You might be thinking “how much does a cat cost per year?” It’s not an easy question to answer. This article will give you some insight on how much does a cat cost per year, including the food and supplies that you’ll need for your kitty.
From kitties that need to get groomed – to litter and food – the financial impact of cat ownership is never ending. So then the bigger question becomes, how much does a cat cost per year? There are lots of different expenses that go into taking care of your feline friends. But some costs can be limited if you have certain things in place beforehand. A few tips on how to save money when it comes to taking care of your cat are below. Providing food, water, litter box and other necessities.
How much does a cat cost per year
You’ve probably wondered how much it costs to own a cat. I know I have so I did the research for you! Here’s what the numbers look like when you break down all the necessary and optional expenses associated with owning a cat:
# Title of content: A beginner’s guide to craft beer Label for this section: Introduction
What this section does: Introduces the rest of the blog post
Outline of the post:
Section: My introduction to craft beer—and my frustrating experience with it at first
Section: How to find your perfect beer, based on taste and personality type
Takeaway: You can enjoy beer without getting drunk or feeling left out. Here’s how!
In an informative tone (but feel free to throw in some jokes, too): For most of my adult life, if someone asked me what my favorite beer was, I would tell them “Whatever is cheapest.” Beer clearly wasn’t important enough for me to form any sort of opinion about it—it was just something that went well with food or outdoor activities. It helped me relax after a long day at work, sure, but that was about as much thought as I put into it. Then one day, everything changed. After spending a couple of days in Denver and trying some local brews there (plus after hearing other people rave about their favorite beers), I decided that maybe there was more to this whole beer thing than $1 PBR cans from college parties past. Clearly, diving into craft beers didn’t come easy for me—I had developed ingrained habits around what kinds of beers were acceptable to drink and where they should be purchased from… but now everything has changed! Heres why even casual drinkers like myself have realized just how fun it can be figuring out which brews we love best… and finding our way into a whole new
Food and water
You’ll be giving your cat food, too. A healthy adult cat needs about 30 calories per day, or about half a cup of dry food per day. If you have a kitten or senior cat, you may need to feed them more than that.
- Cat kibble—the most common kind of pet food—costs $0.70 per pound (about $2 per 3-pound bag). Many brands are available at big box stores like Walmart and Target for less than this price online or in bulk at warehouse clubs such as Costco and Sam’s Club (which is how we find our cat kibble).
- If you choose to buy canned wet food instead of dry kibble, it will likely cost you another $0.25 per ounce ($10 per eight-ounce can). This option is usually better for cats who don’t drink enough water on their own but want something more flavorful than plain water
Litter box supplies
You’re going to need a litter box, and that’s not cheap.
That’s because you can’t just use an old shoe box. The litter needs to be clumping so that it can be scooped out easily and thrown away without making a mess. Litter boxes also come in different sizes, depending on your cat’s size, but most people opt for a large litter box with low sides so their cats won’t feel claustrophobic when using it (and because they can easily climb in). This could cost anywhere from $10-$50 depending on the style of your house and whether or not you’re willing to spend extra dollars on fancy covers or liners.
Miscellaneous items
Miscellaneous items, such as litter and toys, can cost anywhere from $10 to $20 per month. While this may seem like a small amount, it can add up over time.
Also, pet insurance is not necessarily the best investment for cats. Many veterinarians advise against it because they don’t believe that cats need medical insurance at all (and they might be right). If you do decide to get pet insurance for your cat, make sure that you read all of the fine print in order to find out exactly what is covered and what isn’t.
Annual wellness exams and vaccinations
Annual wellness exams and vaccinations are an important part of maintaining your cat’s health, and they’re not necessarily cheap. The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) reports that an initial vet exam for a cat costs between $45 and $65 on average, while annual checkups can cost anywhere from $40 to $130. But these prices include things like vaccines, blood work, parasite control medications and other services that may be required or recommended by your vet based on your cat’s specific needs.
You should also consider the cost of emergency care when calculating the total cost of owning a cat. These situations can arise unexpectedly and result in very high bills if they go untreated; it is therefore crucial that you have pet insurance coverage to help cover these expenses in case they occur. If you need some advice on selecting the right policy for your budget and lifestyle preferences, we recommend checking out this helpful guide from Consumer Reports — which includes tips on how much coverage you should buy depending on what kind of animal(s) you have as well as recommendations for some reliable companies offering solid policies at reasonable rates!
Spaying/neutering and microchipping your cat
One of the most basic things you can do to take care of your pet is to get them spayed or neutered. This will help keep their population down, but it also helps with other health problems that can be caused by unaltered animals. It’s also important to make sure that your cat has been microchipped and registered as an indoor-only cat, since these two simple steps can prevent them from going missing and being taken in by a shelter or rescue organization.
Additional costs
There are additional costs to consider when adopting a cat. If you don’t have one already, you may need to buy a carrier. You can usually find them at pet supply stores or online for around $30-40.
You should also make sure that your home is properly prepared for the arrival of your cat. This includes removing any furniture or other items that could be dangerous if they were knocked over by a curious feline and creating hiding places where they can escape from new human scents and sounds until they get used to them. The ASPCA recommends finding out what type of litter box works best for your cat based on their age and activity level so that it doesn’t get too dirty before you have time to clean it (which will save money in the long run).
There are plenty of other cat accessories available on Amazon including scratchers ($8-$12), toys ($1-$20), bowls ($2-$7) and more—but these aren’t necessary unless your budget allows for it!
Knowing how much a cat costs per year can help you decide if you are ready for the commitment.
Learning how much a cat costs per year can help you decide if you are ready for the commitment. People often underestimate the cost of owning a pet and end up purchasing one they cannot afford. Pet ownership is an important decision, so it is important to consider all aspects before making your choice.
Conclusion
Ultimately, the cost of a cat boils down to you. If you have the means, it’s easy to spend $12,000 on a cat over its lifetime. But if you’re frugal and don’t mind spending more time taking care of your pet yourself, it can end up costing much less than that.