Purchase of a cat: between $0-$1800. If you decide to adopt a rescue cat, costs range from free (for cats aged 10 and over) to $120 for an adult cat and $205 for a kitten (aged 5 months and under). However, if you want to go the purbreed route you're looking at between $1000 and $1800, depending on breed and location.
Key points. Cats can live more than 17 years, so you want to be prepared for the expenses you might encounter. A purebred kitten can cost $500 to $2,500; adopting a cat typically costs $100 to $500. Regular checkups at the vet can save you money, as you could catch any health issues that might arise.
Ongoing cat costs: $720 - $2,000
Average premiums for cats run from $20 - $60 per month. Kitty litter, food, toys, and treats. Since kitty litter and food are regular expenses, it might make sense to subscribe to a regular delivery service. This can set you back roughly $30 - $100 every few weeks in total.
According to MoneySmart, prices start at around $200 but vary significantly based on what breed you choose and where you get it from. The RSPCA says buying a kitten can cost you up to approximately $2,000. Estimated total cost: Around $200 to adopt and between $200-$2,000 to buy.
An additional rabies vaccination costs around £60-80 and annual boosters cost about £50-£55. A full course of cat injections includes protection against feline leukaemia. This is necessary for outdoor or social animals.
The cost for cat and kitten vaccinations can vary considerably depending on the type of vaccine and your location. However, as a rough guide, cat vaccinations in Australia are usually in the range of $80 to $150 each. We suggest you check with your local vet clinic to find out their specific vaccination prices.
Core vaccines
These are essential for every cat in Australia to receive as they protect them from serious diseases.
What Is the Average Cost of a Kitten? The average expense for kitten care ranges from as low as $600 to as much as $5,300. That means you can expect to budget $50 to $450 a month for that first year. Thereafter, cat parents spend around $300 to $3,000 each year or $25 to $250 a month.
Microchipping usually costs between £10-30. Some vets include a microchip in their health plans, and some charities offer them for a reduced cost or for free.
By bringing home two kittens, you can relax knowing that they have a 24/7 play-partner! This is important as kittens are extremely playful - and bored kittens - aren't happy kittens. Bored kittens are also more likely to cause trouble around the house...
As pets go, cats are relatively low maintenance compared to dogs which need companionship, walking, training etc. However, like any pet, they do need care, and some cats need more care than others. Do you want to spend a lot of time with your cat, do you want it to be demanding, or do you have limited time?
If you've got a regular job and only travel occasionally, then a cat is a good option. If you're single, live alone, and make frequent out of town trips and are gone for long periods of time…then not so much.
Most adult cats are fine being left home alone for up to 24 hours, under the right conditions (more on that below). If you need to leave for two or three days, a full week, or longer, you should make sure someone is coming over to care for your cat daily.
Ashera Cat | >$125,000
The Ashera cat is considered the most expensive cat breed in the world, with prices reaching up to $100,000 or more. This is due to its rarity and the fact that it is a hybrid breed, created by breeding an African serval, an Asian leopard cat, and a domestic house cat.
Depending on the breed, you should expect to pay anywhere from $1000-$3000 for a dog, and anywhere from $300-$1000 for a cat. Not only is buying expensive, but you generally should expect a higher maintenance pet – at least in the beginning.
Many cat owners wonder why they should bother having their feline friends microchipped if they are indoor-only. Although you think your cat will never go outside, there are many opportunities for their curiosity to get the best of her, in which case you will definitely be glad you had your cat microchipped.
The cost of having your pet microchipped varies – most vets will charge a small fee for the cost of the chip, their time and expertise. Some charities/events offer microchipping at a reduced cost or for free.
Pet microchips have become the saving grace to finding your indoor cat should it wander off. Collars and tags can easily get lost, but a microchip can increase the chances of a lost cat being returned to its owner.
They should stay with their mothers until they're around 8-9 weeks (taking them away earlier than this can lead to problems with their behaviour). A kitten should be sociable and alert, with bright eyes and no visible health problems.
Although cats can breed nearly all year long, Kitten Season tends to run from April to late autumn.
“In early 2023, we have started to see those start to taper off a little bit. Prices are still increasing but at a lower rate than they were in 2022.” The price hikes have been attributed to rising input and ingredient costs, she added.
Veterinarians recommend that all indoor cats should be given core vaccinations to keep them protected from a large range of extremely contagious diseases, so they are safe from illnesses if they escape from your house, go for a grooming or if they have to stay at a boarding facility, etc.
Vaccinations are a critical part of preventive health care for your cat. Even indoor cats can be exposed to serious and potentially fatal diseases because many of the diseases that fit within the normal vaccine schedule are airborne. An open window is all it takes to expose your pet.
Vets advise that your frisky new feline should be vaccinated to help keep them safe from diseases like feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), which could be fatal to their delicate immune system.