How Much Does It Cost To Fix A Kitten

Whats The Average Cost To Spay Or Neuter A Cat

The cost of spaying or neutering your cat varies based on multiple factorsthe biggest is where you go for the procedure. A private veterinarian will likely be the most pricey, but theyre also the most reliable. Your vet will be able to discuss the risks and rewards with you personally. Theyll possibly have you bring your cat in for a blood test and discuss pricing prior to the procedure. In many cases, a personal vet will also allow your cat to stay and recover overnight . Private vets cost anywhere from $200$400 for a spay/neuter procedure.

You also have the option to bring your kitty to a lower-cost clinic. These are typically run by nonprofits and all surgeries are performed by licensed veterinarians. Youll probably take your cat home the same day they receive treatment. At these clinics, fixing a feline usually costs less than $100. Local animal shelters may even provide the services for a significantly reduced price or by donation if owners need financial assistance, or for feral cats who are brought in through a TNR program.

One key factor that could affect the price of your female cats spay is whether or not shes in heat or pregnant. Any vets office or spay clinic will charge more, because the operation itself is more complicated and time consuming. If you think your cat may fall into either of those categories, let your provider know before moving forward.

Top Cat Diseases And Injuries On Pet Insurance Claims

Common pet insurance claims for cats include conditions as varied as intestinal issues , anorexia , upper respiratory infections, cancer , urinary tract infections and bladder stones, kidney disease, heart conditions and diabetes. The costs associated with some of these common claims can be significant, as these examples show:

Is Getting My Pet Spayed Or Neutered At A Clinic Cheaper Than Getting It Done By My Vet

Yes, its typically cheaper to go to a clinic than it is to go to a vets office for a spay or neuter procedure. This is because clinics tend to rely on state programs or donations to help cover their costs, while a vets office might handle all of those costs themselves.

Clinics and vets offices arent the only options though: Some pet stores offer spay and neuter procedures. The services at those locations, as well as the associated costs, may vary. Check with your local pet store to see if spaying or neutering your pet is an option there.

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Paying For A Cat To Be Spayed Or Neutered Is Always Cheaper Than Not Doing So

TheCatSite members who responded to our survey have shown that spaying or neutering a cat can sometimes be expensive .

You might think its better to just let your cat go without spay/neuter surgery, then. Youll keep a close eye on them, discourage unwanted behaviors, and hope for the best, right?

Wrong.

That wont work as well as you think. Realistically, you cant watch your cat 24/7. You just cant. It only takes a female cat getting out and mating once for her to get pregnant. When they do, youre going to have to spend a lot of time making sure your kitty is healthy and ready to give birth.

Once your cat becomes a mother, theyre going to have a whole litter of kittens. Hopefully, they can give birth naturally. If not, expect to pay $500 to $3,000 for a Cesarean section or C-section. Kittens are delicate creatures and can easily get sick. Which means high vet bills. The kittens will need to be vaccinated every few weeks in early kittenhood, which could cost several hundred dollars for each cat.

Oh, and then theres food, too. The mother cat will consume more food when pregnant and lactating. And once the kittens are weaned, expect them to be ravenous. After all, as kittens grow, they need a nutritional diet to sustain them. Youll pay roughly $300 to feed six kittens for maybe a few weeks.

What goes in, comes out budget for extra litter costs too. This can easily cost close to $100 or more depending on how many cats you have.

How Much Does Cat Litter Cost

Litter boxes are probably the most necessary cat accessory, and their purchase price is usually between $20 and $30. On most merchandising sites, 40 pounds of cat litter costs $25 and will have to be purchased four times per year with typical usage. Is your kitty litter not enough? Find out ways to get rid of that cat pee smell.

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How Much Does Cat Broken Leg Surgery Cost

Since cats are very active, it is not unusual for them to get into fights or suffer from falls. As such, they are prone to fractures in the same way that humans are. If a fracture happens, it is important that you give this immediate attention and take your cat to the nearest veterinarian. This way, you can avoid aggravating its condition.

Ignoring the problem can also make the bones heal wrong, something that may cause even more problems in the future.

One of the popular remedies for treating a broken leg is surgery however, there are also non-surgical treatment options available as well that your veterinarian can discuss with you.

Flank Spay Versus Midline Spay

The other factor that affects the cost of neutering is the type of procedure you go for. As our research shows, it’ll cost significantly more to castrate a male cat than to spay a female, but did you know there are different types of spaying procedure available too?

Some vets offer a midline spay where the incision is made straight across the cat’s tummy. Others offer a flank spay, where they cut open the cat’s side.

