How Does Cat Insurance Work
I had to do my research and it wasnt as bad as I thought it would be and Trupanian really does have it all.
Cat health insurance is simple with Trupanion. You pay a monthly premium in order to be covered for any unexpected illnesses or injuries throughout your cats life. Rest assured knowing Trupanion has your back.
When you file a claim, well cover 90% of eligible healthcare expenses for your cat. You are responsible for any non-eligible expenses, your deductible and the remaining 10%.
Trupanion also offers extra coverage as any insurance company does for occurrences not covered under their regular policy.
Trupanion also offers optional packages for additional coverage that may fit your lifestyle. These packages can protect you from other unforeseen events or circumstances related to your cat, provide extra coverage for alternative and rehabilitative therapies, and add extra protection for breeding cats. They come at an additional cost.
Trupanion
What is covered with Cat Insurance through Trupanion?
Ah, the question that everyone wants to know as a cat owner considering cat insurance.
Bringing A Cat Home: Cost Factors
Initial adoption and breeders fees are just part of the cost of bringing a cat home. How much does it cost to take care of a cat when other one-time expenses are taken into account?
Here is a rundown of one-time expenses:
- Initial Medical Care/Spraying/Neutering Costs vary heavily, but average capital costs can add up to around $365. However, many shelter cats may also have received this necessary medical care.
- Litter Box Modern litter boxes can range from simple plastic trays to self-cleaning models. Budget anywhere from $10 to $200.
- Carrier New carriers can cost up to $75, but you can find second-hand carriers for as low as $20.
- Collar Collar prices depend on how fancy you want it. Most owners spend no more than $10 on a collar.
- Toys and Scratching Posts Cats love to scratch! Give them the stimulation they need. Average prices range from $20 to $50, although much larger posts are out there for much higher prices if you want to spoil your feline friend. Make sure you also have toy mice to keep your kitty occupied and engaged.
- Food and Water Bowls Anything can be used as food and water bowls, as long as they are cleaned regularly. Spend no more than $5 if youre on a budget.
The Cost Of Owning A Cat
Owning a cat is an incredibly rewarding and happy experience, but the cost of owning and keeping a cat healthy and happy is a long-term financial commitment. Take a look at our guide to the one-off, monthly and annual costs associated with getting a new cat.
Cats typically live for around eighteen years, so before getting a cat, its important to consider the costs associated with taking care of them for that long. The typical annual cost of a cat is around £1000 per year. The table below is a guide to the basic costs of cat ownership.
| Item |
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£1019 |
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Emergency Vet And Dental Hygiene
Hopefully youll never need to make a trip to the emergency vet, but if you do the typical cost averages between $200-$1500. Teeth cleaning is another expense not every pet parent opts for, but if you decide to schedule a cleaning be prepared to pay anywhere from $400 to $600.
Pet insurance, while technically an added expense, can help reduce these costs. If you opt for pet insurance, it can cost anywhere from $300-$540 per year to keep your kitty covered.
First Up Adoption Fees
The cost of adopting a cat is usually in the ballpark of $30-$180, but can balloon towards the $500-$1,000 range if you opt to get your cat from a breeder. If your kitty isnt spayed or neutered yet, keep in mind that those surgeries range in cost from $250-$500 for most cat parents, unless you adopt and theyve already had it done.
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How Much Does A Cat Cost
If youve been dreaming of adding a cat or kitten to your family, its a good idea to take a look at how much its likely to cost you to own a cat. As well as the one-off costs like adoption, or spaying or neutering, youll have to factor in ongoing costs like food, recurring medical expenses, and pet insurance.
Before you take the plunge, weve broken down how much owning a cat costs per year . The amounts weve given are estimates and will depend on where you live, the availability of veterinary care in your area, and the types of products like food or litter you choose to use. The most significant variable will be whether or not your cat will need more than routine vet care, which of course, isnt something youre going to be able to plan for!
But forewarned is forearmed, so knowing a rough budget for annual costs before you fall in love with a cat at a shelter is definitely a good idea.
How Expensive Is Owning A Cat
Winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, Albert Schweitzer once said, There are two means of refuge from the misery of lifemusic and cats. With 42.7 million American households owning a cat, there is truth to Schweitzers words. Cats are popular pets known for their independence and intelligence. Owning one is not only a commitment requiring time, but money as well. Cat expenses can quickly add up.
To understand how expensive owning a cat is, ManyPets analyzed data from a 2020 survey conducted by TD Ameritrade/Harris Poll among 320 cat owners with at least $10,000 in investable assets. The survey provided a breakdown in cat ownership costs by category as well as the owner’s generation, and ManyPets ranked these categories by the average spend across all three generations.
