How much costs a cat ?

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It’s useful to know it BEFORE adopting a cat, right ?

All the indicated amounts concern Switzerland, where life is rather expensive. If you don’t live in Switzerland, read first this example of household budget : it will allow you to put in perspective amounts given in this article.

Cat price

  • given or found : 0 CHF
  • shelter : 150 to 250 CHF
  • breed : 1000 to 2000 CHF

Identification microchip

  • pose and recording at AMICUS : 80 CHF

In our opinion, it’s essential !

Veterinarian

  • neuter (male): 80 to 100 CHF
  • spay (female): 170 to 200 CHF
  • vaccines = > 1x a year : 60 to 90 CHF
  • worm treatment = > 4x a year: 40 CHF
  • flea treatment => 4x a year if needed, or if your cat goes out : 50 CHF a year

The vaccinations expenses are higher first year for a kitten, because a reminder has to be done 3 weeks after the first vaccination.

Don’t forget that your cat can get ill or have an accident as our poor Angel Loupi : it represents additional veterinary expenses which can be important.

Insurance

  • 120 CHF per year

A hospitalization or an operation is expensive ; an insurance is very useful to face these spending.

Food

  • bowls = > at least 2 for food and 1 for water : 12 CHF
  • food : 50 to 150 CHF a month

For the long-term health of your cat, avoid low-end food from the supermarket ! We teach you here how to read labels to better choose your cat’s meals. You can also choose to prepare him his meals yourself or to give him  raw food, but then watch out the nutriments balance !

Toilet

  • litter box : 10 to 40 CHF
  • shovel : 2 to 5 CHF
  • litter : 10 to 20 CHF a month

Zorro is super economic : he does everything in the garden !

Basic accessories

  • transport box : from 25 CHF
  • cat tree: from 50 CHF (80 cms in 1m) or from 100 CHF (1m20 and more)
  • brushes and combs : 5 to 40 CHF
  • claws scissors : 5 CHF
  • diverse toys = > according to needs and renewal : variable
  • basket : from 20 CHF

According to your lifestyle, you may need maybe also a necklace, a harness, a leash, a pension, a cat-sitter, a passport, …

In summary, how much costs a cat ?

The first year, besides the price of the cat himself, it’s necessary to plan an additional budget from 400 to 700 CHF for the microchip, spay/neuter, the first vaccines, and the acquisition of basic accessories.

A healthy cat costs then between 120 and 250 CHF a month, all included.

Please, don’t adopt a cat if you can’t afford the basic expenses it involves !

RouXy

Used with permission

Beautiful RouXy, red acrobat with three legs, crossed the Rainbow Bridge between Wednesday and Thursday. He was going to be 16 years old. We send soft purrs to his humans and the humans of our buddy Frimousse who took care him so well for several years.

26 thoughts on “How much costs a cat ?

  1. easy rider

    we always should ponder if we can give a pet the pawfect home before we bring it home… that was interesting to read about the prices of switzerland :o) … and I’m so sorry for Rouxy… hugs to the family… it’s so sad when a furkid has to go…

  2. Frimousse

    I, Frimousse, use the litter box during the night to wee-wee. As far as pooing is concerned, only in the morning if my Masters don’t let me out early enough. For pooing is so pleasant outside! In the snow or in a soft molehill!
    My friend Tigri would use the litter day and night. He would pee outside only in case of emergency. Probably because he had spent the early months of his life with us inside.
    My friend RouXy went to his garden for that. He enjoyed it. When he was in our house and could not go outside he would use the litter.
    Food… My friend RouXy liked almost everything. I, Frimousse, am a very demanding cat, as Tigri was. I love gambas, but not everyday!
    My Masters try to feed us – I should write “feed ME”, now that Tigri and RouXy are gone – with quality food. But they were not careful enough ten years ago. My Master explains that industrial food makers add chemicals so that we get accustomed to their brand…

  3. Mickey's Musings

    Those are very good points .
    Some costs are better if you adopt a shelter cat as they are usually neutered and up on their needles.
    ‘The companionship is worth all the expense.
    Purrs Georgia,Julie and JJ

  4. Ellen Pilch

    I was sad to see that Rouxy went to the Bridge. Cats are expensive, but I agree with Sammy above, they are so worth it! Last year, I spent just under $10,000 at the vet, I can only imagine what that would be in Switzerland.

  5. Little Binky and Granny

    Great information for anyone who doesn’t have cats…yet, Zorro and Pixie, especially the part of accidents and operations, but it will be a natural thing when you have your ‘babies” I suppose 😉 Pawkisses for a Happy Weekend 🙂 <3

  6. Angel, Kirby and Max

    There is no such thing as a free cat. When Angel was found, Mom took her to the vet to check her out before introducing her to Wizard (Angel Wizard) and to get shots. She was fine! Two days later she has a wet place on her leg. She has an infected sore that the vet has missed. Back to the vet! Then on Saturday after the vet’s office closed, she went into heat. Back to the vet she went to be spayed. Monday morning Mom got an appointment for Wednesday! So the total cost of a free cat for the first week was over $1000. Mom never thought about the cost because Angel was so good with Wizard.

  7. Canadian Cats

    Thank you for this valuable info Claire. Cats like other animals are expensive but who can measure their love in dollars and cents or Francs. I agree, if you can’t afford a pet….don’t get one. It’s not fair to the pet or the owner.

    Jean

  8. da tabbies o trout towne

    waves two ewe pixie N zorro, thanx fora grate post; we hope ewe both R doin soooper grate; we R verree sorree ta lurn bout yur friend RouXy ~~~~~~ ♥♥♥

  9. Deziz World

    Great posty. No wonder all of you in da UK and across da pawnd have insurance. Dat’s cheap. They want mommy to pay almost 300.00 a month fur da 2 of us. And dat’s a month mind you. Mommy found a really cheap one dat would cost ’bout 50.00 each, but it didn’t cover anythin’ and she had really high deductables. As fur those kitten shots, there’s a series of 4 here in da U.S., so it’s 4 trips to da VET fur vaccinations all befur da spay/neuter and microchip. Which we think is needed too. Big hugs

    Luv ya’

    Dezi and Raena

  10. Hairballs and Hissyfits

    Wonderful post!! it is so important for people to realize how much cats actually cost!! But of course, how much is a cat worth….PRICELESS!! Beautiful mention of RouXy! He will be missed. I hope Frimousse manages ok!

  11. Cathy Keisha

    I didn’t understand the amounts but the cat also needs toys and scratching posts and there will be at least one dental in the cat’s life. That’s why it’s good when shelters charge fees. If you can’t afford a fee, you can’t afford a cat.

  12. BeadedTail

    Kitties are expensive but as others have said, they’re worth it! It’s sad when people get kitties and don’t give them the proper care/food/environment because they can’t or don’t want to pay the cost.

  13. Raven

    Pixie, you are so cute!
    It’s always good to remind people what the realistic costs of having a pet are. I’m glad to see you listed basic accessories like toys and a climbing tree. Too many people get cats and don’t realize they need to play, climb, and have appropriate places to scratch.

  14. The Daily Pip

    Such an important post! I don’t think most people think about this at all especially younger adopters. I wish more people would consider the long term expenses before adopting.

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