Most vets favour just one procedure or the other and that’s the price you pay, but a few will give you a choice and will have a different price for each. For example, Coastway Vets in East Sussex charges £142.80 for a flank spay and £172.80 for a midline spay.

The jury’s still out on which approach is better for your cat according to the British Veterinary Association it recommends being guided by your vet and which procedure they’re most familiar and comfortable with.

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The Tragic Price Of Irresponsibility

The Humane Society of the United States estimates that in the United States 1.5 million cats and dogs are euthanized in shelters each year. Millions of other cats eke out a frail existence on the street and meet tragic early deaths. These needless tragedies can be traced directly to people who behaved irresponsibly, even if they had good intentions.

What To Expect Financially From An Emergency Vet Visit

You never know when you might need to take your cat in for an emergency visit, whether because they get injured, become ill, or ingest something that they should not. The cost of just walking in the door to see a vet due to an emergency can cost anywhere between $75 and $150. However, costs do not stop there. Depending on the situation, you could face charges for one or more of the following services.

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Does Pet Insurance Cover The Cost Of Spay Or Neuter Services

Pet insurance doesnt typically cover spaying or neutering procedures unless youve purchased a wellness plan rider an optional add-on coverage for your policy. This is because pet insurance is meant to help cover unexpected costs, like accidents or illness, rather than preventative treatments.

Whether or not its best to get pet insurance before spaying or neutering your pet will depend on the coverages you purchase. If you purchase insurance or a wellness rider that will cover a spay or neuter surgery at a lower cost, it might be worth it. But look carefully at the terms of your insurance plan you may have to pay out-of-pocket before your coverage kicks in.

Pet wellness plans are also available separately from pet insurance. Unlike insurance, wellness plans are focused strictly on prevention. This includes services like vaccinations, dental cleanings, and spaying and neutering. Keep in mind if you purchase a standalone wellness plan or add a wellness rider to your pet insurance plan, you may have to wait a certain amount of time before you can use your coverage.

Add It All Up: How Much Does A Cat Cost In Total

So, how much does a cat cost? We estimate at least $1,749 in the first year, with an added initial price for more expensive cats, or possible medical emergencies. Its clear that owning a cat is a substantial financial responsibility, so its important to think about the commitment youre making before you adopt your wise, playful companion. Ready to adopt? Follow these tips for giving your pet a long and healthy life.

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Is Pet Insurance For Cats Worth It

Pet insurance can help cover the cost of your cats medical care, reimbursing you when your cat is sick or injured . The actual out-of-pocket costs youll see with pet insurance vary depending on the policy you choose, including the annual premium, deductibles, coverage, exclusions and reimbursement percentages. Most pet owners can save a lot if their cat has a disease or accident and needs expensive treatment.

Many pet owners wonder if pet insurance is really worth it. Its totally about that peace of mind to make sure that if your pet just had an accident or illness, that you dont have to worry about if you have that money saved up, you can just give them the care that they need, says Dawn Pyne, marketing manager for Embrace, which is based in Cleveland, Ohio. Its a personal decision at the end of the day. Can you afford the accident or illness, or can you afford the insurance?

To get an idea of the costs associated with veterinary care for cats, lets take a look at some common and unusual insurance claims from Embrace in 2016.

Male And Female Cats Are Less Likely To Get Cancer

Spaying your female cat helps reduce the risk of uterine or breast tumors, which, according to ASPCA, are cancerous in 90% of cats. Basically, spaying your female cat crosses a big disease off of the “ways to die” list, or at least moves it to the bottom.Neutering a male cat offers similar protection from testicular cancer and prostate problems.

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Benefits Of Spaying And Neutering

Consider the following benefits of spaying and neutering your cat.

• Spaying your cat prevents overpopulation and provides a healthier and longer life for them.
• Spaying a cat prevents uterine infections and breast cancer or tumorsmalignant or cancerous in about 90% of cats.
• Spaying your cat before her first heat provides the best protection from the aforementioned diseases.
• Spaying or neutering your cat is cost-effective. The average cost of neutering a cat is far less than the cost of caring for a litter.
• Neutering your male cat prevents testicular cancer and other prostate problems.
• Neutering your male cat can prevent him from wandering away from home, searching for a female companion.
• Spaying and neutering might help reduce particular behavior and unwanted pregnancies.

Even though the heat cycles of a female cat can vary, they typically go into heat for four to five days every three weeks during the breeding season. While searching for a mate, they may also urinate in inappropriate locations and incessantly meow. But if you spay your cat, she wont go into heat.

