Annual cost of keeping a cat?

[Catmint]

Hi, my lovely old cat died in the new year and we are now beginning to think about getting another.

I would really like to get 2 siblings, but I need to know that we can manage the financial commitment. And have my argument ready to persuade DP.

So, how much does it cost to keep a cat for year, feed, vet bills, etc

Me and DD went to see some kittens today, and had different preferences, I would love to get both!

Thanks.

[lljkk]

Mine each cost about £6/week. That's £624/yr for both. They are young & healthy so only vet bills so far was neutering early last yr. No insurance but I spend a small fortune on flea control (? £120/yr). Mostly outdoors.
Mine are siblings & they are still lovely together (2yo now).

[edam]

Pet insurance is cheap for kittens - best to get it when they are young. Don't know how much food and flea injections/routine vet treatment that isn't covered by insurance costs for our moggie - I've never totted it up. But you have to factor in the costs of keeping the mouse population down - I reckon in theory you can estimate the cat saves you a visit from Rentokil at least every two years. (Mine also gobbles moths and spiders, which is yucky but helps dh, who is scared of spiders.)

[Catmint]

He is really anti 2, so we have agreed on 1. Our old cat was insured, but as his life ended he still cost us around a thousand pounds, and we really could not commit to having 2 in that position.

I would rather have 1 and feel secure that I can give it the best care possible.

We have chosen, and I have sent a message to reserve her. Soooo excited!

[GetStuffezd]

I have 2 cats and spend approx. £7/week.

[itsnothingoriginal]

We went for a single kitten for exactly that reason - financial commitment. I want to offer our cat the best life possible although we were made to feel quite guilty for just taking one rather than 2 by the CP lady! Kitty is very much part of the family and I'm hope she's happy with us. I'd definitely say that if finances are a concern stick with one cat. We can spoil her and have bought better cover for pet ins than we could afford with 2 cats.

How exciting - will you have to wait long to get your kitten?

[Sparklingbrook]

[Catmint]

Reserved her today, there is a picture on my profile if you would like to see her.

She is only 2.5 weeks old, so I will be collecting her late September, which is perfect, as we have a few things to fit in first.

Now we start wrangling over names!

I am soooooo excited! I can't stop looking at the pictures I took!

[edam]

awww she is gorgeous!

[Catmint]

[lljkk]

awwwwwww

[cozietoesie]

Gorgeous. Looks as if she'd fit on the palm of one hand right now.

[GetStuffezd]

She's lovely! Interesting markings - what do you call that? Is she a particular breed or a moggie?

[itsnothingoriginal]

Soooo cute! Can't believe how fast they grow either - ours was that size only a few months ago and she's almost cat size now

[Catmint]

She fits in the hand like a furry jacket potato.

The mother is a semi longhair stray who turned up at someone's house and promptly had 5 lovely kittens. All are now being fostered.

Mum is a lovely caramel colour with faint dark spots. Kittens were two like this, greyish tabby and white; one brown tabby, one gorgeous spotty tabby (she was our other choice, but it looked as if she might grow up to be long haired, which we don't want), and one cutey black one.

Mum seemed to have a very chilled out character, with a particularly swishy tail ( but not annoyed) which the kittens were just beginning to play with. The fosterer thought mum was about 5 or 6.

No idea what Dad was like, I am guessing tabby!

[deliasmithy]

So cute!
I'd have another but I can't fit any more in!