Consider the breed
The cost of owning a cat varies depending on the breed you get. It will set you back at least £11,100 to care for the average cat over its lifetime, according to pet charity People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA). This includes the cost of insurance but doesn’t include additional vet bills for illness or injury.
However, the breed you choose will have an impact on how much you spend, both at the outset and throughout its life.
Cats can be rehomed from shelters for under £100, while prices to buy pedigree cats from breeders vary widely. Maine coon, bengal and persian kittens can cost £800 or more each from breeders. They are also in the top 10 most expensive cat breeds to insure in 2024, according to the price comparison site GoCompare.
You can find out more about the other ongoing costs of owning a cat on the PDSA website, including information on grooming, food, and equipment. There are plenty of tips on caring for your cat on a budget on the Cats Protection website.
Get insured
Failing to buy pet insurance could leave you with hefty vet bills if your cat has an accident, develops a health condition or gets injured in a fight. The cost of a cat hip replacement can be as high as £8,000, according to the website Pets4Homes, while treating an open wound can cost up to £350.
Lifetime pet insurance is usually the most expensive type of cover, but it will give you the greatest peace of mind. It covers most vet bills for illness or injury, with the cover limit resetting each year. Time-limited policies are cheaper, but they have an annual cap on what you can claim for each condition.
Anna McEntee, a director at the price comparison site Compare the Market, says: “Insurance policies often won’t cover pre-existing health conditions, so it’s crucial to insure your cat as early as possible.
“Check the excess fees [how much you have to pay towards each claim], which may include percentage-based and fixed payments. If you own multiple cats, look for discounted multi-pet policies.”
Find cheaper food
Use the Trolley.co.uk website to compare supermarket cat food prices. Those such as Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Aldi and Lidl sell their own cat food, which can be much cheaper than well-known brands. For example, a box of 12 packets of “complete and balanced nutrition adult cat mixed selection in jelly” costs £2.99 at Tesco. This compares with £4.50 for the same amount of Felix cat food.
However, it’s worth taking a look at the ingredients before you buy. Axel Lagercrantz, the chief executive of Pets4Homes, says: “Choose food with higher quality meat content and fewer fillers like cereals and grains to keep your cat healthy. A good diet, rich in vitamins and appropriate for your pet’s life stage, is essential for maintaining health and quality of life.”
You may find it cheaper to buy cat food in bulk. Check discount shops such as B&M and The Range or bulk-buy stores such as Costco. Online retailers include Pet Supermarket and Pet Planet. Dry cat food is usually cheaper to buy in bulk than wet food, and usually easier to find in larger packets.
Some retailers offer a better price if you sign up for repeat orders. At Pet Planet, for example, you can save £2 on 3kg bags of Purina Pro Plan dry food if you opt to subscribe to its ”repeat and save” scheme.
You can make healthy cat treats at home that are cheaper than the packet options. Check the Battersea Dogs and Cats Home website for recipes to make your own cat treats such as beef jerky and tuna balls.
Cut vet costs
Vet visits can quickly become costly. Charities such as PDSA and Blue Cross offer reduced-price services for pet owners on certain benefits. Otherwise you will need to pay a private vet. Comparing costs is not very easy as most practices do not publish a price list online, but you could call and ask how much each charge for a consultation or vaccination.
Gemma Renwick, a PDSA vet nurse, says: “Stay on top of preventive healthcare such as annual vaccinations, regular flea and worming treatments, and neutering. Many veterinary practices offer monthly preventative health care plans covering regulator treatments and annual vaccinations.”
Often these plans work out cheaper than paying separately for all of the elements.
If you need to pay for expensive treatment and cannot afford to do so all at once, your vet may have a plan that allows you to spread the cost of treatment over months. This works similarly to a loan, allowing you to pay for your pet’s treatment in instalments. Many come with an interest-free period but check the small print carefully.
Buying medication online can also save you money. For instance, six months of Advocate flea treatment costs around £60 at the vet but only £21.49 from Pet Drugs Online.
Make your own toys
Cats don’t need fancy shop-bought toys to stay entertained. Get creative and make your own using items you already have at home. Crumpled-up paper balls, cardboard boxes, and even old socks stuffed with catnip can provide hours of amusement for your cat. They love to hide and chase.
Take an empty toilet paper tube, cut a few holes in it, and stuff with scrunched-up paper – your cat may love batting it around. You could also create a simple chasing toy by tying a feather to one end of a piece of string.
Buy secondhand and repurpose
Search for cheap or pre-owned equipment on online marketplaces such as Gumtree, eBay and Facebook Marketplace. You may find a cat tree that was expensive when bought new going for free because a cat has decided not to play with it.
If you are looking for something specific that your cat needs, ask your local community. Post on Facebook pages dedicated to your area, Nextdoor or other local online groups.
Consider repurposing items you already have. Instead of buying an expensive cat bed, a simple cardboard box lined with a soft blanket may work – it is often enough to satisfy a cat’s need for comfort and security.
Save on litter
Litter trays are a necessity if you’ve an indoor cat, but buying quality litter can be pricey. Save on cat litter by bulk-buying or making your own from wood chippings or old newspaper.
If you would prefer to buy, Morrisons and Asda sell a 10kg bag of clumping litter for £2.19, the cheapest options we found. You can also stretch your litter supply by removing clumps daily and topping up the tray rather than fully changing it each time.
