Start with the problem.

Your cat barely drinks

"I never actually see her drink."

Cats evolved in deserts and have a weak thirst drive. Chronic low water intake is linked to urinary crystals and blockages — one of the most common emergency visits cat owners face.

An ER visit for a urinary blockage commonly runs around $1,000.

Litter tracked across the whole house

"I sweep the same hallway twice a day."

Open trays throw litter with every dig, and they let odor straight into the room. Most people end up hiding the box somewhere inconvenient, which is exactly where cats start avoiding it.

She screams the entire drive

"The vet trip stresses me out more than it stresses her."

A cramped, poorly ventilated carrier turns a 20-minute drive into a panic. Owners start putting off checkups, and small health problems get found late.

You just adopted and have no idea what to buy

"Every list online contradicts the last one."

Most first-time owners buy twice: once from a guessed list, then again after finding out what actually gets used. The wasted spend usually lands somewhere north of $100.