How Much Does an Abyssinian Cat Cost? 2024 Price Guide
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There are few cats as stunning and as adorable as an Abyssinian cat. But before you head out to adopt or purchase one, take the time to ensure that you can afford one. So, how much does an Abyssinian cat cost?
It comes down to more than just the adoption fees, which is why we created this guide to walk you through everything that you need to know—and how much it will cost. This way, you know exactly what you’re getting into.
Bringing Home a New Abyssinian Cat: One-Time Costs
When trying to determine how much an Abyssinian cat will cost, the one-time expenses are what come to mind. The adoption fees are just the start of it.
We break down everything that you need to know about the one-time costs associated with getting an Abyssinian cat here.
Free
If you know someone with an Abyssinian who’s having kittens or if you can find one on a social media page, you might be able to get them for free. However, keep in mind that finding an Abyssinian for free is incredibly rare.
Also, the chances are that you’ll be adopting an older cat, and they might have a few health issues. So, while you could get a free cat up front, there might be extra costs on the backend.
Adoption
$100–$250
One of the most affordable places to find an Abyssinian cat is at a shelter or adoption center. But keep in mind that an Abyssinian won’t last long there, so you’ll need to keep an eye out if this is the route that you’re planning to take.
An Abyssinian from a shelter won’t have the paperwork to verify their parentage. So, if you’re looking to breed your Abyssinian cat, one from the shelter won’t be an ideal option.
Breeder
$1,200–$2,200
This is where things start to get expensive. While this is the easiest way to get an Abyssinian cat, you’ll need to fork out some cash. The cost of your Abyssinian kitten will vary depending on the specific coat of your cat and their parentage.
If you’re going to a breeder to get a purebred certified Abyssinian cat, expect the cost to be close to or even over $2,000!
Initial Setup and Supplies
$700–$1,000
Once you’ve purchased your new Abyssinian cat, the expenses have just started. You need to schedule a visit to a vet as soon as possible to check your new kitten for any health issues and get them on any preventative medication.
You’ll need a litter box, toys, a scratch post, and more. While you can get by spending as little as $700, if you go overboard, you can spend well over the $1,000 threshold here.
List of Abyssinian Cat Care Supplies and Costs
ID Tag and Collar: | $20 |
Spay/Neuter: | $300 |
Vaccinations: | $150 |
Exam/Tests: | $150 |
Tick/Flea/Mite Treatment: | $20 |
Bed: | $25 |
Brush (optional): | $10 |
Litter Box: | $30 |
Litter Scoop: | $5 |
Toys: | $25 |
Carrier: | $35 |
Scratch Pad: | $30 |
Food and Water Bowls: | $30 |
How Much Does an Abyssinian Cat Cost Per Month?
$105–$255 per month
Compared to larger pets, a cat is relatively cheap regarding their monthly maintenance. If you keep everything on the lower end of things, there’s no reason that you can’t get by with a $100/month budget. However, if you’re looking to spoil your Abyssinian cat a bit, it’s easy to spend closer to $250 a month.
Everything from food to toys contributes to this, and we give you a comprehensive breakdown of everything here.
Food
$10–$25 per month
If you buy your cat food in bulk, you can get by spending $10 a month on high-quality cat food. That’s because an Abyssinian cat only weighs between 6 and 10 pounds, so a ½ cup of cat food is all they need a day.
From there, add in a few treats and cans of wet food, and it’s easy to stay under the $25-a-month high-end estimate.
Grooming
$2–$5 per month
Grooming your Abyssinian is both easy and inexpensive. You should brush them out about once a week, although they do a decent job of taking care of this themselves.
You should brush their teeth a few times a week with a veterinarian-recommended cat toothpaste. This will help keep their teeth healthy and save you money in future vet bills.
Medications and Vet Visits
$20–$50 per month
At the very least, you need to get your cat on flea and tick prevention medication. They need these treatments every month, and you can expect to spend about $20 a month on them.
