Question by drew c: What is the cost of owning a cat from birth?
I have adopted an 8 week old kitten and am curious about how much it will cost. I have already spent over $ 100 on one vet trip and accessories (litter box, food, toys). Can an experienced owner let me know what to expect to pay as the cat grows and when it is full grown?
Best answer:
Answer by hummer1013
For quality vaccines, expect appx $ 60 per visit (yearly). Have your cat examined at least once a year, especially males, usually around $ 50 per visit. Do not delay getting him neutered, it is best for his health and your sanity. Don’t skimp on a crappy neuter clinic, they do not anesthetize completely, and he will remember the pain the rest of his life, a reasonable clinic will charge $ 150 for a quality neuter surgery (if they give breaks for animals under 1 year, as my hospital does, and so do many other clinics).
For your 8 week old kitten, start his initial vaccines and bi-monthly deworming now. The dewormer of choice is pyrantel pamoate, reletively inexpensive. If he is to go outside, start his flea prevention as soon as he is fully vaccinated. These are the basics for good cat health, in addition to proper diet. No male cat should be on any diet other than one indicated for urinary tract health (start this when he is finished with kitten food, appx 5-6 months old). I recommend buying Purina U/R from your vet. This will save you the heartache and expense of saving his life when he developes bladder sand, mucous or crystals, as he is bound do do when he is older.
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