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How Much Does a Calico Cat Cost? 2025 Price Guide

Emma Stenhouse Profile Picture

By Emma Stenhouse

calico cat

If you and your family are ready to add an adorable kitten to your family, you might have already started researching different breeds and colors. If you’ve been tempted by the thought of a gorgeous Calico kitten, we don’t blame you! These sweet cats are white, black, and orange.

While the cost of your new Calico kitten might vary depending on their breed, your ongoing costs will likely be similar. Generally, adopting a Calico cat will cost $100–$250, and buying one from a breeder will cost $500–$2,000. We broke down the typical monthly costs for owning a Calico cat so you can be prepared for how much you’ll need to budget. Remember that prices for specific services like veterinary care can vary region by region, but other expenses like food and cat litter will be fairly consistent.

So, before you reserve that fluffy little kitten, make sure you’re fully informed and prepared for the ongoing costs of cat ownership.hepper cat paw divider

Bringing Home a New Calico Cat: One-Time Costs

Once you’ve decided to own a cat, you must be prepared to invest a fair amount of funds in one-time costs. If you’ve never owned a cat before, you’ll need supplies and equipment before you bring one home. If you have owned a cat, you can reuse items or invest in something new.

Besides all the supplies your kitten needs, you’ll also need to budget for their healthcare, including vaccinations, spaying or neutering, and check-ups. First, we’ll examine how much you should expect to pay for your new Calico kitten.

calico cat_RD GF_Pixabay
Image Credit: RD GF, Pixabay

Free

As Calico is a color and not a specific breed, you may see ads for free Calico kittens. These kittens may come from an accidental litter or a feral cat mama whose babies were rescued by a Good Samaritan. Bear in mind that these kittens may not have had any health checks, and the health of both parent cats may not have been considered. Adopting one from a shelter is probably a wiser investment.

Adoption

  • $100–$250

Most shelters have a good selection of Calico cats of various breeds. They may have kittens and older cats looking for a loving home. If you’re not worried about the breed, this is a great place to find your new cat! Generally, veterinarians examine all shelter cats before they’re adopted. The adoption fee covers the costs of running the shelter and veterinary care.

calico cat_paki74_PIxabay
Image Credit: paki74, PIxabay

Breeder

  • $500–$2,000

Depending on the breed you’re looking at, prices will vary, but typically, a Calico costs between $500 and $2,000. Even if you choose a breed with a premium price tag, this initial cost will still be small compared to the costs of caring for your cat for their entire lifetime.

As an example, though, different breeds with Calico coloration include:
  • Maine Coon: $1,200
  • British Shorthair: $1,000
  • Persian: $1,300

Almost all Calico cats are females because the color is related to the X chromosome. Two copies of this gene are needed for a cat to have a Calico coat. Rarely is a male cat with an X chromosome born with a Calico coat. This causes Klinefelter’s Syndrome, which can result in serious health issues. Therefore, you’ll probably never see a male Calico cat advertised.

Initial Setup and Supplies

  • $120–$450

The cost of your initial setup and supplies will vary depending on whether you’ve had a cat before. We recommend getting everything on this list. For some supplies, there is a wide range of prices. For others, like vet care, you’ll have to pay the standard rate for your region.

calico kitten playing with toy
Image Credit: Casey Elise Christopher, Shutterstock

List of Calico Cat Care Supplies and Costs

Before bringing your new Calico kitten home, ensure you’ve invested in everything listed here. Check out online sales and promotions to find products to suit your budget, or head to your local pet store to see what they offer. For veterinary services, ask your local vet for a quote.

ID Tag and Collar $15
Spay/Neuter $145
X-ray Cost $100–$250
Ultrasound Cost $250–$500
Microchip $45–$55
Teeth Cleaning $150–$300
Bed $30
Nail Clipper $7
Brush $8
Litter Box $25
Litter Scoop $10
Toys $30
Carrier $40
Scratching post $50
Food and Water Bowls $10

How Much Does a Calico Cat Cost Per Month?

  • $20–$250 per month

After you’ve invested in your initial setup supplies, the monthly costs of keeping a Calico cat can vary. You can get budget food and supplies or splash out on premium ranges. However, finding quality formulas that aren’t too expensive or cheap is better. Some cats will need ongoing monthly medication, which will increase your monthly expenses.

Health Care

  • $15–$200+ per month

Your Calico cat’s monthly healthcare costs will typically include the following:

  • Vaccinations and check-ups
  • Dental care and teeth cleaning
  • Treatment for parasite

Emergency treatment, like if your cat ate something poisonous or had an accident, can increase the costs. It is a good idea to plan for unexpected bills. Some cat owners have a savings account, while others enroll in pet insurance. Your vet may also accept payment plans, and you can ask them when you’re visiting for a routine check-up.

