Costs of owning a Cat

itten by Melanie   



I found this fantastic article on the Cat Protection Society’s website (http://www.catprotection.org.au/pdf/Fact_sheet_cost_of_owning_cat_170708.pdf) about the MINIMUM costs of owning cat which I have copied and placed below. The below costs don’t include the cost of purchasing the kitten.
FACTSHEET

The cost of owning a cat
Many people think having a cat as a companion animal won’t involve any more expense than feeding the cat. Wrong! Every year tens of thousands of cats and kittens are surrendered to animal welfare agencies and pounds because their owners cannot afford to keep them. Many of these cats are put to sleep as there simply aren’t enough homes for all of them. Being a responsible cat owner means making a commitment to the cat for their lifetime   up to 20 years.  Below is a list of the expenses you can expect when taking on the responsibility of a cat.   Please note if you are adopting a cat or kitten from the Cat Protection Society, they will already be desexed, microchipped, vaccinated and flea- and worm-treated. However, flea and worm treatment and vaccinations must be continued for the cat s lifetime in order to remain effective.   

WHAT IS NEEDED MINIMUM EXPECTED COST

Microchip – It is a legal requirement for all cats in NSW to be microchipped by the time they are 12 weeks old $60.00 – $85 depending on where you get this done. 

Vaccination – At 8 weeks, 12 weeks then yearly for the rest of your cat s life. Vaccination protects your cat from disease $70.00 each vaccination 

Desexing Both male and female cats need to be desexed. Female cats can become pregnant from as young as 3 months old and male cats can start spraying behaviours from 3 4 months old. At the Cat Protection Society we recommend early age desexing  between 8-10 weeks $80.00 Cost  for this operation can be more than $200 at some vet clinics  

Worming Cats need to be wormed fortnightly until 12 weeks of age, and then every three months for the rest of their lives.  $3.00 per dose

Flea Treatment Your cat will need flea treatment even if they don t go outside. Fleas and their eggs can be brought in with clothing or by the wind. From 6 weeks old you can start monthly flea treatment for your cat $10.00 per treatment 

Litter Tray Even if your cat is outside most of the time you will need to provide a litter tray for times when your cat isn t comfortable going outside, and for night-time when your cat should ALWAYS be inside $10.00 litter trays are available in many different styles and can cost as much as $150  

Kitty Litter You will need to supply your cat with fresh kitty litter every other day depending on the type of litter you choose $8.00 per bag

Scratch Posts All cats need to shed their dead nails. Ideally you should supply your cat  with a number of scratch posts to save your furniture  $20.00 posts come in many styles and sizes; costs vary  

Toys Even adult cats should be provided with stimulation; provide your cat with a few different toys to keep them amused $2.00 per toy  

Bedding Your cat will need a place of their own to sleep, even if they like to snuggle up with you in bed. A cat bed or blanket is ideal.  $10.00    beds can be as plain or fancy as you choose and can cost up to $200.00  

Food You will need to provide a good quality food to ensure your cat will have a healthy life. Try to avoid supermarket brands and buy the best you can afford from pet supplies stores or your local vet. The Cat Protection Society recommends Hill s Science Diet as it gives your cat all the nutrients they need. $23.00 per bag  

Registration Cats in NSW must be registered with your local council. This is a legal requirement and failure to do so will lead to a fine desexed: $40.00- $60 undesexed: $150.00 pensioner discount if desexed: $15.00 Registration is for life  

Health Checks Even if your cat looks healthy they will need a yearly health check at your vet. This can be done when your cat gets their yearly vaccination $75 /$90.00 per visit  

Collar and Bell It is a good idea to have a collar and bell on your cat even if they are indoors only. If the cat does get outside people will know the cat is owned. It is also a good idea to have an ID tag on the collar with contact details in case the cat runs away

Collar: $5.00  

Tag: $10.00  Carry Cage You will need a secure pet carrier to transport your cat to the vet or for boarding. Most vets will not let a cat into the clinic unless the cat is in a secure pet carrier. Boarding catteries will also require your cat to arrive in a secure carry box. $30.00 – $65 

Brush Even though cats groom themselves, you need to brush your cat once a week if they are a short-hair and daily for a long-haired cat. This will minimise the amount of fur around the house and reduce the risk of furballs $10.00  

Minimum cost in the first year $1000.00 Minimum cost in subsequent years $800.00 pa 

The average life span for a domestic cat is 14 years, but cats can live to be 20+ years old. Are you willing to care for a cat for this long?  o When you decide a cat is the companion for you, you need to consider the fact that in the first year of owning your cat you will need to spend at least $1000 to keep the cat healthy.

This cost will then be at least $800 per year for the rest of your cat s life.  

Unexpected illness and injury to your cat can be very expensive and may increase the cost of maintaining your cat greatly. You may wish to consider pet insurance.  o If you go on holidays you will need to look at a boarding cattery for your cat, or a person to feed your cat in your home. Look at all the options before going away to minimise the stress on your cat.  

If you are having problems with your cat call your local vet for advice. They may be able to refer you to a behaviour consultant who will be able to give you assistance on cat related problems. You can also call the Cat Protection Society for advice. Consider kitten kindy. This helps you learn what to do to care for your kitten and helps your kitten socialise. It is also a great way for children to learn responsible cat care.  

If your cat isn’t using the litter tray, try using a different litter. Many types are available. Also try changing the litter more often as a cat s sense of smell is much greater than ours. You can also call the Cat Protection Society for advice. If the problem continues, see the vet   the cat may be ill.  

If you would like your cat to be outdoors safely try an outdoor cat enclosure. Pre- made products are available or you can build your own. A free DIY guide on cat-proof fencing and cat enclosures is available from the Cat Protection Society website. 

Buying a pet as a surprise gift is a bad idea. Shelters receive thousands of surrenders each year because people make the wrong decision for a pet. If you want to buy a cat or kitten as a gift, take the person you are getting the cat for with you. That way they can choose the cat which suits them.

Remember a cat is a living, feeling being and should be a life long friend.   Choose a cat or kitten that best suits your circumstances. A very active cat may not do well in a small apartment; a shy cat may become nervous when introduced to a large busy house. Think about how many hours you will be home and what time you can spend with the cat before you adopt. Sometimes two cats may be better than one.  o Cats are intelligent, loving and playful and deserve loving, responsible homes.