How Much Does It Cost To Have A Cat

How Much Does It Cost To Have A Cat

Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a cat? Or maybe you already have one and are wondering how much it costs. If so, the answer might surprise you! A new study conducted by the ASPCA found that the average cost of raising a cat for its first year is $1,174, with an additional $875 per year thereafter. However, that’s just the average annual cost. The actual amount can vary depending on your cat’s health and whether or not you plan to get pet insurance. In this article we’ll explore some of the major expenses associated with keeping a cat healthy and happy.

The Cost Of Purchase Or Adoption

When you get a cat, the cost is generally divided into three areas: the price of your new kitty, the adoption fee (if any) and any vaccinations or other medical procedures that are required at that time.

The cost of your new kitten will depend on where you get her from and how old she is when she’s sold to you. According to the ASPCA, kittens should be adopted in pairs or groups of three so that they can learn social skills from one another. However, if you want just one cat for yourself then this isn’t necessary! In this case it might be cheaper to adopt a younger cat who hasn’t been spayed yet (which means removing their ovaries and uterus for medical reasons).

Cat Food And Treats

Cat food is expensive and there are many different kinds of cat food. You may want to consult a veterinarian or research online to find the best type for your cat’s needs. Some cats like wet food, while others prefer dry food. When you buy it in bulk, it will be cheaper than when you purchase smaller amounts. For example, I bought 3-pound bags at Costco instead of buying the 12-ounce cans at Walmart because they were more expensive per pound and also had less packaging waste since they were more compact.

Cat Litter

• Litter Box
• Litter
• Litter Scoop
• Litter Mat (optional)
• Litter Box Liners (optional)
• Deodorizers (optional)
• Covers (optional)

If you’re not sure which litter box to choose, start with this one. It’s easy to assemble and is designed for easy access and cleaning. If your cat doesn’t like the low entry of this particular box, consider looking into ones that have higher sides or even a dome top. The lid will help keep smells in, but if your cat has an accident on top of their litter box, you’ll want to wear gloves when cleaning it out so you don’t get any bacteria on your hands that could cause an infection—and make sure to wash them afterwards! For multiple cats or small spaces where room isn’t an issue, these cubes are perfect because they fit easily under furniture while still retaining good airflow around them so they don’t smell up everything else nearby once they have been used by more than one cat at once.”

Cat Grooming

Grooming is a necessity for most cats, but it’s not just about the coat. It also involves trimming nails and cleaning teeth. Depending on your cat’s age, breed, and health status (and whether you choose to get her spayed or neutered), grooming costs can vary widely.

Some of the more common grooming services include:

• Bathing: This is an important part of a cat’s routine because they often get into things they shouldn’t while outdoors—from pesticides to bugs to other animals’ toxins that could make them sick. Cats should also be bathed regularly so they’re clean when they interact with humans as well as other pets in your home; otherwise it can lead to infections like ringworm or gingivitis (a gum disease). The cost will vary depending on how often you bathe your cat and whether or not you use professional groomers versus doing the job yourself at home with pet shampoos purchased from pet stores or online retailers such as PetSmart or Amazon Prime Pantry.* Brushing: Like humans who have long hair that gets tangled easily if not brushed regularly, cats need regular brushing sessions too—especially long-haired breeds like Persians whose fur could become matted if not tended carefully over time.* Nail Trimming: Cats walk around outdoors all day long which means their nails grow quickly; having them trimmed every few weeks by professionals helps keep them healthy by preventing ingrown claws from causing infections under layers of dead skin cells over time.* Teeth Cleaning & Toothpaste Application

Cat Toys

Cats need toys to play with. They love to bat around and tear apart anything they can get their paws on, but you don’t have to spend a lot of money on cat toys. If you want an inexpensive way to keep your cat engaged and entertained, try making some homemade toys or going second-hand shopping for used items.

Here are some fun ideas:

• Paper towel tube + tissue paper + ribbon = feather wand toy that hangs from a door knob (good for indoor cats)
• Ball of yarn with bells inside = fun toy for small kids who like cats

Cat Bed, Carrier, Collar, And Leash

The following items will be useful for your cat:

• Cat bed. Your cat will need a place to sleep, hide and play. You can choose from a variety of beds with different features and designs.
• Cat carrier. This is used when transporting your cat from one place to another, such as going for a walk or visiting the vet. It’s important to choose the right size so that it fits comfortably in your home or car without being too big or small for your cat’s size and weight capacity, which should also match how much room there is available in either location (or both).
• Collar and leash (also called harnesses). If you want to walk your pet outside but they’re not yet comfortable walking on a leash alone – which doesn’t happen until they’re older than two years old – then using an accessory like this may be helpful until then; they’ve been known

Insurance And Emergencies

Pet insurance, like human health and dental insurance, is a way to help pay for the cost of a pet’s care if they get hurt or need medical attention. Unlike humans, however, cats are not covered by Medicare or Medicaid and will require paying out-of-pocket for their treatment—whether it be an emergency visit at the vet or oncology sessions with radiation therapy.

Insurance costs vary depending on which type you choose: “accident only” covers injuries sustained during an accident (think eating something poisonous), while “wellness coverage” covers routine visits to the vet as well as unexpected costs like biopsies and surgeries. Be sure to understand what each plan offers so you can find one that fits within your budget!

Keeping a cat can cost you a lot of money.

When you buy a cat, the cost is not just the purchase price. There are other costs that you need to consider:

• Food: If you feed your cat dry food, it will cost around $10 per month. If you feed them wet food, it will cost around $15 per month. This can add up quickly!
• Litter and litter boxes: If you’re keeping your cat indoors as most people do, then they’ll need somewhere to go when nature calls. That’s where litter and litter boxes come in—but those aren’t cheap either! A good quality clumping type of litter (such as Swheat Scoop) can cost anywhere between $0.99 – $2/pound depending on where they get it from (and most places have free delivery!). Then there are the disposable pads or liners which are another expense altogether but worth having because otherwise cleaning out these things would be really gross; these cost about $0-$1 each (depending again on quality). So all told expect roughly $40-$60 annually just for this basic set-up unless someone else does all their work for them…and even then!
• Grooming tools like brushes and combs: Cats need regular brushing so that their fur doesn’t get matted together into mats which could lead later on down life’s road towards health problems such as ear infections or worse still if left untreated; some cats require daily brushing whereas others only monthly or quarterly depending on breed type etc., but still needs done nonetheless – so factor this into cash flow planning too!

Conclusion

The truth is, there are a lot of costs associated with keeping cats. It can be quite expensive to own one, and these expenses only increase if you have more than one cat. Buying food and supplies, paying for vet visits and unexpected emergencies can all add up quickly over time; even if they’re not too much at first glance, they might become expensive later on when things go wrong.