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View 4 More +Abyssinian cats are unique pets that are beloved for their unique appearance. Abyssinian cats have a very distinct orange color and large ears. They are also friendly and sweet. All of this has made Abyssinians very popular, but getting one of your own might not be super straightforward. Abyssinians are not the most common type of cat, and running into one at a shelter or adoption event would be considered lucky. So, how much does it cost to get an Abyssinian cat of your own? How much does it cost to care for each month? What do you need to know before buying a new cat? This guide will cover all of that and more.
Bringing Home a New Abyssinian Cat: One-Time Costs
Getting a new cat is always exciting. There are very few feelings that can match the one you get when you bring home a brand-new pet. But bringing home a new Abyssinian cat comes with some costs that you should be aware of. If you are lucky, you will be able to get the cat for free, but even if you don’t have to pay for your cat, there are other things you will have to buy.
Free
Lucky people will be able to get a new Abyssinian cat for free. Cats are frequently given away. Local people, animal shelters, and rescue groups can all be reliable sources for free cats. Free cats are much more common than free dogs. But the likelihood of finding a free purebred Abyssinian cat is still rather low.
Adoption
- $50 – $150
Even if you can’t find a free Abyssinian, you should still be able to find a cat for cheap. Most shelters and rescue groups will adopt out cats for a small fee. Local shelters will usually be cheaper than rescue groups. Some organizations will charge more for good looking purebred cats, which is the category that Abyssinians will frequently fall into.
These adoption fees will usually range from $50 to $150, but some groups might try to charge more for a young purebred Abyssinian.
Breeder
- $900 – $2,000+
If you are bent on getting an Abyssinian cat and cannot find one for free or cheap, you will likely need to use a breeder. Abyssinian cat breeders are fairly common, but they aren’t always cheap. The cost of a well-bred Abyssinian kitten can range anywhere from $900 to $2,000. Some breeders have been seen charging upwards of $2,400 for Abyssinian cats in certain markets. If you want to buy from a breeder, make sure you have saved enough money to pick the cat you want, and make sure that you thoroughly research the breeder and ask questions in order to make sure that they are reputable.
Initial Setup and Supplies
- $225 – $750
Once you have secured your new kitty, you will need to ensure that you have everything they need to be happy and healthy in their new home. Setting up your house for a cat includes things like a litter box, food, litter, bowls, and more. If this is your first cat, you will need to buy a lot of stuff to ensure that your cat has everything they need. If this is not your first cat, you will likely have most of the essentials already.
List of Abyssinian Cat Care Supplies and Costs
| ID Tag and Collar | $20 |
| Spay/Neuter | $400 – $600 |
| X-Ray Cost | $100 – $250 |
| Ultrasound Cost | $300 – $600 |
| Microchip | $50 |
| Teeth Cleaning | $400 – $500 |
| Bed (Optional) | $15 – $50 |
| Nail Clipper (optional) | $10 |
| Brush (optional) | $10 |
| Litter Box | $30 |
| Kitty Litter | $20 |
| Litter Scoop | $10 |
| Carrier | $50 |
| Food and Water Bowls | $20 |
How Much Does an Abyssinian Cat Cost Per Month?
- $70 – $450 per month
Taking care of a cat can be extremely affordable, but it can also become expensive, depending on the age and health of your cat. Cats are typically the cheapest to care for when they are young and healthy and the most expensive when they are old and ailing.
Health Care
- $20 – $480 per month
Health and care costs include everything that your cat needs to survive on a daily basis. That includes essentials like food and medications, but it also includes veterinary visits and potential insurance costs. The largest cost is potential vet and medical costs which can get quite high if you have a sick or elderly cat that has a number of daily medical considerations.
Food
- $20 – $60 per month
Cats need food every day. Whether you feed a scoop of dry food or use a combination of wet food, fresh food, and treats, food costs are a constant. Food can cost as little as $20 per month with affordable bags of dry food, or you can pay up to $60 a month for specialty foods.
Grooming
- $0 – $50 per month
Most cats will not need any grooming. Abyssinians are typically very clean and have a short, manageable coat. The vast majority of people will not pay a dime for grooming costs for their Abyssinian cat. However, if you are someone who likes to bring their pets to the groomer you could pay $20 to $50 per month on monthly grooming trips.
