Ok, so you either already have a cat or you’re thinking of getting one. Awesome!
How much does it cost to feed a cat per month? In this article we give you an idea of the cost and the some other factors to consider.
When it comes time for a meal, cats are usually quick to communicate to you how hungry they are. Giving a cat healthy food requires a diet that’s rich in the nutrients they need, such as vitamins A, D, and E.
With today’s prices, feeding a pet isn’t always cheap.
If you’re thinking of introducing a cat into your home or want to find out if you’re over or under the average budget for feeding your current pet, read further.
Except for visits to the vet, sustenance is the most expensive thing about owning cats, no different than most other pets. Oh, and don’t forget to get kitty some cool new cat furniture like a cat tree – that’ll add some to the bill also.
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How Much Does It Cost To Feed a Cat Per Month?
If you’re an expecting pet owner, it’s probably going to be more than you think. The average is around $500 a year, around $41 a month. But frankly, these are friendly numbers and your spending will probably be between $50-$100 per month.
No pet owner or cat is the same, so one cat food that’s cheaper or more expensive may be determined by the cat’s preference and health needs.
Other Feline Feeding Costs
Ok, so what about the alternatives, such as homemade pet chow prepared from scratch by yourself?
If you’re using premium cuts of meat to feed them, the costs could average up to the same price as feeding a child.
Cats enjoy eating oily fish, poultry such as chicken and duck, or even grains like rice.
As always, ask a veterinarian for feeding recommendations before you go out and buy new meals for them.
When trying to lower your spending costs, your vet might have some suggestions for you to try that won’t deprive them of the nutrients they need. It’s possible to reduce spending costs and maintain your cat’s daily recommended nutritional intake.
Don’t forget about hydration either – cats can be a bit notorious to get themselves dehydrated.
Feeding Tip: Keep in mind portions for cats are about 20 – 40 calories for every pound your cat weights. Remember that the more active the cat, the more calories they need.
Homemade Cat Food Cost
Cats don’t need fancy ingredients added to their homemade dishes. You probably won’t need to incorporate anything new into your nutrition spending budget if you’re already purchasing enough meats and poultry. Cats like to eat tuna and mackerel, two kinds of seafood commonly listed as some of the most healthy for felines.
If done correctly, homemade cat food is an option that’s equal to or slightly lower than the prices of buying from the store. Don’t be afraid to mix things up, and always ask a professional when you’re unsure about something you want to give them.
Homemade cat meals typically require these additional foodstuffs:
Organ Meat
Many cat foods contain organ meats as by-products. But when the food is strictly homemade, you’ll have to buy it separately. This could be hearts, livers, and gizzards. They have more nutrients than the meat that comes from the muscles and skin.
Unfortunately, not all organ meats will be readily available at the typical grocery store so you may end up paying extra wherever you can get them.
Utensils
No matter if it’s store-bought or made in your kitchen, cooking utensils should be added to your monthly costs. However, unlike the meals themselves, it’s not something you would probably spend money on every single month.
Utensils can include a grinder for mixing bone with meat, pet bowls, and a container for dry and refrigerated storage of food.
Strictly Pre-Made Cat Food
Most cat owners spend money on prepackaged cat chow that’s store-bought. Wet cat food has been around for a long time, but saw explosive growth in sales in the last year. Brands like Nestle and Big Heart sit at the top for current sales with Mars and Private Label trailing behind.
Dry brands continue to dominate with $5.35 billion in total US sales. But for the individual consumer, monthly costs for dry can range as low as $5-$20 every month. Wet cat food is typically more expensive and part of the reason why sales are lower, $2.44 billion to be exact.
With wet cat meals, your expenses could increase from $20-$50, predicated on how often you feed them and their food preferences.
Calculate According to Your Circumstances
If there’s only one cat that you’re feeding, the costs for keeping them full can be pretty cheap. But for people with multiple cats, the monthly price could reach over $200. You can avoid spending this much if you take the time to find food at discounted prices. Here’s what you can do:
Buy cat food in bulk or large quantities
Since cats must eat continuously, it’s better for you to buy large quantities of products that you know they like, customarily to keep your monthly savings down. 22 pounds is the average size of a large cat food bag. Still, they are sold in larger sizes.
Some stores have 30-pound bags. When buying these, compare the price that you would normally pay for a small bag to that of the larger one. Your quarterly price should be lower than the larger one unless you increase the portion sizes.
How To Calculate Cost
In order to get started trying to get an idea of how much it will cost to feed your cat each month you’ll need to know at least these things:
- How much your cats each – dry or wet food
- Multiply that over a 30 day period
- How much is inside the can of cat food or how many pounds is the bag?
Your vet can help you figure this out if it’s confusing
Keep Portions in control
Speaking of portions, you can cut your monthly spending on cat food if you’re going over the suggested portions to give them. The recommended portions for cats are between 20 to 40 calories for every pound.
Therefore, a 10-pound cat’s intake should be around 200 to 400 calories every day. Pregnant cats would need more, but if the amount being fed to them is lower than the suggested level of consumption, it’s okay to scale back a little. You would see the results of this cut fast since the fare that you buy for them will last much longer.
How Much Does It Cost To Feed a Cat…Summary
Putting your cat on a combo diet – that is a combination of wet and dry cat food is super easy to do, provides variety
How much does it cost to feed a cat? It’s going to run a range depending on the weight of your cat, how they’ll eat per day, whether you use wet or dry food and the quality of that food.
Cats are gentle and smart, traits that are sure to remain that way with a balanced and nutritious diet.
Like people, they love to eat delicious cuisine. Stocking up on wet or dry cat food may turn out mixed spending costs conditional on more than one situation. But with the right budgeting and purchases in quantity, it’s achievable to average at or lower than normal spending prices.
Related Article: Why Do Cat Treats Taste Better Than Cat Food?