Food

  • $20–$75 per month 

So many cat foods are available that you’ll have no trouble finding one to suit your budget. Make sure that the one you choose has real meat listed as one of the first five ingredients and contains a high protein percentage. Budget brands use fillers, like grains, to bulk out the foods while keeping costs down.

Premium formulas have higher-quality ingredients and shorter ingredient lists with fewer fillers.

calico cat eating_Shutterstock_Stamat Vitalii
Image Credit: Stamat Vitalii, Shutterstock

Grooming

  • $0–$15 per month

How much it costs to groom your Calico cat each month will depend on whether they’re long- or short-haired. Long-haired cats need frequent brushing and specialized brushes, but you can schedule an appointment with a professional groomer.

Shorthaired cats only need weekly brushing to keep their skin and coat in good condition.

Medications and Vet Visits

  • $0–$50+ per month

Most Calico cats are healthy and don’t require monthly medications apart from flea and parasite control. However, some may suffer from health problems,  so it is always best to familiarize yourself with the health concerns that affect the specific breed of your cat.

Regardless of the breed, making sure you brush their teeth regularly can reduce the chance of dental disease.

veterinarian examines a calico cat
Image Credit: Sakura Image Inc, Shutterstock

Pet Insurance

  • $5–$25+ per month

Pet insurance is optional and may seem unnecessary, but if your cat needs expensive veterinary care, pet insurance can help cover the costs. It is always worth taking a look at a few policies and seeing if there’s one to suit your budget.

Environment Maintenance

  • $15–$100+ per month

Depending on the brand and type of cat litter you use, you’ll need up to 20 pounds of litter per cat per month. You can also buy litter mats, liners, or other accessories.

Providing a fresh cardboard scratcher each month is also a good idea.

scooping out cat litter from the sack
Image Credit: EvGavrilov, Shutterstock
Litter box liners $5/month
Deodorizing spray or granules $5/month
Cardboard Scratcher $10/month
Litter $10+/month

Entertainment

  • $0–$50+ per month

When it comes to entertainment, you can spend a little or spoil your new pet! All cats need mental and physical stimulation, so make sure your house includes plenty of interesting toys and games. You can make toys with household items, or you can treat your cat to the latest interactive toys.

Cat subscription boxes can keep your cat entertained, and most have a monthly selection of treats and toys.

Total Monthly Cost of Owning a Calico Cat

  • $20–$100+ per month

How much it costs to keep your Calico cat each month depends on whether you buy premium, budget, or a blend of both. There’s no need to think that you must spend a fortune on your cat every month; once the essentials are covered, you don’t necessarily need to spend more.

Vet care is the primary expense that could increase your monthly costs. Your cat may develop a condition that requires regular medication, or they could have an accident that results in an expensive bill. Our final monthly estimate hasn’t accounted for unexpected vet bills, so it’s always worth bearing that in mind.

calico cat_user32212_Pixabay
Image Credit: user32212, Pixabay

Additional Costs to Factor In

Besides your regular monthly costs, you may want to consider occasional costs, including:

  • Pet sitters when going on vacation
  • Emergency treatments for illness
  • Household damage caused by an enthusiastic cat
  • Behavioral training

Owning a Calico Cat On a Budget

It’s possible to own a Calico cat on a budget. Once you’ve invested in your initial setup costs, you can keep costs down by buying budget cat litter, making homemade toys, and creating DIY scratching posts or cat trees if you have spare materials.

One area where we always recommend spending most of your budget is your cat’s food. It is well worth spending time finding the best food you can afford. Always choose a formula high in protein, featuring real meat, and free from meat by-products, artificial colors, and fillers.

calico cat_Michelle Raponi_Pixabay
Image Credit: Michelle Raponi, Pixabay

Saving Money on Calico Cat Care

Look for items like cat carriers and food bowls at yard sales. They are easy to clean and should last a long time. Instead of buying an expensive new one, you could make your cat a bed out of fabric scraps or an old bedspread.

Consider switching to cheaper cat litter or deciding which items, like litter box liners, you may be able to do without. Look at cat food reviews and see if it’s worth switching brands to save a few cents.

Remember that all cats want, more than the latest fancy cat toys, plenty of interaction with their owners. Spend time playing with your cat, and we guarantee they won’t worry that you’re trying to save money!hepper cat paw divider

Conclusion

Once you’ve invested in your new cat’s initial supplies and vet care, their monthly costs can be as little as $25. There’s no need to purchase automatic litter boxes and fancy cat beds—unless you want to!

If your cat needs veterinary treatment, unexpected expenses can occur. You might decide that pet insurance is a sensible investment, or you can set up a savings account for your cat.

You can examine your budget every 6 months to see where you can save. But remember that what your cat cares most about is spending time with you!


Featured Imge Credit: Polet, Pixabay

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