How Much Does A Cat Cost?

Cats vary in price from being free to costing as much as $20,000, depending on the breed of cat and where it is purchased. Non-pedigree kittens and older cats can often be obtained free from the local newspaper or online classified ads. Kittens and older cats can also be purchased from animal shelters and rescue; the average cost of a cat from a shelter is about $100-$150. Cats bought from animal shelters usually come with all their vaccines and are spayed or neutered. Kittens can also be purchased from pet stores; pet store cat prices vary from $20-$1000 depending on the breed of cat. Pedigree cats are best purchased from a cat breeder; pedigree cat costs vary greatly and can be as low as $100 or as high as $20,000. The cost of pedigree cats varies depending on the rarity of the breed, the cat’s bloodline and whether it’s been vaccinated, microchipped and/or fixed or neutered. The cost of a pedigree cat can also be affected by whether a no-breeding contract is signed and whether the cat is show quality or not. Cats that can be used for breeding and cats that are considered show quality cost more than cats that are not.

Cost Of Owning A Cat

Cats live an average of 14 years, and although they are not extremely expensive pets to own, they do require a monthly financial commitment of around $50. The cost of a cat includes everything from its daily food, litter box and cat litter, veterinarian expenses, cat toys, collar and identification tags, grooming equipment, flea and heartworm prevention medications, boarding costs and things like a scratching post and cat bed. The average cost of owning a cat for its entire life is around $4500-$8000. However, those who love to spoil their cat, or have a cat with chronic medical problems can spend up to $18,000 during the cat’s life.

How Much Does Cat Food Cost?

The average cost of cat food for a month is about $10-$20. However, cat food costs vary depending on the type and quality of food that is purchased. Cat food costs can be as little as $5-$10 a month when a budget food is used, or cat food costs can total to as much as $30-$40 a month when a high quality food or a raw diet is fed.

Microchip For Cats Cost

A cat microchip is a small identification chip that is implanted just below the cat’s skin. If the cat becomes lost, the chip can be scanned so the cat can be safely returned to its owner. In the United States, it is mandatory in some states to have all cats microchipped.  Cat microchip costs vary per veterinarian clinic and location; cat microchip costs tend to be less at rural veterinarian clinics than in urban clinics. The average cat microchip price is around $50. Kittens and cats that are purchased already microchipped will need to have their microchip registered; this usually costs a small fee.

Cost Of Declawing A Cat

The cost of declawing a cat ranges from $40-$400, depending on what declawing method is used. The Resco clipper or nail clipper onychectomy method is the cheapest with costs ranging from $40-$200. The scalpel disarticulation method of cat declawing is more expensive than the nail clipper onychectomy method; the average cost of a cat declawing using the scalpel disarticulation method is $200-$300. Laser onychectomy is a fairly new form of cat declawing and is not available from all veterinarians. It is by far the best method of cat declawing; however, it is the most expensive. The average cost of a cat declawing using laser onychectomy is about $100 more than the other two methods. Laser onychectomy cat declawing costs around $450.

Cat Teeth Cleaning Cost

The average cost of a cat teeth cleaning is $200-$300; however, it varies greatly depending on the veterinarian clinic, location and whether the cat has any dental problems that will need to be addressed. Average cat cleaning costs include the IV catheter and fluids, anaesthesia, ECG monitor, dental cleaning and gingivectomy. Cat teeth cleaning usually includes cleaning, polishing and a fluoride treatment. Some veterinarians also charge a consultation fee of around $50. Cat teeth cleaning can be expensive, especially if the cat has any dental problems. Owners can help decrease cat teeth cleaning costs by brushing their cat’s teeth at home regularly. The average cost of a cat toothbrush and toothpaste is around $10.

Veterinary Costs For Cats

Veterinarian costs for cats vary greatly per clinic. Cat owners are best to shop around as veterinarian clinics in the same city can vary significantly in cost. Veterinarian clinics in small towns and rural areas tend to be less costly than veterinarian clinics in large cities. Veterinarian clinics run by animal shelters tend to cost about half of what a private veterinarian clinic costs. The average cost for a cat to have a basic check up is $30-$50.

