In this article
View 4 More +The Cornish Rex is a domestic breed of cat that has unusual fur. Instead of an outer coat, a middle layer, and an undercoat, like most other cat breeds, they have only a “down” or undercoat that is extremely fine and short. Sometimes, their undercoat is curly. This cat breed is popular among those who want a more “sophisticated” or “high-end” pet. However, these cats are suitable for households of (almost) all types.
Bringing Home a New Cornish Rex: One-Time Costs
The cost of bringing home a new Cornish Rex for the first time will depend on where you source the feline. If you have the time and inclination to work with a rescue group or the humane society, you may be able to score one of these cats for free. There is also the possibility of adoption and buying from a breeder. Here is a breakdown.
Free
If you are lucky, you can find a purebred Cornish Rex that someone must rehome for some reason, in which case, you may not have to pay anything at all for the cat themselves. Some people ask for a rehoming fee in an attempt to make sure only people who intend to care for the animal are considered. They may waive the fee in exchange for a home visit, just to check out where the cat will live. Others might not have any requirements for taking ownership of the Cornish Rex that they are rehoming.
Adoption
- $10 – $100
Adoption might be an option to consider if you can find a Cornish Rex at the humane society or another rescue organization. Adoption typically is not free, though, as these organizations must cover the costs of caring for animals that they rescue as they try to find new homes for them. Therefore, a cat can cost anywhere between $10 and $100 (give or take) depending on things like the type of organization you’re working with, your location, and the cost of veterinarian care that the cat received.
Breeder
- $1,500 – $2,000
Getting a Cornish Rex from a breeder is the best way to ensure that you’re getting a purebred kitty, but there are a few downsides. First, the cost of this breed is quite high compared to most other breeds and can range between $1,500 and $2,000. You might get lucky and find a breeder selling for less, depending on the situation.
Second, supporting breeders tends to lead to the production of cats that are ultimately unwanted, mistreated, or abandoned. With so many cats in the rescue system as it is, unnecessary breeding, or breeding for profit, exacerbates the situation.
Initial Setup and Supplies
- $200 – $600
There are many things that you will need to purchase to ensure that your new Cornish Rex is safe, happy, and healthy while living with you. The cost of most supplies that you’ll need, like a collar, spaying or neutering, and bedding, can vary depending on the type, quality, and brand that you choose. Therefore, the initial setup and supply cost may be (approximately) anywhere between $200 and $600.
List of Cornish Rex Care Supplies and Costs
| ID Tag and Collar | $20 – $30 |
| Spay/Neuter | $50 – $150 |
| Microchip | $25 – $50 |
| Bedding | $10 – $30 |
| Nail Clippers | $5 – $30 |
| Brush/Comb | $5 – $25 |
| Litter Box | $15 – $50 |
| Litter Scoop | $5 – $10 |
| Cat Scratchers/Posts | $20 – $100 |
| Toys | $15 – $30 |
| Carrier | $20 – $75 |
| Food and Water Bowls | $10 – $20 |
How Much Does a Cornish Rex Cost Per Month?
- $20 – $5,375 per month
Several things must be purchased weekly or monthly to properly care for your Cornish Rex. Some things, like healthcare costs, may not be necessary every month. Other things, like food, will certainly be required. Here’s what to consider.
Health Care
- $0 – $5,000+ per month
Healthcare costs can widely vary from month to month, depending on what happens as time goes on. Some months, you won’t spend any money on healthcare, while others, you might spend several thousands of dollars to pay for surgery due to an illness or accident. It’s a good idea to set up a savings account and put a certain amount of money in that account each month (even if it’s just $5), so it can be used to help pay for emergency services that don’t fit into your budget.
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Food
- $20 – $75 per month
Food is another cost that can vary depending on the brand and type that you choose to invest in. Store-brand foods are usually less expensive, but they may not provide as high-quality nutrients as more expensive brands.
Medications and Vet Visits
- $0 – $250 per month
If you are living with a happy and healthy Cornish Rex, you likely won’t spend money on medications and/or vet visits every month. You will still have to pay for regular checkups throughout the year, but it won’t be a monthly expenditure. The same thing goes for medications, as occasional illnesses are bound to happen and accidents are always possible. Therefore, you might spend nothing in a month for medications and vet visits, while you might spend up to $250 (estimated) in another month for such services.
Pet Insurance
- $0 – $50 per month
There are many companies out there that offer pet insurance to help cover the costs of unexpected veterinarian expenses. Pet insurance is not mandatory like vehicle insurance is, so if you do not want to invest in it, you don’t have to. If you do decide to buy pet insurance, you might spend anywhere from $10 to $50 each month on your chosen policy.
Environment Maintenance
- $0 – $50 per month
There are a few things that you must do as a Cornish Rex owner to help keep the environment safe and healthy. For instance, you have to make sure dirty cat litter is carefully disposed of. There are other things that you might decide to utilize to help keep your environment pleasant while minimizing your household’s carbon footprint along the way. Here are examples:
| Litter box liners | $10/month |
| Deodorizing spray or granules | $20/month |
| Cardboard scratcher | $10 – $20/month |
Entertainment
- $0 – $50 per month
When it comes to entertainment for your new Cornish Rex, you can be as “cheap” or “extravagant” as you want to be. Cats in general don’t care how budget friendly or high-end their entertainment (or belongings, for that matter) happen to be. Many cats are happy to play with paper bags that have been emptied after coming home from the store. Still, if you’re like most people, you will want to spend at least some money on entertaining your Cornish Rex as time goes on.
