The true cost of cat ownership

Are you a potential cat parent? You're likely wondering, 'how much is this sassy ball of fur going to cost me across their lifetime?'.

According to the Choosi Pet Lovers Report 2022, a quarter of Aussies (24%) are forking out between $200 to $499 per year on their pet.

But the cost of cat ownership isn’t always predictable. Emergency costs (like unexpected accidents and hefty vet bills) can leave owners in a pinch. Our research also found that most pet owners (65%) would be forced to dip into their savings to fund emergency pet expenses over $2,000.

If you’re thinking about adding a cat to your family, discover how to budget for the common costs associated with ownership.

How much does cat ownership cost?

Bringing a cat into your life is a major commitment. Their average lifespan is between 12 and 15 years old. In fact, it’s not uncommon for healthy indoor cats to live for even longer, with some showing a life expectancy of 15 or even 20 years.

But you’re not just signing up for over a decade of caring responsibilities. Cat ownership comes with both initial and ongoing costs you need to consider.

Let’s crunch the numbers to help you understand cat ownership costs in the short and long term.

One-off cat costs

The first year of owning a cat tends to be the most expensive. That’s because you’re paying for initial costs, such as adoption or breeder fees, registration costs and getting your home set up for your feline.

The costs you’ll incur during your first year of ownership are influenced by a range of factors.

Take this example: The cost of buying a pet varies significantly, with 17% of pet owners getting their pet for free, while 10% of pet owners paid over $2,000 for their pet. Buying a pet from a breeder is also reported as more expensive.

Here are some of the common one-off costs associated with owning a cat:

• Buying a cat: Adoption can be as little as $29 (or free in some instances), while purchasing a cat from a breeder can cost anywhere from $800 to several thousand dollars.
• Council registration: Depending on where you’re located in Australia, council registration fees tend to cost between $40 to $200 per year. You may be eligible for free lifetime pet registration if you’ve rescued a cat in NSW after 1 July 2021.
• Microchipping, vaccinations and desexing: These medical fees can cost up to $1,000 in the first year unless it’s included in your cat adoption fee.
• Cat essentials: From approved carry cages to food and water bowls, as well as litter trays, getting your home ready for your new cat usually costs up to $500 in the first year.

Keep reading: Discover how much it costs to see a vet in Australia.

Ongoing costs

The Choosi Pet Lovers Report 2022, reveals that pet owners spend a large amount of money on their pets each month, with 31% spending $100-$199 and 17% spending $200-$299.

Yearly spending on medical insurance, vaccinations and vet bills can be costly with 24% of pet owners spending between $200-$499 and 20% spending between $500-$999.

Plus, some owners believe the toughest thing about owning a pet is the food and medical expenses (44%).

In tangible terms, here’s how much cat owners are likely to spend on their feline each year:

• Flea, tick and worming treatments: Depending on which treatments you choose, expect to spend up to $320 per year.
• Annual vaccinations: These costs vary from vet to vet, but you’ll likely spend upwards of $80 per year on vaccinations.
• Toys: These discretionary items can set cat owners back up to $100 per year.
• Cat food and treats: Feeding your furry friend is estimated to cost up to $2,024 per year for premium food, plus treats.
• Insurance: The pet insurance premiums you’ll pay depend on a range of factors. Generally speaking, you could spend around $60 to $120 per month to protect your cat with pet insurance.
• Vet bills: This cost will depend on the age and health of your cat, but expect to spend up to $630 per year on vet-related costs.
• Litter: Prepare to spend at least $120 on litter each year.
• Grooming: While cats don’t need to be groomed as often as dogs, you’ll likely spend upwards of $100 per year on grooming, or less if you take the DIY approach.
• Optional costs: Planning to take a holiday without your cat? If you don’t have a family member able to care for them, you’ll likely need to budget for cat boarding (which can be anywhere from $25 to over $100 per night).

Cat ownership costs: a budgeting guide for pet parents

Looking for proactive ways to navigate the costs of owning a cat? Discover these top tips for budgeting:

• Set a budget: Use the MoneySmart Budget Planner to work out where your money is going and calculate how much you can afford to spend on a cat.
• Consider cat adoption: Rehoming a cat can be a more affordable option as the cat shelter will likely cover the costs of desexing, microchipping and vaccinations.
• Be proactive with cat care: Regular vet visits, a good diet, and keeping your cat indoors are all ways to keep your cat healthy.
• Look for cost-saving options: From DIY grooming to asking friends to cat sit while you’re on holidays and even sourcing toys from online marketplaces, find ways to lower the ongoing costs of cat ownership.
• Consider protection for your feline with pet insurance: Although pet insurance can be expensive, many pet owners (36%) say it gives them peace of mind if anything unexpected should happen. Pet owners also state that a benefit of pet insurance is that it saves you money on expensive treatments (32%) and keeps you from using your savings (24%) on expensive vet bills.

Protecting your feline against the unexpected

While vet bills can quickly add up, the consensus is that Aussie cat owners are willing to cover the costs. You can reduce the impact of eligible vet bills and have protection in place for your felines health by taking out pet insurance. Start comparing pet insurance quotes with Choosi today.