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How Much Is A Cat In Australia?

Candiece Cyrus
Forbes Staff

Published: Apr 8, 2024, 1:23pm

Johanna Leggatt
editor

Reviewed By

Editorial note: Forbes Advisor Australia may earn revenue from this story in the manner disclosed here. Read our advice disclaimer here.
How Much Is A Cat In Australia?

Table of Contents

Australia is a nation of cat lovers, but also home to a large number of abandoned felines. According to Animal Medicines Australia’s 2022 survey of pets and people, a third of households have at least one cat, but the RSPCA alone reported taking in almost 34,000 in 2022-23.

The problem of high numbers of homeless cats (and dogs) in Australia, can at least in part be ascribed to pet owners underestimating how much it takes to care for an animal. If you’re thinking of welcoming a feline addition to the family, you may want to note what you can expect to pay out in vital expenses across its lifetime, as outlined below. For a breakdown of the average expenditure for a dog, you can check our dedicated guide.

How Much Does a Cat Cost Annually?

A cat’s first year is typically the most expensive, as owners will need to make arrangements to set it up for a comfortable, happy and healthy life. This includes buying items for the home, such as a cat bed and bowl, and procedures, such as its first round of vaccines. You’ll also be legally required to pay to register your cat with your local council.

The government’s Moneysmart website estimates that you can expect to fork out between $3,000 and $6,000 on essentials, during this time. This amount drops to a maximum $1,715 each year thereafter, according to Animal Medicines Australia. The figure does not take into account any unexpected costs that may arise for emergency treatment, should your cat suffer an injury or fall ill.

Vet Expenses

Unlike a cat’s diet, vet bills aren’t always as easy to budget for, but as there’s no Medicare for animals, it’s vital that owners account for such costs. Prices will differ between practices, and locations, and will take into account factors such as the breed, age and health of your cat.

According to Moneysmart, standard procedures such as microchipping, vaccinations and de-sexing, the latter of which is mandatory in certain parts of Australia, can total a maximum $1,000 in the first year of a pet’s life. You won’t have to worry about this if you adopt, as many charities take care of these routine procedures before passing the animal on to you, but Animal Medicines Australia has found essential vet costs throughout the following years, including routine procedures and check ups, can total a minimum $388 annually for a cat. An extra $280 a year is suggested as a maximum amount for healthcare products, such as flea, tick and worming medications, while the cost for emergency care can easily run into the hundreds and even thousands.

For more information on desexing your cat and vet fees in Australia you can read our dedicated guides. Note that many vets don’t advertise the costs of their services, and sometimes won’t be able to advise you on price before a consultation.

Pet Insurance

If you’re unsure how you’ll cover your cat’s vet bills, it could be worth taking out pet cover. In addition to paying out for an animal’s treatment, it can cover additional expenses, such as the cost of advertising and a reward if your cat goes missing, or cattery fees if you’re taken ill, and need to be hospitalised.

The number of pet insurance providers servicing Australia has increased considerably in recent years, which has helped to make the market more competitive. This is great news for pet owners as they are more likely to find a deal on the cover they need if they shop around.

Animal Medicines Australia has found a cat insurance policy to cost an average of $94 each month. The specific cost will depend on factors such as the breed, age and medical history of your pet, as well as where you live.

When comparing policies, remember to consider what type of policy is most suitable for your cat, and financial situation. There are three main types of cover:

  • Accident only: offers the most basic level of protection, covering injury resulting from an accident. It is often the cheapest form of pet insurance.
  • Accident and illness: covers accidents and illness as specified by the insurer. It is often more expensive than accident-only cover.
  • Comprehensive insurance: A popular form of pet insurance among Australians, it covers accidents and illness, and can extend to routine procedures, either as an optional extra at an additional cost, or automatically.

If you’re looking for comprehensive cover, you may want to first check our pick of the best policies.

It’s important to take out insurance as early as possible, to ensure it’s in place before your cat suffers a mishap. It’s unlikely an insurer will cover what it terms a ‘pre-existing condition’. This is a condition your cat had before purchasing the policy. Also, many insurers will not cover a cat once it reaches around nine years of age.

Other Costs

As perhaps expected, a cat’s meals and treats account for a substantial proportion of its annual expenses, especially if owners opt for premium brands, or human food. On average, Animal Medicines Australia has found the total cost to amount to $1,595 a year, which equates to $133 a month.

You’ll also need to pay a registration fee for your pet. This ranges from $40 to $100 annually, according to Moneysmart. The exact price will depend on your local council, and may be reduced for reasons such as your cat being de-sexed, or over 10 years of age.

A number of other requirements should also be kept in mind. You can find out what these are, and how much they can cost annually, according to Animal Medicines Australia, below:

  • Essentials: Items such as a collar, bed, bowls and toys can add up to around $181 each year, on average.
  • Cattery: If not covered by your pet insurance, cattery costs amount to $53. This will depend on factors such as the location, time of year and length of stay.
  • Additional services: Clipping and grooming can add up to $196, while training, behaviour and therapy services can total $22, and alternative treatments around $7. Competitions and memberships, can cost around $6, and anything else that hasn’t been accounted for approximately the same amount.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How much does it cost to buy or adopt a cat?

According to the RSPCA SA, the cost of adopting or purchasing a cat ranges from free (in the case of rehoming or adoption) to $2,000.

The amount you pay will depend on if you purchase the cat from a rescue centre, a reputable breeder or seller or elsewhere. You may decide to take in a stray, or a cat a friend no longer wants.

What do cat costs amount to per month?

Animal Medicines Australia has found that cat costs total a maximum $1,715 a year on average. Monthly, this works out at around $143, with food and vet costs accounting for the lion’s share of this amount. Expect to pay double this sum, or more, in your pet’s first year.

How long do cats live?

Cats can live between 12 and 18 years on average, which means you can spend around $22,000 to $34,000 on your feline over its lifetime, inclusive of an initial $3,000 as a minimum in its first year and $1,715 each year following.

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Candiece Cyrus Forbes Staff

I have been writing for newspapers, magazines and online publications for over 10 years. My passion is providing, in a way that is easily accessible and digestible to all, the knowledge needed for readers to not only manage their finances, but financially flourish.