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How Much Does a Manx Cat Cost? 2024 Price Guide

Ed Malaker

By Ed Malaker

manx cat on bench

The Manx cat is one of the oldest breeds that we know about, and there are many legends describing its origin. However, it is likely a descendant of the Japanese Bobtail. Bonhaki is the name of the first Manx to win an award at a cat show in 1900.

Its lack of tail is one of the most recognizable traits of this breed, and it has a round head with round eyes. If you are thinking of getting one of these cats, keep reading while we discuss how much it costs to purchase a kitten, as well as the ongoing costs of food, insurance, and more to help you decide if it’s right for your home.

hepper cat paw dividerBringing Home a New Manx: One-Time Costs

Cats are fairly independent and don’t require tons of care, especially compared to some other pets. However, there are some one-time costs you will need to consider. The Manx will need a litter box and food and water bowls. We prefer to use a fountain with our cats because it keeps the water fresher, and the noise attracts the cats, keeping them better hydrated.

Some owners choose to have a microchip implanted in the cat, so they have a better chance of finding their cat if it gets lost, and we highly recommend getting your cat spayed or neutered as soon as possible. You will also need a carrier to take the cat to the vet. Other optional one-time costs include a cat leash, cat stroller, and cat tree.

manx kitten
Image Credit: SF_Photography, Shutterstock

Free

While it’s not super likely, you may fall into a situation where a Manx cat needs rehoming and is being given away by another owner. Keep your eyes peeled in forums, on social media platforms, and in your local paper.

When it comes to free pet supplies, many people like to give pet-related gifts, and other pet owners may end up with more than they need and offer it to you for free. So, you will likely get plenty of free supplies for your cat over its lifetime as long as you keep your eyes open for opportunities to save on these types of costs.

Adoption

$30–$150

Adoption is the best way to purchase your Manx cat because it’s far less expensive, and they often already have their shots and may even be spayed or neutered—saving you hundreds of dollars. Adopting a Manx cat from a local shelter will also free up resources for other animals in need.

manx cat
Image Credit: PradaBrown, Shutterstock

Breeder

$150–$500

You should expect to pay between $150 and $500 for your Manx kitten, depending on your location and the breeder you choose. Higher-quality breeders can be more expensive, and some will have long waiting lists, but you are more likely to get a healthier cat. You will also need to purchase breeding rights if you want the cat to have kittens or get the cat spayed or neutered to fulfill your contract. Some breeders also offer competition-quality and pet-quality cats at different costs.

Initial Setup and Supplies

$50–$200

Once you purchase the Manx kitten, we recommend budgeting between $50 and $200 for your initial setup and supplies. You will need at least one litter pan. Most experts recommend one litter box per cat plus one. You will also need a supply of litter, food, and a few treats. You can purchase a food bowl or use one of yours but make sure it’s wide enough that it doesn’t bump the whiskers while it eats. Same for the water bowl, if you don’t get a fountain.

hepper cat paw divider

List of Manx Cat Care Supplies and Costs

ID Tag and Collar $5–$19
Spay/Neuter $50–$100
X-Ray Cost $100–$250
Ultrasound Cost $25–$85
Microchip $5–$30
Teeth Cleaning $200–$600
Bed/Tank/Cage $15–$70
Nail Clipper (optional) $5–$20
Brush (optional) $5–$30
Litter Box $10–$35
Litter Scoop $5–$30
Toys $5–$30
Carrier $10–$200
Food and Water Bowls $10–$50

How Much Does a Manx Cost Per Month?

$30–$200 per month

You should expect to spend between $30 and $200 per month on your cat. The biggest things affecting your costs are the type and brand of food and litter you choose, but buying cheap is not always the best choice. Lower-cost food is likely to be loaded with poor-quality ingredients and fillers. These brands will leave your cat hungry and begging for food while their weight spirals out of control, leading to expensive health problems.

Also, low-cost litter is likely to be extremely dusty and will also be tracked outside the litterbox, making a mess of your home. So, be careful about matching price with quality.

manx cat
Image Credit: spicetree687, Pixabay

Health Care

$10–$50 per month

Your Manx cat will not require much ongoing healthcare as long as it stays healthy. You usually need to take it to the vet about once per year for a checkup and the occasional booster shot to keep rabies and distemper up to date. Still, these expenses are not very high and should average out to more than $10–$50 per month, with most people staying closer to the low side.

