Preparing for Senior Kitty Costs

[Annieca2016]

My girlies are aging - one 11, one 9 - and I am planning on saving for the inevitable "They're older and have more medical needs" costs. I've already budgeted out how much it will cost for when they cross the rainbow bridge and how much yearly senior blood work is, but I'm out of my depth for how much I should have saved for the rest of the costs.

Both girls are mostly healthy with seasonal allergies. Snap has arthritis in one hip that's generally controlled with Welactin and Cosequin but we may need to go to Solensia. Pompom has the beginnings of arthritis but doesn't seem to bother her as she also gets the Welactin and Cosequin.

Obviously we won't know if they get cancer or the like and while I like to think I'd do anything for my girls, a couple I follow on Facebook are paying $17k for their boy's nasal cancer and that's just something I know I can't handle financially.

So...in your experience, what amount would you have liked to have as a cushion for the inevitable getting older care?

 

[neely]

I'd like to say we can't predict what the future might hold for our cats. There are so many variables to take into consideration and it seems like the cost of good veterinary care just like human health care keeps increasing. It's wise and very practical of you to want to prepare for these expenses but IMO I would say to put away a specific amount every month that you can comfortably afford. Every person's situation is different but planning for future expenses is always prudent and sensible.

 

[Kieka]

Personally, I aim for $1000 per animal earmarked in my savings which I built up by putting away $25/week starting when they joined the household. So far that's been something that's gotten me through annual exams and minor emergencies with me rebuilding it after anything happens. Since I have 4 animals, I can use the padding from one to cover another if needed (although normally I add an extra $500 for seniors but the rabbits are only 3 to the cats 11 and 10 so I am going to wing it and adjust up in a few more years). That aside, I also ensure I have a credit card with a higher limit that I only pay a single subscription on monthly to keep it active but it's otherwise for emergencies. And I have a CareCredit account that I keep active too. Basically, if my pet monies are gone I can use the credit card or CareCredit (depending on amount and timing) to cover.

I did go through cancer treatments with one of my cats and Link had a $10k event a few years back. Between the two, usually those high cost events aren't overnight things and they get spread out over time. In both cases, I was able to adjust my finances to cover the costs as they came or use credit to spread it out to a manageable amount.

All that said, you do need to at least know your hard limit and what is reasonable so that if/when you are in the situation you have a plan. I won't exceed my emergency savings unless that is hope of recovery for example. If it's simply to keep them comfortable then we are looking at basic painkiller and fluids type care. I also keep myself aware of basic medical care so I have reasonable expectations of what will be needed and double check with Google on some times (mostly for my rabbits since their vet care is more rudimentary, I've also done online vet consult services in a pinch to get a second opinion or check if something is worth going in for).

Although, prevention can save you in the long run. Keeping up with annual appointments (or every 6 months for our super seniors) so things get caught early when they are manageable and you have time to make decisions without pressure. Knowing your cat and acting quickly when you know something is slightly off can mean the difference between a quick antibiotic and light meds versus hospital stay and IV meds. Not to mention a regular exam with your vet is a lot less costly then an emergency vet.

 

[Kris107]

A dental cleaning can easily cost $800. Overnight stay at an overnight ER $1500-2000. Obviously this varies a lot depending on the vet and where you live, but those are some ballparks for where I am. I think it is so great you're thinking of this and saving for it now. This is something all pet owners should do. It is also good to know your limits too, which it sounds like you do. I don't think our pets would necessarily want us to go bankrupt or be buried in debt.

 

[fionasmom]

I won't exceed my emergency savings unless that is hope of recovery for example

This is an important point to discuss with yourself now. In an emotional situation, you have to know before hand if you would be able to pay a huge vet bill.

I also do not do any academic testing for older pets. What I mean by that is if I would not proceed with treatment or if the test is just so we "know" for sure what is going on, I draw the line.

 

[FriendofFerals]

I have one that is 12, one that will be 15 in 2025, and one who turns 20...estimated...could be older, on New Year's Eve. The oldest boy has cost me $5000 since 2023. He was a former feral, somehow lived 12-15 yrs outside and was trapped when he was injured in a fight. He had a severe ear infection and allergies, and the worst stomatitis the pet dentist had ever seen. That was a big expense. Then this year, after all that, he developed IBD, hypertension, severe asthma, Stage II CKD, and hyperthyroidism. It was expensive to get the tests done and now it's recurring expenses for medications and special food.

