How Much Does a Himalayan Cat Cost? 2024 Price Guide

There are few cats as adorable as the Himalayan cat. Their long coats make them Hollywood icons, which only adds to their overall popularity.

But how much do these adorable cats cost? The answer isn’t as simple as you might think. Purchasing a Himalayan cat is only one part of the bill. In this guide, we go over everything that you need to know, from the upfront costs to how much you need to budget every month.

This way, when you go to adopt or purchase a Himalayan cat, you’ll know exactly what to expect to take care of them properly.

Bringing Home a New Himalayan Cat: One-Time Costs

When considering how much a Himalayan cat will cost, it’s about more than just the adoption fees. You also need to factor in all the other one-time, upfront costs associated with getting a new cat.

We break everything down for you here. This way, you have a better idea of how much you need to afford a Himalayan.

Free

Maybe you’re lucky and have a friend who’s looking to get rid of a Himalayan cat, or perhaps you’ve found one on a social media page. Unfortunately, while you can keep an eye out for a free Himalayan cat, there’s no guarantee that one will ever pop up.

If one does, you can rest assured that they’ll go fast. Tons of people want these cats, so finding a free one is incredibly rare.

Adoption

$300-$600

If you’re not interested in getting a registered Himalayan cat, you can try to track down one from a backyard breeder or wait until one shows up at a shelter. Neither option will give you official registration paperwork, but if you’re not looking to breed your Himalayan, that doesn’t matter too much.

Just keep in mind that a backyard breeder might not be the most reputable, and a shelter likely won’t keep a Himalayan for long.

Breeder

$750-$1,500

Finding a breeder is by far the most common way to get a Himalayan. However, while it’s the easiest and likely only way to get one with the proper registration paperwork, it’s also the most expensive way.

If you find a Himalayan from a reputable breeder for a cost of $750, you’ve got yourself a great deal. More likely, you’ll spend at least $1,000, though it’s not uncommon to see them priced for as much as $1,500.

Initial Setup and Supplies

$700-$1,000

Purchasing your Himalayan is only one part of the initial costs. You also need to factor in their first vet visit, vaccinations, a collar, toys, scratch pads, a litter box, and more!

We broke down common expenses and how much you can expect to spend on each one. Keep in mind that it’s easy to blow through the $1,000 budget that we set here if you opt for higher-end products.

List of Himalayan Cat Care Supplies and Costs

How Much Does a Himalayan Cat Cost Per Month?

$110-$300 per month

Once you own your Himalayan, you’re not done spending money yet. That’s because you also need to care for your new cat, and those costs can vary from month to month. We broke down the most common expenses here. This way, you have a better idea of how much you need to save each month to care for your new pet properly.

Food

$10-$30 per month

Himalayan cats are on the larger side of the cat world, and as such, they can eat a decent amount. A typical Himalayan will eat anywhere from ½ cup to ¾ cup of food each day. If you buy your food in bulk and have a smaller Himalayan cat, you can get by spending $10 a month in food.

However, if you have a larger Himalayan cat and factor in additional treats and the occasional wet food, that cost can rise closer to $30 a month. Either way, you should be getting top-notch food at these price points so you won’t be sacrificing your cat’s future health.

Grooming

$5-$30 per month

Himalayan cats are a long-haired breed, so they can cost more to take care of each month. Not only do they need daily brushing and the occasional bath, but they also need their teeth brushed a few times a week and their face wiped daily to prevent eye staining.

None of this is overly expensive, but the costs can rise depending on the type of toothpaste and shampoos that you use for them.

Medications and Vet Visits

$20-$50 per month

At the very least, you should put your Himalayan on flea and tick prevention medication to keep problems from cropping up. These medications run about $20 a month, but they can save you from having to deal with a flea-infested house!

Healthcare costs can add up if your cat has other health concerns that require pet visits or medications.

Pet Insurance

$15-$75 per month

When it comes to pet insurance, it’s best to get it while your Himalayan is still young. This is because as your cat ages, the monthly premiums go up, but if you lock in your rate early, you can save a ton. The average pet insurance for a Himalayan under 1 year old will only cost you between $15 and $20.

But if you wait, those costs can quickly start to skyrocket and come in closer to the $75-a-month range. Also, keep in mind that you should save each month for the yearly deductible and any annual wellness visits that pop up!

Environment Maintenance

$50-$75 per month

One of the most expensive monthly costs of owning a Himalayan is keeping up with their environment. This means getting new litter and liners for the litter box, adding a few deodorizing sprays, and replacing the cardboard scratchers that your cat uses.

None of these are overly expensive on their own, but they’re not things that you want to go without, and they add up when put all together.

Entertainment

$10-$25 per month

Just like you need something to keep you occupied, your Himalayan could use a few toys to keep them entertained every day. The good news is that cat toys are relatively inexpensive.

You can either head out to the pet store to replace toys individually as they wear out, or you can opt for a subscription box that sends you new cat toys every month or two. Either way, your Himalayan will appreciate if you keep new toys around to keep them entertained. This means you’ll have to deal with less destructive boredom behavior around your home.

Total Monthly Cost of Owning a Himalayan Cat

$110-$300 per month

When you factor everything together, there’s no reason that you can’t get by spending just over $100 on your Himalayan every month. Still, if you’re looking to pamper your cat a little, it’s not hard to spend $300 or more on extra goodies for your new furry pal.

Additional Costs to Factor In

While we covered everything that you’ll have to deal with on a month-to-month basis and up front, what we haven’t covered are the occasional costs that will come up because you’re a pet owner.

For instance, if you have to travel for work or are planning to take a vacation, you’ll need to find a pet sitter to watch your Himalayan. Also, unexpected vet bills, dental cleanings, and possible training are all things that can crop up.

Keep in mind that if you’re getting a kitten, they’ll need guidance on where to scratch, so they might tear up a bit of furniture before they get the hang of things.

Owning a Himalayan Cat on a Budget

While it’s best to ensure that you have enough money to take care of your Himalayan every month, we understand that things come up, and you might need to pinch pennies for a little while. The good news is that there are definitely a few things you can cut back on.

For instance, you can lower your pet insurance deductible, cost-share, or maximum benefit to save a few bucks. While you can cut out the pet insurance completely, if something comes up, you’ll be facing a steep bill.

You can also lower the quality of the litter that you’re purchasing or skip the liners and deodorizing sprays, but lacking these things will make clean up more challenging and increase the odor around the house.

Saving Money on Himalayan Cat Care

One of the best ways to save money on Himalayan cat care is by buying in bulk. Whether it’s litter or food, when you buy in bulk, you spend more upfront but save more in the long run.

Another helpful idea is to find another cat owner to swap pet sitting with. This means when you head out for a vacation, you won’t have to pay a sitter, and you will just have to watch their furry friend when the other cat owner is out of town! It seems like a win-win to us!

• See also: Himalayan Cat Health Problems

Conclusion

While owning a Himalayan cat might not be as cheap as you’d like, there’s no doubt that their constant companionship and adorable antics make them well worth the cost. So, once you get to a place where you can afford the upfront costs and monthly care expenses, they’re well worth every penny!

But be sure that you can afford them because your Himalayan will seem far less adorable when you’re struggling to meet all their basic necessities.

Related Read: Himalayan vs. Ragdoll Cat: Which Cat is Best for You?

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Featured Image Credit: Nattapong Pongpiyapan, Shutterstock