The Complete Price Guide for the Abyssinian Cat

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There are only a handful of cats that you will find as attractive and adorable as the Abyssinian Cat. It is no surprise then that everyone wants to get their hands on one of them, according to Hillspet. However, before you decide to adopt one, be it an adult or kitten, you should be aware of the costs that come with adopting and purchasing one and the costs of raising a kitten and maintaining them properly.

The raison d’etre of this article is to help you know what it will cost you to get a cat, and essentially, inform you on whether you can afford one even before you take one in. So, that being said, how much does it cost to get an Abyssinian cat? In addition to a lot of fees associated with the cats, there are also a plethora of factors that influence the amount of money you will have to spend. This guide will be a walkway through the nuances of pricing, breaking down a somewhat complex entity into several substantial parts.

One-time costs

These are the costs that you will have to incur only once. They are also the main thing to consider when deciding to bring a cat into your home. The quintessential example of this is the adoption fees.

Getting cats for free

If you know someone who already has Abyssinian cats, you can ask them to give you a kitten or two when they give birth. Though this is the cheapest method of obtaining an Abyssinian cat, it should be noted that finding Abyssinian cats for free, that is, is incredibly rare. Moreover, it may take a very long time to get the cat since you are unsure when they will breed or give birth. It’s a long shot, but if you do not mind waiting, then it is worth a try.

Adoption

Another route you can take to get a cat is to adopt one. The best way to do this is to visit an animal shelter or adoption center. If this is the way you want to go, you should note that everyone wants an Abyssinian cat, as so you have to stay on the lookout since they will not be there for long. The main downside of adopting an Abyssinian from the shelter is that they do not usually have the cat’s paperwork, so you will not be able to verify the lineage. However, if all you are looking for is a pet, you should not worry about this too much. In a shelter, you will pay between 100 and 250 dollars to get an Abyssinian cat. The price will depend on the age and health of the cat and how long they have stayed in the shelter.

Breeder

It is at this point where things start to get a bit pricey. Getting a cat from a breeder is the easiest way of doing so, and you have guarantees when it comes to lineage and health. However, for all the upsides, you will have to acquiesce to the high price. The price you will be charged will depend on the specific coat of the cat, as well as their parentage. If you look for a cat from a breeder, be ready to part with anywhere between 1200 and 2200 dollars. If the cat is a purebred Abyssinian cat, then the price will be closer and may even surpass the 2000-dollar mark.

Purchasing the initial setup and stocking of supplies

Once you have gotten your cat, it is essential and paramount that you provide them with a haven, a place where they can feel at home. Additionally, you have to take them to the vet, if they have not already, or if you are unsure, to get their vaccination shots while also checking for other health issues. You will need to get a scratch post, a litter box, some toys, and a couple of other things. These items, in total, may cost you anywhere between 700 and 1000 dollars, depending on the quality of times you buy them and the place you buy them from.

Long term costs

These are the costs that you will have to incur as you raise the kitten, and for as long as the cat is alive. In many ways, the cat is like your baby, and thus there are a couple of things you will have to provide them with, which will cost you some money.

Monthly expenditure

The monthly expenditure for your cat will be between 100 and 200 dollars. This is not a lot when you consider what you’d be spending if you had a larger size pet. Cats are generally easy to maintain, both financially and in terms of the amount of work, you will have to put in. If you can keep every single thing on the low end, then you will not even pass the 100-dollar mark. However, as stated, your cat is your baby, and if you decide to spoil them, then you will be spending closer to 200 dollars, according to Hepper. Some of the bills that will be covered by the monthly expenditure include;

Food

Suppose you are able to buy the food for your cat in bulk. In that case, you will be able to minimize your spending to up to 10 dollars a month while not compromising on the quality of food you give them. The Abyssinian cat is only about 6 to 10 pounds in weight, and thus they will not need to eat a lot. In a day, all they need is half a cup of cat food. If you add a couple of cans of wet food and some treats, then you will be able to stay under 25 dollars a month without making a fuss about it.