On top of that, you should save a little every month to help cover deductibles and other unexpected expenses. Keep in mind that these costs can soar if your cat has a health concern.
Pet Insurance
$15–$75 per month
If you get your Abyssinian cat pet insurance when they’re a kitten, you can easily find a plan between $15 and $25 a month.
These plans will cover up to 90% of medical bills and can have a deductible of only $100! Getting pet insurance early is key because rates will increase dramatically as your pet ages.
Environment Maintenance
$50–$75 per month
While there aren’t many things to keep up with in your cat’s life, the most significant is their litter. You’ll go through about a box a month. You may also need to replace their scratchers and liners, and using a deodorizing spray is a good idea.
None of this is overly expensive, so it’s best to keep everything as pristine as possible.
Litter box liners | $10 |
Deodorizing spray or granules | $5 |
Cardboard scratcher | $10 |
Litter | $25 |
Entertainment
$10–$25 per month
If you have an active cat, it’s only a matter of time until their toys wear out. Whether it’s batteries for the laser pointer or a new scratch toy for them to bat at, over time, you’ll need to replace them. You can either head to the pet store and replace them individually, or you can sign up for a reoccurring cat toy box to keep your new Abyssinian cat’s toy box full!
There’s no exact answer on how much you’ll be spending, but if you have an exceptionally playful cat that burns through toys, you can expect to spend more.
Total Monthly Cost of Owning an Abyssinian Cat
$105–$205 per month
Toys, food, and litter all cost money, and they’re not things that you’ll want to skimp out on. While you might be saving a little money upfront, it’s usually going to cost you in the long run.
Whether it’s getting lower-quality food or opting for supplies that won’t last, going for the lowest-priced products the first time almost always costs more in the end.
Additional Costs to Factor In
While everything we listed is what you’ll need on a daily basis, occasionally, there will be extra expenses associated with owning a pet.
For instance, whether you’re heading out of town for work or a vacation, you’ll need to budget for a pet sitter to take care of your new Abyssinian cat. Also, while you’re training your Abyssinian, they might scratch up a few things, and these may be costly to replace or repair.
Furthermore, you never know when your cat is going to need a trip to the vet. While pet insurance can help with these costs, it doesn’t cover everything, so it’s still best to have a rainy-day fund set aside for them.
Owning an Abyssinian Cat on a Budget
If you’re looking to save a few bucks on your Abyssinian cat care, you’re not entirely out of luck. While there’s no one good thing to skimp on, you can lower your pet insurance coverage or raise the deductible.
You can also consider dropping pet insurance entirely but know that waiting to get pet insurance will raise your rates and can cost you even more if your cat gets sick when you don’t have coverage.
You can opt for lower-quality litter, but it might not mask the smell as well and can be more challenging to clean out. Speaking of which, you can ditch liners and deodorizers, but doing so will make cleaning up harder, and you might notice more of a smell throughout your home.
Saving Money on Abyssinian Cat Care
One of the best ways to save on Abyssinian cat care without sacrificing quality is to buy in bulk. Whether it’s cat food or litter, you’ll usually get it for a more affordable price if you purchase more of it at once.
So, while you’ll be spending more upfront for something, you’ll get more of it, so it will save you money in the long run. Also, consider signing up for a recurring delivery service. Many sites will offer you a discount if you do this, and if you’re going to need the product, anyway, you might as well have it delivered straight to your door and save some money!
Conclusion
That Abyssinian cat might be adorable, but they become far less cute if you can’t afford to care for them. But if you can, they make great companions, and they don’t require a ton of daily maintenance.
So, whether you have a few hundred bucks to spend a month on a furry pal or you’re on a bit of a tighter budget, an Abyssinian cat might be precisely what you need in your life!
See also:
- 6 Abyssinian Cat Colors & Patterns (With Pictures)
- 120 Awesome Names for Abyssinian Cats: Ideas for Unique Felines