How Much Does It Cost To Keep A Cat

Introduction

The cost of a cat is more than just the price you pay upfront for the animal. From food to vaccinations, there are a number of recurring expenses you need to factor in on top of your one-time purchase price. Here’s what you can expect to pay when it comes to keeping a cat:

1. The Cost of Buying a Cat

The Cost of Buying a Cat

The first thing that you will have to consider when adopting a cat is the cost of buying one. Some people prefer to adopt from their local shelter, where they can often get cats at reduced rates or even for free. However, if you want to purchase an adult cat from a pet store or breeder, then expect to pay anywhere between $50 and $300 depending on the quality and breed of your cat. If you’re interested in adopting kittens instead of an adult cat then expect to pay somewhere between $50-$60 per kitten (or more).

2. Grooming

Grooming is an important part of cat ownership. If you don’t groom your fur baby, their coat can become matted and cause them discomfort. This will also affect their health and how they feel about themselves as a cat.

The cost of grooming varies widely depending on the type of service you get. It could be as low as $1 per month or it could be up to $50 per month for professional grooming services, depending on where you live and what level of quality service you’re looking for in your pet’s appearance (or lack thereof).

3. Food and Litter

You will also need to buy food and litter. If you purchase large bags of cat food, you’ll get a discount—and you can save even more if the pet store has a loyalty card. On average, cat food is about $1 per pound and litter costs around $17 for 25 pounds at Walmart.

If your kitty doesn’t mind using newspaper instead of clay or crystals, then this option could save you some cash too (though it might make cleanup more difficult). You can buy recycled paper products such as toilet paper rolls for about $1 each and cut them into squares for use in the litter box.

4. Vet Bills

It’s important to remember that if you have a cat, you’ll have to pay for vet bills. You should also know that there are many different kinds of vet bills. There are basic wellness visits and vaccinations, which can cost anywhere between $75-100. More serious injuries or illnesses may require surgery and medications, which can add up quickly. One of the most important things you can do when planning an emergency fund is setting aside funds specifically for your pet’s health care needs (and saving them in a separate savings account).

The costs associated with a kitten go beyond just having them vaccinated and spayed or neutered when they’re old enough—you’ll need supplies as well: food bowls and litter box(es), toys for play time and scratching posts for scratching time (the latter being especially important!). If your cat has fleas or ticks then special shampoo will be needed as well.

The cost of keeping a cat varies depending on what type of cat you buy, how many cats you keep, and the health of your cat(s).

Cat food can be anything from $20 – $60 per month depending on how much your cat eats and how fancy its diet is. Cat litter costs about $15 per month for two cats in an average-sized house; if you have more than two or live in a small apartment space, expect to pay more. Cat toys cost anywhere from $5 – $20 per month depending on the number and quality of toys purchased; kittens will require more expensive toys than adult cats because they tend to destroy their playthings quickly. Grooming costs vary widely as well: some people prefer paying higher prices at professional groomers while others opt for cheaper options at home using clippers or scissors and then washing their own cats afterwards (this tends not to work out well unless done by experts). Vet bills could easily run up into hundreds or even thousands each year depending on whether or not mishaps happen with stitches needed after surgery etc…

Conclusion

To be honest, one of the best ways to cut down on costs is by having a cat, who won’t be as expensive as a dog or other animal. That being said, there are still some things you’ll need to consider before you get one so that your new pet doesn’t become too much of an expense over time.