Cats are wonderful animals, and if you get the chance to adopt a little kitten, you will have an invaluable companion for many years. But how much does a kitten really cost ? Usually, the price of a regular kitten will be around 500 - 1500 kr. If you want a purebred cat, the price can go up significantly. In this blog post, we will look at other factors that affect how much a kitten costs and other expenses that arise throughout its long life.
What factors affect the price of a kitten?
If you search online, you will find kittens that are given away almost for free. It is also possible to adopt kittens from an animal welfare organization for a set amount. These are usually domestic cats or mixed breeds without a pedigree. The price of the kitten often varies, depending on what expenses it has had in addition to cat litter and food . For example, if the kitten has already been vaccinated, neutered, ID-tagged and dewormed , it is common for the new owner to pay part or all of the expense as the price for taking over the kitten. If your cat has not gone through all of these steps - and you are located in Larvik - you are welcome to visit our small animal clinic !
Cat breed
If you are looking for a purebred cat, such as a Russian Blue, Maine Coon, Ragdoll or Persian, you must expect to pay significantly more. The reasons for the higher price, which can be between 10,000 and 20,000 kroner, are, among other things, the costs of running a breeding farm, such as testing the cats to see if they are suitable for breeding, pedigrees for kittens and health certificates. In addition, a lot of time is consistently spent with the kittens when they are young for socialization. Some purebred cats are more expensive than others, such as the Bengal, as it is in greater demand.
Age
Adopting a kitten is exciting and hard to resist! You also have the opportunity to socialize the cat from a young age so that it has a better chance of becoming a confident and people-loving cat. However, it can still be difficult to predict what temperament the cat will have. Older cats have often calmed down more, and it is easy to see a clear personality. Older cats tend to be a little cheaper than kittens, but the price difference is quite small.
Free kittens
Even if you find a free kitten online, don't forget about the rest of the costs. You need to have the finances to care for your pet and for unforeseen events that may arise, and be aware of the responsibilities that come with it. Getting a kitten should never be an impulse purchase. Unfortunately, as veterinarians, we too often witness people dumping kittens when they go on vacation, or healthy cats being euthanized because their owners can't afford the costs of a cat, or the time to find new owners.
Even if you got a kitten for free, you need to be willing to pay all the expenses that come with it. Make sure you have the finances to provide your kitten with the care it needs throughout its life, whether that's veterinary costs or paying a cat sitter when you go on vacation. A kitten will be a member of your family for at least 15 years.
How much does it cost to have a kitten?
The price of a kitten is not a single amount. In addition to the kitten itself, there is much more that a kitten needs to live a good life. ID marking, neutering/sterilization and all start-up equipment such as cat bowls ,cat beds , brushes and scratching posts are mostly a one-time fee. But you also have the ongoing costs such as cat litter, quality food and insurance. If you have an outdoor cat, there are additional costs such as floatation and cat flaps, and if you have an indoor cat you will have to spend money on securing windows or balconies. And what about cat passports if you are going to travel without the kitten, or if it suddenly develops health problems? There are several factors that can affect how much a kitten costs overall after you have bought it, but the average cost is around 500 - 1000 NOK per month.
Although there are several expenses associated with buying a kitten, it is a worthwhile investment. A kitten can enrich your life in many ways, and if you give it a good life, you will have a faithful companion for many years to come.
Summary
A kitten will normally cost 500 - 1500 NOK for a domestic cat or mixed breed. If you want a purebred cat, the price is around 10,000 - 20,000 NOK. The costs of a kitten do not stop at the purchase price. You also have to factor in veterinary expenses, insurance, food and other cat equipment. On average, you can expect to spend around 500 - 1000 NOK a month to own a cat. Are you going to get a kitten? Read everything you need to know in our kitten guide !