Cat Vaccination Cost

Cats require yearly vaccinations to help prevent them from catching or spreading many serious diseases. In most places, it is required by law that cats have certain vaccines every year. A cat’s first set of vaccines is the most expensive and cost $50-$100. A cat’s first set of vaccines is usually done in two-three sets. Cats will need to visit their veterinarian yearly to keep their vaccines current. Yearly cat vaccination costs average to about $30-$50. Outdoor cats and cats that are boarded in kennels where they will have contact with other cats may need vaccines that are not in the standard yearly vaccine package; the average cost of extra vaccines is $10-$20 per vaccine.

Cost To Spay A Cat

Spaying a cat is when the veterinarian removes the cat’s reproductive organs so she will not go into heat and get pregnant. The cost to spay a cat varies greatly depending on the veterinarian clinic and location. The average cost of a cat spaying is $100-$200; however, prices can be as low as $50 and as high as $500. Spaying costs may or may not include after surgery necessities such as pain relief medication, antibiotics and a cone collar so the cat does not chew at or lick her stitches. Due to the serious problem of pet overpopulation, there are many organizations that offer discounts on the cost to spay a cat or financial aid to low income families to help pay for spaying cat costs. Most animal shelters also offer discounted spaying prices for cats.

Cost To Neuter A Cat

Neutering is a much easier surgical procedure than spaying so it costs less. The average cost of cat neutering is $50-$150; however, it can be as high as $250 at some veterinarian clinics.

Spayed Cat Cost

Spaying a female cat can cost around $200, so buying a spayed cat can save cat owners money. Many breeders sell pet quality kittens already spayed; the cost of an already spayed pedigree kitten ranges from $200-$800. Some breeders will also sell retired female breeding cats that are spayed for a discounted price. Spayed cats can also be purchased from animal shelters and rescues; the average cost of a cat purchased for an animal shelter or rescue is around $100. Older spayed cats can often be found for free on an online classified ads site or in the newspaper classified section.

Cats For Adoption

Cats can be purchased from a variety of places. Many pet stores offer a wide variety of cats, both common domestic cats and pedigree cats. Pets store cat cost for common domestic cats tends to be more, as similar cats can often be found for free on any of the online classified sites or in the classified section of the newspaper. However, pet store cats often come with their first set of shots and are dewormed. Pet store cat cost for pedigree cats is often the same or sometimes cheaper than the cost of pedigree cats from a breeder. However, pedigree cats in pet stores are usually pet quality, and are often not the quality of cats bred by a breeder.

How Much Do Siamese Cats Cost?

Siamese cats are one of the best-known and most popular cat breeds. Siamese cat cost tends to be slightly less expensive than many of the other pedigree cats. Siamese cat prices range from $200-$800. Pet quality Siamese cats cost $200-$400, while show quality Siamese cats cost $500-$800. Siamese cats come in four different color points; some color points are more costly due to their rarity or popularity. Siamese cats are occasionally born with kinked tails or crossed eyes; these cats are only sold as pets and are usually offered for a discounted cost. Siamese cat cost varies per location and breeder.

Bengal Cat Cost

Bengal cat prices range from $500-$2000. The average cost of a show quality Bengal cat is $1000-$2000, depending on locations, the breeder and the cat’s bloodline. Pet quality Bengal cats cost $500-$1000. Most pet quality Bengal cats are sold spayed or neutered, or with a no-breeding contract.

How Much Do Savannah Cats Cost?

Savannah cats are very rare and hard to breed due to many of them being sterile, thus making them the most expensive of all the pedigree cat breeds. Savannah cats range in price from $500-$20,000; the average cost of a Savannah cat is $2500. Savannah cat cost varies per breeder, location, if the cat is show or pet quality, the gender of the cat, and if the cat is sterile or fertile.