The Cost Of Owning A Cat: Initial Expenses
Bringing a new cat home comes with a handful of one-time expenses youll want to keep in mind. The total for these one-time costs ranges from £350-£1,260 for most cat parents.
Lets break these costs down: first up, adoption fees. When rehoming a rescue, the cost is usually in the ballpark of £70-£90, but can balloon up to £200 £2,000 if you opt to get your cat from a responsible breeder. If your kitty isnt spayed or neutered yet, keep in mind that those surgeries range in cost from £115- £450 for most cat parents.
Other essential one-time costs include getting your cat microchipped in case they ever get lost and making sure theyre up to date on vaccinations, which typically cost on average £60. When you are rehoming from a reputable rescue centre, the cost of spaying/neutering, microchipping and vaccinations are usually included in the fee.
Next up: Essentials to help your new kitty feel at home and like part of the family. This typically includes a collar , bed , food , food and water bowls , litter box , litter , scratching post , and toys . Youll also need a few extra items to keep your cat healthy and happy: a carrier to safely transport them , a brush to help with shedding and preventing mats . Nail trimmers are available to buy in pet stores, but these are not usually needed for cats as they should be able to take care of their own nails. If trimming them is absolutely necessary, we would advise that this should be done at the vets.
Boarding A Cat At Home
Local individuals are more likely to do in-home visits than pet boarding companies, but it is possible to find a cat boarding company that does in-home visits. This is a great alternative for cat owners who dont feel comfortable leaving their cat in a strange place overnightboard your cat at home instead and hire someone to stop in to feed, play with, or cuddle your kitty.
The Pet Passport Rabies Jab And Microchipping
Update: UK-issued pet passports are no longer valid in the EU, cat owners will need to purchase an animal health certificate and that can only be issued by a government-approved vet who will check that your pet has a microchip, up-to-date rabies jab and recent tapeworm treatment.
The cost of an animal health certificate varies but most approved vets charge between £150 and £200. Expect to pay more if your pet needs booster jabs or other treatments.
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How Old Does A Cat Have To Be For A Spay Or Neuter Procedure Can You Spay A Cat In Heat
According to the ASPCA, cats can be spayed or neutered as young as eight weeks old. They recommend scheduling the procedure before your cat is five months old to avoid urine spraying behavior and eliminate the chance of pregnancy.
The ASPCA also states that female cats can be spayed while in heat. Of course, it is always advised to speak with your vet to figure out when it would be best to spay or neuter your cat.
Is The Fee You Charge The Same At Every Branch Or Centre
Fees vary from each branch or centre. This is because some branches have to pay more for veterinary treatments than others, and may have higher costs when looking after cats. Wherever you adopt your cat from Cats Protection, your cat will have received dedicated love, care and attention to allow them to be ready for their new home.
Every cat from every branch and centre will have received a health check, flea, roundworm and tapeworm treatments and at least one vaccination against cat flu and enteritis. They will also have been neutered and microchipped. While your fee doesn’t cover all of these costs, it does help towards paying them.
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Spay Vs Neuter: Whats The Difference
Female cats are spayed and male cats are neutered, and while both have the same result , the two procedures are handled differently due to anatomy.
Neutering involves removal of the testicles, which in a normal cat are external. Kruck says. The procedure itself, in the hands of an experienced veterinarian, is rather short.
On the other hand, Spaying involves an abdominal surgery to remove the ovaries and typically the uterus as well. This procedure is internal and therefore more invasive, and takes somewhat longer, though it is still not a terribly long procedure.
In fact, neutering a cat can take just 30-60 seconds , while spaying takes about 5-10 minutes to be completed, Corbett says. He notes that those numbers are more accurate for high-volume clinics though, and that private veterinarians can take 20-40 minutes for these procedures.
Overall, its important for pet owners to understand what actually goes on and that, in the end, the pet wont be able to reproduce, said Corbett. He says that some male pet owners can struggle with neutering a male animal on the assumption that it will affect the animals masculinity. Corbett cautions that animals are different from humans. I dont really think that animals look at masculinity the same way we do.
Cost Of Spay And Neuter Surgeries
When you opt to have your cat spayed or neutered, the total price is ultimately determined by your chosen method. Of course, you can take your cat to your trusted veterinarian for the procedure. But there are plenty of low-cost options for you if you cant afford high fees.
Private veterinary facilities can range quite a bit in price.
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Total Annual Cost Of Owning A Cat: $162 $3872
Lets see what goes into keeping a cat on both extremes of this huge spending spectrum.