You may want to make your own toys or utilize those you’ve already purchased for multiple months to keep your kitty entertained, in which case, you won’t spend any money on entertainment. However, you might choose to buy a new toy or cat scratcher to enrich your cat’s environment and increase their mental and physical stimulation.
You might even want to invest in a monthly cat subscription box that will provide all the entertainment that your cat will need throughout their lifetime. Here are popular options to consider:
- MeowBox, $29.95/month: This subscription service offers themed monthly entertainment boxes that include unique toys and tasty treats, and the box itself is a bonus piece of “playground equipment.” Each box contains five to six exciting items.
- KitNipBox, $19.99–$29.99/month: Your kitty is sure to enjoy a variety of different toys, catnip products, and treats every month when you invest in a KitNipBox subscription. There are two plans to choose from, each of which offers free shipping and a no-questions-asked cancellation policy.
- BoxCat, $23–$34/month or $37/quarterly: This subscription service offers the opportunity to purchase large monthly boxes that include not only the toys and treats that other services provide but also bedding, scratchers, and larger gear that can be costly when purchased separately in stores. BoxCat offers both monthly and quarterly subscription options.
The truth is that you can spend as little or as much money as you want on entertainment for your cat. Even felines that rely on homemade toys and old clothes for bedding can lead a happy and high quality of life.
Total Monthly Cost of Owning a Cornish Rex
- $20 – $5,475 per month
The total monthly cost of owning a Cornish Rex can vary from owner to owner depending on things like lifestyle, budget, and preferences. Some things are not avoidable, like veterinarian care. However, no expense is likely to be the same each and every month aside from food and maybe a cat subscription box. So, it’s up to you to determine what your budget is and how you want to allocate that budget throughout the year to make sure your kitty is well cared for and as happy as can be.
Additional Costs to Factor In
There are additional costs that you are likely to have to factor in at one point during your Cornish Rex’s life. Some instances will be unavoidable, while others will be entirely voluntary. Here’s what to consider:
- Pet Sitting, $10–$50/hour: If you want to go on vacation or must go on a business trip, your cat could fend for themselves. However, it’s always a good idea to hire a pet sitter or take advantage of a boarding facility to ensure that your Cornish Rex is safe, well-fed, and cared for in case of an emergency while you are away.
- Travel Gear, $20–$300: If you want to take your Cornish Rex with you while traveling by vehicle or plane, you’ll need to get gear, such as a travel kennel, a harness and leash, and weatherproof bedding, to make the trip as comfortable and safe as possible.
- Emergency Treatments, $100–$5,000: There is no way to maintain control over what happens when an emergency arises, and the same goes for controlling the cost of emergency cat care. Therefore, it’s best to invest in pet insurance or save as much as possible for emergencies to alleviate the pain of facing unexpected treatment expenses.
- Household Damage, $10–$250: All cats can get rambunctious occasionally, especially when they become bored or do not get enough exercise or mental stimulation. So, they might accidentally break a dish, rip a curtain, or ruin a book during their shenanigans. Every cat owner should expect to replace something occasionally due to accidents or rambunctiousness.
Budgeting a certain amount of money each month to put away in anticipation of expenses like these can help ensure that you don’t end up facing a financial hardship that puts undue stress on your household.
Owning a Cornish Rex on a Budget
If you are looking to own a cat on a budget, the Cornish Rex is probably not the best breed choice for you. The cost of buying one of these cats alone is hefty. A rescue cat from the humane society could be a better choice. However, it is important to keep in mind that all cats can become ill or injured and require costly veterinarian care. So, owning any cat might end up being anything but budget friendly.
Saving Money on Cornish Rex Care
There are a few things that you can do to save money when it comes to Cornish Rex care expenses. For starters, look at all the rescue centers in your area to see if you can find a purebred Cornish Rex that needs a new home. Other things that you can do include:
- Invest in High-Quality Food: While the less expensive commercial cat foods out there can help save you money initially, these are usually of lesser quality than the higher-priced options on the market. The lower the quality of the food, the higher the chance that your Cornish Rex develops health problems that are expensive to treat and/or manage. Spending more money on cat food up front can help you avoid costly vet care and save you money overall.
- Recruit Family Help: Instead of paying for a pet sitter when you go out of town, consider asking a family member to care for your kitty in exchange for room and board while you’re away. Let them have free rein of your home and access to your fridge and cupboards, and don’t worry about hourly service expenses.
- Create Homemade Toys: Commercial cat toys can be expensive, and many are likely to get ignored by your cat when all is said and done. However, simple things like paper bags, boxes, and even toilet paper rolls tend to easily get the attention of a cat that wants to explore or play. So, get creative, and use old materials at home to create new toys and save yourself money over the years.
Conclusion
A Cornish Rex can cost as much as about $1,900 to acquire in the first place. There are also all the supplies and accessories that are necessary for proper care, which can initially cost you anywhere from about $200 to $600. Monthly expenses can dramatically range. Some months might have you looking at only about $20, while others might produce emergencies that end up costing you thousands of dollars.
Now that you have an idea of what to expect, you can properly budget for the care of your new Cornish Rex and avoid financial issues later.
Featured Image Credit: Imageman, Shutterstock
