How much does a pet cat cost
Introduction
As someone who’s had cats for more than a decade, I can tell you that there is one expense of pet ownership that never goes away: the cost of keeping your beloved feline fed and happy. When you’re thinking about getting a cat, it’s important to go in with all the information on what you’ll spend—and how to save money when caring for your new friend.
Food, water and litter.
The average cat food will cost you $15-$20 per month. This can vary depending on the type of food your cat eats and how much of it they need each day. Cat litter costs $10-$15 per month, depending on if you use clumping or non-clumping litter and how often you change it out for fresh material. Pet water bowls are another variable in your monthly expenses: A basic bowl costs about $5 at the pet store, but one with a fountain attachment may run closer to $10. The average cost of cat food is $15 per month; the average cost of cat litter is around $10 per month (depending on brand).
Care by a veterinarian.
You’ll also need to pay for visits to the vet as your cat ages. The American Veterinary Medical Association recommends that kittens get vaccinated against feline distemper, herpesvirus and calicivirus when they are between 6 and 8 weeks old, followed by a booster shot one year later (and every three years after that). In addition, cats should receive rabies vaccinations at 12 weeks of age or older—and again one year later.
If you live in an area where fleas are common, expect to treat your cat with a topical medication or medicated shampoo at least once per month during warm weather months. If ticks are a problem where you live, you may want to consider having your vet prescribe oral tick treatment for your pet as well.
Finally, microchipping is a must for all cats who go outside; it’s the best way to ensure he’ll be returned home safely if he ever gets lost! Spaying and neutering is another important consideration: spaying before six months can reduce the risk of breast cancer in females while neutering prevents prostate problems and testicular cancer in males.
Spaying or neutering.
Spaying and neutering is the only way to prevent unwanted kittens. The procedure is safe and routine, and it prevents diseases that can be life-threatening.
Spaying. Spaying involves removing part of the female cat’s ovaries, uterus and cervix, which stops her from breeding. It also prevents certain types of cancer in cats as well as infections like pyometra (a serious infection that occurs when a female cat’s uterus fills with pus).
Neutering. Neutering involves removing part of the male cat’s testicles so he can’t breed anymore or produce hormones that cause him to mark his territory by spraying urine on furniture and other objects around your home. A male cat who has been neutered won’t fight with other males as much because he won’t want to compete for mates anymore!
Cat box equipment.
Pet cats require a lot of care and maintenance, and part of that is ensuring that they have a clean and odor-free litter box. You will need:
- Kitty litter, which comes in clumping or non-clumping varieties.
- A litter box (or two) and scoop.
Depending on the size of your cat(s), you may need more than one box since some cats prefer to pee close to the exit instead of walking across their own pee while exiting the area. It’s also good to have an extra litter box in case one gets dirty before you can get home from work to change it out for fresh kitty litter.
Cats tend not to use a dirty litter box, so try changing it every day—or even every other day if you have multiple cats living together under one roof who aren’t sharing their bathroom habits with each other! If this seems like too much work for you or there isn’t enough time in the day to maintain your cat’s bathroom habits properly, consider getting another person involved who can help take care of these chores without sacrificing quality time between human friends/family members
Cat toys and accessories.
- Cat toys and accessories can be expensive.
- You can make your own cat toys, but they might not be as easy to make as you think.
- Cheap cat toys are out there.
- Things you can use as cat toys include balls of paper, ping pong balls and pieces of cardboard rolled into a tube shape with the end cut off for your pet to carry in its mouth when it’s bored! You can also get creative by making your own homemade cat toy from scratch using things like yarn, bubble wrap or empty toilet paper rolls (just make sure these are clean before giving them to your cat). If all else fails, why not try finding something your kitty enjoys playing with?
Cat furniture and cat trees.
Cat trees are a great way to give your cat a place to climb, play and scratch. Cat trees can be expensive, but they are also an investment in your cat’s health and happiness. If you don’t have the space for a large tree, consider putting one together yourself or purchasing one online or at a pet supply store.
Grooming supplies.
Grooming supplies are the most expensive part of cat ownership, because it’s really important to keep your kitty clean and healthy. If you’re adopting a kitten or young cat, grooming will be a little less frequent—but that doesn’t mean you should skip it entirely! A good brush will keep their fur clean and free from tangles and knots. You’ll want to use some kind of shampoo or conditioner every so often as well. The nails on cats’ paws grow very fast, which can make them painful if they get too long; the clippers help prevent this discomfort by cutting down on how much they grow before they wear down naturally under normal conditions. Fleas are also common pests in many parts of the US; flea treatments (such as Advantage) are usually quite cheap but must be used regularly in order for them to work properly—and failing to do so could lead your cat into serious health problems later on down the line!
Adopting a cat from a shelter can help control the costs of caring for a pet cat, especially if you’re willing to adopt an older or special-needs feline friend.
Adopting a cat from a shelter can help control the costs of caring for a pet cat, especially if you’re willing to adopt an older or special-needs feline friend. Many such cats are available for adoption at shelters, and many need homes because they are abandoned by their owners or have been found as strays.
These cats typically require less care than other pets since they tend to be calmer and tend not to expect much out of life (although this is not always true). That being said, there are exceptions: some shelter cats come with health issues that limit their mobility and require special food or medications to treat them.
Shelter adoption fees vary widely depending on the size of the organization doing the adopting and whether its services include spaying/neutering costs in addition to vaccinations before handing over its furry charges. Prices range from $10-$200 depending on where you live; prices also depend on whether you choose a kitten or an adult cat—a six-month old kitten will cost more than an adult because kittens need more training time before they’re ready for homes outside of those run by shelters (and even then they might still need extra training).
Conclusion
Adopting a cat from a shelter can help control the costs of caring for a pet cat, especially if you’re willing to adopt an older or special-needs feline friend.