The low budget doesnt involve any pet insurance, nor does it involve a single vet visit. The cat is fed a cheapprobably drycat food and uses a low-cost clay litter. The cat may have some nice things like a cat tree, scratching post, and ID tag, but these were bought when he came home and they dont add up to recurring costs every year.
Because this cat doesnt have pet insurance, a serious illness or accident will be his guardians sole responsibility.
Our ultra-expensive feline has a vet checkup twice every year, uses a spot-on flea treatment in the summer, goes for regular professional dental cleanings from an expensive vet, and receives booster shots every three years. She doesnt have pet insurance, so all of these vet visits are charged to her guardians credit card.
She eats a top-of-the-line organic, raw, or human-grade commercial food, possibly subscribing to a meal delivery service like Nom Nom. Her litter box is filled with Pretty Litter crystals or a high-end biodegradable litter. She gets toys, top-of-the-line scratching posts, and new cat trees on a regular basis.
Total Monthly Cost Of Owning A Cat
$60$100+ per month
When it comes to monthly costs associated with keeping a cat, food is going to be the big one for most people. You cant escape the cost of food, though you can reduce it based on the foods you choose. Other monthly costs, such as healthcare, entertainment, insurance, pet rent, and more, are going to vary widely between households. Youll have to determine which of these is most important to you and base your budget on the needs of your family and feline. Keeping a cat doesnt have to be expensive, but it certainly can be.
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Cost Of Adopting A Cat Or Kitten From A Shelter
Adopting a cat from the RSPCA costs between £35-£55 depending on the age of the cat. The adoption fee is to cover the animal’s vaccinations which can cost up to £100 alone. You will have shelters local to you with their own adoption fee policies but you can expect the fee to be similar the RSPCAs.
A young rescue cat in a cat crate ready to be adopted
Saving Money On Cat Care
Some people can spend hundreds of dollars on their cats each month, but thats not necessary to keep a cat healthy and happy. Cats dont need all that much, so you can keep one on a budget if you shop smart. Youll need to do some research and figure out which cat foods provide the best bang for your buck. Picking certain foods over others can save you a substantial amount each month. You can also do grooming and maintenance yourself. Performing your cats haircuts and nail trims, for example, can save quite a bit of money overpaying a professional.
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Cat Spaying And Neutering Cost
Castration is a surgical procedure which stops a female cat from becoming pregnant and a male cat from getting a female pregnant.
For female cats, this is known as spaying.
For male cats, its referred to as neutering.
The cost is often based on the size of the animal, large dogs can cost upwards of £225 while for cats its usually around £80 £100.
What Is Cat Insurance And How Much Does It Cost
Cat insurance can save you a hefty vets bill if illness or injury strikes. Pedigree cats are more susceptible to congenital diseases and hereditary conditions, but there is the risk of loss or theft to factor in as well.
While bills vary, a respiratory issue could cost £480 and removal of a tumour around £600. The average pet insurance claim cost £817 in 2020, according to the latest figures from the Association of British Insurers .
Different types of insurance are available ranging from accident-only to annual and lifetime cover. Accident-only cover is the cheapest, although according to consumer group Which?, 70 per cent of all pet insurance claims are for illness, not accidents.
The ABI puts the average annual premium for pet insurance at £271, but cat insurance can start at around £80 a year. Its worth noting whats covered, though. For example, insurance doesnt typically cover regular treatments such as vaccinations, worming, flea treatment and neutering.
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Spaying And Neutering Considerations
A spayed or neutered animal will not be able to reproduce. Pet owners wishing to breed a cat in the future should take this into account. However, having a cat altered will improve overall health and may even add years to its lifespan. Spayed and neutered cats tend to be calmer than unfixed felines. Many pet owners with children choose to have cats fixed to make feisty, aggressive felines more docile and less of a threat to toddlers and babies. Some fixed cats gain weight after the procedure. This is due to hormonal and activity level changes. Many cat owners find it necessary to monitor a pets food intake after the surgery has been performed. Otherwise, spaying and neutering are quite safe.
Pet Express Travel Crates
The travel crates we supply are allapproved by the airlines and IATA. We can also send you the crate as early aspossible so that you can start getting your cat used to their travel crate.This will make the journey far more comfortable for them and will ease some ofyour stress as well!
We also have some second-handcrates that, if they are the right fit for your cat, we can provide to you at adiscounted rate.
Example cost:
The price of an N200 travel crate, which is the standard size for a small cat, is approximately $120 USD.
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The Most And Least Expensive Counties For Annual Dog Booster Vaccinations
According to our survey of 165 vets, the most expensive county in England to get an annual booster vaccination for your dog is Berkshire, where the average cost is £64.09. Derbyshire ranks as the cheapest county, with the average booster vaccination costing £29.67.
