I'm thinking of getting a cat. How much on average will a cat cost me per year?

Question

I live in a flat so I wont cost the internal front door or my balcony door (in which I will put cat flaps), some doors I keep closed. Can I keep a cat mostly indores? Will it be happy if I do?

I have a first floor balcony so I'm scared cat might try jumping off it, is that a real or stupid worrey?

will it try to jump down from my first floor balcony?

One last question: If I were to work 10 hrs a day, what effect would it have on my cat?

Answer 1

Great question.
I have two indoor house cats. I rescued them from a rescue centre. One has dependency issues and gets very confused and the other was run over at 6 months and has been partially paralysed ever since. They both need for there own good to be kept in as they would not survive outside at all.

Everyone has there option of whets ok and not and no doubt a lot of people would disagree with keeping a cat in doors.
Here are some of the plus points.
1. They become far friendlier than outside cats as they become more domesticated and want to join your pack.

2. They are far healthier. You can monitor what and when they eat and you know they have not had access to anything else. They are not immune by any means to outside bacteria, viruses and fleas and ticks as they all can be brought in by you but they have a far better chance of not contracting them (If wormed, vaccinated and flea regularly). You can also monitor there dropping to see any changes like diabetes and kidney failure as well as if the food they are eating is passing through them well or not.

3. You will not have the worry of your best friend being run over or poisoned. (Cat when injured go away to hide and can end up just going missing as they were wounded and did not get attention because they did not come home)

4. If you take a cat that needs a little extra I guarantee to you will get so much back in return. I am amazed at how my two seem to say thank you for things. When I pick the disabled one up to help him look out the window he just purrs and purrs in my arms. That’s reason enough... Not everyone is suited to help special cats but as you live in a flat and want to keep it inside you are just perfect.. :-) You will give a cat a second chance that they might not have had with anyone else.

Finally never let anyone tell you its not ok. Everyone provided they have the animals best interest at heart and not there own can have a pet.. I think you could reasonably be looking at around. £10 a week for an average cat. Vets fees range from £40 yearly up to wherever. (I STRONGLY SUGGEST YOU GET PET INSURANCE) Its about £5 a month and can save you so much.
All you really need is litter, a litter scoop, a litter box (Get an enclosed one if they are to use it as there only one. Also in a flat you need all the help you can get to keep it tidy and clean. I know as I had an open litter box then and it got everywhere) metal water bowl and food bowl (Don’t get plastic as it is difficult once scratched by there teeth to clean ) a plastic place mat to stop the food getting on the floor. A brush (any kind that suits the hair type) a strong carrier (You can get fold up types now that save on space and can be stored anywhere like under a bed) all this will cost around £60 to buy but is a one off. You will need to vaccinate, worm and flea your cat every year. Worms and flea treatments will cost around £40 every 3 months and the vaccination will cost £80. Don’t be fooled into thinking you can just leave it, you cant. It is a must do. Also if you go on holiday you will need a reliable sitter or a cattery these vary in cost and you should always visit them and look round and ask prices. They vary in care given, cleanliness and price. so the cheapest is not always the best..

To recap It is fine to keep a cat indoors. if you choose a cat that need that. You will be rewarded highly in the companionship and they will receive a loving second chance. The cost of a cat for a year would be in the region of £150 upwards.

Hope this helps Michelle from England.

Answer 2

It really depends on if your cat has healthy problems or an emergency, then it goes into the thousands of dollars. You need to be prepared to be a good owner if something goes wrong, and be able to pay for it, otherwise, don't get a pet until you have more security. A normal year, no emergencies or health issues: The first year is most expensive, if you get a kitten. Fixing your cat can be $100-$200 depending on male or female (males cheaper) They need series of shots- 3 FVCRP shots at 8, 12, and 16 weeks. 1 rabies shot at 16 weeks. Each vaccination is about $20 each, plus an office visit cost, if the vet charges- usually $20 or so. After the first year, they need yearly boosters of the FVCRP and the rabies, so about $40 total, one visit a year. Daily costs: I spend $40 a month in food for 3 cats. Litter is about $20 a month. Mine get oral lysine treats ($16 a bag, lasts 2-3 months) because they get flare-ups of the herpes eye infection. Other than that, they don't get treats. I do not have any cat beds, I tried one, but they prefer my bed. I have 4 scratching posts and one nice cat tree- bought off Ebay for about $200 for all. Toys are 50 cents each or so, and I don't know how many I have, but they usually last a while. You can go as cheap or as expensive as you want- my cats do not need a $500 cat tree or expensive toys (their favorite is a box they can jump in), but I pay for high quality food. Edit: Oh, my breeds- 2 were barn cats, domestic short hair, one was from a shelter, all domestic short hair, if you want a breed. If you are asking about money, I wouldn't go for a specific breed of cat- a lot of the pure breds are very inbred, and you have a greater chance of congential problems.

