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| | | After a cat is adopted or purchased, there are initial and annual expenses to owning a cat. | | |
| Typical costs: | - The cost of owning a cat typically runs from $200 to $700 per year for basic food, cat litter, routine veterinary care, vaccinations and boarding -- but not including grooming.
- Grooming costs can range from $10 per year for the cost of grooming tools to $300 per year and up for a long-haired cat that requires professional grooming every two months. Examples of breeds with low grooming needs are mixed breed cats known as domestic shorthairs, Sphynx, Burmese and Siamese cats. Examples of breeds with high grooming needs include mixed breed cats known as domestic longhairs, Persians, Angoras and Himalayans.
- PetEducation.com offers a chart on the total cost of owning a cat.
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| What should be included: | - Initial costs include the adoption fee or the purchase price, spaying or neutering, initial vaccinations and a general health assessment that might include a feline leukemia or feline immunodeficiency virus test and a fecal check. It also includes the purchase of accessories such as a cat carrier, a litter box, a collar, tags and food bowls. This could cost $150 or more for a cat adopted from a shelter, all the way up to $2,000 or more for a cat purchased from a breeder.
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| Additional costs: | - The average cat owner spends $26 per year on toys and $18 on grooming tools, according to a pet owner survey by The American Pet Products Manufacturers Association.
- If a cat is injured or gets seriously ill, extra veterinary care can cost hundreds to thousands of dollars. Other unexpected costs include replacing items a cat has scratched or soiled and cleaning the carpet or furniture more frequently.
- For renters, some landlords charge a pet deposit of $100 or more -- and it is sometimes difficult to get back.
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| Shopping for owning a cat: | - Doing research before deciding where to get a cat and what kind to get can help a prospective cat owner make a sound choice. Keep in mind that grooming needs have a major impact on the annual expense of owning a cat. PetPeoplesPlace.com offers a list of cat breeds sorted by grooming requirements. And PetUniversity.com has an article on how to choose the right cat for your household.
- Deciding where to get a cat also is important. Most experts agree that shelters and reputable breeders can be good places to get a cat, while pet stores and backyard breeders should be avoided because of he higher chance of health and behavior issues.
- VeterinaryPartner.com offers a primer on monthly exams to spot changes in a cat. And CatChannel.com offers a guide to spotting dental problems.
- Keeping a cat trim also is important for overall good health. CatChannel.com has a guide to good feeding practices.
- CatChannel.com also has a guide to preventing cancer in cats.
- The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals offers a guide to saving on veterinary costs.
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Article updated October 2007 |
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