Expenses include necessities that help keep cats healthy and happy. These include regular check-ups and high-quality food, along with things that are more fun than necessary, like Halloween costumes and over-the-top toys and treats. Some expenses such as pet insurance can mitigate other costs, like unforeseen emergencies or health treatment plans. Keep reading to discover more about the various expenses you can expect to run into when you own a furry feline.
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Owning A Cat Isnt Cheap But Its Not Necessarily As Expensive As Some Suggest
The cost of keeping a cat ranges from under $200 a year to multiple thousands of dollars annually. Your actual costs will depend on which breed you choose, your cats health, the type of food you buy, where you live, your lifestyle choices, and whether or not you invest in pet insurance.
Raising a cat is just like raising a human. Theres no single figure for how much it costs to keep a child healthy and happyit all depends on what you can afford, what youre willing to pay, and how good you are at making wise buying decisions.
Your cats quality of life hinges less on dollars spent and more on the amount of energy, intelligence, and love youre willing to give.
How Much Does Cat Litter Cost
Litter boxes are probably the most necessary cat accessory, and their purchase price is usually between $20 and $30. On most merchandising sites, 40 pounds of cat litter costs $25 and will have to be purchased four times per year with typical usage. Is your kitty litter not enough? Find out ways to get rid of that cat pee smell.
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How Often Should I Take My Cat To The Vet
Kittens and cats should see a veterinarian once a year for a wellness checkup and to get any vaccinations that are required. Flea and deworming treatments can be done at home and require nothing more than a quick stop to pick medications up from the vet when necessary . Once your cat reaches the age of 7, your veterinarian may suggest that you come in for wellness checkups twice a year, as changes in a senior cats health can happen quickly.
The Cost Of Owning A Pet In Canada
The unconditional love of a pet makes it hard to place a value on a cute little puppy or kitten. However, the monetary cost of caring for a furry friend can be a few thousand dollars within the first year, and the fees dont stop.
There has been a surge in pet adoptions as well as rescue and foster pet applications since the start of the COVID-19 crisis. These furry companions are being referred to as pandemic pets. Its great to see more animals finding forever homes, but the decision to integrate a pet into your life should not be a rash decision or taken lightly. Caring for a pet during and after the pandemic will take a lot of time and money.
Potential pet owners should understand that owning a dog or cat is more than just filling bowls with food and water and going for leisurely walks through the park especially within the first 12 months.
According to research done by the Ontario Veterinary Medical Association , the costs of caring for a pet within the first year are quite large.
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How Much Does Pet Insurance Cost
According to Dr. McCullough, the average cost of pet insurance for a dog is about $50 per month , and the average cost of pet insurance for a cat is about $28 per month .
Pet insurance premiums are based on the pets species , breed, age and location, McCollough said. The amount of coverage a pet parent chooses is also a factor in the cost of the pet insurance premium.
Here are some things to think about when selecting a pet insurance plan, as they can affect your insurance cost:
- The type of pet you have
- Your pets breed
Volunteering Rather Than Ownership
If you love cats but can’t afford to provide responsible care, do the really unselfish thing and volunteer at a shelter instead of taking on another cat. Most shelters could not operate without volunteers, and volunteers quickly learn the realities of the lives of companion animals and the consequences of irresponsible pet ownership. It would be a win-win situation. You would be able to get your regular cat-fix without guilt, and the shelter cats would benefit from your loving care.
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Which Vet Bills Do Pet Insurance Companies Cover
Many companies sell pet insurance to help cover the costs of some veterinarian services that your cat receives throughout their life. Most pet insurance companies cover a percentage of the bill for the emergency, accident, and sudden illness vet services in exchange for you paying them a monthly premium. For an extra monthly fee, some insurance companies will cover the costs of preventative care, including wellness exams, deworming, and flea treatments, minus a deductible.
Most companies offer reimbursement plans, which means that they will pay you back after you pay for the veterinarian services yourself. However, depending on the insurance company and the vet you are working with, you may be able to score a plan that does not require you to pay for services out of pocket at all.
How Much Are Adoption Fees
Your first year of owning a pet is often the most expensive due to one-time startup costs. Expect to pay anywhere from $1,500 to $2,000 during your first year of pet ownership.
To start, adoption fees will vary depending on whether you adopt from a shelter, breeder or pet store. Generally, adopting from a shelter is the most affordable option and many initial expenses such as spays/neuters, vaccinations, microchips, and other veterinary visits are often included in the adoption fee. Standard shelter adoption fees generally range from about $100 to $700 for dogs and $30 to $300 for cats, according to the Animal Humane Society. Note that some animals may cost more if they have a particular medical condition or are a more exotic breed.