Answer 3

Cats that are raised inside tend to be a lot healthier and happier than cats that live outside. You also don't have to worry about diseases with cats that live indoors.
As far as the cost of the cat, it varies. You want to feed your cat a nutritious cat food. They say you are what you eat, it's the same for pets. You don't want the cheapest food, because it is mostly cereal...You may not be able to afford Science Diet, even though it's the best. So you're looking at about $8.oo a month for a large bag of good food. If you supplement the dry with wet, say 3 cans a week you can pick that up 4 cans for 88 cents at Walmart. So another $4.oo a month. Cat litter is about $8.00 for a large container of clumping litter that controls odor so the whole house doesn't smell like a kitty pan. That is about the bulk of your cost. Now PLEASE get your pet spayed or neutered and if the cat is going to be indoors, please get it declawed by a vet who does not use the clipper style of claw removal, it splinters the bone and causes trouble for the life of the cat and expense for you. That should be the extent of the big expenses for you. You should have the cat checked out once a year to maintain it's health...and that is about it. They are a pleasure to have around. Your local animal shelter would be a good place to start your search, the animals are already shot and fixed, the purchase price is far less than you would pay yourself. I hope that has helped. Nana

Answer 4

Cats don't cost a great deal. Food per year will run approx. $200.00, doctor for shots/yearly check up $35-65 (depends where you live). Kittens should always stay in the house until they are old enough to fend for themselves (at least a year). Only let a cat be outdoors if you live in a safe place, i.e., not on a busy street, near a freeway, etc. They live longer and are healthier if kept indoors. Outdoors there are cars, dogs, poisions, etc., to harm or kill them.

I have had many cats over my lifetime and the vast majority live to be at least 17 years old. That comes with good care, love and keeping them inside. Yes, they can be happy if you provide a nice clean pooph box, fresh water and food daily, toys to play with, an interesting window to look out of (careful not to let a cat sit on an open window, they could fall out the screen). Show them love and care and you will have a wonder friend to come home to every day.

Answer 5

It depends on your vet's costs, food and litter preferences. I advise spending the extra money to get good food and litter, but it is up to you. My average cost is about $350-$450 per year (this includes all appointments, supplies, etc.) Cats can be happy living mostly indoors, but they really enjoy going outside. My cat has to go explore outside for at least a few hours a day. If I do not let her out she will sit on the window sill, staring out really sadly. We live in the coutry surrounded by fields so it is safe for her, but she has a lot of room to play. If your balcony is not on the first floor, do not let it out there! It may jump or fall off and get injured.

Answer 6

It depends on if this is a kitty or a cat adopted and what the traits of the cat have been. Yes, you can keep it inside (have it spayed)
Consider a vet bill about $100 for yearly check-up and shots. Be sure to get feline leukemia shot for sure. Food, science diet is about 14.00 for a 20lb bag. Don't forget kitty litter 14.99 every couple of months, depending on the brand. Kitty litter box 5/6 dollars and a scooper.

You get lots of love in return for that little bit of money.

Answer 7

My cat is an indoor cat.

But he's outside at the mo, and he's been out all night, but the fact is he LOVES being indoors!

Once he is settled in, sit out on the balcony and let the cat come to you, just let him have a nosy.
Even pick him up so he can see over the edge, but be carefull!
Once he's seen whats over the top he wont be so inquisitive

Answer 8

Depends. Kittens tend to be more expensive because they need several shots and surgury(s) because you're going to want to neuter or spay, and possibly declaw if they're living inside. My three are indoor kitties. The one would prefer to be indoor/outdoor and he's been known to take off if he gets outside. He hasn't gotten very far in the new house though (apartment style condo building...two doors before "outside" very handy for keeping him in.) but they're all pretty content.

You might want to go with an older cat (who's used to being indoors) for a couple of reasons. Kittens are adorable, but they tend to be pains in your (insert body part here.) They always want to play, and you're the best jungle gym in the world. You also double as a scratching post. If you're thinking you don't want to deal with claws and you have issues w/declawing, you could get one who's pre-declawed. You also won't have as many vet bills right away.

Answer 9

Let's talk about numbers will you!
Living in flat you must count on the next expensive:
Carrier Box, a toilet house & spoon for the poo, a plate for food and clean water and a brush (About 20 to 30€)
I serious advice you to buy a scratching board, tree, or mat (the price varies but you can buy it from 15 €)
The sand to fill up the toilet must be change every week and you have to take is poo every day if you want your cat as clean as possible. A bag of 5-8 kg can be divided per two weeks and the amount you can spend on sand per year is about 72 €.
I really think there's no need for a bed (from 15€), they sleep in what ever they like. But it's up to you!
Food! A cat eats and average of 20 kg of dry food per year. Considering a good dry food brand (Royal canin bags of 10 kg), they eat two hands of food per day and two per night, you just have to fill in the morning and at night. Make sure there is always dry food available to him and must of all clean water every time. A good brand can cost you 120€ per year per cat. And please, cats don't need treats, don't spoil your cat.
Being in a flat, I advice you to castrate your cat! Ask or veterinary the best time for it, but usually is around 6 month. Count on spending around 150€ on that.
Vaccination (they take about 5 in the first year and them 1 every next), you pay for the vaccination and for the doctor (around 200€ the first year). Desparasitation internal and external (flees)! Since he will be on flat, you only need to do this twice a year (6 to 6 month), (please ask on your veterinary clinic because the price varies between countries and add to the price above).
Consider having a short hair cat and don't limited is space in the house. Living in a flat is already small space.
As you can see the first year is quite expensive, but If you really want a cat it's good to know what your up to and if you add to all this a good sense of responsibility, time, loads of play, fun and love he will be in haven! If you realise that you can't provide him all of above PEASE RECONSIDER, DON'T GET A CAT.

Answer 10

both of my cats are indoor cats and our vet checks them regularly and says they are in tip top condition, they have plenty of room in the flat to run around and so are not deprived of exercise. I feed them IAMS food which is balanced and healthy. I would say on average to feed and get new litter for them I would spend around £20 a month on food and litter and my b/f pays their insurance which is £21 a month.