It was interesting to find that the cost of vaccinating a pet doesnt necessarily track with that areas general cost of living. Scotland and Wales were some of the most expensive areas to vaccinate your puppy or dog, despite having a generally lower cost of living. In contrast, London, known for its high cost of living was not one of the most expensive.
Are You Looking For Cat Neutering Near You We Support Thousands Of People Each Year To Neuter Their Cats With Our Financial Assistance Schemes
As one of our key aims, we promote neutering as a safe and painless way to control the cat population. It is also an effective way to reduce your household costs – caring for a mother and kittens is becoming increasingly expensive. There are thousands of unwanted cats and kittens in the UK and neutering is the only effective way to reduce this growing number.
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List Of Cat Care Supplies And Costs
| ID Tag and Collar | |
| Food and Water Bowls | $10 |
If you want a cat bed that makes the most of your limited space, take a look at this one! The Hepper Plush Cat Cube Bed offers not one, but THREE sleeping arrangements, including enclosed and open shapes. We loved this plush cubed house and we think you will, too,
How Much Is Cat Insurance
Next, add insurance on your list of costs of owning a cat. Cat insurance can offer peace of mind knowing that your pet will be in good hands if unexpected health issues arise. The policies vary so much that it is impossible to estimate a cost upfront. It is a good idea to shop around and ask a few providers for quotes so you can find the most cost-effective policy that meets your needs.
Dont forget to read the small print before committing to a particular policy and be sure to check details such as the level of cover. Consider buying a policy with lifetime cover this may be more costly but can be beneficial in the long term. This way you can avoid unexpected bills in the future.
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What Is The Average Cost To Spay A Cat
The cost to neuter a cat, both male and female cats, can range anywhere from $115 to $300. Some veterinarians charge more because they perform a blood test prior to the treatment to ensure that your kitten or cat doesnt have any liver or kidney problems and using an aesthetic wont be harmful to them.
A cat spay cost/neuter operation at a private veterinarian might cost anything from $200 to $400. You also have the option of taking your cat to a less expensive clinic. Typically, these are run by non-profit organizations, and all surgeries are carried out by licensed vets. Youll most likely be able to take your cat home the same day theyre treated.
The cost to get a cat spayed depends a lot on the country and the veterinarian. Usually, in Spain, spaying a cat costs between 30 and 60 euros. Municipalities sometimes run ongoing and outreach campaigns in which veterinary clinics may offer discounts.
If you are curious, the price of castration is from 75 to 150 euros.
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The Bengal, Savannah and Ashera breeds, which are all hybrids of small leopards and domestic cats, can have price tags in the tens of thousands.
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How Much Does It Cost To Adopt A Cat What To Have On Hand For Your New Cat
Preparation is key to creating the perfect environment for your new kitty! When thinking, How much does it cost to adopt a cat? remember that you should have some of the basics purchased and ready to go before you adopt. Gabby shares the following new cat checklist for starters:
Best practices to transition a new feline seamlessly into your home include providing consistency for optimum health and behavior, says Gabby. Make sure to secure some of the litter and the cat food he is used to from the shelter. If you want to change his litter and/or food, do so gradually.
The shelter is often the best resource for pet sitters and behaviorists, too. We have a handful of trusted pet professionals we recommend for pet sitting and training, Gabby says. These are people we have a history with and who are knowledgeable and dedicated to helping animals.
Three Methods Used In Declawing Cats
1. Rescoe Clipper Method
This is the fastest, simplest, and cheapest of all three methods. In this procedure, the veterinarian uses a sterilized clipper to cut the cats toe bone tips. As a result, the cat loses part of the bones from which his claws grow.
The incisions from the procedure will be closed using a suture or surgical glue. The cost of this procedure alone is usually $100.
2. Scalpel Blade/Nail Trimmer Method
This next procedure is more complicated than the first one, and its also more expensive.
It involves the use of a guillotine-style nail trimmer or a scalpel blade to surgically remove the last bone of each toe and the claws attached to them.
This procedure takes more time, which also means greater risks and more downtime from the anesthesia.
3. Laser Procedure
Laser declawing involves the use of a laser beam to amputate the bone and the claws associated with them.
As expected with any laser procedure, this method is less painful than the other procedures, but it is the most expensive.
The cost could go anywhere from around $350 to $600, which is still a reasonable price considering the cost of the equipment .
However, if you take away the price tag in the picture, what you will see is that it can give your cat an easier time to adjust after the procedure considering that it is less painful, and it has a lower risk for post-surgical bleeding.
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