Deals on food and homemade toys: seven ways to cut the cost of cat ownership

Making your own cat toys is one way to cut the cost of cat ownership. Illustration: Jamie Wignall/The Guardian

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.