Medications and Vet Visits
- $0 – $250 per month
Medications and vet visits are the largest potential cost for any pet owner. Thankfully, most cats require very little in the way of vet care or medications, especially on a monthly basis. In fact, many cat owners put off going to the vet as long as possible, and it is not uncommon to see cats go months (or even years) without going to the vet. If you have a healthy cat, you won’t pay much for medical care. However, if you have to go to the vet frequently to treat cancer, tooth issues, or injuries, you can expect to pay $75 just for the office visit plus any medications and services your cat might need, which can quickly rack up a sizable monthly bill.
Pet Insurance
- $0 – $35 per month
Similar to health costs, many people will not bother paying for pet insurance for their cats because they rarely go to the vet. However, if you lock in a low rate when you have a kitten, you can save a lot of money in the long run if your pet does have a medical condition or medical emergency. Pet insurance costs are often very reasonable and it is worth looking into if you anticipate visits to the vet in the future.
Environment Maintenance
- $30 – $72 per month
Cats require a number of things that you need to keep up with to keep them happy and healthy. One of the most basic is litter. Cats will fill a litter box every few days, and you need to have fresh litter, litter box liners, and potential deodorizing treatments to keep the litter area clean and fresh at all times.
| Litter box liners | $12/month |
| Deodorizing spray or granules | $10/month |
| Cardboard Scratcher | $20/month |
| Litter | $30/month |
Entertainment
- $10 – $30 per month
Many cats like toys. Whether you just buy a wand toy every few months or some simple catnip, or if you invest in a monthly toy box, most people spend a little money on entertainment for their cat each month. Entertainment costs are often very minimal, and some people might not pay anything to entertain their cat on a regular basis.
Total Monthly Cost of Owning an Abyssinian Cat
- $80 – $580 per month
Most cat owners will clock in right around $100 per month in care costs. Abyssinian cats are often healthy, and you will be spending most of your money on litter and food for them. The higher number that soars over $500 reflects the cost of caring for an old, sick, or injured cat. You need to keep this number in mind because, in unfortunate situations where your cat gets sick or hurt, you might have to spend hundreds a month to treat them or nurse them back to health. You do not want to be surprised by medical costs down the line.
Additional Costs to Factor In
Pet Sitters/Boarding
- $20 – $40 per day
If you ever plan on taking a vacation or if you need to go out of town for any amount of time, you will need to pay for a pet sitter. Some people are lucky enough to have family or friends who will watch their cat for free, but most people will have to pay for a sitter or pet boarding. Costs can range from $20 to $40 per day, so don’t forget to put that in the budget for your next trip.
Emergency Vet Care
- $500 – $2,500+ per incident
No one wants to think about emergency vet care, but it is a very real possibility. Cats that spend a lot of time outdoors have the chance of getting into a fight with another animal or being struck by a car. Cats can also get urinary blockages, which can cost hundreds of dollars to resolve. Emergency vet care usually pawts around $500 but can soar to thousands depending on the severity of the emergency.
Scratching Damage
- $20 – $100 per month
Some cats are prolific scratchers. Cats that scratch a lot can damage furniture, tear up shoes, and put holes in blankets or clothing. If you have a destructive cat, you will have to shell out money to fix the things they break or destroy. (That is especially true if they destroy something belonging to a guest.)
Insurance Deductible
- $100 – $1,000
One thing that most people don’t think about is their insurance deductible. If you have pet insurance, you likely have a deductible that you have to pay before insurance kicks in. Most people gloss over this and won’t remember until they need to use it. Don’t forget about your insurance deductible, or you can end up paying a lot more than you first thought.
Owning an Abyssinian Cat on a Budget
Not everyone has enough disposable income to allow them to afford hundreds of dollars per month on animal care. The good news is that cats are often very affordable to care for. Most cats cost very little to keep happy and healthy, especially compared to some other pets. Abyssinian cats are no different.
Saving Money on Abyssinian Cat Care
Having a healthy cat will be very affordable. The best ways to save money on cat care are to practice preventive medicine, consider buying health insurance for your cat when they are young, and monitor food costs. If you can avoid serious vet bills and long-term medical problems, you will save a ton of money. Since the highest costs for Abyssinian cat care come from veterinary bills and medications, avoiding those things early when your cat is young can pay huge dividends in the future.
Final Thoughts
Abyssinian cats are beautiful and make excellent companions. Buying an Abyssinian cat can cost hundreds of dollars, but caring for them is often affordable. Healthy Abyssinian cats cost roughly $100 per month to care for. That number will usually go up as the cat ages and develops more medical issues. Cats are the most expensive to care for when they are old or sick. Preparing for the future when your cat is young and affordable can help you save money in the long run.
- See also: 130 Amazing Names for Abyssinian Cats
Featured Image Credit: Nan Liu, Shutterstock
