Average Cost Of Owning A Cat

Introduction

Before you run to the shelter and adopt a kitten, make sure you know exactly what you’re getting into. Cats are wonderful companions that enrich your life, but they also require a lot of care and money. Whether it’s veterinarian bills or kitty litter, owning a cat is expensive — so before you decide that this is the right time in your life to adopt, take a look at the average cost of owning one.

Food

The price of food can vary greatly depending on how old your cat is, how big he or she is and what diet they have. A kitten baby food costs $0.63 per meal, while an adult cat food costs $1.25 per day. A senior cat needs fewer calories so their daily meals cost only $0.69 each. On top of that, some cats require certain special diets due to health issues or allergies; these might be more expensive than the normal brand name brands.

Supplies

Now that you have your cat, you’ll need to think about supplies. The cost of a litter box should be around $15-20, and food will cost about $2 per day. So, if your cat eats once per day for their entire life, that’s going to cost you about $1,300 over the course of their lifetime. If they eat twice per day for their entire life instead (which is much more common), that’ll run you about $2,600 in food costs alone!

It’s important to remember that this only covers the food bill—it doesn’t include any other supplies like toys or treats or litter boxes themselves.

Veterinary care

The average annual cost of veterinary care for a cat is approximately $300, which can vary greatly depending on the pet’s age and health. The most common medical expenses you will encounter include:

Vaccinations—$22 to $50 for each visit
Spaying or neutering—$160 to $450 (depending on location)
Dental care—at least $200 during the lifetime of your pet
Flea treatments—$25 to $50 per month, or as much as $700 annually (for those who don’t want fleas in their home)
Heartworm preventatives—there are several different types available; ask your veterinarian which one is best for your cat

Miscellaneous

Cat toys are a staple of cat ownership. Your feline friend needs the outlets of play and stimulation, but you also don’t want them to eat your furniture or scratch up your walls. Cat toys can help with this problem by offering an outlet for energy and providing an opportunity for them to climb, scratch, chase, and pounce on their own terms (instead of yours).

However, if you think about it from the perspective of how much time your cat spends sleeping instead of playing or being active in general—and how much money you’d be spending on food every month—it’s actually very easy to justify buying cat toys. The fact that they’re so cheap helps too!

From Pet Mountain: “Cats love chasing things around.” So if you want something that mimics this behavior naturally but doesn’t involve any actual hunting effort on behalf of your kitty (because let’s face it; most cats aren’t going to catch anything), then electronic mice are a great option! Besides being totally adorable when they chase these things around the house like little furry robots themselves (they’ll never get tired), these battery-operated devices will keep them entertained for hours at a time without needing any human intervention whatsoever.”

Knowing the cost of owning a cat before hand can help you budget accordingly.

If you’re planning on getting a pet, the cost of owning that pet is an important consideration. Knowing how much it will cost to care for your animal will help you budget in advance and avoid impulse buying. It will also help you avoid overspending on treats or other items that could prove financially impractical in the long term.

When deciding how much money you should spend on your new feline friend, there are several factors to consider:

How much does it cost to take care of my cat?
How much space do I have to store anything that isn’t used daily?
Do I want multiple cats or one cat only?
What kind of food am I going to buy for my cat(s)?

The answers to these questions should help guide your decision when purchasing supplies and setting up their habitats.

Conclusion

If you are considering adding a feline companion to your home, it is essential that you understand the costs of owning a cat before making any decisions. Cats are often misperceived as being low-cost and maintenance pets, which is far from the truth. There are many financial considerations associated with owning a cat, including food, supplies and veterinary care. We hope this guide will help you determine if you can afford to add a cat to your family.