Grooming

You always want your cat to be looking good. When it comes to Abyssinian cats, grooming is inexpensive and easy to do. All you have to do is brush them at least once a week. This is because they do a very decent job of taking care of themselves. Moreover, you should make sure that you brush their teeth a few times every week. Make sure that you use vet-recommended cat toothpaste. Not only will this make sure that your cat has some healthy teeth, but it will also save you from incurring future health bills. For grooming, you will spend between 2 and 5 dollars a month.

Vet visits and medication

Doing the bare minimum, you will have to get your cat some tick and flea prevention medication. They will need this treatment every month, and so you can expect to spend about 20 dollars on a monthly basis. Moreover, you should put a little money aside to handle deductibles as well as other unexpected expenses. If your cat does have a health concern, then the price for medication and vet visits will increase. Otherwise, you can expect to spend about 20 to 50 dollars.

Pet insurance

Though not necessary, it is always better to have it. Get your Abyssinian when they are a kitten. You will be able to find a plan that is anywhere between 15 and 25 dollars. These pans will cover up to 90 percent of the medical bills you will incur in the future, and may also have a deductible of only 100 dollars. If you decide that you will get pet insurance, then the best time to do it is when the cat is still a kitten. The older the cat becomes, the higher the rates become.

Maintaining the environment

Abyssinian cats are low maintenance, but that does not mean that you should not look after them. One of the most important things you will have to keep up with is the litter. Here, you will have to go through about a box every month. After certain intervals, you will also have to replace the liners and the scratchers. All these activities will cost you no more than 75 dollars.

Entertainment

Anyone who has a pet, let alone a cat, understands the importance of keeping the said pet entertained and busy. It is only a matter of time before the toys you bought begin to wear out. So, you will have to replace them at regular intervals or when you see that they are beginning to wear. To do this, you can either go to the pet store and then replace the toys one by one at the rate with which they are wearing, or you can simply sign up for a recurring cat toy box. The choice is yours. Obviously, the latter will tend to be a bit more expensive, but it will save you the hassle of having to move around.

Additional costs that you will have to factor in

While the list that we’ve made is as comprehensive as possible, you will have to take into account a couple of things that happen occasionally but add extra expenses. A prime example of said costs is when you decide to go on vacation. You will have to pay for a cat sitter or carry the cat with you. If you decide on the latter, you have to make additional payments at the airport.

Another example of this is scratching surfaces. Cats are prone to scratching, as it keeps their claws sharp. Even if you have bought your cat a scratching surface, chances are they will still damage some of your furniture. So you have to take on the expenses of either repairing or replacing the damaged items. Last but not least, you never know when your cat will develop some health complications that require a trip to the vet and the medication required to palliate and eradicate the said condition.

Even though the pet insurance will cover a majority of the costs, they will not cover everything. Thus, it is best if you save up a bit in case of an emergency.

Saving money

The most effective and efficient way of ensuring that you are saving money when raising your Abyssinian cat is to acquiesce a bit when it comes to the quality of products that you buy and buy things in bulk. Be it litter, toys, or even cat food, you are in a better position to spend a whole lot less when you purchase more in one instance.

Even though it may seem like you are spending more upfront, you are saving on costs for the future, and in the long run, you will be able to see the results of your endeavors. Moreover, you should sign up for a recurring service to this effect. There are a myriad of sites and stores all over the country that will offer you great discounts if you do this. After all since you are still going to need the products that are offering, why don’t you save yourself some time, energy and money and enroll into a service.

Working on a budget

You can scrape off a couple of things if you are working on a budget. You can either decide to lower the premium on the pet insurance or scrape it off entirely. Beware, though. When it comes time to take the pet to the vet, you will have to pay the entirety of the bill. Another thing you can do is use lower-quality litter products. Though they will reduce the price, the low-quality litter boxes will not mask out the smells properly, and cleaning up might also prove to be a bit of a quandary. To this effect, you can also decide to ditch deodorants and litters.

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