The 15 yr old was fine his whole life up until 6 years ago when he started getting an URI every year. That turned into pneumonia once. Now he is on Flovent twice daily. They suspect a collapsed lung or something visible that looks like a "mass" but it's been a year, so if it was cancer, things would be worse by now. He's also Stage II CKD, special diet, and diabetes Type II in remission with a no carb diet.

Cat #3 is fine (12 yrs old). Maloccluded jaw, 14 teeth removed, occasional trigeminal nerve pain controlled with homeopathic supplements and he really needs to go to the vet for a workup but he's an abuse case and it's really hard getting him there, even with gabapentin.

My scenario may be worse than average. I can't begin to save for what comes, but these last few years have been around $2-3000 for all three combined.

 

[iPappy]

I keep as much tucked away as possible, in the form of cash, a working credit/debit card, or into a checking account, so the money is accessible in case of emergency. I've known people who take out an "emergency credit card" for pet related things and use it only for that, and I've known people who have separate checking accounts and only us them for pet related things. I think you're very wise to be considering these things now, and with any luck you won't need to worry as many cats remain very healthy well into old age.
You've gotten some really great advice on this thread. What I would add to all this advice would be to dedicate an hour or so per day to give each cat their own at home exam by you. Check their ears, are they clean and healthy or do you see redness or gunk? Are their eyes bright, or are they squinty looking with discharge? If they'll allow, give them a thorough grooming session (with treats, of course) and feel for any lumps, bumps, or signs of painful areas. If possible, look at their teeth and gums. If you notice any change, no matter how small, in anything (eating, drinking, over all energy levels, urinary/bowel habits, etc.) write them down when they happen and keep notes on what you do to help, and if things improve or not. There's nothing more frustrating than realizing that a problem has been "on and off" for awhile but life got in the way, and now you can't really remember when it all started or if anything changed during that time that could explain it.
While we can't prevent everything, sometimes an ounce of prevention is worth a ton of cure, and early detection of anything is very good. Your girls are very, very lucky to have you.

 

[Annieca2016]

Thank you everyone! I am hoping they both have many, many healthy years ahead of them but if they don't, I want to be as prepared financially as I can be. One non-negotiable for me is having enough saved so Laps of Love or something similar can come when the time comes, especially for Pompom. She absolutely despises the vet (although my vet loves her!) and I want her last moments to be calm and not panicky.

 

[iPappy]

Thank you everyone! I am hoping they both have many, many healthy years ahead of them but if they don't, I want to be as prepared financially as I can be. One non-negotiable for me is having enough saved so Laps of Love or something similar can come when the time comes, especially for Pompom. She absolutely despises the vet (although my vet loves her!) and I want her last moments to be calm and not panicky.

It sounds almost morbid, but when one of my cats was very sick I called around to places like in home euthanasia vets like Laps of Love (as well as pet cremation places, if that's something you'd choose to do) so I had all the information on how things worked and what potential costs would be for my wishes before my emotions were taking a huge toll on me. It almost felt like I was pre-planning a funeral for a loved one, and in a way I kind of was.
I lost my Sarah on December 6th. Shortly before that, I was on a local facebook page and someone mentioned that the pet cremation services I used for my others had abruptly closed. Having several senior cats, this was horrifying and I looked into other options right then and there because I didn't want to be faced with having no real knowledge of alternatives in the event of a crisis. So something else to consider is what your wishes are after their passing (though we always hope that is nowhere in the near future!)

 

[FeralHearts]

I try to save.. but so far it's been called a credit card. I have some insurance for the one remaining girl - I learned that lesson after the first furkid, Charlie, had issues. All three girls had a little insurance. $5,000 with a good deductible and 90 % reimbursement. (Now a much higher deductible and reimbursement.) All four were never 'well' cats. The vet techs lovingly call them "lemons".

Even with insurance, trying to keep on top of their issues each year was a struggle. The last one $13,000, roughly - if I added her up for the year it would be more. $5000 covered by insurance. I'll be paying the remainder off over the next year. In the meantime other rack up bills. I frights me that I might not be able to do that same level with the other two remaining.

If I were ever to do this again; and after the heartbreaks this last year I honestly can say I don't know if I can handle it emotionally again, but if I did I would probably do a combo of saving a bit each week as well as insurance. I would probably start that saving long before bringing another home.

My circumstances are not typical and I understand that. All three girls were former ferals that came in under ER circumstances right out of the gate. Charlie was a failed foster that was unwell from the start.