When you’re looking to buy or adopt a cat, the last thing on your mind is the cost. But, before adopting or buying, you should know that owning a cat is pretty expensive. The food, vet, boarding, and many other expenses are higher than you would expect.
So, let’s see how expensive it is to have a cat.
How Much Does a Cat Cost?
To buy a cat, you’ll have to pay $200+, while adopting a cat on average costs between $75 and $125. If your cat lives for ten years, regular costs should be around $12,000.
The costs can differ, and choosing expensive breeds or buying premium products will increase this number.
(Yahoo, ASPCA, 2021)
Stats on Cat Expenses That’ll Surprise You
Having a cat is no cheap business. To see how much you’ll be paying and for what, read on.
Annual costs of owning a cat can be as high as $1,149
(ASPCA, 2021)
It depends on the products you buy and can be a bit less or much higher. Also, outdoor cats are more in contact with different diseases and parasites, so be prepared for those vet costs.
Food is the most considerable expense, costing around $19 a month, but buying quality food with healthy ingredients will help save you on additional vet check-ups.
Each month, you can expect to spend around $100 on your cat.
The first year of owning a cat, on average, costs $1,904.
(ASPCA, 2021)
The first-year expenses are higher since you need to buy everything new for your cat.
The price includes vaccinations, vet checks, neutering, collars, microchipping, food, treats, and everything you might need for your cat during this year.
The average price owners pay for annual routine checkups is $160
(ASPCA, 2021, PetMD, 2020, )
A vet visit costs around $45–$55, but the expenses can easily add up with blood tests and other checks. Here are some other vet expenses you might expect:
- Spaying/Neutering costs around $150, depending on the clinic.
- Cat ultrasound typically costs between $300 and $600.
- Initial vaccination with check-up costs $175, while other vaccination is included in the annual check-up.
- Dental care and cleaning on average cost $300 per year.
- Deworming — the doctor’s sampling costs around $30+ while the deworming medicine costs between $3 and $18.
Savannah is the most expensive cat breed, with a $10,000 – $15,000 price range.
(Savannah Cat Association, 2020)
Savannah is a designer cat breed, and it’s one of the newest cat breeds created as late as 1986.
If you’re not interested in spending much money on your cat and don’t want a specific breed, adoption is cheaper and more humane than buying.
The average cost of microchipping is about $45
(Paoli Vetcare, 2020)
It’s a one-time expense, and it’s recommended that you do it as soon as possible, especially if you have an outdoor cat. Microchipping is not expensive, but it can help you get your cat back if it gets lost.
Kennel boarding costs around $78
(APPA, 2021)
This is the average price pet owners pay per night, but it depends on your local kennel. Sometimes it’s cheaper to hire a pet sitter, so it’s something to consider.
Conclusion
Even though cat owners, in general, have to spend less than dog owners, the expenses quickly add up. If you want to give your cat the best life possible, you’ll spend much more than $1,500 a year.
However, don’t forget that, for this money, you’ll have a loyal companion that will give you lots of love.
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