So you want a cat, but you’ve always heard that cats cost a lot of money to take care of. As part of my research into making my own budget for cat ownership, I found that some resources over-exaggerate how much it costs to take care of a cat based on the cost of their common pet needs. That’s why I’m putting together this guide and infographic that clearly lays out exactly how much you can expect to spend on average to own a cat.
How much does a cat cost a month? That depends on several potential expenses for cat owners, yet each one of those varies based on the particular feline in question. Additionally, how much do cats actually cost is becoming a more common question among pet owners, as well. The answer to how much does a cat cost is not a cut and dry one, but there are basics you can look at to get an idea.
How much does a cat cost monthly
While this post will give you some ballpark numbers of how much a cat costs per month, it’s important to remember that the cost of owning a cat varies from one owner to another. The amount you’ll spend on your furry friend will depend on factors like whether you adopt or purchase, how old your cat is when you get them, and what type of litter box setup you have. If you’re looking for an exact number on how much it’ll cost to own a feline companion, this probably isn’t the post for you! But if you’re hoping for some general guidelines that can help guide your calculations, keep reading!
Veterinary Expenses
When it comes to the costs of owning a cat, there are two main categories: food and vet care. A healthy indoor cat can live up to 10 years and likely cost you $1,000 or more in those first 10 years. If your cat has an outdoor lifestyle or suffers from health issues such as diabetes or allergies, you could pay much more over that period of time—or less if you adopt from a shelter instead of buying from a breeder.
The average annual cost for pet owners is about $500 per year for non-veterinary services like boarding, grooming, toys and treats (according to the American Pet Products Association). That number jumps up to $1,250 when routine veterinary visits are included—which they should be!
Toys and Treats
You’re not going to find it in your budget to spend a lot on toys and treats, but you should still make sure your cat has plenty of these.
Toys are an important part of a cat’s life, especially if they live alone. They can keep them stimulated and help them stay happy and healthy, so it’s worth putting some effort into finding good ones that won’t break the bank.
Treats are also important for cats—especially if they don’t get enough playtime outside or exercise at home! Treats can be healthy and help with weight control (or weight gain), but beware of unhealthy or sugary options that will ruin your pet’s health over time. Luckily there is a wide range of treats out there from cheap brands that cost just pennies per bag all the way up through high-end brands like Whiskas Temptations which cost around $2 each bag depending on size–and then there’s homemade versions which could save you even more money if done right!
Food
You’ll need to buy food for your cat, and how much you spend on it really depends on the type of food you choose and how much you feed your cat each day. In general, dry food costs around $2 per pound (approximately $20 per bag) if you’re going with something cheaper like Purina Friskies or Meow Mix. If you want to go with a higher-quality brand like Royal Canin or Iams, expect to pay around $3 per pound (about $30 per bag).
A rule of thumb is that an average-sized adult cat should eat about 1 cup of dry food each day. So if we use the example above where a 15 lb bag costs around $20 and contains 40 cups of kibble, that would be equivalent to just over 6 cents per cup! And let’s not forget: while this might seem like a lot now when compared against other monthly expenses, it still beats what most human foods cost these days!
Litter and Litter Boxes
A litter box is a small plastic container that you place inside your cat’s enclosure. You will want to get one with a cover, so that the smell of your cat’s waste is contained and does not spread throughout the house.
The litter itself should be scoopable and absorbent, so that it can pick up the urine or feces when the cat uses his or her litter box. Some cats prefer clumping litters because they make it easier for them to dig in their boxes; others enjoy dust-free litters because they don’t like breathing in dust particles while digging around in their boxes.
You’ll also need an effective scooping tool for cleaning out your cat’s droppings from its litter box each time he or she uses it. A plastic “scooper” works well for this purpose, but many people prefer using their hands instead because they are more comfortable with touching dirty materials than with using a scooper (especially if they have long fingernails). A good quality pair of gloves comes in handy here!
Cat owners should keep at least one extra bag of litter on hand at all times; if you notice an empty bag right away then there won’t be any odors left behind by stray pieces of waste after cleaning them out manually (which can sometimes happen due to bad aim).
Flea Prevention
You can expect to spend $15 per month on flea prevention. This includes both the cost of a flea collar or tablet, as well as any other products that may need to be used in conjunction with it.
Fleas can cause a variety of health problems for your cat, including anemia and tapeworms. If you notice your cat scratching itself excessively or shaking its head frequently, this could be an indication that it has fleas—but it’s also possible for them not to show any signs at all! You might want to take a closer look at your kitty’s fur if you’re concerned about his health or comfort level.
If you’re worried about what might happen if your cat gets infested with fleas (or just want some peace of mind), we recommend spending the extra money on one on our list: Frontline Plus® Pet Care Products Flea Control Treatment for Dogs and Cats . The treatment lasts up to four months after application!
Regular Checkups and Yearly Vaccinations
The frequency of your cat’s checkups and vaccinations will vary based on her age, the type of vet you use, and any other medical conditions she may have. For example, kittens will need to see a vet more often than adult cats because they’re still growing and developing their immune systems.
How much does a regular checkup cost? Your vet may charge anywhere from $45 to $100 for an annual physical exam—but it can be even more expensive if you opt for bloodwork or other tests. These costs might seem steep at first blush—especially if you’ve never had to pay them before—but remember that these exams are essential for keeping your pet healthy and happy throughout her life.
It’s worth noting that there are also vaccinations that are considered by some vets unnecessary or excessive (like those against feline leukemia). However, these vaccines do help reduce the risk of infection in cats who come into contact with infected animals through outdoor activities like hunting game birds near residential areas or living in areas where outdoor cats might interact with feral felines carrying disease. In addition to preventing illness now, vaccination programs also protect future generations by reducing the number of susceptible hosts available today; this makes future outbreaks less likely as well as helping prevent population declines among wild populations due solely to diseases such as feline panleukopenia virus (FPV) which causes severe vomiting followed by dehydration leading up death within hours unless treated quickly enough with fluids intravenously given every few hours until recovery begins within 24-48 hours but not sooner than 72 hours after initial symptoms appear
How much does a cat cost monthly
How much does a cat cost monthly?
- Cost of pet food and litter: $15 to $20 per month (based on a 10-pound bag of dry cat food costing $5.00)
- Vaccinations: $30 for initial exam and vaccinations, plus about $10 every year after that; this cost will vary depending on the provider.
- Grooming: Anything from nothing to several hundred dollars each year, depending on your needs and preferences.
Conclusion
Whether you’re looking to adopt a cat or already own one, it’s important to keep in mind that these costs are estimates. Every cat is different, and every owner isn’t going to spend the exact same amount of money on their pet. Regardless of what kind of budget you have, it is crucial that you consider how much money you can set aside each month for your cat’s food and vet care before making the decision to adopt one. If this isn’t possible then perhaps another animal might be more suitable!