead. She has tons of toys (she gets something from the pet store every time I go, and often gets something from Target every time I go. I don't buy too many cloths for her, but she does get a new bandana every time we go to the groomers (monthly). I'll buy extra around the holidays.She has nice leashes and collars.

The 2 cats also get Nutro food (it's good, but not top of the line) and they have lots of toys, cat nip and good litter. But, they rarely play with the toys, they love my pony tail holders too. they bury them under the rugs.

-gd

sfclinevandy · Coach

I have 2 cats... for food I give the Science Diet. They're spoiled in that it's pretty pricey but not spoiled in that it's not the most flavorful. I prefer giving them dry (because it doesn't stink up my place) but every now in them I let them share a serving of wet food as a treat.

I use the Crystal type litter. I like it alot, it's easy to clean up, and works great on odor. I also have this pet fountain. I think it does keep the water clean and my older cat prefers it because he honestly has a vet diagnosed water fetish (he takes his naps in the sink, regardless if it's dripping, he loves to put his face and feet in my bath water, and he loves playing in any running water... it's super weird). It's nice having a fountain though because the noise it makes is so soothing.

They also have tons and always are getting more balls, stuffed toys, and catnip.

jacL · Coach

Halleybird, is your dog's name pronounced like Halle Berry? That is my cat's name (Halle, not Halle Berry)!

gruiz · Kenneth Cole

RyanJ wrote:

Gruiz- Do you like your water foutain? I always want to get one, but I just never end up doing it.

Well, it's not so important that I like it...but the cats LOVE it. My older cat drinks out of the top where the water comes out and has now taught the kitten how to do the same. I guess they think it tastes better from the top. It does keep the water fresh tasting though since it's constantly recycled. I would recommend it.

Here's my little devil...

RyanJ · Coach

gruiz wrote:

RyanJ wrote:
Gruiz- Do you like your water foutain? I always want to get one, but I just never end up doing it.

Well, it's not so important that I like it...but the cats LOVE it. My older cat drinks out of the top where the water comes out and has now taught the kitten how to do the same. I guess they think it tastes better from the top. It does keep the water fresh tasting though since it's constantly recycled. I would recommend it.

You mean you don't use it too?

I talk to people all the time @ work it seems that there is a problem w/ all of them. Everyone has a problem w/ one brand or another. The filters clog or the motor stops working. I was curious if you were happy w/ your purchase.

dot · Marc Jacobs

I have this same fountain! My cats love drinks from the spout part. I love it when I go away for the weekend or something and I know they have fresh water to drink.