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Cats make wonderful companions and can be a great addition to any home, but it is important to understand the financial commitment required before bringing one into your life.
This article breaks down all the costs associated with owning a cat, from adoption fees to lifetime upkeep expenses. You will learn everything you need to know before making this important decision.
Even better:
You can avoid the problems that come up when you are unprepared, such as being duped by a fake breeder or an iffy pet shop.
So how much does a cat cost in Singapore?
Keep reading below to find out.
“How much does a cat cost in Singapore?” is a worthwhile question, but the answer depends on where you get it. Let’s look at the following:
If you want to adopt a cat in Singapore instead of buying one, consider the animal shelters below:
There are two main advantages:
The downside of adopting, however, is that the chances of getting a pure breed are slim to none.
These speciality breeders are registered with at least one of these clubs:
Advantages include:
Disadvantages include:
Pro tip: To avoid being duped by a fake breeder, do not seek them in newspaper or online ads. Instead, find registered ones at championship cat shows, where you can ensure they are vetted.
Some pet owners who can no longer care for their furballs will sell them. You can look up “Kittens for sale Singapore” ads:
Pro tip: Meet with the cat seller before transferring them the money to ensure the cat is well taken care of and has all the necessary vet procedures.
Purchasing a cat from a pet farm is more expensive than pet adoption in Singapore. However, you have more chances of finding a higher breed quality than a local animal shelter.
Pet farms have some drawbacks, such as unethical breeding (in some cases).
To avoid this:
Not all pet shops are created equal; some have cleaner, more humane conditions but are more expensive. The very cheap ones probably have animals coming in illegally or from unethical pet farms.
To avoid problems:
The price of cat adoption Singapore is an average of $86.
However, the final cost depends on where you are adopting your pet. The five animal shelters we reviewed above have different costs to consider.
Remember: Adopting a pre-loved kitten is also a worthwhile option. In this case, you may have to pay between $0 and $1,000 depending on the cat’s breed, age, and previous medical procedures.
A good price for a cat in Singapore is $600 if you buy it from a pet store. That cost is the average for pedigree kittens that have been treated well and have all the right paperwork.
Warning: Rare pedigree kittens may cost more at cat shops in Singapore. For example, the starting price for a Bengal is $1,500.
You should also consider registered and non-registered breeders (aka pet farms).
These places retail cats between $1,000 and $5,000. The more expensive ones have higher pedigree, are younger, and have been imported. Also, import charges may apply.
Pro tip: Evaluate why you want to purchase your cat before deciding what a good price to pay for it is:
The purchase price is one thing, but the long-term cost is another. So how much does a cat cost in Singapore if you consider everything your cat needs?
We will break down these variables below:
As we explained above, a cat costs:
Medical costs you have to consider for your cat include:
Annual healthcare is also important. You will have to repeat the core vaccination yearly and general medical consult yearly. Dental scaling should also be done regularly; if your cat’s teeth decay, they will have to be removed.
And tooth extraction is not cheap.
Remember: More complex healthcare check-ups and procedures can cost thousands of dollars.
Luckily, cat-proofing your home is a one-off cost. Even though it might cause a dent in your budget, cat-proofing is essential to keep your new pet safe.
Otherwise, they can always escape.
In the best-case scenario, they can return a bit dusty after having pooped in your neighbour’s roses. In the worst-case scenario, they can catch a bug or get lost.
That is why shelters review this factor before deciding whether you can adopt from them.
Pro tip: The cost varies depending on the size of your home. As a rule of thumb, put aside $20 for every 1.5 metres of plastic mesh plus cable ties.
After securing your home, you must ensure the cat’s mental and physical hygiene. That means having a place to rest, poop, and play.
Remember: Preparing your home for your new cat’s arrival is not just about providing a safe place. Your cat needs to explore too.
Therefore, you will need the following:
You can groom your cat at home by yourself or hire a professional service. Of course, the cost varies proportionally to your decision:
While home grooming is less expensive, professional grooming is more thorough and saves you a lot of hassle. Services typically include:
Although cat insurance is a good-to-have and not must-have, having insurance will go a long way in the event of illness, accidental death or if your feline goes missing.
Some reputable cat insurance plans are:
Premiums start as low as $74.90 or can go up to $750, depending on your plan and if your cat is microchipped.
Other costs include:
Based on the calculations above, the initial costs of owning a cat vary between $120 and $6,000, including:
Recurring costs are approximately $2,000/year, including medical visits, grooming, litter, and food.
So the first year alone of owning a cat can cost $2,120-$8,000. Considering that a cat lives for up to 15 years, the total cost reaches $30,120-$36,000.
Money Kinetics can help.
With us, you can get prompt quotes from money lenders in Singapore and buy the cat of your dreams without breaking the bank.
So what are you waiting for? Apply for a personal loan today.
