By Al Olsen
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December 12, 2024
If you are planning to buy a new cat then you might want to consider the expenses that are incurred while owning a cat. Cats are amazing creatures, worshipped as gods in ancient Egypt they certainly want to be treated like royalty. Apart from the love and care that's obviously free of cost, there are some things that do cost money. In this blog, we will talk about the expenses of owning a cat. Initial Costs of Cat Ownership Owning a cat can be one of the most fulfilling experiences in one's life. However, it is going to cost some money as well. You might end up spending somewhere around $10,000-$20,000 annually on a cat. Here is a list of expenses of owning a cat: Adoption Adopting a cat is much cheaper than buying one. The cost of adoption is around $50-$150 which also includes the cost of spaying, vaccination, and check-ups. On the other hand, buying a cat can cost somewhere between $500-$3000. The cost may vary depending on the breed. For example, some breeds can be quite expensive like the Siamese cat. Spaying/Neutering Many owners prefer to neuter their cats, especially females to prevent them from giving birth. Depending on your personal preference you can choose to neuter your cats. The cost of neutering your cat is around $50-$200. Initial Veterinary Visit It is important to get the cat examined by a vet regularly to make sure that the cat is in good condition. A visit to the vet can cost somewhere between $100-$250. However, regular checkups can help avoid serious health issues. Essential Supplies Before you bring your cat home you need to buy a variety of items including a litter box, food bowl, scratching post, and toys which can cost somewhere around $200-$500. Depending on your cat you might have to buy a few things multiple times in a year. Recurring Monthly Costs You will mostly be spending on food which is something that you would be doing every month. Cats consume two types of food, dry food and wet food. It is important to feed your cat superior quality food to avoid any health-related issues. You might end up spending somewhere around $100-$200 per month on the cat's diet. Pet Insurance or Vet Savings As mentioned earlier regular visits to the vet is crucial for the well-being of the cat. Regular check-ups can help avoid serious health issues. A visit to the vet can cost somewhere around $100-$200. However, we would advise you to get your cat checked regularly. If left unchecked cats can develop a variety of health issues caused by disease and infection. How to Save Money on Cat Ownership Now that we have discussed the overall expenses of owning a cat. Let us talk about ways that you can save some money as well. Here is a list of tips on how to save money while owning a cat: Adopt, Don’t Shop As mentioned earlier the cost of buying a new cat can be much more than adopting one. We would advise you to adopt a cat instead of buying one if you plan to save some money. You can visit your local adoption center to find your new pet. There are plenty of cats to choose from you will certainly find a cat of your choice there. Buy in Bulk Now buying food regularly can cost a lot in the long run. So, if you wish to save some money on cat food we would suggest that you buy in bulk. You can also get discounts if you buy in bulk which means you will end up saving money on your purchase. You can stock your cat's favorite food so you never run out of supply for cat food. Regular Vet Visits As discussed earlier regular visits to the vet is important for the well-being of your cat. However, if you don't want to end up spending money on medicine and procedures we would advise you to take preventive measures. Maintaining a certain level of hygiene can also help in preventing disease and infection. Regular grooming can help in maintaining hygiene and cleanliness which can eventually help in saving money on medical procedures.