Dario
Im getting a cat soon, an adult orange cat. i was wondering how much it would be to spend money on cat food and litter. because i dont want to get the expensive stuff, just whatever is affordable. WHAT DO YOU THINK WOULD BE THE TOTAL AMOUNT SPENT ON MY CAT PER MONTH?
Lorrine
Less expensive food means more vet bills, sorry. Good food doesnt need to be expensive, get it at a pet supplies store, not through the vets of the grocery store. Wellness Core is $8 a bag, itll last 3 weeks. Chicken Soup for the Cat Lovers Soul is $9 and lasts a month. Wysong Vitality is great, is $8 and lasts about a month. Royal Canin Siamese 38 also is good and lasts a full month and is $11. So most of these are going to break down to $2 a week, if you cant afford that you need to reconsider having a cat. Litter for one cat for a month would be less than a 25 lb bag. Walmart has those for $2.59 a bag. Get him neutered to prevent spraying, and he needs a checkup and to be free of fleas and worms. Dont stint on vet checks. He needs a rabies and distemper shot too. One is a one year, the other is a three year vaccine.
Artie
I have had a cat for 13 years. Average $15/mo food and litter. Vet bills about $80/year.
Laree
If you use clumping litter, then a good sized tub for two litter boxes should last more than a month, perhaps two months. A tub can run $10-15 depending on the store, sales and coupons. If you scoop out daily, and have good clumping litter, it is not necessary to toss it out every week. However, some cats are extremely fussy about their litter boxes, so your cat really determines that aspect. For food, you want good quality food, so look for food that has meat and meat ingredients high on the list. In the US, any food that has the AAFCO seal will provide all that is required. However, I am a believer that you get what you pay for, although you can also overpay for hype. I prefer brand names over store brands. You should have no problem finding good quality food to feed your cat for under $1/day, perhaps even half that, depending on wet/dry decisions. But one expense you have not mentioned is the vet. You want your cat checked just as an assurance of good health, and then set up an annual check up. Since you noted the cat is an adult, then spay or neuter is not an expense, and only annual vaccinations are needed. For that, distemper is needed, and rabies if your locality requires it. Any others are really rarely needed.
Angelina
If you have to ask this question then you dont need the cat. its not just food you pay for or litter, its vet bills. you need good food (hard) and soft food as well. maybe you should rethink this...
Lamonica
You could get the cheap food at the grocery store but your cat wont get the proper nutrients and need to eat more because of that reason.. and he will fill the litter box and it will stink therefore you will go through more litter... sooooo having said that....Buy the more expensive food (EVO dry is the best in my books, you can get it at specialty pet food places go to http://www. naturapet. com/brands/evo. asp) and go cheap on the litter..... that way you feed less food, less crap comes out and you use less litter.. and your cat is healthier therefore less vet bills and it will live longer..... its a win win.... dont feed your cat cheap cat food, it isnt worth it in the long run. Also research raw food diets... its best for your pet.. and Evo dry bag food is the closest thing in a dry form to raw... it hasnt been cooked its been freeze dried and made into chewable pellets...good luck on this, its exciting.... oh.. as for cost.... well.. your looking at at least 20.00 a month... or maybe 25.00... thats only food for one cat and scoopable litter. And remember, the Evo food is so pure you dont have to feed much... one bag should last you almost two months.
Barabara
I feed my kitties Cat Chow. The bag is about 25 pounds and runs about $12. Since you have one cat, it should last way over a month.. And the litter that I buy is Special Kitty, its the Wal Mart cheap brand.. Its scoopable, 25 pounds, costs $6, and will definitely last over a month. Cats are not expensive at all. Just make sure you keep your new kitty up to date on shots!
Bill
Make sure you dont skimp on the food. Your cat needs a mix of dry and wet food, and make sure he/she has enough protein in their food. Do NOT get the cheapest possible because you dont know what they put in it.
Luisa
How about give your cat fresh food everyday. Then you can count the cost of the fish etc and milk as your cat budget food. You can also let it search for its own food for fun. Therefore you should not feed him so much and that will save your fun. For litter, a the gadget can be made easily by yourself, no need to worry.