How Much Is A Vet Visit For A Cat

There is no way to know exactly how much a visit to the vet with your cat will cost because it depends on many things, including the reason for the visit, the types of tests that may be done, and how long the visit takes overall. It also depends on where you live and what type of animal care facility you decide to visit.

A basic checkup, sometimes referred to as a wellness exam, typically consists of an oral interview, where your vet will ask questions about things like how well your cat is eating and drinking, the amount of exercise that they get daily, their litterbox habits, whether they have been in any catfights or accidents recently, and their overall behavior.

After the question-and-answer period, your vet will complete a physical examination of your cat, checking their bones and muscles to ensure that no unseen injuries are present. They will also check how alert your cat is, the quality of your cats coat, and the condition of their teeth. Ear and nose discharge, eye cloudiness, and abnormal body lumps will also be looked for.

The cost of a basic checkup can cost anywhere between $40 and $150, depending on where you live. You may need to see a veterinarian for reasons other than just a checkup, in which case, the cost of seeing the veterinarian may differ greatly. Here is a chart of a few service examples and the average cost of said services by region.

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How Often Should I Take My Cat To The Vet

Kittens and cats should see a veterinarian once a year for a wellness checkup and to get any vaccinations that are required. Flea and deworming treatments can be done at home and require nothing more than a quick stop to pick medications up from the vet when necessary . Once your cat reaches the age of 7, your veterinarian may suggest that you come in for wellness checkups twice a year, as changes in a senior cats health can happen quickly.

Be Sure You Know The Pricetag For Providing A Home For A Cat

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• Volunteering Instead

Being a responsible owner of a cat carries with it certain financial obligations. If you are not in a position or are not willing to meet these costs, it may be better not to take in a cat. If your budget is tight, but you are willing to make certain sacrifices for the sake of having the pleasures of a cat in your life, then you may be able to accomplish that dream.

It is difficult to resist that cute kitten in the “free to a good home” box or that friendly stray on the street who begs to come home with you, but if you can’t afford to give it the bare necessities, you are probably doing the cat or kitten no favor. Fortunately, you have options if your love for cats far outweighs your means to properly care for them.

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No Cost Spay & Neuter Program

All previously scheduled appointments for this program are now canceled, and indefinitely postponed. If you have any questions please contact 311.

We offer a No Cost Spay/Neuter Program which provides free spay and neuter surgery for companion cats and dogs of eligible low income Calgarians. This program is not available for breeders. All applications for this program are referred through The Citys Fair Entry Program.

Costs Of Veterinary Care For Your Kittens First Year

An initial cost to consider when budgeting for your kittens first year is the cost associated with veterinary care. Veterinary care will play a vital role throughout your cats life, which is why it’s essential to find a vet as soon as you plan to welcome a new kitten into your home. Building a relationship with a trusted vet can help you set up your kitten for a healthy first yearand the rest of their life.

What can you expect for veterinary costs in your kittens first year? Weve broken it down into a few key categories to help you create a well-rounded budget.

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How Much Does It Cost To Spay Or Neuter Your Cat

The cost of having your cat spayed or neutered depends on your cats age, size, where you live, and on your individual vet, of course. According to Dr. Liff, the pricing for a routine spaying or neutering of a cat can range anywhere between $250 to $2,000.

The gold standard includes IV catheter, IV fluids, pre-anesthesia blood work, licensed nurses monitoring your pet, pain medication and additional therapy for aftercare.

Neutering requires just a small incision, while spaying is considered more major surgery, so it tends to come with a bigger price tag.

When it comes to sterilizing dogs and cats, neutering a cat will probably be at the lower end in terms of cost, while spaying a cat will likely be more expensive, and be on par price-wise with spaying a small dog. Sorry, ladies.

The cost of having your cat spayed or neutered might include, but is not limited to:

Youre going to snip off my WHAT?!

What Does The Price Of Spaying Or Neutering Include

When you get a quote from your veterinarian, its always best to ask whats included and whats not.

Usually, the cost of spaying and neutering includes:

• Full anesthesia for a female cat
• Sedation and local anesthesia for a male cat
• The surgical procedure itself, including suturing
• Follow up and removal of stitches for females

What the cost of spaying and neutering usually doesnt include:

• Pre-surgery blood tests
• Special conditions some veterinarians may charge extra for operating on a cat in heat or one thats already pregnant.

Then there are items which some veterinarians like to include as a package deal while others dont

• A general checkup
• Vaccinations
• Post-surgery pain management medications. These can be given in the form of a shot, pills or both.
• A cat cone for females so theyll avoid chewing on the stitches .

These may or may not be included in the quote ask your veterinarian in advance.

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