Food

$30–$100 per month

As we mentioned earlier, higher quality brands with chicken, turkey, fish, or other real meat listed as the first ingredient will be more expensive but will provide better nutrition that doesn’t cause weight gain compared to less expensive brands that are primarily corn. The same holds for treats.

Grooming

$5–$70 per month

Your Manx will require very little grooming. While there are longhaired versions that will require daily brushing, the shorthair Manx is much more common and will only require brushing every few days to remove loose hair, increase blood flow to the skin, and help keep the fur off your floor and furniture. We also recommend manually brushing your cat’s teeth with a pet-safe toothpaste or having a professional do it to slow the progression of dental disease, and you may need to trim the nails on occasion, especially if they are scratching up the furniture.

manx cat lying
Image Credit: NSC Photography, Shutterstock

Medications and Vet Visits

$10–$50 per month

Cats are generally healthy and don’t usually require much medication, especially when they are younger. But the one exception is flea and tick medication. If your cat goes outside at all, we recommend purchasing a flea and tick medication to protect your cat from disease.

Medications like Frontline will kill fleas and ticks before they can spread disease and will stop them from taking over your home. This medication can also help reduce the threat of heartworm, which mosquitoes transmit.

Pet Insurance

$10–$50 per month

Pet insurance can cost as low as $10 per month, especially if you get it while your Manx is still a kitten. It may seem like a silly expense while you don’t need it, but if your cat has an accident or illness, any medical procedures can cost $1,000 or more, which might be more than you have on hand. In that case, pet insurance can save your cat’s life.

Environment Maintenance

$30–$50 per month

Your environmental costs will mostly be in the form of replacement litter you will need as your cat uses it. Depending on the type of litter you use, you can go through quite a bit. However, there are very few other costs you’ll need to worry about with cats.

Litter box liners $10/month
Deodorizing spray or granules $10/month
Cardboard scratcher $25/month

Entertainment

$5–$25 per month

Entertainment cost tends to be higher when the cat is still small because owners like to buy them new toys. But as the cat gets older, you start to acquire a stockpile, so there is little need to purchase more. Treats will be an ongoing expense, but you should limit these to no more than 10% of their total daily calories, so it’s easy to keep costs low.

Total Monthly Cost of Owning a Manx Cat

$30–$200 per month

You should expect to spend between $100 and $200 per month on your Manx cat, but the actual cost may be less than that. As we said earlier, litter, food, and the occasional vet visit are all the main essentials, but you may tack on several other expenses as needed and wanted.

Additional Costs to Factor In

Before purchasing your Manx cat, you might also want to consider the cost of temporary housing, especially if you like to travel. If you want to take your cat with you, you will need to check with the hotel to ensure they accept pets. If you can’t take the cat, you will need to get a sitter or house it in a kennel.

manx cat
Image Credit: Cheryl Kunde, Shutterstock

Owning a Manx on a Budget

Your Manx cat is easy to maintain on a budget, especially if you have other cats and don’t need to buy toys or litter boxes. Brushing the fur and teeth can help reduce grooming costs and using dry kibble will help reduce the amount of food you throw away.

Saving Money on Manx Care

The best way to save money on health care for your Manx is to follow portioning guidelines closely when feeding your cat and to spend a few minutes each day playing with your cat to help them get more exercise. Obesity can lead to several costly health problems for your cat, including heart disease and diabetes. Another problem that many cats face is dental disease, so cleaning the teeth frequently can help prevent expensive problems later on.

hepper cat paw dividerConclusion

The Manx cat is a fantastic pet with a unique appearance. It’s playful, affectionate, and has a long lifespan. In addition, the price is low for this purebred cat, and the monthly costs are about the same.

We hope you have enjoyed reading this guide and have found it informative. If we have helped you create a budget that allows you to get one of these fantastic pets, please share our look into how much it costs to own a Manx cat on Facebook and Twitter.

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