The cost of cat ownership: what expenses should cat owners budget for?

It’s essential to understand the costs associated with cat ownership. According to Animal Medicines Australia’s 2022 Pets in Australia survey the average household spends $1,715 on their cat.

While the exact cost differs for every individual cat, the general types of expenses cat owners should budget for are the same.

One-off expenses

When you first welcome a cat, there are initial one-time costs to consider. These include:

• Sale or adoption fee
• Microchipping (if they’re not already microchipped)
• Litter boxes
• Scratching post
• Grooming supplies
• Food & water bowls
• Bedding
• Carrier
• Other essential supplies

 

Remember that these initial expenses are generally not recurring but are crucial for your cat’s well-being. You might need to replace some of these items over the life of your cat, but they’re not a regular expense.

Ongoing care costs

For as long as your cat lives with you, you’ll need to pay for supplies to care for them.

General care costs include:

• Food
• Treats
• Litter
• Toys

Regular preventative health care expenses include:

• Regular wellness check-ups with your vet
• Vaccinations
• Parasite prevention
• Dental health care

 

 

Optional recurring costs

While not essential, some cat owners might find some benefit in services like:

• Healthy Pets Plus
• Pet Insurance

 

Healthy Pets Plus is a wellbeing program where members pay a small fee to access benefits like unlimited free consults with Greencross Vets and WebVet, reduced emergency consult fees, exclusive discounts on medications, free annual vaccines, and wellness screenings, and more!

Wellbeing programs like Healthy Pets Plus are more focused on preventative health initiatives that help keep your pet happy and healthy. This is different from pet insurance, which will help cover a portion of medical costs for unexpected illnesses and typically don’t cover consult fees or vaccinations.

Irregular and/or once-off expenses

• Pet sitting or boarding
• Desexing

 

Other potential costs to be aware of

• Medical emergencies and unexpected illness
• Afterlife care

 

Owning a cat is a rewarding experience, but it comes with financial responsibilities. By budgeting for initial expenses, ongoing care, preventative health, and optional services, you’ll provide a long, healthy life for your feline friend.