Owning a ... cat

The cost of a cat

Please note: this is only an estimate using approximate prices. Cost will vary depending on the individual cat. It is only intended to be a guide.

Initial costs

Cat, cost varies from a small donation (£40 or so) to a rescue centre, to £200 or more for a pedigree.

Water bowl, around £5

Food bowl, about £5

Litter tray, around £10

Cat litter, about £5

Collar, around £5

I.D. tag, around £15

Toys, around £5 for several

Food, average 60p for a can of meat

Cat biscuits, around £1 for a box

Two sets of vaccinations, maximum of £50

Castration, max £80

Worming treatment, around £8 for a year

Flea treatment, around £20 for 6 months

Microchip, max £30

Total (if buying a £200 cat) = £439.60

(if homing a rescue cat) = £279.60

Monthly cost

For a medium sized cat, 16 cans of meat @ 60p = £9.60

Cat biscuits, for a medium sized cat, £2

Total = £11.60

Yearly cost

For a medium sized cat, 16 x 12 cans of meat @ 60p = £115.20

For a medium sized cat, 12 boxes of biscuits @ £1 = £12

A years' flea treatment = roughly £40

A year's worm treatment = £8

Vet bills, depending on the individual, so count as an excess on total

Total = £175.20

So, in the first year of purchase, it may cost in the region of £607 for a pedigree, £447 for a rescue cat.

From these estimations, you may well spend up to £2534 on your pedigree cat if it lives for 12 years, plus any vet bills, or £2374 on your rescue cat if it lives for 12 years, plus any vet bills (excluding those mentioned above).

Cat Main