Cats are a very popular animal from ancient times, even from ancient Egypt. Some types of cats were kept privately by the nobility and by the former Kings.
Some cats that were often kept in the past were Persian breeds. But there is also a breed of angora that is quite popular for the wealthy to keep in the past.
Unmatched beauty and attractiveness, make beautiful furry cat breeds such as Persian cats become one of the types of cats that many people have even though the price of Persian cats is quite expensive.
Then actually does having a nice cat need expensive cat care costs?
Actually, the amount of cat care costs depend on the breed and the facilities you will provide. Suppose you want to keep a Persian cat, of course, the cost of caring for a Persian cat will be more expensive than a village cat.
So, approximately how is the calculation model?
Cost of Caring for a Cat
Cats can be just as expensive as dogs, depending on the breed. Owners can expect to spend millions a year on cat care, with higher budgets for the treatment of illness or injury.
Whether it’s the cost of cat surgical bowel removal, cat major surgery, and so on, cat health care is expensive.
Here’s a look at the cost of cat care that you’ll have to spend at least 1 year adopting a cat:
First Year Expenses
The price of the cat at the beginning of the purchase: $60 – $1000
Price of cat vaccines: $115
Adoption is often the cheapest option when buying a cat. Adopted kittens usually cost $50, while adult cats cost closer to $100. As with dogs, cats you adopt from shelters are often already vaccinated which helps cut down on initial medical costs, which usually include deworming and basic blood tests.
If you prefer to buy from a breeder or pet shop, you can expect to pay more than $200, depending on the breed and color. If you’re only adopting a domestic cat, then at the very least you’ll need to vaccinate and neuter.
Cat Food
Annual food cost: $200
You have the option of feeding your cat dry food, wet food, or both. Wet food may be a little more expensive, but it can be an important component of your cat’s diet.
Urinary tract infections are one of the most common health problems in cats. In fact, they often arise from too much dry food. Talk to your vet about the best diet for your cat.
Toys for Cats
Annual cost: $10 – $200
Cats are born to hunt and will “prey” on stuffed rabbits or toy mice. Got a cardboard box or paper shopping bag lying around? They can keep cats entertained for hours, especially when you’re away.
Make sure you set aside time to have fun with your cat when you’re at home as it helps develop trust between the cat and the owner.
One of the characteristics of a cat loving its owner is that it is comfortable playing with you. Make your cat happy when you find interactive toys that you can play with, such as sticks, dolls, and so on.
Cat Litter
Cost of buying a litter box: $2 – $15
Litter fee: $70 – $120 per year
Unfortunately, cutting costs on cat litter isn’t always beneficial. If your cat prefers a new rug or carpet when pooping, it may mean giving you a bigger money problem in the long run. For this reason, it’s important to train your cat to poop where you want them to. Such as in sand and litter boxes
There are several types of litter boxes on the market today, including clay-based, crystal-based, plant-based and lumpy. Each has its own advantages, but it’s ultimately up to your cat to decide what she’s most comfortable with.
Routine Veterinary Care
Annual cost: $120 – $300
Take your cat for an annual physical examination, which can include vaccinations, heartworm prevention, and a flea treatment. To save money, check with a vet clinic in your local area. Or visit a pet shop, as sometimes they offer discounts as a promo.
The cost of cat health care is the most expensive, but it’s the same for humans, right?
Veterinary Emergency Care
Emergencies that do not require surgery can cost around $800 to $6000. While if the cat has an accident that requires surgery, the cost of cat surgery often costs up to tens of millions of rupiah.
Trauma and urinary tract infections are two of the most common health problems in cats. Keep your cat indoors to reduce the chance of being hit by a car or attacked by other animals. Set up an emergency fund by setting aside a small amount of money each month to cover unexpected costs.
Pet Insurance
The cost per premium is usually around $10 – $100
Insurance for your cat is optional; however, it allows you to afford good care when you might not otherwise be able to. At the very least, insurance costs can run into hundreds of thousands. However, premium costs vary depending on the breed and age of your cat, as well as your location and the amount of cover you choose.
A cat’s lifestyle is also an important factor in choosing pet insurance. Because outdoor cats are more likely to have accidents with vehicles or even get attacked by other animals, they may require expensive surgery.
Grooming
Annual fee: $30 – $70
The above cat grooming cost estimates are for supplies only. Grooming costs usually increase significantly for long-haired cats. Take your cat to a groomer if your cat’s coat is very matted or sheds easily or if family members are allergic to cat hair.
Things to Consider When Getting a Cat
Have you decided what kind of cat to get? Before you want to buy a beautiful and adorable cat, you need to find some information about the experience of keeping that type of cat.
Suppose you choose a Persian cat then you need to find information about its maintenance. Or if you want to choose Angora, then you are also required to understand the ins and outs.
Below are some of the things you need to think about before you finally decide to buy or adopt a kitten:
1. Know the Initial Cost
Persian or Angora cats are expensive! A breeder usually spends more than a dozen million to produce a healthy kitten.
So you need to consider the type of cat you will be getting.
2. Pay Attention to the Color
It can be difficult to get the color of the kitten you want most. Gray and beige seem to be the most popular. If you want your cat to be a certain color, be patient in getting it.
Or check out Cat colors for more details.
3. Find a Reliable Breeder
You may need to build a good relationship with your local breeder to get a cat with good genes! Also, pay attention to how to buy a cat online so you don’t get scammed. Look for breeders or stores that sell a wide range of cats that are legitimate and trustworthy.
