Cat Costs

[Cheesybiscuitsmineallmine]

We have been offered two adult cats from a rescue. I was originally only thinking one... we have never lived with a cat before! Please could you help a possible newbie work out what to do, what I need to consider and how much it would cost a month for 2x cats. Thank you!

Two cats is fab. You can get multipet discounts on insurance. And if you are buying stuff for one, you might as well do it for two. It's a bit more, but not double the cost.

It's good having two if they come together. If they poop outdoors you don't need cat litter.
The main expense for one of mine is he's got sensitive skin and allergies so needs posh cat food, double the price of normal.
Insure them together. Toys, treats and definitely a couple of scratchings posts, up front a hundred quid maybe. Then obviously you can buy small stuff as and when if needed.

Two times food cost (for me approx £3-£4 per cat per day)
Two times vet plan £15 each a month
Some things can be bought once eg cat flap but others you need two of…eg my girl won’t go in a carrier with her brother so we have two, you may need 2 or 3 litter trays
Two lots of cattery fees but if they board in same chalet tends to be something like £12 for one £20 for two
Still glad I have two cats!

My insurance costs a fortune as my cats are an expensive breed to insure. The boy is about £100 pa more than the girl which is apparently to reflect the extra risk of him getting into a fight. (Ironic in this case as he is a massive coward and far less likely to fight or take any risks climbing etc than his sister.) So if cost is a massive consideration perhaps factor this in.

Cat food is expensive if using the wet pouches. I would say I spend at least £10 per week for one cat, but obviously would be less if used dry. I do think though the shelter would probably be delighted if you rehomed two if you could.

The boy is about £100 pa more than the girl which is apparently to reflect the extra risk of him getting into a fight.

They charge me this extra for a boy as well, for the same reason. However there's NO discount for them both being indoor only cats, with zero chance of getting into a fight with anything apart from each other and maybe a shopping bag (voice of experience there!).

Yes 2 cats will cost more than one but not quite double, as some household things like trees & toys they can share. I knew I needed to get 2 as I wanted cats who had to be kept indoors, so they would be company when I go out to work.

Lifetime insurance is more expensive, but well worth getting in case a cat develops a long term or permanent condition, as that isn't excluded each year going forwards.

We have three cats so you'd be paying less than this. Ours are 8, 4 and 1 - all neutered males. Costs are (roughly) as follows:

Insurance - approx. £30 a month for two. Our oldest is no longer insured as it was cheaper to just pay the vets direct for his treatment.

Food - they eat Sheba wet and Purina Dry. Wet food is £15 every two weeks, dry is about £25 every six weeks as I buy it all in bulk. Treat-wise I buy Tesco "dreamies" for about £2 a month with the food shop and Lick-e-Lix in bulk off Amazon whenever it's on offer.

Medication - £24 for Metacam for the oldest, plus £52 on blood tests twice a year. £20 (ish) in supplements for the middle one who is prone to Cystisis.

Toys - we have a scratching post that was about £50 and a few flirt poles/toys that were £5 or so but tbh they don't really use them. They go out in the garden so prefer to play out there.

Litter - we buy in bulk. £24 for 30l and that lasts about a month, give or take.

This is all really useful, thank you so much, everyone.

We now have just one cat. Two was definitely more expensive

Ours averages out at approx £50 a month for 1 cat. That’s mix of wet and dry food, flea and tick treatment 6 months of the year, annual vet visit and vaccine. He doesn’t use indoor tray anymore, hasn’t ever needed other vet treatment. We also pay £100 a year for trusted house sitters membership for cat sitter two/ three times a year.

Cat food has roughly doubled in cost since we have had our cat, (6 years)