One of the questions that we must meditate when we are going to adopt a cat is whether we will have enough financial resources to give it a decent and healthy life.
Many people weigh with great dedication and time the purchase of, for example, a washing machine. We visit several websites and physical stores, we consult with the sellers, we look at the characteristics of the same and the price and we know very well that you will need a series of products to work (plug, soap, fabric softener …) that will also cost us money periodically .
Comparisons are hateful and, of course, an object is not, by any means, comparable to a living being but we want to give that example so that we can all see the trouble we take to meditate on the money we put in an appliance but we don’t so much when we acquire an animal.
A cat, whatever it is, regardless of whether the origin entails an economic outlay from the moment it enters the house, will require resources for its entire life. Surely in more aspects than a priori we believe. Let’s review them.
Within the market for cat food we have an almost infinite variety, between brands, types of food, who it is intended for, sizes … And, of course, we will see a great difference between the prices of one product and another. We may tend to look for the cheapest because in the end “it will feed our animal” but let’s not be fooled: if it has a low price, it has low quality and we cannot play with the health of our feline. In this, as in so many things, the better the quality, the higher the price. That is the great truth.
Estimated prices
2kg sack of feed: € 24 approximately. A cat eats 60 grams a day, so we will spend the bag in just over a month.
An envelope of wet food: € 1.35. One a week or so.
A bag of snacks: € 2. We will buy one every 2 or 3 months.
In the case of the cat, too often humans think that it does not need vaccines, deworming and other preventives, “as it does not leave the house …”.
Whoever thinks this should wake up, animals (like us) can get sick without leaving the home. Among other things, because we ourselves can take the disease home (on clothes, shoes …) and spread it.
If we want to save money by not providing our cat with resources against certain diseases, we will be playing Russian roulette with its health.
In addition, we will have to save an amount of money for any possible emergency: accidents and illnesses that we did not have at first. Especially with a view to the old age of our animal, when it is quite probable that the ailments of age appear.
Estimated prices
Annual vaccinations: about € 127 per year.
Deworming: about € 20 per year.
One pipette per month: € 120 per year.
Malta: we will have to buy two boats a year. Each boat costs approximately € 10.
Annual consultation: about € 20-25
General analytics: € 70, we will have to do one a year.
Objects that are not completely essential in the life of a cat, that is, its survival does not depend on them but its comfort and even its tranquility. A cat can entertain himself with his human or with an object that is around the house but it is better that he has his own objects of entertainment. In the same way you can sleep in a corner of your sofa but it is always better to have your own bed. And something similar will happen with scrapers, own nail clippers, a blanket, etc. Remember that you must allocate a percentage of your salary to these products and that you will have to renew them in some time, especially if they are not of good quality.
Estimated prices
Harness with strap: € 13.
Carrier: € 25 approx.
Drinker and feeder: between € 20 and € 50 it will cost a drinking fountain with fresh, running water. A feeder, from € 3.
Scratchers: from approximately € 5 for some small ones to € 170 for certain constructions with scratchers and hanging toys. You will need to renew depending on the power of destruction that your animal has on them.
Cribs: from € 20.
Hygienic sand: € 2 to € 4 for an eight-liter bag of normal sand.
Toys: from less than € 1 to € 60 for some game towers. Having four toys at the same time is enough.
Shampoo: about € 4.
Brush to comb at home: about € 5.
It has already been clear that the veterinarian is essential in the life of a feline, but are we going to need other professionals? May be. Among them:
· Groomers: if our cat has long hair, we will need the help of this professional to take care of it. About € 28 cut and comb.
· Ethologist / educator: although it is more common in dogs, it is possible that a feline needs these experts so that coexistence with its environment is satisfactory.
· Caregivers: we may need someone to visit or keep our friend when we go on vacation.
These expenses must be taken into account before adopting a kitten. Each ethologist, educator and caregiver will put their price and the expense will be different depending on the hours our animal needs.
Taking care of a cat does not need an exorbitant amount of money
Despite what has been described, let’s not be scared, the monetary resources that we have to use for our feline are not “exuberant”: the litter tray can be an element that several generations of kittens know, the scratchers do not usually have to be renewed, the Toys, if they are of quality, will last.
In short, the cat requires our resources but, taking it into account from the beginning, it will not cause a nuisance in most of our wallets.