When buying directly from a breeder or pet store, expect to pay more. In fact, according to PrudentPet Insurance, some dog breeds can cost as much as $14,000 to adopt. Pets from breeders typically come with their first set of shots included — but other vaccinations and procedures, including spaying and neutering, may not be included.
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Before You Adopt Paws And Reflect On The Fees Of Owning A Feline
How much does a cat cost? Well, like most good things in life, a lot of cats are free. According to the American Pet Products Association survey of 2018, approximately 32 percent of adopted cats were stray animals before their owners took them in. Though many families do find their feline friends on the street, adoption costs that include necessary testing and vaccination costs still have the potential to add up. The price of cat adoption fees can be as low as $50 for older cats, or thousands of dollars for pure-bred designer cats from breeders.
How Much Does A Cat Carrier Cost
Since cats are natural wanderers, it doesnt seem fair that an indoor cat should be stuck inside all day without a chance to see the world. It may look silly, but walking a cat on a leash can be beneficial to a cats happiness, according to feline behaviorist Koski, who believes that using a harness with an indoor cat can provide a fun and safe opportunity for enrichment that both cat and human can enjoy together. If this activity isnt right for your pet, owners might consider a fun cat backpack or a traditional cat carrier for $40.
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How Much Does A Cat Cost The Annual Cost Breakdown Of Owning A Cat
Becoming a cat parent entails a huge responsibility. It is like having a young child in your life that is dependent on you for its survival and care. This means you have to make sure they are well-nourished, are healthy, and are happy and content in your home. It may sound simple enough, but there are pet parents who give up their kitties in the first year of pet parenthood alone. Their reason? They couldnt keep up with the financial impact of owning a pet and becoming its parent. As such, before you purchase or adopt a cat to bring to your house, make sure you understand the cost of owning a feline pet on an annual basis.
Kittys Bathroom Litter And Supplies
$72 $240/year
One cat will typically use about 20 lbs. of clay litter each month, but litter usage varies based on your cats health, the type of litter you choose, and your scooping efficiency.
Silica gel-based litter will cost between $10 and $25 per month, while clay litter costs between $2.50 and $6 each month. Biodegradable products are priced all across the price spectrum but are typically more expensive than clay.
Your costs will go up if you include additional litter box accessories like litter mats, deodorizers, and a dedicated garbage can.
- Litter box liners $18/year
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Be Sure You Know The Pricetag For Providing A Home For A Cat
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Being a responsible owner of a cat carries with it certain financial obligations. If you are not in a position or are not willing to meet these costs, it may be better not to take in a cat. If your budget is tight, but you are willing to make certain sacrifices for the sake of having the pleasures of a cat in your life, then you may be able to accomplish that dream.
It is difficult to resist that cute kitten in the “free to a good home” box or that friendly stray on the street who begs to come home with you, but if you can’t afford to give it the bare necessities, you are probably doing the cat or kitten no favor. Fortunately, you have options if your love for cats far outweighs your means to properly care for them.
The Cost Of Cat Parenthood In 2022
Ready to bring home a furry feline friend this year? Before you sign those adoption papers, lets check up on the costs of being a cat parent.
To make things easier, the team at Rover did the research, dove into the numbers, and interviewed experts on our own Dog People Panel to determine the range of costs for cat parents in 2022. Heres what we learned:
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How Much Does Your Cat Cost You
Below you will read the feedback from many readers of Canadian Budget Binder who contributed their feedback for this post on the Costs of Owning a Cat in Canada.
Other than the food, expenses for our cats include deworming treatment, shots, flea and tick treatment and initially spaying and neutering.
We havent had any major health issues with either, but a visit to the vet for unexpected issues can cost hundreds.
Stephanie Porter
I have 3 cats, one was adoption at $200 from a rescue shelter, 2 were abandoned without owners who we took in and paid vet bills right away.
Costs:
- Food is Iams at $9 a bag and lasts weekly, $36.00 ,
- Toys are fairly easy and can be bought a Dollar store $10 month
- Cat scratcher $40.00 and 2 additional posts at $10 each
- Brushes, Pet nail clippers are reasonable and their pet bed I sewed myself.
Vet bills are typically starting at $300 for vaccinations spaying/neuter and checkup and can be $400 each visit when they get older as kidney and joint issues are typical.
Weve never had pet insurance, our previous 3 wouldnt have been covered for kidney failure due to age in the end, prior to that only one had vet visits for crystals in the urine, hence the $42 bags of vet food every week to maintain their health.
They lived until 17,18 and 19 years of age.