You can also go to Persian cat shows or other cat events. Such events can give you the opportunity to meet reliable cat breeders. There might be some kittens available for you to buy from the participants.
4. Are you ready to brush?
Cats need to be brushed every day. Are you ready to brush your cat every day? If your cat is cotton-coated, which is a very soft type of fur, then it is very important to tie up the fur and brush regularly.
If the fur around the belly and under the arms and legs is not tied up, then it can pull on the soft skin.
5. Budget for Bathing
Ideally, cats need a monthly bath. You need to find a cat groomer nearby or if you don’t have the money, then you can use baby powder to remove oil and untangle knots. Use a special shampoo to brighten the color and make sure not to get shampoo on the face. How to bathe a cat properly
For example, for Persian cats that have a darker color, use a shampoo that can enhance the color. After that, use a conditioner. Grooming techniques vary widely, but eventually, you’ll find one that works for you and your cat.
However you do it, monthly bathing is essential to keep your cat’s coat clean and free of tangles. A cat bath usually costs around $15.
6. Prepare for Grooming Expenses
Even if you brush your cat every day, you should still take your cat to a grooming salon. Then groom your cat how many times a month? The answer is every 6 months to a year.
Are you ready to spend around $10 – $30 per visit for grooming?
7. Flat-Faced vs. Traditional-Faced Cats
There are different types of cat faces depending on the breed. For example, Persian cats have two types of faces, which are flat-faced and traditional. Well, the most popular is the flat-faced cat breed. However, there are also some people who prefer the Persian breed with a genuine face.
8. Consider Issues Related to Eyes and Nose
The shape of the eyes and life certainly affect the level of cuteness of a cat. Suppose as in a flat-faced Persian cat certainly looks very cute, but this breed often has eye problems in the facial area. It also sometimes has problems with its nose ( blocked ). Some flat-faced Persian cats face health problems in the long run and if it gets severe it will usually cost a lot of cat surgery.
Also, the hospitalization of sick cats is expensive. So, you can consider this. While the traditional Persian cat breed has a nasal structure that allows for better drainage and breathing. Note that the flatter your Persian cat’s face, the more likely it is to develop allergies and colds.
The cat’s eyes also need to be cleaned regularly. Like traditional Persian cats, you need to clean them often because they are prone to eye dirt.
So if you want to be good, then before adopting, you may be able to sterilize. Cat sterilization costs generally range up to Rp 600,000.
Wow, how expensive is cat care?
9. Prepare a Room for the Cat
Cats are one of the most domesticated of all types of animals. And with the variety of cat breeds makes the tame nature of each cat different.
For example, if you have ever kept a lot of native cats, then know that the nature between native cats and farm cats is very different.
Farm cats like Persians are not outdoor cats who like to go. This type of cat prefers to stay indoors because it was once owned by kings and concubines so according to history, this cat deserves a quiet life.
Yes, that’s the life you have to give to raise a cat. You need to know from the price, character, and body, to the history of the cat breed.
For example, the Persian breed certainly tends to be very gentle in body and temperamental in disposition. Not only that, but they are also in fact very nervous about danger and can even be loud so it is not suitable to live with village cats.
How to Care for a Cat
If you don’t feel ready to adopt a cat from a farm that has good genes, because the starter pack for this type of cat is a lot and requires a lot of money. Then you can start by taking care of a village cat. The cost of cat care is certainly not as expensive as cats from trusted farms and the way to care for village cats is also much easier.
When it comes to raising kittens, the philosophy is very similar to raising children. If you provide proper care and training when they are young, then it will make it easier for you to care for cats. Just as human babies have very different needs from those of teenagers, kittens also have different care needs from those of fully-grown cats. In addition, you should consider the different stages of a kitten’s development when caring for it:
1. Under 8 weeks of age
Kittens must remain with their mother. Therefore, as these young kittens cannot regulate their own body temperature, kittens rely on each other’s body heat to survive.
In addition, kittens are still developing vision and leg coordination. If you are adopting or fostering a motherless kitten in this age group, then special care needs to be taken, including bottle feeding the kitten every two hours.
Bottle feed for 4 weeks until it starts to grow. It is best to consult a veterinarian for specific instructions and advice.
2. 8-11 weeks old
Kittens are usually weaned after 8 weeks and should eat kitten food that is energy-dense, protein-rich, and easy to digest. Whether choosing dry or wet food, make sure it is formulated specifically for kittens. Other major changes will begin to occur during this period too.
As your kitten begins to develop complex movement skills, she will run, jump, play and explore. This is an exciting time as a kitten, but also one that can be dangerous for your kitten if she’s not supervised appropriately. Start setting boundaries for your kitten and place her in a safe, enclosed room so you can keep an eye on her.
3. Age 2 – 4 months
This is a rapid growth phase for kittens as they will have almost 3 times more energy when compared to adult cats. Even cats at this age need 3 to 4 meals daily during this time and the food should contain at least 30% high-quality protein.
4. Age 4-6 months
Kittens in this age group reach adolescence and, as such, have sexual maturity. Talk to your vet about having your kitten sterilized/neutered before the kitten reaches this stage. You will need to sterilize to avoid unpleasant habits such as accidental fecal discharge.
Indeed, the cost of cat care is quite expensive. Therefore, you should set aside a small amount of money per day to collect so that if there is any need for your cat, there is money that cat lovers can use. Hope this is useful.
